The Blizzard of 1978

The combination of a good solid snow storm and our current pandemic has me thinking about another time in Buckeye history. Many of us recall, some with fondness, one particular January when we experienced the legendary Blizzard of 1978.

The Blizzard, which was the worst in Ohio history, began on the evening of January 26 and would eventually claim 51 lives in the state. Winds averaged between 50 and 70 miles per hour, with gusts to 100 miles per hour. Snow fell to a total of 31 inches over the state and when pushed by the wind, formed drifts as high as 25 feet. Temperatures were near zero and with the wind chill approached 60 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.

Photo of snow covered land and trees the day before the Ohio Blizzard of 1978. — According to my mother’s notes on the reverse of this picture, it was actually taken the day before the blizzard. It is dated January 26, 1978.

Governor James Rhodes declared the Blizzard “the greatest disaster in Ohio history” and called into service over 5000 members of the Ohio National Guard. For the first time in its history, the Ohio Turnpike was closed. Schools and businesses closed as a result of the storm and large sections of the state lost electric power. Major General James Clem of the National Guard likened the aftermath to a nuclear attack.

The Blizzard of 1978 – My Story

Thanks to my parents, my story of the Blizzard of 1978 doesn’t sound anything like that. Like many, I do remember the Blizzard, even down to the detail. And I’m certain my mom and dad did have some apprehension and even fear as they made decisions that fateful January. But they protected me and my brother. I felt safe and the entire event felt more like a vacation than an emergency.

Snow drifts in a back yard during the Ohio Blizzard of 1978. — We didn’t get as much snowfall as some areas. For us the loss of electric power and the large drifts were the problem. You can see a drift in the upper right hand corner of the photo. It was up to the bottom limbs of the tree and over the fence.

I was just a week shy of my eighth birthday when the blizzard hit our state and much of the Midwest. And though the howling winds kept many Ohioans up the night of January 26, I slept like a baby. I went to bed that night just like any other, not expecting the storm.

I do have vivid memories of the next morning. Though it was a Friday, it felt like a weekend. Mom didn’t get me up for school and my dad was home.

At first I didn’t even notice the power was off. My dad came and got me out of bed and brought me into their room. My brother, just nine months old, was already snuggled under the covers with my mom. Right away, they brought me into bed as well and I do remember their being extra covers. I don’t remember being cold, but I do remember I didn’t especially want to stay in bed.

Riding Out the Storm In Classic 70s Style

Our house was a long ranch style with a brick front, very common in the 70s. In the years before my parents had added a family room to one end of the house. It was a step down from the rest of the house and there was a door to separate it.

The room was decorated during the Bicentennial. It was the height of 70s fashion with red wall-to-wall carpeting. The sofa and chair was covered in red, white and blue plaid and the lamps featured the Spirit of ’76 logo. A macrame hanging planter hung in one corner.

Drifting across a sidewalk at an Ohio home during the Blizzard of 1978. — This drift at the side of the house was roughly the same height as my mother (5’9″) from another photo.

Most importantly, the addition of this room brought our family a brick fireplace that covered one end of the room. It was this very feature that drew us to this end of the house.

With the family all safely inside, my father lit a fire and closed the door. I remember Mom tucking towels around the base of the door to hold the warmth. Even as she cooked a can of beans over the fire for our lunch, it still felt more like a fun camp out than a statewide emergency. Though it must have been a worrisome time for my parents, I remember playing board games and sitting around the fire.

Making the Long Trip to Town – 3 Miles

By early afternoon word arrived that family in nearby Kingston had heat. The trip was just three miles and my dad had a Chevy Blazer with four wheel drive. My parents made the decision to attempt the trip and packed us and some supplies into the truck.

I don’t remember the drive, not at all. I imagine it was intense, white knuckle driving as they headed out into the storm with their two kids. I’m sure it crossed their minds that we could be stranded overnight, possibly longer, on the side of the road.

A ranch style home in Ohio with snowfall from the Blizzard of 1978. — Our classic 70s ranch home. You can see my dad’s Blazer in the garage and the snow drift he had to shovel to make our exit.

I do remember arriving at my grandparents house on the edge of Kingston. I remember their being a small crowd taking shelter there, after all my mother was one of 15 kids. The power was out at Grandma’s as well, but she was using the heat from her gas oven to help heat the house. She may well have had gas heat also, but I just remember the image of her in the kitchen with the oven door standing wide open.

There was talk that power on the other side of town was still on. My aunt and uncle lived there with two of my cousins. Since Grandma’s house was already crowded, my parents decided to continue across town.

Arriving at Our Blizzard Base Camp

We arrived safely and found that the power was indeed still on. We spent nearly a week with their family. I don’t remember all of it.

I do remember there were nights of staying up too late with my older cousin and watching questionable late night TV that an eight year old probably should have not watched. And I recall it being a long time (likely a week) before I returned to school.

Comparing the 2020 Pandemic to the Blizzard of 1978

Looking back through the lens of 2020, I wonder how many children will remember this pandemic as I remember the Blizzard of 1978. Will they remember the fear and uncertainty? Or will they remember long days of their parents spending time with them at home.

Drifting from a winter blizzard in Ohio in the 1970s. — The drift across the front of our house is pictured. This drift continued across the driveway.

What was likely a very frightening time for my parents turned into one of my favorite family memories. It is my hope that children experiencing our current national emergency are able to hold this time with the same fondness that I do that week in January of 1978.

Do you remember the Blizzard of 1978? How do you think it compares to the current pandemic? How do you think our children’s memories of the current emergency will compare to our memories of the Blizzard? Check back in our history section for more of Ohio’s past. And if you’re looking for more pictures of the Blizzard, take a look at the photo gallery from The Columbus Dispatch.

Thank you for walking down memory lane with us and FindingOhio. As always, we appreciate you sharing our content on your social media.