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As some southeastern Massachusetts communities and the state of Rhode Island still try to dig out from Monday’s nor’easter, many have drawn comparisons to the standard by which all the region’s snowstorms are measured — the Blizzard of ’78.
These two blockbuster winter storms certainly share some characteristics — including hurricane-force wind gusts and relentless snowfall.
And both storms descended on the area on a Monday — Feb. 6 in ’78.
Coincidentally, both were preceded by significant snowstorms just a few weeks prior.
Coastal communities in both instances took the brunt of these two ocean behemoths, due to a wind-fueled tidal storm surge.
Like Monday’s storm, Isolated locations in the ’78 blizzard received higher snow totals, with as much as 40 inches recorded in Plymouth County.
On average, that 1978 storm deposited about 27 inches of snow on the area — 27.1 inches in Boston, 27.6 in Providence.
Records at the time indicated Lowell received anywhere from 24 to 30 inches of the white stuff.
Though our just concluded nor’easter certainly wreaked havoc on certain communities, the devastating effects of the ’78 blizzard were more widespread.
The fury of our recent nor’easter relented by Monday evening, but the 1978 storm pummeled the region for 35 consecutive hours, a seemingly stationary menace that continued to spew an endless stream of snow and high winds.
The huge technological strides made in the intervening 48 years also contributed to the widely different level of preparation for these two powerful weather events.
Unlike today, the 1978 storm’s devastation was amplified by rudimentary weather forecasting and a lack of instant communication.
The internet didn’t exist. There were no weather alerts sent to a nonexistent smartphone, or 24/7 cable news networks. MassDOT only received periodic updates from the National Weather Service over a teletype machine.
That contributed to the storm’s devastating effect — it seemingly arrived on our doorstep with little advanced warning.
By the time snow actually began in earnest, it was far too late for last-minute preparations.
Weather forecasts at the time suggested a blizzard that struck the Midwest could meet a tropical storm heading up from the southern coast, covering the area in snow on that Monday morning.
But when morning came without any precipitation, skeptical New Englanders treated the workday like business as usual.
By the time the realization of the storm’s severity finally sunk in, countless commuters clogged the highways by early afternoon in a frantic rush to get home before blizzard conditions made that impossible.
Unfortunately, the storm soon made even major highways impassable.
Rather than running the risk of staying in their cars in the hopes of some assistance, motorists simply left their vehicles and walked to safety.
By the time then-Gov. Michael Dukakis — wearing what would become his signature cardigan wool sweater — declared a state of emergency, the storm was cranking.
The state’s interstate highways were shut down for a week, along with local driving bans.
Recovery efforts received significant help from the National Guard — who often manned checkpoints to keep nonessential workers off the roads — and cost hundreds of millions in 1978 dollars.
Another stark difference were the deaths attributed to the two storms.
As of this writing, at least five deaths have been attributed to this nor’easter — two in Maryland from a falling tree, one from carbon monoxide poisoning in Rhode Island, and two in a storm-related motor-vehicle accident in Pennsylvania.
The Blizzard of ’78, by contrast accounted for about 100 deaths across the entire East Coast.
Some deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning, as people stranded in their cars left the engines running to keep them warm, and snow piled up around them.
But none were more tragic than the ill-fated rescue attempt by the crew of the 49-foot pilot boat Can Do.
It left Gloucester Harbor on Feb. 6 to assist a 44-foot Coast Guard cutter that had lost power and radar while trying to aid the oil tanker Global Hope off the coast of Salem.
The Can Do, rocked by a large wave, lost radar, and ultimately sank, with all crew members — Frank Quirk, Frank Quirk Jr., Donald Wilkinson, Norman Curley, and Ken Fuller — losing their lives.
The National Weather Service compiled these significant Blizzard of ’78 statistics:
• Snowfall: Started late Feb. 5, hit hardest Feb. 6 and continued until Feb. 7.
• Duration: 35 hours and 40 minutes.
• Snowfall totals: 1 to 3 feet.
• Deaths in Massachusetts.: 73.
• Blizzard-related injuries/illnesses: 4,324.
• Cars stranded on Route 128: 3,000.
• Trucks stranded on Route 128: 500.
• Damages: $500 million.
• Top wind gust in Boston: 79 mph.
• Typical hurricane wind speed: 74 mph.
• Favorite media blizzard blurb: “The week the state stood still.”
• How long the state stood still: Feb. 6-13.
We don’t dispute the ferocity of our Monday blizzard, or the hazards faced — and still being faced — by countless individuals, homeowners and businesses.
But it’s obvious which unique, frightening weather event had the greater impact on the region caught in its grip.
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