Good Progress On Snow Removal, But Some Roads Still Closed; Caution Urged Everywhere – UPDATE – Just One Closed Highway Left

Sun 3:00 PM Nebraska Dept of Transportation says only Hwy 250 from Hwy 20 at Rushville to Hwy 2 at Lakeside remains closed by drifting

    Local and state crews made progress Saturday on removing snow from city streets and opening rural roads and highways, thanks to the end of the high winds that had plagued the region, especially the Northern Panhandle, since Monday.

    Chadron city crews removed center windrows on most major streets and improved conditions on some residential streets, but warned that conditions remain very icy in places with caution urged everywhere.

    Dawes County Commissioner Jake Stewart says road department crews are continuing to work diligently to open all county roads with all available equipment in use.

     Despite those efforts and the help of private citizens on some rural roads, Stewart says the volume of the snow from the storm and the drifting caused by the wind after the snow ended means it could be Tuesday before all roads are open.

     Stewart asks that drivers respect all Road Closed signs since road conditions can change in a short distance, adding that some roads that are open are just one lane at this time. 

    State road crews reopened Hwys 20, 385, 71, and 29 yesterday but Hwy 87 from Hay Springs to Alliance, Link 7E from Hemingford to Hwy 87, Hwy 250 from Hay Springs to Hwy 2, and Hwy 61 from Merriman to Hyannis and Hwy 2 at Hyannis were still closed at midnight.

      Some area churches are on their normal schedules, some have changes, and some have canceled services. 

    Among those canceling are the United Methodist Churches in Hay Springs, Whitney, and Rushville, Our Savior’s Lutheran and Immanuel Lutheran in Chadron, the Congregational Church in Crawford, Open Door Church south of Chadron, and St Columbkille Catholic in Hay Springs.

     Kenwood Chapel is joining First Baptist Church for a joint service at 10:45 with no Sunday School at either location.