It is not uncommon for people to compare today’s snow storms to the blizzard of 1978. That particular snowstorm was such an enormous nor’easter, that every blizzard will always be compared to the Blizzard of ’78. When I hear mention of this notorious blizzard, I feel a little guilty. I had just had a baby a year ago and was home safe and warm and living in the glow of new motherhood. I felt guilty because I was not out in the thick of it. Even so, I do have some memories that I can share.
The biggest factor in making this snowstorm such a monster was that it wasn’t predicted to be so horrendous. The storm was predicted, but back then, the meteorologists were usually wrong, so not much attention was paid. No one stayed home from work. No schools were closed. No one rushed to the supermarkets for milk, eggs, and bread. Everyone went about their business as usual. And that included my husband, Rich.
On the morning of February 6, 1978, everyone went to school or work. The snow didn’t start coming until late morning. But by 1:00 the snow was thick and piling up. It lasted for three days. Thinking they were doing the right thing, employers let their employees out early and schools were dismissed. The road conditions were horrendous. Motorists crawled home and on Rte. 128, the cars and trucks came to a standstill. Snow plows were trapped, also. There were no cell phones so people didn’t know what had become of their loved ones. Drivers were trapped in their cars. Many people spent days in their cars and unfortunately, some died.
The governor was Michael Dukakis and he declared a state of emergency. He was constantly on TV wearing a different colored sweater each day. Winds clocked over 100 miles an hour and the coast line was hit hard. People were evacuated and unfortunately some died while being rescued.
Many people were trapped in their cars. Not realizing that tail pipes were clogged with snow, some motorists died of asphyxiation. My husband was one of the lucky ones. His car died on Route 109. He coasted off the road. It seemed as if his battery was dead. He walked to a store and called for help, with no luck. He didn’t know what to do but a kind motorist stopped to help him. He was going to jump the battery. But when he turned the key, the car started. We figure the spark plugs or wires got wet. Whatever! He arrived home safe and sound, albeit late.
I try to remember the good about the Blizzard of ’78. That motorist who stopped to help my husband and other motorists who helped others who were stuck. St. Bartholomew’s Church in Needham who sheltered 2000 people. Showcase Cinema in Dedham who opened their doors for 300 drivers stuck on Routes 1 and 128. Imagine watching movies and eating popcorn for three days! Boston Garden let people stay, eating hot dogs and sleeping in the bleachers or locker rooms. At least they could shower! Hospital employees stayed for days, not going home and other hospital workers walked, cross-country skied, snowshoed and found emergency vehicles to transport them to work.
Of course there was no school for a week. Students frolicked in the snow. President Jimmy Carter declared Massachusetts and Rhode Island to be a federal disaster area. At the end of the storm, it had snowed for 33 hours, Boston had 27.1 inches of snow; parts of Rhode Island had 40 inches. There were 99 deaths, 4,500 injuries, $520 million in damages, 3000 cars and 500 trucks abandoned on just an 8 mile stretch of Route 128. Two landmarks were lost: Rockport’s Motif # 1 and Anthony Pier 4’s restaurant’s the SS Peter Stuyvesant Cruise Ship.
Yes, the Blizzard of ’78 was memorable in many ways. But the weather cannot take us unawares as it did then. Weather forecasting has improved exponentially. A blizzard will not surprise us and modern means of communication will get the word out. We can prepare. What we can’t do is control the elements. High tides can be predicted, not stopped. Snow storms can be forecast, not controlled. And hurricane wind can be expected, not harnessed. Not to mention, that tornadoes can’t be predicted.
We have come a long way. With the future always an uncertain entity, being able to know what tomorrow’s weather will bring, is one less concern taken away from us.
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