Lombard plow driver decribes ‘perfect nightmare’

As a professional snow remover, Lombard resident Jordan Vogel has seen his share of nasty weather.

But there’s no comparison to the blizzard that left DuPage County blanketed in more than 16 inches of snow Wedensday.

“It’s pretty much the perfect nightmare,” Vogel said.

Vogel’s company, J. Vogel Enterprises, was running three plows in an attempt to keep up with needs of dozens of customers. He said massive snow drifts and clogged side streets were preventing some drives from being plowed.

Other unforeseen setbacks included a deer running into the side of Vogel’s truck at North Avenue and Route 83 about 3 a.m.

The truck later became stuck in a 5-foot snow drift at a Downers Grove banquet hall after a wheel came loose and fell off.

“We’ve had one heck of a night,” Vogel said. “We’ve got a total of about 35 to 40 clients we do in each storm, and it usually takes us 12 to 15 hours to finish the route. This time, it’s probably going to take us two or three days. It’s not a pretty picture.”