One week ago today, I wrote a column about the infamous October storm. The powerful nor’easter brought wind, rain and snow to many parts of our region. That column filled my inbox with emails and photos and filled my heart with lovely stories of perseverance, ingenuity and love.
I’d like to share two more stories before I put this one to bed. Thank you so much for sharing your memories with all of us:
“I remember the 1974 October snowstorm well. I’m guessing that it compares well with the recent storm in Manitoba. My wife and I were planning to catch the Yarmouth Ferry to Maine to visit U.S. and Canadian relatives (Yes, it actually operated that year!) It was quite an adventure! We had to put on our snow tires to get out of the province due to our road conditions and had to remove them in Yarmouth before we caught the ferry as studded tires were not allowed in the U.S. at that time of the year or in the areas that we were visiting. As in Manitoba last week, many power poles were snapped like toothpicks along and/or across the road, making the drive from the Valley to Yarmouth an adventure in its own right.
“We visited relatives in Yarmouth; Stanford, Connecticut; left our snow tires there to free up trunk space and continued on. More relatives in Washington and Baltimore then back to Stanford to fetch the snow tires and continue on to Montreal for another visit with relatives. Made it home to N.S. 14 days later to a more typical fall weather pattern! That record snowfall still stands.”
Greg Webster
Volunteer weather reporter for Environment Canada
Waterville-Cambridge (since 1981)
Cambridge, N.S.
From David Lacey, Centreville N.S.
“The October 24 storm …We had a general store in Woodville, Kings County, N.S. The power feed for Woodville and points north came along the Woodville-Cambridge road about three miles in length. Following the storm, at least 90 per cent of the power poles were down in the road and our store and gas station was without power and there was no way out. The temperature rose sharply the next day and we had a freezer full of meat and no refrigeration. We also had lots of gas but no way to pump it.
“The solution lay with an ancient rototiller! We unhooked the belt to the tiller and ran the belt to the refrigeration compressor and were able to keep the meat cool for the 10 days we were without power. We also used the tiller to pump gas! Since all the rest could be done by hand, we hardly missed a beat! We did lose some ice cream, however!”
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading these wonderful storm stories as much as I have. I’m happy that the topic triggered conversation and for some, a walk down memory lane. The conversation continues…
RELATED:
- Some storms leave an impression – even 45 years later
- Sharing memories across the miles…
- Storm stories strike a chord
- Want more weather information? Visit your weather page.
- Have a weather question, photo or drawing to share with Cindy Day? Email [email protected]
Cindy Day is the chief meteorologist for SaltWire Network.
