The Blizzard of 1978 goes down in Connecticut's history as one of the worst storms to hit the state, and was the worst storm since 1888, nearly a hundred years before! What started as a light flurry of snow around noon developed into a statewide crippling blizzard that lasted thirty hours. The news reported the storm was coming, but nobody predicted the affect it would have on our little state.
Hundreds of cars were stranded and/or abandoned along the highway and many folks were stuck in emergency shelters. Two feet of snow fell over the state, but with massive drifts and 70 mph winds, the daily routine of the entire New England region was shut down, but especially in Connecticut.
This historic blizzard would go on to be named Storm Larry, and will probably be remembered for many years to come.
547 soldiers from Texas, shown discussing tactics here, were sent in to help combat the twenty-five million dollars in damage and the hundreds who had to be evacuated from the coastal areas. President Carter declared Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts federal disaster areas and the state governor shut everything down on the local level.
Anyone with four wheel drive could potentially be a hero, with many reporting being saved by local passers by who offered them rides home as the storm began to pick up.
It was the first time in forty years that mail delivery had ceased. Four men died of heart attacks during their attempts to shovel snow. Though the storm itself was only thirty hours long, the state was in disarray for nearly three days after that.
Many were without power, surviving on dry foods and candles. Some recall heating food over the fireplace in their homes.
But some remember the storm with fondness, as families took advantage of the break from responsibilities. People were skiing down the streets and building snow sculptures. Students at UConn were reportedly diving out of their windows into the soft snow below. Talk about being worry free!
For those who were stuck in office buildings it wasn't as festive, but there were card games going and lots of vending machine food.
How well do you remember this storm?
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