Record Blizzard Ruins Prom—Firefighters Save the Day With Unusual Idea

Petr Svab
4/17/2018
Updated:
10/5/2018
A record-setting blizzard hit the Twin Cities area in Minnesota on April 13-16, ruining prom night for hundreds of seniors at Forest Lake High School scheduled for Saturday, April 14. Local firefighters, however, came to the rescue with an unconventional idea.
The snowstorm dumped almost 16 inches on the metro area, breaking the record for April snowfall, the National Weather Service reported. Combined with strong wind gusts above 40 mph, it created whiteout conditions.
Until the last moment the school district maintained that the prom would still happen, moving it from Landmark Center in St. Paul to the high school, so students wouldn’t need to hit the snowy roads.
Yet, less than an hour before the prom was to start at 8:30 p.m., the district canceled it—much to the chagrin of parents and students, said local mom Jill Graven.

Party buses and limos were getting stuck in the snow all over the area, she said.

“It left students and their parents sad, frustrated, and angry that they [the authorities] didn’t make that decision sooner. Especially after all the money and effort spent to get ready!” Graven told The Epoch Times over Facebook.

Because of the nonstop snowing, the teens couldn’t even go to a park or someone’s yard to take pictures, Graven said.

Fortunately, there was Alyssa Thomas.

Thomas is married to a Forest Lake firefighter and it occurred to her that perhaps the fire station could host a photo opportunity for the prom goers—a brilliant idea, as it soon turned out.

Forest Lake Fire Department, Minn. (Screenshot via Google Maps)
Forest Lake Fire Department, Minn. (Screenshot via Google Maps)

Her husband, Sean, loved the idea and immediately texted his chief, who, after some phone calls, agreed to open the fire station to the youngsters from 3  p.m. to 6 p.m.

Still, that was easier said than done. There was much plowing and shoveling to be done if the sharply dressed teenagers were to use the fire station.

And again, the firefighters came to the rescue. Many alumni of the Forest Lake High themselves, they volunteered to clear the way for what was soon to become #BlizzardProm.

“It was pretty cool to see so many of the firefighters volunteer their time with just an hours notice shoveling, plowing, and opening their doors for all the kiddos!” Thomas told The Epoch Times over Facebook.

From 3 p.m., the prom goers started to stream to the firehouse.

“The teens seemed really excited to have their pictures taken next to the fire trucks,” said Graven, who tagged along with her husband, also a local firefighter. “Some held axes, wore fire helmets or turnout gear, and stood next to the fire pole. It allowed for large group photos as well.”

Throughout the afternoon, over 200 prom goers came to the fire station, she said. And soon, pictures marked #BlizzardProm popped up on social media.

(Forest Lake Fire & Rescue)
(Forest Lake Fire & Rescue)

“Other local businesses opened their doors for the prom goers to take pictures and to make last minute dinner reservations,” Graven said.

In the evening, some parents hosted the teens at their homes, she said.

Blizzard or no blizzard the firehouse idea may even become a tradition.

“Parents couldn’t thank us enough for the hospitality,” Graven said. “We’ve been asked to do it every year now!”

The school has since rescheduled the prom for April 28, she said.

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