Blizzard of 1996 dumps snow on Delmarva

It’s been 30 years since a massive blizzard dumped a ton of snow on the East Coast. Beginning Jan. 6 and lasting until Jan. 8, the nor’easter dropped several feet of snow on many parts of the Northeast.

According to the Cape Gazette’s story about the storm, the Cape Region received nearly a foot of snow along with consistent winds of 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.

“The Lewes Power Plant reported approximately 10 inches of snow on Sunday and Monday, and arctic temperatures, gusting winds and drifting snow turned the landscape into a winter wonderland. The county government closed and virtually every area business shut its doors tight as officials urged motorists to stay off the road. At Beebe Medical Center, more than 30 volunteers used their four-wheel-drive vehicles to transport doctors to the hospital. The Delaware Electric Cooperative reported that more than 4,000 customers suffered scattered power outages and pounding surf broke through dune lines in Fenwick Island and north of the Indian River Inlet.”