"The Great White Hurricane"

My presentation was about the Blizzard of 1888, which left the East Coast and other parts of the United States paralyzed for weeks. It came to be known as the "Great White Hurricane" , and was labeled as one of the most severe blizzards in the United States recorded history. Out of all the cities impacted, New York suffered the most. The storm took place from March 11-14. It was one of America's coldest winters, with temperatures reaching up to the negative 50's. It began as rainfall, then gradually turning into sleet and ultimately snow from March 11-12. The snow fell, along with high speed winds from March 12-14 which caused snow drifts over 50 feet. The storm stayed longer than anitcipated because the storm's route was on an unusual course. This unusual course caused the storm to make a counter-clockwise loop while still mantianing its peak in strength. The blizzard of 1888, had a total of 400 deaths, 200 alone in New York. The storm isolated cities from Boston to Washington for weeks because all emergency cruises were immobilized, it destroyed the telegraph interest structure in New York; it also crippled and destroyed railroads. The storm, though harsh, lead to the realization in people, that destruction could arrive at any time and preparation is crucial. The blizzard caused New York to build its telephone lines underground and was partially the reason for the creation of the first, underground railroad, built in Boston 9 years later.