The Story Behind the Story: Blizzard Hits Mid-Missouri, Empties Grocery Stores

Sometimes the best stories are the ones that come crashing down on us when we are searching in a different direction. 

It was a Monday morning, and I had contemplated story ideas all weekend long when I finally decided on one I liked. It involved the Missouri State Auditor's office. I lined up my interviews and headed off to work where I found everyone talking about a blizzard that was supposed to hit town and interrupt everything.

One dedicated shopper fights against 18-mile-per-hour
winds to return his cart to the store.

As any good journalist, I was a little skeptical. There have been times when forecasters predicted tons of snow and none came. There have also been times when forecasters predicted an inch or two that turned into 10 or 12. I decided to take a video camera home just in case.

First came the freezing rain, then negative temperatures combined with 18-mph wind gusts, and it was all topped by 18-20 inches of snow. In less than a day the region went from cold to crippled. In Minnesota this would not be news, but it definitely was in Columbia, Mo.

MODOT truck plows through the intersection of Nifong and Providence.

Driving to the state capital, 30 miles away, was not possible. Even if I could get there, no one would be there to interview but I still needed a story. I found myself fascinated at the sheer amount of snow that covered the community.  I decided to do what all journalists in town were doing: a snow story. But I would need a unique angle, something fresh. Everyone knew it was snowing, icy, and cold, but few were daring enough to go out in it.

I decided to scout around with my still camera and see what I could find. The photos on this page were taken while I was scouting. I didn't find too many people out. Most of those outdoors were workers busy clearing streets and keeping parking lots cleared. However, I did find some people shopping at grocery stores. To my surprise, most were not getting milk and bread, but instead buying alcohol. This is an interesting angle, and it led to my story.

Some without four-wheel drive walk home after buying groceries. 

Questions lead to reporting. These are some of the questions I asked myself as I started thinking about the story. What types of vehicals were people driving in the snow? How are grocery stores impacted by the snow? When there is a blizzard in town, what do people buy? I answer all of these in my video story that you can find at the bottom of the page.

Reporting is an adventure. The outcome is never certain. Often there are twists and turns along the way. The only thing for sure is that at the end of the day the story has to air, whatever that story may be. Journalists need to be versatile. It is important to plan ahead and have a great story lined up, but if snow starts falling, cars start sliding, and the town shuts down then that's your story.

Watch the video below to see the piece. It is worth your time.