‘Just stay home’: Gage County Sheriff’s Office urging limited travel as storm continues

BEATRICE, Neb. - While many are staying indoors during the winter storm gripping southeast Nebraska firs responders are out in full force.

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office has deputies ready to assist with drivers on the road ways, but Sheriff Millard Gustafson is urging motorists to stay home.

“We want people to stay home,” Gustafson. “Unless you’re first responder or working in the medical field, just stay home because it is bad out.”

As of 3:00 p.m. Monday, Beatrice has had reports of anywhere from six to eight inches of snow, with additional accumulation expected through Tuesday morning. While street crews are making headway in snow removal and salting, Gustafson still urges caution as accidents are still possible, especially on some of Gage County’s rural highways.

“We see a lot of accidents, people sliding off into the ditch,” Gustafson said. “Sometimes the ice will make a glaze on the surface underneath the snow, people don’t realize it and that’ll get you.”

While Gustafson urges residents to stay home, for those needing to travel, he has a few tips.

“If they have to, very slow,” Gustafson said. “If you have four-wheel drive, use it; doesn’t mean go fast, but. Have your headlights on, go slow, and use caution.”