Government Shutdown: National Weather Service Staff Walks To Work During Blizzard

The National Weather Service (NWS) staff in Rapid City, South Dakota, who are not getting paid due to the government shutdown, walked to work during a blizzard that hit the area closing roads and making travel a hazard. That is dedication.

The government agency which monitors weather conditions across the country and issues potentially life saving warnings and watches has 122 workers who won’t get paid unless the impasse in Washington, D.C. can be solved.

The workers expect to get paid retroactively, as do the rest of the government employees affected by the shutdown, many of whom are considered essential and are not getting time off during the crisis.

This past weekend the staff in Rapid City went above of beyond what many would do, risking their personal safety to go to work during an unusual early October blizzard.

The record-breaking winter storm slammed several states from the Great Plains to the Rockies, government shutdown or no government shutdown, forcing the dedicated federal employees to trek their way into work.

Part of a message sent by the Rapid City NWS office on Sunday morning speaks to the loyalty of the employees at the local branch:

Access to the office is still blocked. Two employees were able to hike in around some obstructions, but it is not possible to drive out of the parking lot due to snow drifts and downed trees in the neighborhood. The SOO (one who hiked in) is attempting to take two stranded employees home this morning. One forecaster hiked in for his mid shift last night, and I sent him home so he can come back tonight. Of the three who are on duty at this time, two have been here since 7 a.m. Friday, and I have been here since 3 p.m. Friday.

The message, which has been decoded according to Climate Central and has been confirmed by one of the National Weather Service employees, who despite the government shutdown are doing everything possible to keep the public safe.