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A Look Back at the Historic Blizzard of 1996 That Paralyzed New York City: A Photographic Journey

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The Blizzard of 1996 was one of the most memorable snowstorms in New York City’s history. It began on January 6 and lasted until January 8, leaving the city blanketed in snow and disrupting daily life in dramatic ways.

The Storm Begins

The storm started on a Saturday, and weather forecasts had warned New Yorkers about the impending blizzard. By the evening, snow had begun to fall steadily. As night fell, the intensity of the snowfall increased, and by Sunday morning, the city was experiencing a full-blown blizzard. Strong winds accompanied the snow, creating whiteout conditions that made visibility extremely poor. The snow continued to fall heavily throughout Sunday and into Monday.

The Impact on New York City

The blizzard brought New York City to a standstill. Over the course of the storm, the city received a record-breaking amount of snow. Central Park recorded 20.2 inches of snow by the end of the storm, with some areas seeing even higher accumulations. The snow was accompanied by fierce winds, with gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour, which caused snowdrifts that buried cars and made many streets impassable.

Public transportation was severely impacted. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) had to suspend bus services due to the dangerous road conditions, and many subway lines experienced delays or shutdowns. Commuters found themselves stranded, and many chose to stay home rather than risk traveling in the treacherous conditions.

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Casualties and Damage

The storm caused several casualties. Tragically, there were fatalities reported, with at least three people dying due to heart attacks while shoveling snow. The weight of the snow also led to numerous roof collapses, and there were several reports of people being injured by falling ice and snow from buildings.

The sheer amount of snow overwhelmed the city’s sanitation department. Plows worked around the clock, but the constant snowfall made it difficult to keep the streets clear. By the end of the storm, the city had accumulated a total of 26.9 inches of snow, making it one of the heaviest snowfalls in New York City’s history.

The Aftermath

The aftermath of the blizzard saw the city coated in a thick layer of snow and ice. The amount of ice on the streets was significant, making walking and driving hazardous. Many sidewalks were impassable, forcing pedestrians to walk in the streets. Schools were closed for several days, and many businesses remained shut as well.

City workers and residents faced the daunting task of digging out from the massive snowfall. The sanitation department had over 2,000 workers on duty, utilizing more than 1,000 plows and 350 salt spreaders. Despite their efforts, it took several days to clear the main roads and even longer to reach side streets and residential areas.

In the face of such a massive natural disaster, community spirit shone brightly. Neighbors helped each other shovel snow, and people with four-wheel-drive vehicles offered rides to those in need. Volunteers assisted the elderly and disabled with clearing paths and running errands.

The long-term effects of the blizzard were felt for weeks. The city had to deal with the massive piles of snow that lined the streets, which gradually turned into dirty, slushy mounds as they began to melt. This created additional hazards, as the melting snow led to icy patches and flooding in some areas.

Businesses that had to close during the storm experienced financial losses, and the city itself faced a hefty bill for the cleanup efforts. The cost of overtime pay for workers, fuel for plows, and other expenses ran into the millions of dollars. Despite the financial and logistical challenges, the city’s response to the blizzard was widely praised for its efficiency and the dedication of its workers.

Weather Patterns and Predictions

The Blizzard of 1996 was part of a series of severe winter storms that affected the northeastern United States during that season. Meteorologists had predicted a harsh winter, but the intensity of the blizzard caught many by surprise. The storm was fueled by a combination of cold Arctic air and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, which created the perfect conditions for a massive snowfall.

Weather prediction and communication played a crucial role in preparing the city for the storm. Forecasts allowed city officials to implement emergency plans and warn residents to stay indoors. This undoubtedly helped to minimize the number of casualties and injuries during the storm.

#2 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, 1996

42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, 1996

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#27 A woman walking down a street during the blizzard of January 1996.

A woman walking down a street during the blizzard of January 1996.

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#28 A snow covered street on the Upper West Side, 1996.

A snow covered street on the Upper West Side, 1996.

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#30 A girl writing in the snow covering a car in New York City, during the blizzard of January 1996.

A girl writing in the snow covering a car in New York City, during the blizzard of January 1996.

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#32 Pedestrians Walking Across Snow-Covered Street, 1996

Pedestrians Walking Across Snow-Covered Street, 1996

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#33 Man in Yellow Coat and Boots Using Electric Snowplow, 1996

Man in Yellow Coat and Boots Using Electric Snowplow, 1996

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#36 Man in Snow-Covered Coat Talking on Pay Phone, 1996

Man in Snow-Covered Coat Talking on Pay Phone, 1996

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#37 Man Wearing Scarf on Face Riding Bicycle in Manhattan, 1996

Man Wearing Scarf on Face Riding Bicycle in Manhattan, 1996

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#38 Pedestrians Carrying Umbrellas on Street During Snowstorm, 1996

Pedestrians Carrying Umbrellas on Street During Snowstorm, 1996

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#39 People Lining up on Street at Bus Stop in Snow, 1996

