The Blizzard of 78 caught people almost totally by surprise. It also had some of the same snow accumulation from multiple storms issue that this year had.
For years, just about everyone at least knew a friend of a friend who got stuck on Route 128 and had to be evacuated or got stuck at their office for multiple days. As a result, people in the Boston area were really paranoid about heading home if there was a storm coming. Some I know said to me once that they had never seen any northern city where people were so anxious to get going when it started snowing.
(I was in Cambridge in 78 but at school with no car so it was pretty much just a memorable and fun experience.)
> I was in Cambridge in 78 but at school with no car so it was pretty much just a memorable and fun experience
All I remember were the igloos everywhere in the streets of Cambridge(port), lit by candles it was a wonderland...one of my earliest memories.
Have been away for a long time, but talking to older family about '78 they say it was a party since the city shutdown for a week, no work, just have fun ;-), whereas the current winter has been more of an ongoing slog with storm after storm.
That explains a lot. I've always wondered why such an otherwise industrious and hard working people will head home or stay at home at the first sign of a snow flake, even amongst people born long after 78. Cultural memory in effect I guess.
For years, just about everyone at least knew a friend of a friend who got stuck on Route 128 and had to be evacuated or got stuck at their office for multiple days. As a result, people in the Boston area were really paranoid about heading home if there was a storm coming. Some I know said to me once that they had never seen any northern city where people were so anxious to get going when it started snowing.
(I was in Cambridge in 78 but at school with no car so it was pretty much just a memorable and fun experience.)