SNOW MAY MARK ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT BLIZZARD OF '79

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Today marks the anniversary of what many who survived it call, "The Blizzard of '79.".

Twelve years ago today, at about 7 a.m., bolts of lightning and loud claps of thunder signaled the start of a blinding snowstorm that buried Cape Girardeau, and parts of surrounding counties, under 24 inches of heavy, wet snow.

When the snow finally ended at about 3 p.m., drifts as high as eight feet left roads and highways closed. Emergency services in the county were paralyzed until National Guard bulldozers literally dug their way from the Perry County line to Jackson and Cape Girardeau, 24 hours later.

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep later said it was only Divine providence that prevented an even greater disaster.

During the week following the blizzard, the weather warmed, and by week's end, most of the snow was gone, except for huge piles in parking lots to remind residents of what nearly became a major disaster.

As a result of the 1979 blizzard, Huckstep and county officials emphasized the need to improve the county's emergency preparedness plans.