Memories of the 1978 Great Blizzard

The Great Blizzard of 1978 was one of most incredible snowstorms to hit Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and parts of Wisconsin. Some areas experienced up to 40 inches of snow! High winds of 75 to 100 mph caused drifting so severe in some areas that homes were actually covered. Wind chills were unbelievable at 60 degrees below zero at times. In my state of Ohio, nearly 51 of the 70 deaths were reported due to the chilling temperatures alone.

I had just turned nine years old when the Great Blizzard hit Ohio. I look at the statistics of that storm now as an adult and I am amazed that the winds were so strong and the wind chills so severe. I am so sorry for the people who lost loved ones during that time. And yet, my childhood memories are still precious to me as I remember that time in my life.

My parents had just built and moved us into our new home in the country in November 1977. We didn't yet have a garage and the driveway was one-quarter of a mile long. Thankfully, there was a shed that was already established and it sat at the top of the driveway. There were many times Daddy would park his car up there and walk to it so he could get to work on the days it had snowed a significant amount. I remember Daddy and Momma clearing our very long driveway by hand! It took them three long days of hard and constant shoveling to make the driveway passable.

When the blizzard hit, I remember thinking about all of the snowmen my brother and I could build! Once it was calm and the snow was on the ground, we would go hiking. My brother and I were young, which means we were short. As we "hiked", the two of us would sink down to our thighs with each step. Man, was that tiring! But, we followed our parents all over the place, hiking down one hill and back up the other hill to return to the house. We were soaked and a bit chilled, but so happy!

The snowdrifts at the top end of the driveway are still etched into my memory. They towered over my Daddy at 10-12 feet high! As we passed between the drifts on either side of the drive, it was as if we were going through a snow cave. As a child, it was one of my most favorite memories.

It's odd what we remember from our childhood, isn't it? A child's perspective is so different compared to an adult's perspective. I'm so glad for that too! I loved growing up in the country and what better memories to take with me than the fond ones I have from the blizzard of 1978.