Lincoln Receives Record Snowfall

Over the fourth weekend of January, Lincoln experienced a large snowstorm. Those from this area know that this is not normal. Most of the snow falls usually leave a few inches, not a whole foot. As intense as it was, Union felt it would be best to cancel classes for that following Monday and Tuesday. I am sure I am not alone in enjoying those days off.

Lincoln’s efforts in dealing with the snow felt very inhibited. Their efforts in clearing the roads were immediately undone due to the constant fall of snow. When the roads were plowed, the snow filled the roads again right after. 

Due to the amount of snow and the way that Lincoln dealt with it, there was a sense of being unprepared. Lincoln had no need to deal with this much snow before. There has not been this much snow for years. 

The city of Lincoln issued a snow emergency with a parking ban in snow plowing lanes. This means that people cannot park in the streets. This is the only city where an emergency has been issued compared to places like Hastings, Kearney and Yutan. 

The other issue that occurred because of this was that not all roads were cleared. Many roads were never plowed so the streets had a foot of snow. People could not leave their houses for reasons other than COVID-19. I suppose that would be a nice change of pace. This left almost 2,000 people trapped. People were concerned with losing their jobs and whether they would be able to go get groceries. 

Lincoln may not be prepared for snowstorms as evidenced by the way they handled this storm. Not being able to get residential streets plowed, calling for emergencies is stressful. This is middle of America. This is not Florida where they never get snow. Yet, people were unable to get to work.

But this was not all doom and gloom. As mentioned before, Union got two days off. That is always nice. That is something that is always needed. It is always good for a catch-up day or at the very least, a mental health break. Along with this, people would use the snow to make pure art. People would make things like snow foxes, snow dinosaurs, and even Snow Bernie Sanders with his mittens. People still made the most of the worst snowstorm Lincoln has seen in about 10 years.

TJ Pitinger is a junior

theology major from

Gilson, Ill.