The Unmatched Winter of 1978
In the winter of 1978, and just one week apart, the U.S. experienced some of the worst winter weather on record. The first storm hit the Midwest and Great Lakes region, while the second was a nor’easter that clobbered a wide swath of the Northeast. Both storms buried community after community, bringing life to a standstill across many states. However, as we see time and time again during disasters, the American spirit prevailed, with neighbors helping one another and making the most of a challenging time.
The Great Blizzard Of 1978 Strikes the Midwest
In the Midwest, the Great Blizzard of 1978 resulted from two weather systems colliding. One system came swooping down from Canada, while the other charged up from the Gulf of Mexico. They met just east of Michigan over the course of three days, from January 25 to January 27, creating a massive and deadly snow event that rivaled only the Great White Hurricane of 1913.
As the storm moved across the region, the National Weather Service categorized it as a severe blizzard—the rarest and most extreme grade of winter storms. Hard-hit states included Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Wind gusts reached up to 100 miles per hour, burying cars and buildings under snow. Fifty-one of the 70 storm-related deaths occurred in Ohio, where wind chill plummeted to a staggering -60°F, making it the worst blizzard in the state’s history.
Michigan’s Record Snowfall and Emergency Response
The storm’s aftermath called for a massive response. Five thousand National Guard members were deployed to assist, and police appealed to citizens with snowmobiles and four-wheel-drive vehicles to help transport doctors and nurses to hospitals. For the first time in history, the Ohio Turnpike closed, as did Ohio State University. President Jimmy Carter declared Ohio a federal disaster area.
Michigan also faced immense challenges. The National Weather Service recorded 30 inches of snow in Muskegon and 38 inches in Traverse City. Grand Rapids experienced its largest midnight-to-midnight snowfall ever, with 16.1 inches. Across Michigan, 100,000 cars were abandoned on highways. Governor William Milliken declared a state of emergency, and the Michigan State Police unofficially closed Traverse City, urging residents to stay home.
While the Midwest struggled with the aftermath of its blizzard, another storm was brewing in the South. About a week later, a system that formed off the coast of South Carolina struck the East Coast on February 6. Developing during a new moon, it brought an unusually high tide, creating a massive storm surge for coastal areas. Coupled with hurricane-force winds of up to 86 miles per hour, the storm pounded the region for 33 straight hours.
The Nor’easter That Devastated New England
New England bore the brunt of this storm. Much of the area received two feet of snow, with snowfall rates at times reaching four inches per hour. Parts of Boston and Rhode Island recorded an astounding 54 inches of snow. This blizzard of 1978 claimed 100 lives and injured about 4,500 people. Flooding alone destroyed 2,000 homes around Plymouth, Massachusetts, and damaged another 10,000.
The storm caught many off guard. People left work and school early to head home, but snow fell so fast that many became stranded. Thousands of cars were abandoned on highways. On an eight-mile stretch of Route 128, snowdrifts trapped 3,000 cars and 500 trucks. Even Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso had to abandon her car and walk to the Hartford Armory.
In Dedham, Massachusetts, 300 stranded motorists sought refuge in a movie theater near the highway, where they passed the time watching movies and eating popcorn. Across New England, stories of resilience emerged. In Cumberland, Rhode Island, neighbors pooled their money, and one brave man hauled a sled for two miles to the local IGA and back with supplies. People used cross-country skis and snowmobiles to rescue stranded motorists and transport patients to hospitals. In Hull, Massachusetts, two women worked 36-hour shifts preparing meals for 1,400 people at a local middle school during Blizzard of 1978.
Stories of Resilience and Community Strength
The winter of 1978 is remembered for its unprecedented blizzards that pummeled both the Midwest and the East Coast. However, for those who lived through it, the memories extend beyond the snow. It was a time of survival, community strength, and neighbors coming together to overcome the challenges of nature.
