From Winter Storm Nemo in 2013 to the April Fool’s Day blizzard of 1997, we’ve seen some pretty treacherous weather here in Rhode Island. We never really know what to expect from winter in Rhode Island, although we can never be too prepared. Rhode Island’s worst blizzard struck in 1978, and it’s still talked about today. Do you remember this epic winter in Rhode Island?

The Blizzard of 1978 devastated New England, New Jersey, and the New York metropolitan area.
Sean Benham/Flickr
Rhode Island was especially impacted, and unfortunately, 26 Rhode Islanders died. It ranks as one of the worst natural disasters in Rhode Island at the time.
The blizzard began forming on Sunday, February 5, 1978.
Gary Brownell / Flickr
It started snowing that morning, and it didn't stop for over 33 hours. And this was no small snowfall -- there were parts of Rhode Island recording four inches an hour.
The intense snowfall caught everyone by surprise, which made things even worse.
Dahoov2/Wikipedia
Weather forecasters could tell something was coming, but they didn't know how bad it would be. Therefore, no one was even advised to stay home.

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So, how bad was it? Providence recorded a whopping 27.6 inches of snow, while Woonsocket got 38 inches.
Jef Nickerson / Flickr
And as bad as the constant barrage of snow, the screaming winds were almost worse. In some areas, winds reached 75 miles per hour, making this Rhode Island's worst blizzard.
Things got so bad that the postal service couldn't deliver mail, which hadn't happened since the Great 1938 Hurricane.
Jef Nickerson / Flickr
One letter carrier got stranded in Providence during the storm and slept on his mail sacks for two nights.
The Blizzard of 1978 was over by the end of February 7, but the damage was lasting.
Sean Benham/ Flickr
As awful as the storm was, many locals who lived through it say it helped build a sense of community. There are many stories of neighbors helping neighbors, including someone who hauled a sled two miles in order to go grocery shopping for his neighborhood. Cross-country skiers and snowmobilers helped rescue people from cars stranded on I-95, and some were even taken to the hospital via snowmobile or sled.

Do you remember where you were when Rhode Island’s worst blizzard hit? Do you remember any other blizzards in Rhode Island? Let us know in the comments! If you’re not already prepared, here are seven things no one tells you about surviving winter in Rhode Island.

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Rhode Island's Worst Blizzard

Beth Price-Williams | October 19, 2021

What are some of the memorable winter storms in Rhode Island?

The Blizzard of ’78 just might go down as the most epic blizzard in Rhode Island’s history. However, we’ve also seen our fair share of massive winter storms in Rhode Island. Do you remember the Blizzard of ’96? It dumped two feet of snow on Providence between January 6 and 10. Most of the state ground to a halt with schools and businesses closed. The Blizzard of 2005 would follow, and it packed an even greater punch than the previous blizzard. From January 20-24, more than two feet of snow fell across Rhode Island with Little Compton getting hit the worst.

Have there been any natural disasters in Rhode Island?

We’ve had several natural disasters in Rhode Island that we’re certainly not going to forget any time soon or, if we weren’t around back then, will remember from the history books. The Great New England Hurricane of 1938, for example, was a tropical cyclone that swept through Rhode Island, the rest of New England, and even into parts of Canada. It cost more than 600 lives. Hurricane Sandy in 2012, on the other hand, impacted much of Rhode Island and its property in particular. If you lived in Rhode Island when the hurricane swept through, you likely have vivid memories of that terrifying day.

How should I prepare for winter in Rhode Island?

Surviving winter in Rhode Island can be quite the challenge, especially if you don’t like the cold and snow. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare for the wintry days ahead. The first is the easiest, and that’s to soak up all of your favorite summer things while you can then take a peek at what winter has in store for Connecticut and Massachusetts. Chances are Rhode Island’s winter will be similar. Winter can feel like it lasts an eternity and sometimes – just sometimes – we even experience snow in April. That doesn’t mean you can’t go to the beach, because wintertime at the beach is oh-so-beautiful and peaceful.

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