KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, HastingsWarm Weather Good For Some, Bad For Others

Warm Weather Good For Some, Bad For Others

By Sean McMullen smcmullen@nebraska.tv

(Grand Island)--Unseasonably warm weather has been impacting much of the country over the past couple weeks. California saw highs in the 80's last week and ski slopes are bare in the Rockies.

But while ski slopes aren't a concern here in Nebraska--the record breaking heat is having it's effects, both good and bad.

Chad Shriner of Grand Island may be driving his truck with the plow on, but he isn't removing any snow. Obviously because of the warm weather--but when there's no snow, there's no work--and no money either. 

With no snow in the forecast, Shriner had to make ends meet and that's exactly
what he did by finding work at Apex Cattle, a show cattle farm just outside of Dannebrog, where it's not the snow you have to worry about stepping in.

Shriner says he can count on earning 25 to 30 thousand dollars in a single winter season from snow removal. A mark he'll fall far short of if the warm and dry weather continues. A serious blow to Shriner and his family. With one teenager in high school and another in college, Shriner will do whatever it takes to support his family--but this winter will be a challenge. 

"We can make it through January and survive due to the December snows and we still got some lawn care we're collecting on but we definitely need snow in February or it's going to be really bad," said Shriner, owner of The Sure Cut, a landscaping and snow removal business.

Power companies can also be hurt by unseasonable weather too. But Nebraska has
public power. In fact, Nebraska's the only state in the country where the power companies are
100 percent owned by the people, making southern power a non-profit.

"When we're not seeing the usage we would normally expect with the heating that does not
actually hurt us that much because although we're not selling electricity, that means we're not
buying the power neither--so we're actually diminishing some expense as well," said LeAnne Doose, Communications director for Southern Power.

And for Southern Power, no snow means no storms, which equals no power outages. 

"Often times we're hit with those blizzards, the adverse weather conditions to where our guys
are really working on responding to outages and that type of work," adds Doose.

And those are only two seasonal businesses, there are many more throughout the state feeling the impacts. If you're work or business have been impacted by the weather feel free to contact NTV at news@nebraska.tv and tell us about it.