The morning edition of The Columbus Dispatch on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1978, reported slick roads due to rain and ice that morning, in part due to a recent snowstorm. The newspaper’s weather forecast reported that Thursday, Jan. 26, 1978, would be “Windy and cold with snow flurries” By 9 p.m. that night, however, updated weather reports were anticipating a major winter storm.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 26, 1978, temperatures in Columbus quickly dropped from 34 degrees to 13 degrees as a cold front moved over the state from the west. Unlike many of Ohio’s other memorable winter storms, it wasn’t just the snowfall (which measureed 4.7-12.9 inches, depending on the location) that made this “The Great Blizzard of ‘78” — one of the greatest snowstorms of the century for Ohioans. At one point, winds in Columbus reached 70 mph. With temperatures remaining near 10 degrees for most of the day, that put the wind chills at below -50 degrees.
Because of the high winds, snowfall was difficult to accurately record. Columbus had one of the lower counts, estimated at around 5 inches, but nonetheless reported consistent whiteout conditions and massive snow drifts upwards of 10 feet tall due to the winds.
Across the state, people reported hearing the howling winds throughout the storm. Strong winds tore roofs off homes and buildings, hundreds of thousands lost power, windows were blown out, trees were knocked down, and phone lines were down.
The loss of power, as well as heat, would be tragic for many. People found themselves trapped in houses without heat or electricity, and no way to travel to get help, food, or medical supplies. Many drivers who risked venturing out or were traveling through the state when the blizzard hit were forced to abandon their vehicles along roadways. The winds made it impossible for crews to clear streets and roads.
Twenty-two people died of exposure after leaving their homes or stranded vehicles. More died in their homes, without power or heat, and still others due to collapsed buildings, heart attacks while shoveling, and carbon monoxide poisoning, after attempting to keep warm in their cars.
In total, 51 people in Ohio died. There were more deaths in other Midwest states impacted by the storm.
The Ohio National Guard was activated to assist with the aftermath of the storm, aiding stranded motorists, clearing roads and other tasks. The storm is still considered by many as, “The storm of the century.”
Grace Freeman is a librarian with Columbus Metropolitan Library.
This article was originally published by a www.dispatch.com . Read the Original article here. .