The snow that blanketed Shelby County last week caught everyone by surprise.

When the snow began following heavily, businesses shut down, schools closed and drivers to the roads in droves. Many people were stranded in businesses, churches, schools or their cars overnight after roadways became clogged and eventually iced over.

It was a stressful situation – even dangerous for those on the roads – and it took several days for a feeling of normalcy to return to the county.

What did we learn from the weather? That Shelby County is home to caring, thoughtful people.

At the Shelby County Reporter, we were overwhelmed with inspiring stories of people who sent out of their way to help others.

A group of Wilsonville neighbors helped motorists stuck on Highway 25. Shelby Baptist Medical Center, Asbury United Methodist Church and dozens of other businesses and churches opened their doors to the stranded. Calera Mayor Jon Graham and the city’s emergency responders worked around the clock to return stranded students to their homes. At Cornerstone Christian School, two teachers took home several students whose parents were not able to pick them up.

We are thankful the stories we heard and shared with our readers were mostly happy ones. The snow storm caused a lot of stress and worry for many people, not to mention unexpected costs, but ultimately, Shelby County residents were able to return their homes and loved ones.

We would like to thank everyone in Shelby County who made the storm and its aftermath a little more bearable. Emergency responders and law enforcement officers, teachers and neighbors all played a part during the storm.

Shelby County looks after its own, and we are proud to be a part of this community.

The editorial is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.