Thursday, Jan. 25, marked the anniversary of one of the most powerful snowstorms to hit Michigan and Ohio. State of emergencies were called in both states. Most of us who survived the blizzard of ’78 can tell stories much like the ones we share about where we were on 9/11.
Storm systems from the north and the south collided making conditions one of the most dangerous and deadly in history. The numerous deaths were mostly from car accidents and cardiac arrest.
In Ohio, there were 2,700 helicopter rescues performed in unfathomable conditions, including the transporting of a critically ill baby. One firefighter involved in the rescue teared up recalling the urgency of the situation and how thankful he was that things turned out well and the baby survived. In the end, 6,000 people were trapped in their cars and 200,000 people were without electricity in the state of Ohio.
During the brunt of the storm civilians with four-wheel drive vehicles and snowmobiles brought doctors and nurses to hospitals so they could do their jobs. One nurse didn’t remember seeing a single ambulance delivering patients to the ER.