This week’s storm hit more of Nebraska than did last week’s blizzard, keeping the Nebraska State Patrol even busier.
Spokesman Cody Thomas says troopers responded to more than 500 weather-related incidents, performing 211 motorist assists statewide on Wednesday and another 306 on Thursday.
Thomas says that In many cases, troopers used their patrol vehicles to transport stranded motorists to safety and out of the cold. Most of those incidents were along Interstate 80 or other highly-traveled roadways.
State Patrol Superintendent Colonel John Bolduc says his agency’s troopers and dispatchers worked together with teams from the Nebraska Dept of Transportation and other agencies to help and even rescue stranded motorists.
While hoping that no more rescues are needed from this storm, Colonel Bolduc urges any motorist who becomes stranded during winter weather to stay in their vehicle and call for help.
He reminds them that the State Patrol Highway Helpline is available 24/7 by calling *55 with dispatchers ready to send troopers to help or to communicate with partner agencies across Nebraska and in neighboring states, if necessary.
He also reminds all motorists going out of town anytime during the winter to check Nebraska 511 first and to make sure they have a full tank of gas and winter survival kit in their vehicle before leaving..