It built slowly. Snow, wind and frigid temperatures slowly piled and buried parts of Wyoming and neighboring states in 1949. The first storm began January 2 with heavy snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures.

It lasted for nearly two months. Entire towns were cut off from the rest of the world. Hundreds of motorists on the highways and stalled nearly two dozen trains at depots throughout the state.

It was all hands on deck as entire communities pulled together to assist not only their neighbors. Motorists and livestock died, trains got stuck, and the wind blew so hard the snow felt like sand.

Author and historian James Fuller recounts the story in his book, The Blizzard of 1949. James talked with KGAB's Glenn Woods about his book, you can listen to the interview, above.

 

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