HASTINGS, Neb. – A scary situation during Wednesday's blizzard in Central Nebraska could've taken a turn for the worst, but the coordinated response from local emergency management played a big part in rescuing more than 100 stranded train passengers.

Weather conditions were anything but ideal during Wednesday’s blizzard that wreaked havoc across central and eastern Nebraska.

With anywhere from 4-7 inches of snow falling in the area on Wednesday, an Amtrak passenger train became stranded due to snowy conditions in Exeter, just under an hour east of Hastings.

Adams County Emergency Manager Ron Pughes first got the call around 5 p.m. Wednesday night saying the train was going to be towed to Hastings, and 139 passengers were onboard needing assistance.

"Although it was a rarity to see, it wasn't something we were not prepared for," said Pughes. "During disasters communities come together, and they see the need. Luckily, it was at a point where the storm cleared up enough that people could actually get there to help rescue people that needed it. 

Delays caused the train to arrive in Hastings at 12:30 a.m. Thursday morning, five hours later than expected.

By then several local organizations including the Salvation Army, United Way, Crossroads Mission Avenue, Hastings Community Foundation, Hastings Public Schools bus drivers, along with Amtrak Emergency Management were on scene with aid and shelter for these passengers.

"The onboard team gave us great information of how far they were out, how long they were going to be," said Pughes. "When they arrived here, we were all ready to go. The buses were waiting for the passengers when they off-boarded."

Hastings Public Schools provided two school buses that ended up transporting 89 passengers to local hotels. The remaining passengers elected to stay on the train in sleeper cars. 

This all happened after the city of Hastings was scrambling all day working to restore power to a good portion of the town, but the community stepped up to house and shelter those people.

"Hands down outstanding," said Pughes. "If we didn't have school buses, if we didn't have Hastings Public helping transport these people, it would've been a different story. It was cold out, it was icy, they were tired."

A spokesperson with Amtrak told NCN that passengers were given travel vouchers, hotel compensation and other compensations for the inconvenience. 

Those Amtrak passengers were finally able to depart Hastings early Friday morning.

"I hope we made those people comfortable, and help make a bad day a little better." said Pughes.