Great Blizzard of 1978

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the storm which affected the central United States. For the blizzard in the northeastern United States that year, see Northeastern United States Blizzard of 1978.

The Great Blizzard of 1978 struck parts of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes on January 26, 1978. Particularly hard hit were the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and southeast Wisconsin where up to 40" of snow fell. Winds gusting up to 100mph caused drifts that nearly covered some homes. Over 70 people died in this storm; 51 of the victims were in Ohio.

This powerful low surpassed record low pressures throughout the area, and Cleveland, Ohio recorded the lowest sea level pressure ever in the United States outside of a hurricane at 28.28 inches.

Michigan Governor William Milliken declared a state of emergency and called out the Michigan National Guard to aid stranded motorists and road crews. The Michigan State Police pronounced Traverse City, Michigan "unofficially closed" and warned area residents to stay home.

[edit] Quotes

C.R. Snider, National Weather Service Meteorologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 30, 1978 commented:

"The most extensive and very nearly the most severe blizzard in Michigan history raged throughout Thursday January 26, 1978 and into part of Friday January 27. About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile. Many were hospitalized for exposure, mostly from homes that lost power and heat. About 100,000 cars were abandoned on Michigan highways, most of them in the southeast part of the state."