Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Residents digging out in aftermath of storm
Cheyenne County was hit by a large winter storm on Monday and Tuesday. More than 14 inches of snow was reported in Sidney, delivered in a 48-hour window spanning Monday and Tuesday. Residents were busy throughout the region on Wednesday morning clearing the snowfall from vehicles and driveways. A snow emergency will remain in effect in Sidney until all routes are cleared.
Stan Belieu digs out of the snow Tuesday on William Way in Sidney. The city and much of the area was shut down by the more than abundant snow.
Businesses and residents were busy throughout the region on Wednesday morning clearing the snowfall from sidewalks, vehicles and driveways.
Area residents were busy Wednesday morning digging out vehicles, sidewalks and driveways after more than 14 inches of snow fell in Sidney during the previous 48 hours.
School districts in the county remained closed as maintenance crews worked to clear building entrances.
Because the storm continued dumping snow throughout Tuesday, the City of Sidney and Cheyenne County road departments halted most snow clearing operations. Early on Wednesday morning, however, operations resumed.
A snow emergency for Sidney declared on Monday will remain in effect until all routes are cleared, Jo Houser from the city said.
Crews reported for work at midnight on Wednesday and worked until noon, Houser said. After a 12-hour break, the crews will begin working again at midnight on Thursday.
Geri Anthony, interim Sidney city manager, said despite a couple of equipment breakdowns, staff from the city road department were making progress clearing roads.
Parking along snow routes during a snow emergency is prohibited to help facilitate plowing the streets. A map showing a complete list of affected streets on is available by going to the city's website, http://cityofsidney.org, and searching for "snow routes."
In a media release issued Wednesday morning, the city said it wanted to remind residents of the parking ban. According to city statutes, vehicles illegally parked on snow routes are subject to ticketing and towing.
Houser said the Sidney Police Department will issue courtesy reminders to vehicles parked on snow routes that they must be moved.
The storm left schools, businesses and institutions throughout the state closed.
The Associated Press reported 18 inches of snow fell in Grand Island, 16 inches in Hastings and 14 inches in Norfolk.
Utilities reported that electricity has been restored to almost all of the more than 20,000 customers who'd lost power in the eastern part of Nebraska.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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