Remembering hard lessons
It is hard to believe it has been 30 years since the Great Blizzard of '78.
People under the age of 35 have not seen a storm or disaster like it since in this area. You would have to look at Hurricane Katrina to fathom the danger faced by Ohioans 30 years ago. That blizzard was a hurricane of snow - literal mountains of snow.
People died in the storm, even here. Luckily several unrelated fads and economic factors in the 1970s may have led to many others surviving the blizzard. CB radios were popular giving people all over Northwest Ohio regular communication in areas cutoff by snow and among truckers stranded on highways.
The recession of the 1970s also led many people to install antique-style woodburning stoves to save money on electricity and gas. The bulk food buying fad was growing also as a way for families to save money.
That blizzard changed many people. It was a reminder of how important neighbors are. It also taught all of us to be prepared to survive on your own and that no government can stop Nature from being Nature. Those are lessons we should all still heed.
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