Great Blizzard of '75...

[Treasure_Hunter]

Was talking about hurricanes on another thread and brought back some memories, some may relate or may remember.

I used to travel around country installing telcom central offices. I moved to Mankato MN to start a job on a Friday, Jan 10th 1975. That weekend became known as The Great Blizzard Of "75. (JAN 10th-12th) 20+ inches of non stop snow fell that weekend, with constant winds of close to 50 mph and gusts of 85 mph, 20 to 30 foot snow drifts.

Snow started on Friday night while we were in a bar doing what single guys do, silver dollar size flakes started falling as we walked to couple different bars, snow ended Sunday night. No idea at the time what was to come .... 🤣

Every car in Apartment complex where I rented was buried under 10+ feet of snow, it was 10 days before I could find my car as it was one large snow field, they would not plow until snow melted enough to see car antennas.

Here is story for any interested..

The “Great” Blizzard of 1975

There seems to be some truth to the expression, “winters in Minnesota don’t seem to be nearly as severe as they used to be.”

www.mankatofreepress.com

Wiki

Great Storm of 1975 - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[tamrock]

I remember a big dump in Iowa around that time. The roof of our neighbors car got damaged due to someone on a snowmobile though it was a big snow drift they could run up and over, instead of it being a car buried underneath a couple feet of deep snow.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I remember a big dump in Iowa around that time. The roof of our neighbors car got damaged due to someone on a snowmobile though it was a big snow drift they could run up and over, instead of it being a car buried underneath a couple feet of deep snow.

Yes it hit Iowa too. I also lived in. FT Dodge for about a year

 

[Limitool]

Maybe the same storm or one just like it in Southwest MI. Went to work at GM in Kalamazoo @ 4:00pm. Around 6pm it started to snow very heavy. Nothing new for area but then the wind really picked up and the snow fall didn't slow down at all. By 9pm the wind and snow continued and the handwriting was on the wall as we were in crisis mode now. At 10pm GM announced it was halting production and for us to leave.

I walked out front exit into the parking lot. Usually it was full of 1000's of cars but none could be seen. And GM in all its wisdom used its grader to plow straight lines back and forth between the rows of cars also. So that buried each car further. Between the wind, snow and plowing not a vehicle could be found. I went as fast as I could across the parking lot, highway and into the Red Roof Inn's front doors. I inquired about a room. The guy said he didn't have any but if I'd wait a few minutes he might have a room. He was awaiting 2 reservations which had not showed up by 10pm. Five minutes later he said screw it. He said I could have one and he's taking the other one. My room had 2 queen beds. I went all the way back to the plant to find my buddy Rick. It took awhile but I found him and asked if he'd like a nice bed instead of the cardboard one. Talk about a happy man. I paid for 2 days up front but ended up staying 4 days. I/we got so lucky that night.

95% of my 2nd shift sleep on cardboard boxes inside the plant. 1st shift didn't arrive so the stranded 2nd shift got to work. This went on for 3 days at work like that. Around the clock work w/overtime if you wanted it. I finally found my car on the 4th day and un-buried it. Roads were cleared and I went home for 2 days.

What a storm.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

If it happen in mid January 1975 it was the same storm as it tracked East.

 

[Limitool]

If it happen in mid January 1975 it was the same storm as it tracked East.

I don't remember the month but I bet it was the same storm TH. It was brutal and deep. I think when it came off Lake Michigan it intensified a lot also.

 

[releventchair]

Blizzard of 78 we were stuck home a couple weeks. Not such a bad place to be stuck.
Dug drive out by hand shovels.
After county V-plows punched through and opened the road I knocked down some good coin shoveling roofs(!)

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Blizzard of 78 we were stuck home a couple weeks. Not such a bad place to be stuck.
Dug drive out by hand shovels.
After county V-plows punched through and opened the road I knocked down some good coin shoveling roofs(!)

Yes sir, Ive seen a lot of bad winters in upper mid west myself. I between 1975 and 2001 I Lived in Denver 1 year, Minot N.Dakota for 18 months, 6 months Marion, Ohio, about 4 years in Lincoln Ne, 6 months in Kansas City, 1 year in Ft Dodge Iowa, 2 years in Mankato, Minnesota, 18 months in Chicago, and 20 years in Missouri, 2 years of it working in St Louis and 18 years in Columbia, Mo...

A lot of cold winters, blizzards and ice storms, few tornados.

 

[releventchair]

Yes sir, Ive seen a lot of bad winters in upper mid west myself. I between 1975 and 2001 I Lived in Denver 1 year, Minot N.Dakota for 18 months, 6 months Marion, Ohio, about 4 years in Lincoln Ne, 6 months in Kansas City, 1 year in Ft Dodge Iowa, 2 years in Mankato, Minnesota, 18 months in Chicago, and 20 years in Missouri, 2 years of it working in St Louis and 18 years in Columbia, Mo...

