For the second time in a week, severe weather ushered in by thunderstorms, rain, hail and winds blew through Vicksburg and Warren County, knocking out power and closing roads, and for a second time the county’s emergency responders answered the call.

Vicksburg police, Warren County sheriff’s deputies and city and county workers were out at the height of the storm working to direct motorists away from hazardous road conditions to give them safer routes home and to work.

City and county street crews braved the elements to clear streets and roads of debris and fallen trees. Firefighters went out to help people whose homes were struck by trees blown over by the storm, and Entergy employees and contractors and crews from other areas undertook the job of removing tangled power lines from fallen tree, removing trees and limbs leaning on lines and replacing utility poles either knocked down or broken in the storm.

We see police, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters and the utility workers daily, and we never really give them a second glance.

Usually we only deal with them in times of tragedy, when they’re usually going above and beyond the call of duty.

We are able sit snug and safe in our homes because these men and women are out there and willing to put their lives on the line in severe weather or during any danger when the call for help goes out, and they stay until the job is finished. They don’t do it for awards, they don’t do it for publicity. They do it because they realize it’s their duty and they took an oath to serve and protect.

They deserve our recognition and our support. Without them, we would not survive.