Great+Blizzard+of+1888

=**Background?**= The Great Blizzard of 1888 was a severe blizzard that hit the east coast, mostly New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The blizzard brought snowfalls of 40-45 inches and winds of 45 mph. This combination produced snowdrifts of more than 50 feet, shutting down roads, railroads, and keeping people in their houses for a week. Americans now look back on the Blizzard of 1888 as the greatest blizzard to ever hit the United States. = = =**Cause?**= = = This storm was formed when a warm front from the south combined with a mild snowstorm from the west. The weather in New York during the days leading up to the storm was relatively mild, and it was rather humid, so when the warm front and snowstorm combined to form the Nor'easter, it took people on the East Coast by surprise. =Effects?= The Great Blizzard of 1888 had some devastating effects, not only on society, but the environment as well. The blizzard was so large that it covered nearly all of the east coast, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine. However, from Chesapeake Bay through the New England area, more than 200 ships had been grounded or wrecked. Telegraph communication was disabled, both rail and road transportation were impossible for days (especially in New York), fire stations had become immobilized, and a severe flooding occurred during the melting of the snow. Over 400 people died from the effects as well as the cold. There was over $20 million in property damage in New York alone. In New York there was so much snow that it started to fill up in the subway station and sometimes the train would have to stop or change course because of it. = = =**Pictures, video, etc....**=