Beginning on January 8th and continuing through to even now, southeast Nebraska has been hit with heavy snow leaving many Nebraskans stranded at home. District 1 has received about 15 inches of snow as well as low temperatures getting down to -20°! We have also seen high winds with a chill of as low as -50°.

In the past week, the Nebraska State Patrol has had a whopping total of 93 crash responses and 1828 motorist assists. Though some roads had to be closed due to drifting and high winds, the Nebraska Department of Roads has had crews working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week clearing and salting roads.

Schools in Auburn, Johnson, Tecumseh, and Nebraska City, including Peru State College, had to close their doors for almost the entire week, just after school started. However, our essential workers in law enforcement and medicine bravely and determinedly kept our hospitals open and our communities safe!

This weather has me, and all Nebraskans, grateful for our first responders, road crews, tow truck operators, and all the good samaritans who have been rescuing stranded motorists, clearing the roads, and even shoveling our sidewalks! This is what being Nebraskan is all about!

As always, I welcome your input on issues important to you. Follow along on my Facebook and Twitter pages, both entitled “Senator Julie Slama” for more updates, or contact me directly at Senator Julie Slama, District 1 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 685094604; telephone: 402-471-2733; email: jslama@leg.ne.gov.