On this day, March 11th, 1888 the Great Blizzard of 1888 began. The storm, also called the Great Blizzard of '88, and the Great White Hurricane, paralysed the East coast of the United States from the Chesapeake Bay, to Maine.
The storm dropped 40 inches of snow in New York City, with as much as 50 inches reported in Connecticut and Massachussetts. The snowfall was not the only problem, with winds of 80 mph being noted. (the highest official wind speed in NY was 40 mph). The temperatures during the storm stayed in the single digits Farinheit.
After the storm snow drifts added to the trouble, with the largest drift of 52 feet, recorded in Gravesend, Brooklyn, NY. Rail and road transportation was not possible for days after the storm. People were trapped in their homes for as long as 3 days, and firestations were immobilized.
The storm caused in excess of 400 deaths, with 200 being reported from New York City. The melting snow also eventually caused severe flooding, especially in Brooklyn.
The storm dropped 40 inches of snow in New York City, with as much as 50 inches reported in Connecticut and Massachussetts. The snowfall was not the only problem, with winds of 80 mph being noted. (the highest official wind speed in NY was 40 mph). The temperatures during the storm stayed in the single digits Farinheit.
After the storm snow drifts added to the trouble, with the largest drift of 52 feet, recorded in Gravesend, Brooklyn, NY. Rail and road transportation was not possible for days after the storm. People were trapped in their homes for as long as 3 days, and firestations were immobilized.
The storm caused in excess of 400 deaths, with 200 being reported from New York City. The melting snow also eventually caused severe flooding, especially in Brooklyn.
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