Storm Responders Commended For April 13 Reaction

It started like most weekends. People joked about the luck of a Friday the 13th. Some watched the sky a little more cautiously when weather services predicted precipitation in the Nebraska Panhandle. When the skies turned gray, then to rain they watched a little closer, and as the wind drove the increasing snow the risk of "a real storm" increased until it became a reality with icy roads, drifting snow, closing businesses and stranding motorists.

For some, it was reminiscent of a time when hotels cared less about revenue and more about caring for people, when residents opened their homes to people in need, and many people were grateful for that kind of compassion as they suddenly found themselves miles from familiar faces, facing snow and cold, and closed roads.

Thursday, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts made a stop in Sidney to formally thank the many people and departments who responded to the crippling snowstorm.

The celebration began with Sidney City Council member Bob Olsen doing the introduction. Gov. Ricketts spoke after that, recalling the weather conditions of the day.

"We had a blizzard, white-out conditions," he said. "They people of the city sprang into action. That's the spirit of Nebraska."

He said the willingness of staff and volunteers in Sidney to step into action made a difference that day.

"Your action no doubt saved lives on April 13," he said. "Thank you, everybody, who was a part of it."

He estimated there were more than 300 vehicles stranded on the interstate, and more than 300 miles of roads closed in Nebraska due to the weather.

"People who did not plan on spending the night, spent the night in Sidney," he said.

Thursday's event at the Sidney High School gymnasium was scheduled to thank the many responders - on duty and volunteers - who provided support during the storm.

Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jensen thanked local including the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, Emergency Communications Center staff, Sidney High School officials for providing bus transportation for stranded motorists, community volunteers and the grocery stores who supported the response.

Sen. Steve Erdman referenced a passage from the Bible when commending the community response: "I was a stranger and you took me in..."

"That is exactly what happened," he said. "These things don't happen by accident. I want to say thank you for what you did."

Gov. Ricketts said this is what it means to be a Nebraskan.

"I am proud to be a Nebraskan. Nebraskans care about each other," he said.

In addition to the community response, Nebraska State Patrol troopers and dispatchers were recognized, as were highway workers for providing a safety zone with the sand trucks to troopers when responding to accidents.