A modest amount of snow on top of a modest hill caused a massive problem.
Some cars and trucks couldn't get traction, got stuck and blocked traffic for at least half a mile.
SEE ALSO: VIDEO: Drivers struggle amid snow at busy Omaha intersection
“I woke up expecting an extra five minutes on my commute, but got an extra 45,” said Braden Boex.
The situation on Dodge Street was so bad drivers who were stuck themselves decided to get out and push things along.
"I wasn't going anywhere. I figured I might as well do some good," said Boex.
"I got stuck, so I just decided to be helpful," said Megan Deboer.
Boex and Deboer pushed half-a-dozen cars through the intersection.
Despite their best efforts, the situation grew worse.
By noon police closed Dodge Street at Cass Street. It was 30 minutes later before traffic cleared and plows cleared the street.
Drivers and others who helped told KMTV the real hero was an Omaha police officer who preferred to remain nameless.
When asked how many cars he had helped push, he said, “Oh, I can’t keep track."
For two hours, often alone, he pushed cars and directed traffic, forgoing the warmth of his cruiser.
“I know he's pretty great. He's pretty great," said Deboer.
You can check real-time traffic conditions online here or follow @OmaTrafficAlert on Twitter for the latest alerts.
