Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Tri-State area

QUINCY, ILL. -- Now that the storm is over, it's time to dig out.

We caught up with folks all over the area who are now beginning to shovel their way out of tons of snow.

They say they can't believe how much snow we are contending with.

We're calling this the "Big Dig."

Quincy resident Tommie Benton said, "I've been here 30 years and I never seen something like this."

It's a rare snowfall...

Quincy resident  Bill Ott said, "It's a little past crazy."

Maybe that's true, but some hardy Tri-State residents braved the elements and set out early, determined to dig their way through mounds of snow.

What do you think?

Quincy resident  Danny Wombles said, "I've never seen this much before but its something you have to contend with."

Car hidden underneath mounds of snow was something that folks all over the Tri-States had to contend with Wednesday. In fact this was a common sight along many streets in the Tri-States. Then there were the cars...that never made it home...check out this one parked right in the middle of the street.

Quincy resident Brandon Mauzy made it home...and dug his way out Wednesday morning.

What do you think of all this snow?

Mauzy said, "I thought it was going to be a good day off work and now I find myself doing more work than if I went to work. The adult snow doesn't pay off."

While darkness and the storm hid the true amount of snow...by morning light it became apparent that there was a lot of work to be done.

Quincy resident Armand Brown said, "I thought -wow there's a lot of snow and I have to shovel it

But even then folks I talked to say it's all about the way you look at it.

Quincy resident Sam Hedrick said, "Keep a positive attitude."

Our own Landon Mitchell measured 28.8 inches at the studio.  Here's how he got his numbers.  According to Landon you have to measure snow every hour on a clear surface, away from blowing and drifting.  He says it needs to be relatively surrounded, away from North winds.  Landon did just that...measuring snow in a contained area. Then every hour he shoveled what he measured away...to allow all the new snow to collect.  That process was done every hour throughout the storm.  He calculates 28.8 inches from that deliberate process.  Here's the tricky part.  Snow compacts because water is heavy...leaving us with 18-24 inches that you will see. 

Many folks have gotten different calculations, but  we're betting no one else went through this process to eliminate the issue of drifting snow and compaction in their tabulations.

Tell us what you think...either below in the comments thread or on our Facebook page.