Blizzard of 1978

 There have been a lot of reflections recently as people from southern New England remember the Blizzard of 1978, which struck this region 45 years ago this week. This storm is often referred to as "The Benchmark of Winter Storms" for this area.

I was out on the road the morning the storm hit, and I remember "fishtailing" up Atwells Avenue in Providence to get to our home near the top of a hill. My wife, Lucy, then a nurse at what is now known as the VA Medical Center, had the day off. 

Many of the memories are pretty hazy at this time, and I share some of them in no particular order. I do remember the piles of snow. Lucy wanted to go to work the next day on her regular shift. There was transportation being provided for nurses, etc., to get to hospitals for their work. However, the agent who answered the phone said they didn't consider the VA Hospital a hospital, so she was not able to get the transportation. She ended having, I believe, a week off (or close to it).

I remember a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contingent was flown up here from South Carolina to assist with the snow removal .(They had to wait until the runways at T.F. Green Airport could be cleared to allow the transport aircraft to land.) Several days later I remember the Army bulldozer pushing its way up Joslin Street (I believe there were a number of cheers.)

At the time, there was a market (Nick's) at the corner of Atwells Avenue and Joslin Street. The family that owned the store walked through the heavy snow from North Provdence to open the store because they knew that people in the neighborhood would need supplies.

Fortunately, our neighborhood did not lose power. One of the notable experiences was the quiet. There was no daily hustle and bustle that would normally be present during the week, and, for many, it was a good respite.

Media reports:

NWS Boston: Remembering the "Blizzard of '78" in Southern New England

WPRI-TV: 45 years ago, the Blizzard of '78 hit New England

Providence Journal: RI Blizzard of 1978: Historic photos from state's worst snowstorm

NECN: Blizzard of 1978: How Bad Was the Blizzard of 1978 in New England?

New England Historical Society: Remembering the 1978 Blizzard