People Lining up on Street at Bus Stop in Snow, 1996

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#40 Snow-Covered People Boarding Bus During Snowstorm, 1996

Snow-Covered People Boarding Bus During Snowstorm, 1996

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#41 Pedestrians Walking Across Park Buried in Snow, 1996

Pedestrians Walking Across Park Buried in Snow, 1996

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#42 Man on Bicycle Riding in Empty, Snowy Street, 1996

Man on Bicycle Riding in Empty, Snowy Street, 1996

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#44 Pedestrians Walking in Empty, Snow-Covered Street, 1996

Pedestrians Walking in Empty, Snow-Covered Street, 1996

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#45 Pedestrians Walking on Street During Snowstorm, 1996

Pedestrians Walking on Street During Snowstorm, 1996

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#46 People Removing Snow from Sidewalk Using Shovels, 1996

People Removing Snow from Sidewalk Using Shovels, 1996

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#47 Old Woman with Umbrella and Friend Standing in Snowstorm, 1996

Old Woman with Umbrella and Friend Standing in Snowstorm, 1996

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#48 A woman looks skyward as she waits to cross the street outside Radio City Music Hall, 1996

A woman looks skyward as she waits to cross the street outside Radio City Music Hall, 1996

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#49 Workers shovel snow from the sidewalk in Times Square, 1996

Workers shovel snow from the sidewalk in Times Square, 1996

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#50 Pedestrian slowly makes his way across Pike St. during a blizzard, 1996

Pedestrian slowly makes his way across Pike St. during a blizzard, 1996

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#51 Pedestrian walks along a desolate First Ave. during a blizza

Pedestrian walks along a desolate First Ave. during a blizza

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#52 Pedestrian walks into a snow filled Central Park during a blizzard, 1996

Pedestrian walks into a snow filled Central Park during a blizzard, 1996

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#53 Pedestrian carefully crosses the street in Times Square during the blizzard, 1996

Pedestrian carefully crosses the street in Times Square during the blizzard, 1996

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#54 Pedestrian makes his way across W. Broadway during a blizzard, 1996

Pedestrian makes his way across W. Broadway during a blizzard, 1996

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#56 Pedestrians slowly make their way up 57th St. during a blizzard, 1996

Pedestrians slowly make their way up 57th St. during a blizzard, 1996

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#57 A delivery of goods is pulled by hand in the middle of snow bound traffic, 1996

A delivery of goods is pulled by hand in the middle of snow bound traffic, 1996

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#58 Several hardy souls crossing windy, snowswept plaza during Blizzard of 1996,

Several hardy souls crossing windy, snowswept plaza during Blizzard of 1996,

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#59 Pedestrians make their way past a buried car in New York’s Times Square, 1996

Pedestrians make their way past a buried car in New York's Times Square, 1996

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#60 A New Yorker makes her way down Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, 1996

A New Yorker makes her way down Seventh Avenue in Manhattan, 1996

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#61 A line of pedestrians and vehicles wind their way down New York’s Fifth Avenue , 1996

A line of pedestrians and vehicles wind their way down New York's Fifth Avenue , 1996

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#62 New Yorkers bundle up against blizzard conditions, 1996

New Yorkers bundle up against blizzard conditions, 1996

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#63 A nearly deserted Times Square during a blizzard, 1996

A nearly deserted Times Square during a blizzard, 1996

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#64 Dump truck removes snow along Sixth Ave. the day after a blizzard.

Dump truck removes snow along Sixth Ave. the day after a blizzard.

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#65 Idle taxi cab sits buried in snow on 57th St. the day after a blizzard, 1996

Idle taxi cab sits buried in snow on 57th St. the day after a blizzard, 1996

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#66 Cab driver pushes his taxi cab after getting stuck on 33rd St. near Ninth Ave. after a blizzard.

Cab driver pushes his taxi cab after getting stuck on 33rd St. near Ninth Ave. after a blizzard.

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#67 Carol Ullman and Jack Water head to work on skis on Riverside Dr. after a blizzard.

Carol Ullman and Jack Water head to work on skis on Riverside Dr. after a blizzard.

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#68 Children climb up 30-foot piles of snow along the streets and sidewalks of Manhattan after a blizzard.

Children climb up 30-foot piles of snow along the streets and sidewalks of Manhattan after a blizzard.

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#69 Pedestrian walks down the middle of the street as she makes her way downtown. Sidewalks were piled up with snow after a blizzard.

Pedestrian walks down the middle of the street as she makes her way downtown. Sidewalks were piled up with snow after a blizzard.

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#70 Pedestrians struggle to cross the street during a blizzard.

Pedestrians struggle to cross the street during a blizzard.

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#71 Snowdrifts covering parked cars on 110th Street after more than 20 inches (50cm) of snow fell in two days, 1996

Snowdrifts covering parked cars on 110th Street after more than 20 inches (50cm) of snow fell in two days, 1996

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#72 Cross Country Skiing in Manhattan During Blizzard. Skiers in New York City during the Blizzard of 1996.

