Surviving the Blizzard of '77

Red Cross workers traveling by snowmobile check for trapped motorists

    January 29, 1977 began as an ordinary day in western New York State. I was working a shift at the local supermarket in the small town where I grew up. A snowstorm had begun and as the intensity increased, and the forecasts grew more ominous, I became witness to panic buying as the grocery store shelves rapidly emptied. People grew increasingly upset as they actually fought over basic necessities. The store manager made the decision to close, and just as we were leaving, the lights flickered and the power went out. I barely made it home.

    Dinner was by candlelight that night. Storm warnings continuously crackled over the battery-powered radio. My Dad was stuck in Buffalo, thirty miles to the north, unable to leave his workplace; a state of emergency had been declared as drifts buried cars abandoned on the roads by stranded motorists. Rescue workers resorted to snowmobiles. New York was becoming completely immobilized.

    The storm continued to wreak havoc for another forty-eight hours, with sustained winds over 46 miles per hour creating wind chills of 50-60 degrees below zero, then the snow mixed with sleet as an ice storm bore down on us. The third night we listened to what sounded like gunshots as the tree limbs, coated with heavy layers of snow and ice, began to give way under the sheer weight. In the morning, we were stunned to see a world encased in glass. A thick coating of ice lay over everything; the road stretched out in a glistening ribbon as the sun broke through the clouds, and the world sparkled as if crusted with diamonds. The broken limbs and exploded tree trunks were grim reminders of the devastation, a stark contrast to the brilliant but terrifying beauty before us.

    Twenty three people died in the storm; nine were found buried in their cars. While rescue efforts showcased the best of human nature, looting of stores and cars resulted in over 100 arrests, showcasing the worst. Storm damage estimates topped $300 million. Through this experience, I gained a profound respect for the forces of nature, and the smallness of man. 

Aftermath of the ice storm along Lakeshore Blvd. (Lake Erie)