Residents of the Eastern North America were caught by surprise when the blizzard hit. In the days leading up to the storm, the weather was unseasonably warm and rainy. The temperature suddenly dropped and a torrential rainfall turned to heavy snow just after midnight on March 12th, 1888.
Heavy winds of over 45 mph reduced visibility to almost zero and caused the snow to drift. In some locations, drifts between 25 to 40 feet were reported. The storm continued for the next 36 hours.
Impact of the Great Blizzard of 1888
On the Atlantic seaboard, approximately 200 ships were grounded or wrecked by high winds and huge waves. Two hundred sailors lost their lives.
Power lines and telegraph lines were downed due to heavy snow and strong winds. Communication between major cities was cut off. Many residents were without electricity and were not able to receive delivery of coal or wood. In desperation, people were burning their furniture in order to stay warm.
Railway and road travel was at a standstill because the routes were impassable. Fire trucks were unable to respond to emergencies, so there were many fires that burned out of control.
Record-breaking snowfall shut down cities. According to Famous Storms, “Snowfalls of up to 40-50 inches in parts of New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York caused heavy storm damage and many people died trapped in their houses during this terrible weather. Storm winds hit over 45 miles per hour, producing massive 50 foot drifts and causing even more damage.”
New York City was the worst hit. Horse-drawn carts and trucks were abandoned so people had to trudge through the snow in order to get anywhere. The blowing wind and drifting snow made it very difficult to walk. Food stores were empty because replenishments were not delivered.
The elevated railroad in New York City was barely moving. The rails were slippery and it was difficult for the trains to stop at stations or climb steep grades. Visibility was poor and rail cars had to be dug out of the drifts in the overnight storage area.
Passenger platforms were crowded and trains were full so only a few people were able to board the trains at each station. Some trains were stranded in between stations. Passengers scrambled onto ladders provided by local businesses at street level.
By the time the blizzard ended on March 14th, 1888, more than 400 people were dead. Widespread flooding occurred when the snow melted.
Lessons Learned From the Great Blizzard of 1888
City planners of New York City realized the elevated railway was inefficient during snowstorms so they decided to establish the New York subway system. Plans were approved in 1894 and construction began in 1900.
It was also determined that wires for electricity, telegraph, fire alarms and telephone needed to be installed underground. This was soon carried out.
Related Articles on Winter Storms:
North America’s Storm of the Century 1993
1998 North American Big Ice Storm
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