Our Viewpoint

We've been watching the broadcast and reading the news of the devastation happening in the South due to winter storms.

States such as Texas were battered with winter weather, frigid temperatures and several inches of snow. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex got between four and seven inches of snow. Powerlines were down and people were stranded without a heat source. Dozens of people have died in the winter storm, some of hypothermia because they weren't prepared.

In Montana, we don't even cancel school for four inches of snow. We're prepared for that type of natural disaster. We're prepared for wildlifes. But if we ever had a major earthquake or tornadoes, our buildings and homes and lifestyle isn't prepared for that. Texans weren't prepared for winter weather on this scale.

With the winter weather we received in Sanders County the last couple of weeks, we're glad for the efforts put in by our county, state and local employees. Hearing those snow plows going street by street through town while most people are still in their warm beds gives us confidence that we will make it to work and our kids will arrive safely at school.

We got a taste of unusual weather in January with that crazy wind storm. While some were without power for several days, there were no major injuries reported. Our utilities companies and local first responders worked to get services restored and we're thankful for the preparations that happen every year to plan for what Mother Nature may throw at us.