The Great Blizzard of 1978
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The Storm of the Century
If you're old enough to remember Star Wars' first run in the theaters, if you lived in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, or New England, you remember the Blizzard of '78. People were snowed in for days. Cities were paralyzed. The National Guard was mobilized. Homes washed away. People froze on freeways in their cars.
Thirty years later, survivors look back with awe, pride... and in some cases, sorrow.
We were there. We survived. We remember.
Photo Credit: TW Collins, (CC). Some Rights Reserved.
The Great Blizzard of 1978 in Pennsylvania
Snowed in, Pennsylvania Dutch Style

Pennsylvania barn in snow from a later storm (I don't have pictures of '78). E. Brundige © 1992 
My father was stubborn; he'd heard the weather reports, but stayed at work until the end of the day, then drove home.
Or tried to. Country roads back east are older than you realize; a century or two of use has dug them down below high banks on either side. Snow blows across and falls into the trough. A mile or so from home (it's a miracle he got that far) it was just impossible to cut through. My Dad drove his Buick into a nearby farmer's field where the snowplows wouldn't catch it, then walked home.
He's fortunate he made it home. Even pushing through snow up to your knees can be hard work, hard enough to cause heart attacks. Plus it's easy to get lost in white-out conditions. He should've gone to the farmer's house and stayed put. I know that now.
At any rate, Dad got home, and we tucked in with the winds howling and the drifts blowing across the yard like ocean waves. I don't remember the night that well. I just remember the days after: walls of snow. I don't remember how long the power was out: that's what the Coleman stove in the garage, the fireplace and candles were for.
Mainly, I remember hiking up the road each day in the bright cold sun, snowbanks higher than my head, drifts taller than my father's. My parents carried shovels. It took them some time even to find where the car was buried. Each day they'd dig a little more of it out, while I helped or played in the snowbanks, digging tunnels. The snowplows didn't come through for days. I think school was closed for over a week.
I remember my little black dog hopping along in the snow-paths we made, his tail just visible at the top of each bound.
We were lucky.
Blizzard of '78 in Massachussetts
Book Recommendation: The Blizzard of '78
The Blizzard of '78 in Connecticutt & New England
Best Blizzard of '78 Website
Recommended Link: A Look Back at the Blizzard of '78 by WCBV Boston: Articles, retrospectives, videos, and images of the storm from Rhode Island to Maine, plus the science of blizzards and a "Test Your Blizzard IQ" interactive quiz.
In Harm's Way: Memories of a National Guardsman
From Rich A. Smith in Massachussetts
“I was a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard during the blizzard of 78. I was a young man of 24 and I remember it like it was yesterday. I first heard of the impending storm a few days before and I remember not paying to much attention to it.
Well the afternoon of the first day was when I had a feeling that I was about ready to be called up with the national guard. Sure enough the next morning I heard the radio broadcasting " All members of the Ma national guard are to report to there local units." So on went my uniform and winter gear and off I went. Took me about an hour to get to the armoury at lincoln sq in Worcester ma. I lived only a little over a mile away. I made it through the snow and on foot no less. Well the duty came and I along with all the other guardsman followed the assigments.
I was first ordered to take a c59 tanker filled with fuil and refule all emergency vehicals. Then I was on assigment to help get emergency people to hospitals or where ever they were needed. Still more to do. Find fire hydrents with a squad of men and shovel them out. Well I remember working with the worcester police to use our military trucks to get people to the emergency rooms when needed. Well that is just a short memory of where I was and what I did. I was on duty for almost a week before things were in such a state of near normal life again.
I am Rich Smith and I was PFC in the ist bn 110th Ar of Hdq company lincoln square Worcester,ma.
Here's a salute to all the national guard, police, firefighters, and emergency services personnel who get us through storms and earthquakes and everything else. You folks are heroes!
More Blizzard of '78 Videos
Add Your Own Blizzard of '78 Links
Vote for the best or add your own. (Join Squidoo to submit links.)
Note: Some links refer to the Jan. 25-26th blizzard which pounded states west of New England; "The" Blizzard of '78 was Feb. 5-7, according to the National Weather Service. I think I'm remembering the February storm, but I'm not 100% certain.
1
The Blizzard of '78 Hits New England
Fantastic documentary on the Blizzard of '78 (embedding not allowed, so go see it on YouTube!)1 point
2
Blizzard of the Century - TIME
TIME magazine article from February 20, 1978 looking back on the incredible storm.0 points
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The Blizzard of 1978
Tuttle Family history of the Blizzard of '78 in Boston: a personal recollection.0 points
4
New Hampshire's Experience: The Blizzard of 1978
"Storm Weaker, but Still Packed a Wallop"0 points
5
National Weather Service's Blizzard of 1978 Memorial
Press release in 1998 remembering the storm's 20th Anniversary: synopsis and lessons to remember.0 points
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Remember Blizzard of January 26, 1978?
