RETRO INDY

Retro Indy: Blizzard of 1978

A National Guard armored personnel carrier was one of few vehicles to get out on the streets 25 years ago this weekend as the Blizzard of 1978 left Indianapolis buried in more than 20 inches of snow -- more than 15 inches of freshly fallen powder capped about 5 inches that already was on the ground from the previous weekend. For three days, from Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, snow fell, the winds blew, and temperatures plummeted. Snow drifted as high as 10 feet and National Guardsmen were called out to rescue many stranded motorists all over Indiana and to break through snowdrifts on Interstate 465. More than 300 travelers - most of them passengers on northbound and westbound Greyhound buses - were stranded at the Downtown terminal. On Thursday, Jan. 26, Mayor William Hudnutt declared a snow emergency following a statewide emergency declared by Gov. Otis Bowen. Hudnut was awake for 36 straight hours as he coordinated the city's response to the snow emergency, including time spent in a helicopter hovering over the strangely quiet, pure white cityscape. Finally, on Sunday, main roads in Indianapolis were clear enough to navigate. Ultimately, 11 deaths in Indiana were attributed to the Blizzard of '78. Indianapolis Star File Photo
A National Guard armored personnel carrier was one of few vehicles to get out on the streets 25 years ago this weekend as the Blizzard of 1978 left Indianapolis buried in more than 20 inches of snow -- more than 15 inches of freshly fallen powder capped about 5 inches that already was on the ground from the previous weekend. For three days, from Jan. 25 to Jan. 27, snow fell, the winds blew, and temperatures plummeted. Snow drifted as high as 10 feet and National Guardsmen were called out to rescue many stranded motorists all over Indiana and to break through snowdrifts on Interstate 465. More than 300 travelers - most of them passengers on northbound and westbound Greyhound buses - were stranded at the Downtown terminal. On Thursday, Jan. 26, Mayor William Hudnutt declared a snow emergency following a statewide emergency declared by Gov. Otis Bowen. Hudnut was awake for 36 straight hours as he coordinated the city's response to the snow emergency, including time spent in a helicopter hovering over the strangely quiet, pure white cityscape. Finally, on Sunday, main roads in Indianapolis were clear enough to navigate. Ultimately, 11 deaths in Indiana were attributed to the Blizzard of '78. Indianapolis Star File Photo
VARIOUS STAR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Clark Wade, 9, stands between piles of snow on Glen River Dr. just north of 116th Street during the blizzard of 1978.
Clark Wade, 9, stands between piles of snow on Glen River Dr. just north of 116th Street during the blizzard of 1978.
Provided By Clark Wade
James Thomas, 12, is "king of the mountain" as he shovels away at the summit of a monster snow drift in front of his family's New Whiteland home Jan, 22, 1978 following the blizzard.
James Thomas, 12, is "king of the mountain" as he shovels away at the summit of a monster snow drift in front of his family's New Whiteland home Jan, 22, 1978 following the blizzard.
Bob Doeppers/The News
If you braved the blizzard of 1978, you were fully covered from head to toe.
If you braved the blizzard of 1978, you were fully covered from head to toe.
Jerry Clark/Indianapolis Star
Cars are stranded on Jan. 27, 1978 at the intersection of Pleasant Run Parkway and Sherman Drive as shown in this photo taken during the 1978 blizzard.
Cars are stranded on Jan. 27, 1978 at the intersection of Pleasant Run Parkway and Sherman Drive as shown in this photo taken during the 1978 blizzard.
JERRY CLARK
Massive snowdrifts linger after the blizzard of 1978 - such as this one near Patricksburg. Feb. 3, 1978.
Massive snowdrifts linger after the blizzard of 1978 - such as this one near Patricksburg. Feb. 3, 1978.
UPI Photo
The only thing moving on Ohio St. during the blizzard of 1978 was a wind blown newspaper. Shot between Penn and Meridian.
The only thing moving on Ohio St. during the blizzard of 1978 was a wind blown newspaper. Shot between Penn and Meridian.
