I'd say most of the people didn't overreact. Read the story carefully, I'd say half the people weren't calling because of fear, but for concern. They say a little over 30 calls came in (that's flooding their system?!) and that a lot of the people went to the airport to see if the plane made an emergency landing there and if there were injuries to provide assistance:
"Meanwhile, sightings of the plane caused several people to jump in their cars and drive out to the airport to see if the plane had in fact made an emergency landing, but as they waited, they shared stories of what they had seen.
Several people gathered around the fences near the runway at the airport waiting for signs of the plane that had appeared in the area for more than an hour.
Two women, who declined to be identified, came to the airport after seeing the plane circle the area three times in 40 minutes. Every time it came into view, the women said, it appeared to be preparing for landing, so they came to the airport to see if the plane had landed and if anyone was injured."
Plus, hell, if you lived in such a rural area with such a small field and a 757 was going to make an emergency landing there, wouldn't you call 911 and then head out to the airport to assist? (and watch?)