A lot of cold winters, blizzards and ice storms, few tornados.

Each winter I debate.
Then summers are great.

Vietnamese foster brother and his wife retired and moved to Florida a couple years ago.
I complain (in fun) to my siblings he has invited to visit ; that he hasn't invited me for fear I'd bring more than a suitcase. Heck I don't even recall where in Florida.
He'll remember blizzards too though.

 

[tamrock]

Yes it hit Iowa too. I also lived in. FT Dodge for about a year

I definitely remember the town in Iowa being buried in really deep snow drifts back then. We've had a few good one here along Colorados I25 corridor. Last one they labeled a bomb cyclone, which was a new way of calling what I thought was a blizzard I guess.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Each winter I debate.
Then summers are great.

Vietnamese foster brother and his wife retired and moved to Florida a couple years ago.
I complain (in fun) to my siblings he has invited to visit ; that he hasn't invited me for fear I'd bring more than a suitcase. Heck I don't even recall where in Florida.
He'll remember blizzards too though.

Only lived one-year in Denver so only 1 winter living there, but many weeks camping and exploring theu the years. We use to go winter camping for couple years.

I lived in Nothern Midwest for 27 years, had a company offer to transfer to Orlando with big raise and they paid all expenses to move everything so I took it, got tired of blizzards, ice storms and -20 below winters...

 

[Limitool]

My girlfriend now was born and raised in S.W. Michigan just like me. 44 years ago we were an "item" while her brother and I put together our rock band. After my wife died here we reconnected after 40 years. She sold her beautiful home on the St. Joseph River in Constantine MI. and moved to Tennessee. We were talking weather one day upon her arrival (summer time) and I said we don't have a winter here. She didn't understand the comment fully. Now after 5 winters here she totally understands and loves the change. Now she bitches because she traded brutal winters for brutal hot summers. Women...!!!!!

 

[Gare]

WOW what SNOW FALL !!!

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

My girlfriend now was born and raised in S.W. Michigan just like me. 44 years ago we were an "item" while her brother and I put together our rock band. After my wife died here we reconnected after 40 years. She sold her beautiful home on the St. Joseph River in Constantine MI. and moved to Tennessee. We were talking weather one day upon her arrival (summer time) and I said we don't have a winter here. She didn't understand the comment fully. Now after 5 winters here she totally understands and loves the change. Now she bitches because she traded brutal winters for brutal hot summers. Women...!!!!!

Move to Florida, she can complain about the heat, humidity, bugs, gators, and hurricanes... 🤣

 

[Limitool]

Move to Florida, she can complain about the heat, humidity, bugs, gators, and hurricanes... 🤣

Well for 2 years during her H.S. years she lived in Florida. Hated it.. so says she. Told me she'd NEVER move to FL. So I guess she got a try at FL. She thought TN. would have mild winters compared to MI. and mild summers compared to FL. She was wrong on both counts she freely admits now. NO winters compared to MI. but now HOT summers compared to MI. FL. has no bearing / vote. Funny how they think...!

 

[ModernMiner]

Ah yes, I remember those days too. I lived in Northern Indiana back then, only 20 minutes to Lake Michigan.
Lots of big snow in the 60's and 70's. I still have some of our family 8MM films (now on CD's) showing the huge piles of snow and long icicles hanging from our roof. Good times.

 

[Trezurehunter]

I'm in Illinois, and I remember that blizzard, it hit us as well. The snow drifted up alongside our house and got so tall, that I was able to climb up it and stand there with my elbow on the peak of our house like a was relaxing. My dad took a picture of me leaning on the peak but it would take me a lifetime to find it.

 

[djackson7348]

Lived many years having the fun of lake effect snows off both Lake Erie and Ontario. Now after being in North Carolina for about 40 years, every once in a while, I miss a good old fashion winter. But when I do, I just stay in bed until the feeling passes.

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Lived many years having the fun of lake effect snows off both Lake Erie and Ontario. Now after being in North Carolina for about 40 years, every once in a while, I miss a good old fashion winter. But when I do, I just stay in bed until the feeling passes.

Blizzards can be enjoyable to sit and watch if you don't have to go anywhere and the fridge is stocked. Shoveling out sucks as you get older.

I use to have a Jacuzzi hot tub while living in Missouri, sat 8 people, installed tv cabinet for 15"tv and beach umbrella holder on one corner that when umbrella was up would shelter about 1/3 of tub from rain, sleet or snow.

I sat many days and nights in it and watched it snow while enjoying margaritas. Home was on 3 acres in the country and it was private enough that bathing suits was optional when just wife and I.

Being in the country there wasn't much light pollution so clear nights was nice for star watching. -20F is coldest that I remember being in it.