The+US+Blizzard+of+the+Century+(1993)

Erin McHugh Article: How the Blizzard Started: A blizzard is classified as a servere snowstorm with high winds (minimum of 35 mph) and low visibility (less than 400 meters). When three independant weather patterns converged over in the Gulf of Mexico in March of 1993, the result was a snow storm that caused colds, arctic temperatures, blizzards, tornadoes, whirling seas, coastal flooding, and crippling snow. The storm could be spotted a month earlier as the jet stream, that was a river of air that flows from east to west 30,000 feet above North America, took a dramatic dip down from Canada and blasted cold, arctic air, across Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Montana, Wyoming and into the Gulf of Mezico before backing up into the eastern seaboard. On Friday, March 12, 1993, a large cluster of powerful thunderstorms formed in the northwest Gulf of Mexico. This storm merged with a narrow band of snow and rain that was pushing in from the West Coast. These two storms then collided with the jest stream and by 7pm they began tearing across the Gulf toward Florida, making a large storm surge in their path ahead.

During the Storm: The sea conditions during this time was unbelievable. Coast Guard Officer Rob Wyman said, "It looked like a huge washing machine. There were huge waves and spray and hail." Three people had to be rescued from the 50mph winds and 30 feet swells but seven crew members died when the helicopters ran low on fuel and they had to return back to the base. By the time that the Superstorm had passed, the Coast Guard had to rescue 235 people on over 100 boats in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm then blew ashore, with ingredients of a tornado; cold, dry air colliding with a warm, moist front. In Florida, the storm turned into no less than 15 tornadoes, taking down homes, vehicles, and putting debris into the air. In between 4 and 5:30 Saturday morning, the storm surge created 12 foot waves in certain places and drowned seven people along Florida's west coast. Six inches of snow had fallen on land and temperatures dropped below freezing. The temperature in Orlando fell to 33 F, the record low for that day. By 7am the storm had reached Atlanta, and dropped massive amounts of snow. 3,000 people were stranded in airports because officals had closed them, and residents had to use snowmobiles and skis to get around. Meteorologists couldn't believe what they were seeing. Meteorologist Brian Peters said on March 12, "We're looking at 12 to 18 inches of snow...there's no way. That's like 50 percent higher than any other previous record." Birmingham Alabama got 13 inches of snow and dropped to a record of 2 F. Highways were experiencing up to 80 mile delays and fatal accidents happening. When the storm settled in, eight people in two different jeeps were stranded. They recalled that the snow was falling so hard that they couldn't see. There was lightning all around and then trees started to crack, and soon enough began to fall right in front of the jeeps. Seven of the people were rescued, and one had died when they decided to go look for help. In Mount LeConte, Tennessee, 4.5 feet had fallen, in some parts of Pennsylvannia, the snow had stacked up to 10 feet high. In New York by 7pm, the first foot of snow had fallen and 1700 plows cleared the streets but the ice and snow that remained would stay there for days.Syracuse, New York received about 3 feet of snow.

The Damage/Aftermath : The storm caused $6 billion in damage to cars, homes, and buisnesses. 2.5 million were without power and 318 died in this tragic event. Florida received the worst of the storm though. A federal disaster was declared in 21 out of it's 61 counties. In all 18,000 homes were damaged, and this occured right after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 so they were still recovering from that disaster. The Florida governer was upset that NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) didn't notify residents earlier so that they could take proper warning and evacuate the area. media type="custom" key="18929026" align="center"

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