Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

When we go through a major weather event, we are reminded of all that goes on behind the scenes to make sure residents are safe as conditions worsen.

Whether it’s first responders, members of the street or utilities departments or the staff at the wastewater treatment plant, all play a critical role in responding to events as they happen and taking action to prevent them from getting worse when possible.

These workers had their hands full this past weekend as heavy rains dumped a load of water on Albert Lea on grounds already saturated by water.

Whether it was the workers who were putting out sandbags to protect the Fountain Lake dam, others who blocked off streets that were covered in water or others who dealt with a more than quadruple flow at the treatment plant, we are grateful for your service — and all at hours outside of the norm.

Though there was flooding and damage from the rains, we are grateful there weren’t any injuries or deaths as some other communities have seen.

We know their extra work this week is not done, and we thank them for helping to protect the community.