Families wait out Sunday’s storm in Swan Valley church

SWAN VALLEY, Idaho (KIFI) -Around 50 to 60 people had to huddle in a Swan Valley church Sunday to wait for roads to reopen after they were closed due to weather conditions.   

US 26 was closed Sunday afternoon around 3 p.m. 

About 12 families sheltered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until the road was reopened later that evening. 

Red Cross provided cots, made meals for the group, and provided board games to help pass time.

Katrina Brainare with the Swan Valley Fire Department said, "One of the best things about being a firefighter is not knowing what you're going to do that day. It's always different," said Katrina Brainare with the Swan Valley Fire Department.  "I didn't expect to be playing with kids for my job. We've had a lot of kids here with a lot of Christmas presents and they've been happy to show me and share with me." 

"First trip with dad and we get stuck in a snowstorm," said a father with his young daughter waiting for the storm to pass.  

"Were actually members of the same church, so we are actually right at home here," a couple said.

"It's been rather odd," a woman traveling from Italy said.

"We're having a lot of fun. We're working on feeding people now. the community has been awesome," Brainare said.  "We've had people bring food and blankets over. We're sitting right here and it's been going pretty well and it's kind of a party now."

The families were able to get back on the ice-covered roads around 8:30 Sunday evening.