Historians at Kent State remember Ohio's blizzard.0 points
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The Power of Words. '78 Blizzard Gala
Charity event in Providence, Rhode Island brings together survivors of the storm 20 years later.0 points
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Quahog.org: The Blizzard of 1978
Recollections by various survivors of the storm in Rhode Island.0 points
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The Blizzard of '78 in Boston
Personal photo album of one survivor of the Blizzard of '78.0 points
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THE GREAT BLIZZARD OF 1978 album | Spyder
Photo Gallery from Blizzard of '78 -- mostly stranded vehicles on highways.0 points
In Memoriam: The Outermost House
Casualty of the Great Blizzard of 1978
The Outermost House: A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod
Amazon Price: $4.92 (as of 02/16/2012)![]()
A famous novel among New Englanders captures life on Cape Cod at "Outermost House." This historical landmark was swept out to sea in the Blizzard of '78.
Blizzard Preparedness Tips
Be Ready for the Next Great Blizzard
Don't panic; just take precautions for that rare storm that proves or exceeds predictions.
(Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert... check the FEMA Blizzard Preparedness website for official information. But here's some tips I've gleaned from other storm-related websites. I also recommend What Happens Now's Blizzard Preparedness Checklist, from which I've listed just a few of their best tips.
- In winter, keep warm clothes, a flashlight, food, water, and kitty grit (non-clumping... it's great for traction) in your car for emergencies. A space blanket can be a life-safer.
- If you get stranded on the road, stay in your car unless you're certain you can reach shelter: remember, even half a mile can be too far. If you're running the engine to stay warm, OPEN THE WINDOW at least an inch... snow can block your exhaust pipe, and asphyxiate you with carbon monoxide! Save gas by running the engine long enough to warm the car, then shutting it off.
- Have a family plan, including what to do if some family members are at work or school. Where will you meet if you have to evacuate? Have at least one contact out of the immediate area you can all (hopefully) call to check in.
- Be prepared for power and heat to be out for several days. You'll need warm clothes, space blankets, lots of water, non-perishable foods, flashlights, regular blankets, and a first aid kit.
- When you hear a storm is coming, charge all cellphones. They sometimes -- but not always! -- work when the power is out.
- Have a battery-operated radio and follow storm reports. You can even buy a special NOAA Radio that beeps and turns on to alert you of any severe weather warnings (see below).
- Set aside extra dry food, water, litter, and other supplies for pets. Practice collecting pets and putting them in carriers. The pets will hate it, but it's for their own good.
- Always have $100 cash available: ATMs and the bank won't be accessible if the roads are blocked and the power's out!
- Don't forget non-essentials: things to keep your family from going stir crazy. That may include a deck of cards, portable games, travel alarm clock, and/or FOAM EARPLUGS (if you have to go to a shelter).
Emergency Supplies: Some Recommendations
Do You Remember the Blizzard of '78?
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Heat up a cup of cocoa, turn off the lights, light some candles, and share your memories of the storm. Where were you during the Great Blizzard of 1978?
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duncan73
Jan 22, 2012 @ 9:44 pm | delete
- I was five and got hit in the head with an old metal shovel during the blizzard of 78! Have a small scar to this day.
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Yubert
Jan 22, 2012 @ 4:30 pm | delete
- It's amazing the power of nature, even when we are ready, even when nations feel they are safe, nature can be surprising and strength it can not be stopped. while in Pennsylvania there are blizzards, other countries or cities tornadoes or hurricanes
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antoniow
Jan 22, 2012 @ 3:53 pm | delete
- nice lens! thumbs up
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GuyB Jan 22, 2012 @ 12:03 pm | delete
- I was young but I remember it well. The power was out but it didn't stop us from having a blast! We had a wood stove blasting out heat and we brought in the charcoal grill in the living room to cook hot dogs. Sure it was a bit smoky and very dangerous, but that's what family is all about. We also lit off a bunch of fireworks we had left over from the 4th and my cousin jumped off off our roof into a snow bank and broke his arms and lost three teeth. It was a week before we could get him to the doctors! Ha, what a time it was back then.
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KathyT
Jan 22, 2012 @ 8:59 am | delete
- I lived in northern NJ at the time, and I'm not sure if we got hit - I honestly don't quite remember, even though I was 18 at the time. I'm guessing we didn't get the wrath of that storm...
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