James Ramsey/The Star
The Indiana National Guard was called to duty to rescue motorists left stranded by the blizzard. Here tanks and heavy equipment pull trucks and cars through the roads. Jan. 1978
The Indiana National Guard was called to duty to rescue motorists left stranded by the blizzard. Here tanks and heavy equipment pull trucks and cars through the roads. Jan. 1978
Star File Photo
Mike and Gregory Howard have a big job of digging out these cars in the 4500 block of N. College Avenue following the blizzard of 1978.
Mike and Gregory Howard have a big job of digging out these cars in the 4500 block of N. College Avenue following the blizzard of 1978.
Greg Griffo/Indianapolis Star
Downtown Indianapolis after the blizzard ends. Jan. 30, 1978.
Downtown Indianapolis after the blizzard ends. Jan. 30, 1978.
Tim Halcomb/The News
The blizzard of 1978 left many motorists stranded along interstates in Indiana. Jan, 1978
The blizzard of 1978 left many motorists stranded along interstates in Indiana. Jan, 1978
Star File Photo
Mayor William Hudnut in his Indianapolis Racers hat was a common sight during the blizzard of 1978.
Mayor William Hudnut in his Indianapolis Racers hat was a common sight during the blizzard of 1978.
Star File Photo
5000 block of South Bluff Rd. during the blizzard digout. Jan, 30, 1978.
5000 block of South Bluff Rd. during the blizzard digout. Jan, 30, 1978.
William Oates/The Star
Blizzard of 1978 from an Indiana National Guard helicopter.
Blizzard of 1978 from an Indiana National Guard helicopter.
David Rohn/Indianapolis News
Looking west from 9500 East 25th St. Jan. 30, 1978 following the blizzard. Jan. 29, 1978
Looking west from 9500 East 25th St. Jan. 30, 1978 following the blizzard. Jan. 29, 1978
H.C. Brown/The News
Abandoned trucks on Shadeland Ave. ramp during the blizzard. Jan. 27, 1978
Abandoned trucks on Shadeland Ave. ramp during the blizzard. Jan. 27, 1978
Jim Kern/The Star
Indiana Governor Otis R. Bowen bundles in preparation for a helicopter tour of the state's trouble spots after a blizzard February 13, 1978.
Indiana Governor Otis R. Bowen bundles in preparation for a helicopter tour of the state's trouble spots after a blizzard February 13, 1978.
Greg Griffo/The Star
Sandra Yant gives neighbor Kevin Olmstead a push on his sled down the hill at Ellenberger Park, January 19, 1978. Just a week later the "Blizzard of 78" dumped nearly 20 inches of snow on Indianapolis.
Sandra Yant gives neighbor Kevin Olmstead a push on his sled down the hill at Ellenberger Park, January 19, 1978. Just a week later the "Blizzard of 78" dumped nearly 20 inches of snow on Indianapolis.
Patty Espich/The News
This six-wheel drive all-terraine vehicle was ideal for getting around in the snow during the blizzard of 1978. Tom Richart drives Cecilia (front) and Susan Richart around Southport.
This six-wheel drive all-terraine vehicle was ideal for getting around in the snow during the blizzard of 1978. Tom Richart drives Cecilia (front) and Susan Richart around Southport.
Gary Moore/Indianapolis News
Stranded Indianapolis policemen found out how some others live when cells in the Police Deptartment lockup in the City-County Building were used to house policemen who couldn’t get home durig the blizzard of 1978.
Stranded Indianapolis policemen found out how some others live when cells in the Police Deptartment lockup in the City-County Building were used to house policemen who couldn’t get home durig the blizzard of 1978.
Greg Griffo/Indianapolis Star
Grocery store’s stock was pretty much depleted, leaving crescent rolls and broken eggs during the blizzard of 1978.
Grocery store’s stock was pretty much depleted, leaving crescent rolls and broken eggs during the blizzard of 1978.
Charles A Berry/Indianapolis Sta
Indiana National Guardsmen used an Army tank to tow a semi-trailer truck from a snowdrift on I-65 at Ind. 32. The guard also used armored personnel carriers and bulldozers to rescue vehicles but few roads were open to traffic in the wake of the blizzard in 1978.
Indiana National Guardsmen used an Army tank to tow a semi-trailer truck from a snowdrift on I-65 at Ind. 32. The guard also used armored personnel carriers and bulldozers to rescue vehicles but few roads were open to traffic in the wake of the blizzard in 1978.
AP Photo