The Week the State Stood Still. 45 years ago - The Blizzard of '78

On February 6th, 1978, here in RI we experienced the biggest blizzard of all time. The Blizzard of '78. Here are my recollections.

It was a fairly normal winter here in RI. We had gotten several snow storms in December and January. At the end of January or early February, it was predicted that we would get a significant snow storm and all the schools closed. Well, that snowstorm never really came and school officials and the meteorologists had "eggs on their face". Then on February 5, meteorologists were saying that another snowstorm was coming but they didn't think it would amount to much. Or it could be a big one. The storm was supposed to begin early in the morning. When we woke up, there was no snow. Schools were not cancelled. As they were accustomed to do, schools could have early dismissal if the snow came and would cause problems.

I was a senior in high school. My sister was a sophomore attending the same school as I. My sister woke up and "didn't feel well" (a-huh) and asked me to bring home all her books so she could do her homework. I, being the kind, good hearted, sister agreed. I had to go to school anyway because we had an important standardized test that day.

Well, most of the weathermen were very, very wrong. While we were taking the test, it was hard to concentrate. All of us were looking out the big glass windows of the cafeteria. The snow was coming down hard. and kept coming.

Finally the principal announced that there would be an early dismissal in early afternoon. We got out and by the time we arrived at the public bus station, it was obvious that all of Providence (the capitol) was let out at the same time. All schools and businesses.. every one was trying to get home at the same time. By that time, the streets were covered with many inches of snow and the wind was whipping.

I was waiting for the # 50 bus. I know that at least one bus full of people left when I was waiting. Another came and the students I was waiting with let the older people on first. Then this bus was full and went on its way. The snow was now coming down very quickly and the wind picked up dramatically. I found a pay phone and tried to call home to tell them what was happening but phone lines were busy. Too many people trying to use the lines.

In a short time, roads became impassable. We didn't know it at the time, but cars were stuck on most main roads. even the main highway, route 95, came to a standstill.

At some time during the late afternoon, it became obvious that busses stopped running and we were stuck downtown. I was stuck. As 17 year old, I was about to experience 4 days I will never forget.

I was still desperately trying to reach my home phone to find out what was happening there and tell them that I was ok. It was then, I ran into a close friend, David. Suddenly I was not alone! Everything would be ok?? Then we ran into a friend of my sister's, Marie. I think David and I felt we needed to be ok for Marie. She was 2 years younger and we felt like we had to be strong for her now.

We still didn't have any idea what we were going to do outside in the horrible snow storm and tremendous wind. We were in the Kennedy Square, the hub where all the busses went.

Those that were stranded were gathering together. I was able to see someone else I knew, Donna. I knew her from grammar school. She attended another high school and she was with a lot of students from Hope High school. One of the people she was with knew someone who had an office in a building near by, the Turks Head Building. I don't really know how we were able to access his office, but we did. (I found out later who was our angel.)

I was now able to get in touch with my Mom finally. She now knew that I was safe and that I had someplace to go in this terrible storm. My father was still out, but safe at the Marriott Hotel.

We got to the 7th floor in the Howard Building and were safe and finally warm. The first night (Monday the 6th) we had nothing to eat. In the morning we pooled our money and bought Dunkin donuts. I don't remember who trudged out to a nearby store, but I knew I was extremely grateful that I had something to eat.

There was so much time to waste. the storm was still going strong, It was a long powerful storm. I had a lot of books from school and probably had a novel, but there was a lot of down time. Talking with others who were also stranded and wondering when we could leave.

I remember a group of us venturing out the second day. We had heard that the Grace Church had a soup kitchen. I have never had a more delicious meal - fish sticks and canned corn. With our stomachs finally full, I had hope again.

"Heaven on the 7th floor" was a popular song at the time and we found it funny that is where we found ourselves. One of the local radio stations was on an upper floor of the same building we were in. We went up there and requested that they play that song for us staying on the 7th floor and they did!

Of course we all wanted was to get home. On the third day, one of the students in our party was feeling ill and really wanted to go home. No cars or vehicles were traveling yet and most street were impassable even to walk. Eventually a rescue came for her on a ski mobile. That was the highlight of the day!

We went to the soup kitchen again the 3rd day for fish sticks, yum! And it was decided that we all could leave the following morning. We knew that walk would be tough but we didn't really know how much.

As I recall, most of the main streets that we took to get home, first to Marie's and then on to my house, were clear enough to walk safely but there were huge snowbanks along the sidewalk. It felt other worldly. Absolutely no sidewalks. As we started walking, there were many others walking too. As we got further from the city, less people were out. At times toward the end, I was out by myself. I won't lie, it was a bit scary. But I was about to go HOME! That thought kept me going. The whole trip was about 3 miles but felt much longer.

As you will recall, I told me about my sister and our agreement. Why did I tell you this? Well, I kept my promise to take most of her books home with me. I can't be certain how many books I had (probably 10 - 5 of hers and 5 of mine), but they were HEAVY. As the walk continued, the books felt heavier and heavier. At some time, I considered just leaving them behind. But how could I? I was the responsible older sister and she depended on me. lol

My sister swears that she was really sick, but I've always had the sneaking suspicion

that she was faking it. I will never know for sure. I do know that I am happy that she didn't have to endure these few days - Heaven on the 7th floor!

The thing that stayed with me for years was that we didn't have any chance to brush our teeth or freshen up. For years, I made sure I had a toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse just in case.

Just this month, we were cleaning and straightening our basement. We bought my mother in law's house when she passed and there is so much stuff in our basement of hers, and other relatives.

She kept newspapers from significant events and she still had the special insert from the Providence Journal entitled "The Week the State Stood Still: February 6 -13, 1978. It was so cool to see the coverage from this week. And she even had the article from March 17,1978. Twelve of us who were rescued and housed on the 7th Floor visited our angel, Ted DiStefano to thank him for giving us refuge and presenting him with a plaque.