The Great Blizzard of 1978

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 7 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #50 in News, #5,647 overall

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 on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

The Blizzard of '78 Hits New England 

powered by Youtube

The Great Blizzard of 1978 in Pennsylvania 

Snowed in, Pennsylvania Dutch Style

The Blizzard of '92
Pennsylvania barn in snow from a later storm (I don't have pictures of '78). E. Brundige © 1992 Creative Commons License

I was too young to know the danger -- all I remember is the wonder. We lived in Chester County, PA, right outside Amish country, among farms, fields, and little clumps of forests that looked like The Shire. Better to be there than in the city: we had a root cellar and food stored away, plus a full rack of split wood and a fireplace. It was still an adventure.

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.

Book Recommendation: The Blizzard of '78 

Well-written book (and just about the only one out there) on the famous storm.

The Blizzard of '78

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/28/2009) Buy Now

Blizzard of '78 in Massachussetts 

powered by Youtube

Wikipedia Article: "The Great Blizzard" 

The Northeastern United States blizzard of 1978Quahog.org: The Blizzard of 1978The Blizzard of 1978 was a catastrophic and historic nor'easter that brought blizzard conditions to the New England region of the United States and the New York metropolitan area.

The Blizzard of 1978 formed on February 5, 1978 and broke up on February 7, 1978.NWS Boston Page of the 1978 blizzard Snowfall occurred primarily between the morning of the 6th and the evening of the 7th. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts were particularly hard hit by this storm.

Boston, Massachusetts received a record 27.1 inches of snow, as did Providence, Rhode Island with 27.6 inches of snow. The storm killed approximately 100 people in the Northeast and injured around 4,500. The storm also caused over US$520 million in damage.

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.

The Great Blizzard of '78 -- Music Video?! 

powered by Youtube

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: $10.20 (as of 12/27/2009)Buy Now

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

Ever since the Blizzard of 78, which caught meteorologists and everyone else by surprise, a weather report about an incoming snowstorm triggers one of two reactions from the public (and usually a little of both): panic, and a run on supplies at local stores that strips shelves bare; or indifference, when people have gotten jaded by too many storm warnings and don't realize that this time, for once, the hype is warranted!

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 

Just a few ideas to get you going.

Midland WR-100C Weather / All Hazards / Civil Emergency Alert Monitor with S.A.M.E.

Can be programmed to sound alarm and turn on for severe weather alerts at your location.

Amazon Price: $37.09 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Eton FR300 Emergency Crank Radio

My own emergency radio: picks up weather stations, includes bright lights, siren, rechargeable batteries and crank for power.

Amazon Price: (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Emergency BRW Made In U.S.A. Survival Sleeping Bags - Pack of 4 Bags PLUS Four HeatMax 18 Hour Body Warmers.

Get some extra body warmers, and this kit could keep your family warm in an emergency even if the heat's out a few days.

Amazon Price: $14.35 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

Quakehold! 70280 Grab-n-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person 3-Day Back Pack

Emergency kit backpack -- great if you've got to go and aren't sure where or when you'll reach a safe haven!

Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 12/27/2009) Buy Now

More Blizzard of '78 Videos 

Mostly covering the "Storm of the Century" February blizzard that flooded and buried New England, but the Indiana and Fort Wayne videos below showcase the January blizzard that preceded it.

Blizzard of '78

Runtime: 134
1811 views
0 Comments:


30th Anniversary of Blizzard of '78

Runtime: 204
8418 views
15 Comments:


Ret. Hull Police Sgt. Bob Jeffrey Recalls Blizzard of '78

Runtime: 270
3353 views
1 Comments:


Blizzard of '78 Documentary pt1

Runtime: 393
17300 views
32 Comments:


Blizzard of '78 Documentary pt2

Runtime: 360
13537 views
9 Comments:


BLIZZARD OF 1978

Runtime: 100
10430 views
22 Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:


Runtime:
views
Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Do You Remember the Blizzard of '78? 

Shameless Plug Widget Tweet it!   Stumble it!
Rate it!     Favorite it!

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?

submit

by Greekgeek

Greetings! I'm not Greek, I just love ancient Greece. I'm a graduate student in mythological studies -- want fries with that? -- using the web to shar...

(more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!