www.johnsonpublications.zenfolio.com Samantha Goff | Johnson Publications
There wasn’t much life on Central Avenue in Grant on Thursday, April 11 due to a blizzard that shut down several businesses in town.
Blizzard closes several businesses
An April blizzard caused many businesses to close their doors on Thursday, April 11.
The National Weather Service in North Platte issued a blizzard warning effective Wednesday evening, April 10, for western and north central Nebraska, predicting anywhere from six to 12 inches of snow in Perkins County and up to 54 mph winds.
NWS received snow reports of 9.6 inches near Madrid and 12.3 inches three miles southeast of Elsie.
Perkins County Sheriff and Emergency Manager Jim Brueggeman said the storm was relatively uneventful. The high, consistent winds caused significant drifting, especially around 10th Street in Grant.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation closed I-80 west of I-76 to the Wyoming line at 5 p.m. on Wednesday due to the predicted blizzard bringing ice, heavy snow and high wind into the western states.
Brueggeman said with the number of storms the area has experienced, people have become more knowledgeable about staying safe and off the roads, creating less accidents and stranded motorists.
He said closing the interstate has also helped.
Perkins County Schools closed early on Wednesday and canceled classes on Thursday and Friday. Several businesses closed on Thursday as well, including the courthouse, post offices and Grant Medical Clinic.