Cross Country Skiing in Manhattan During Blizzard. Skiers in New York City during the Blizzard of 1996.

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#79 The entrance to a building is blocked by snow drifts, 1996

The entrance to a building is blocked by snow drifts, 1996

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#81 Ron Foster, 56, a homeless resident of sweeps snow out of his make-shift shelter on South street in Manhattan, 1996

Ron Foster, 56, a homeless resident of sweeps snow out of his make-shift shelter on South street in Manhattan, 1996

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#82 A New York City Department of Sanitation truck dumps snow into the East River underneath the Manhattan Bridge in New York with the Brooklyn Bridge is visible behind, 1996

A New York City Department of Sanitation truck dumps snow into the East River underneath the Manhattan Bridge in New York with the Brooklyn Bridge is visible behind, 1996

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#84 Earl Lessey starts digging one of his two cars out of the snow in Carroll Gardens after a blizzard left them buried, 1996

Earl Lessey starts digging one of his two cars out of the snow in Carroll Gardens after a blizzard left them buried, 1996

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#85 Dump truck heads down Fifth Ave. with a load of snow to be dumped into the East River after a blizzard, 1996

Dump truck heads down Fifth Ave. with a load of snow to be dumped into the East River after a blizzard, 1996

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#86 Huge tunnels dug out of the snow allow New Yorkers to get onto sidewalks as they head back to work after a blizzard, 1996

Huge tunnels dug out of the snow allow New Yorkers to get onto sidewalks as they head back to work after a blizzard, 1996

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#87 Sidewalk space is scarce as snow covers most of the road on Fifth Ave. after a blizzard, 1996

Sidewalk space is scarce as snow covers most of the road on Fifth Ave. after a blizzard, 1996

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#89 Trucks and a payloader dump snow into the frozen Schuylkill River, as Philadelphia tries to dig out from a blizzard, 1996

Trucks and a payloader dump snow into the frozen Schuylkill River, as Philadelphia tries to dig out from a blizzard, 1996

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#90 Trucks dump the snow from city streets into the East River at Dike and South Streets after a blizzard, 1996

Trucks dump the snow from city streets into the East River at Dike and South Streets after a blizzard, 1996

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#91 New Yorkers climb mound of snow at the curb as they begin to head back to work after a blizzard, 1996

New Yorkers climb mound of snow at the curb as they begin to head back to work after a blizzard, 1996

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#92 Workers remove snow from train tracks after a blizzard, at the John D. Caemmerer Westside Storage Yard Complex of the L.I.R.R. , 1996

Workers remove snow from train tracks after a blizzard, at the John D. Caemmerer Westside Storage Yard Complex of the L.I.R.R. , 1996

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#93 Pedestrians look at snow filled intersections on Ninth Ave. as they try to map out a way to get across the street after a blizzard.

Pedestrians look at snow filled intersections on Ninth Ave. as they try to map out a way to get across the street after a blizzard.

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#94 Cross Country skiers cross the Sheep Meadow in Central Park during the Blizzard, New York,.

Cross Country skiers cross the Sheep Meadow in Central Park during the Blizzard, New York,.

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#95 Jennifer Pitt (right) and Ann Crystal make their way past the U.S. Capitol on skis, 1996

Jennifer Pitt (right) and Ann Crystal make their way past the U.S. Capitol on skis, 1996

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#105 Garbage piles up at Columbus Ave. at 72nd St. due to the blizzard, 1996

Garbage piles up at Columbus Ave. at 72nd St. due to the blizzard, 1996

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#107 Traffic heading down Ninth Ave. after a snowstorm which complicated the evening commute.

Traffic heading down Ninth Ave. after a snowstorm which complicated the evening commute.

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#109 Two little girls with one big umbrella take a walk in Central Park, 1996

Two little girls with one big umbrella take a walk in Central Park, 1996

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#110 A jogger makes his through Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, 1996

A jogger makes his through Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, 1996

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#111 Woman cross country skiing on 42nd street during snow blizzard.

Woman cross country skiing on 42nd street during snow blizzard.

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#114 A pedestrian walks among tracks in the snow 29 March during a spring snowstorm, 1996

A pedestrian walks among tracks in the snow 29 March during a spring snowstorm, 1996

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#115 A pedestrian walks across the street in heavy snow 29 March during a spring snowstorm, 1996

A pedestrian walks across the street in heavy snow 29 March during a spring snowstorm, 1996

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#116 Provie Monchek in maternity ward at Beth Israel Hospital with babies born in the blizzard, 1996

Provie Monchek in maternity ward at Beth Israel Hospital with babies born in the blizzard, 1996

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Written by Adriana Palmer

Blogger, Editor and Environmentalist. A writer by day and an enthusiastic reader by night. Following the Jim Roh's prophecy “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”

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