It’s a very cold, sunny Saturday morning here in Boston. Like many others, we are bracing for the monster snowstorm heading our way. Grocery parking lots are full; shelves are almost bare. Snow hysteria has come to town.
The Unsung Heroes: Workers Braving the Monster Storm
When the massive snowstorm rolls in, many if not most of us will have the luxury of staying home. We watch the snow come down and pile up – maybe with hot coffee or cup of tea in hand. Perhaps it will mean an unexpected day off. But while we’re bundled up inside, there’s an entire workforce out there making sure society doesn’t grind to a halt.
The Plow Drivers
They start their shifts before the first flake falls and don’t stop until the last road is cleared—sometimes working 16, 20, even 24-hour stretches. Snowplow drivers navigate whiteout conditions and black ice, their visibility reduced to nearly nothing, all to make sure emergency vehicles can get through and the rest of us can eventually venture out. Many won’t sleep in their own beds for days during a major storm, catching what rest they can in their trucks between routes.
Healthcare Workers
Nurses, doctors, EMTs, and hospital staff can’t call in because of snow. Babies are still being born. Heart attacks still happen. Emergency rooms stay open 24/7, no matter what’s happening outside. Many healthcare workers sleep at hospitals during major storms, unwilling to risk leaving patients understaffed. Others trek through miles of snow on foot to provide relief to their colleagues and make sure their shifts are covered.
Emergency Responders
Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics face some of the most dangerous conditions during winter storms. Car accidents multiply. Medical emergencies don’t pause for weather. These first responders are ready to provide help in conditions the rest of us are urged to avoid.
Utility Workers
When power lines come down under the weight of snow and ice, utility workers are the ones climbing poles in subzero temperatures, blowing snow, and howling winds. They work to restore heat and electricity to thousands of homes, knowing that for many—especially the elderly, the ill, and the families with small children—it’s not just a matter of convenience, but of survival.
Grocery and Pharmacy Staff
Before the storm hits, they’re dealing with the rush of panic-buyers clearing shelves or refilling prescriptions. During and after, they’re among the few businesses that stay open, ensuring people can get food and medications. They are there — stocking shelves, running registers, and helping anxious customers, all while worrying about their own families and getting home through dangerous conditions.
Transit Workers
Bus drivers, subway operators, and train engineers keep public transportation running for the essential workers who depend on it. They navigate treacherous roads and maintain schedules as best they can, providing a lifeline for those without cars .
The Quiet Sacrifice
What many of these workers share is a quiet sense of duty. They kiss their families goodbye and head into conditions that have been declared dangerous. They miss birthdays, anniversaries, and peaceful evenings at home. Their children watch them leave, understanding from a young age that mom or dad has a job that doesn’t stop when the weather gets bad.
And often, they do it for wages that don’t reflect the risks they’re taking or the sacrifices they’re making.
A Moment of Gratitude
In advance of the storm, I’m already thinking about these workers, with immense gratitude. If you’re in the path of the upcoming storm, take a moment to think about them. The person clearing your street at 3 AM. The nurse caring for your loved one. The firefighter ready to respond to a call in whiteout conditions. The grocery clerk who showed up so you could buy milk.
They’re out there, in the worst conditions nature throws at us, making sure the rest of us stay safe, warm, fed, and connected. They’re not looking for praise—most would say they’re just doing their jobs. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give them the recognition and appreciation they deserve.
So if you see them, a simple thank you goes a long way. And remember them when we talk about essential workers. Because when the monster storm hits, they’re the ones who prove just how essential they truly are.
Stay safe out there, people.