BLUE CANYON, Calif. — Drivers going through the Sierra Monday saw the worst of the weather between heavy rain and snowfall. Many families were caught in the middle of it going both ways on Interstate 80.
Truck drivers could be seen stopping on I-80 East to put chains on their tires in the middle of the snow.
“You’ve got to be prepared; have all the equipment you need, gloves, rain jacket,” said driver Jesus Melendez.
Truck drivers say the snow makes their job more dangerous, but they’re working on deadline to reach their destination and have no choice but to drive in it.
All lanes on I-80 were shut down around 1 p.m. Monday due to spinouts or crashes.
Jonathan Richards says he and his wife thought they could beat the snowstorm or get ahead of it. Instead, they got caught right in the middle of it.
"Well, we were trying to get over to Reno, get to a conference and we got stopped and detoured off the road. Went about 20-30 minutes out of the way and then, by the time we hit by here, they kicked us off the freeway, put us all in a queue right here in the parking lot and we're just waiting,” Richards said.
They’re now wondering how long they’re going to be stuck in traffic and hoping they can make it to Reno before registration for their conference closes.
"I would probably say hang out and wait at home. Don't get caught up in it. I imagine they can only queue so many people here, and just wait it out until it opens up and then get back on the road,” Richards said.
If you plan on heading to the Sierra, make sure you have chains with you and be ready to sit in traffic if the snow starts coming down again.
WATCH ALSO:
