PHOTOS: 25 years ago, Virginia got walloped by the 'Blizzard of '96'

Jan 5, 2021 Updated Jan 5, 2021

One of this region’s most extreme snowstorms struck 25 years ago on Jan. 6-8, 1996. ... The storm was remarkable in that every corner of Virginia saw heavy snow, with a wide swath of 1 to 3 foot totals across the mountains and Piedmont. It left a deep blanket as far south as the Smoky Mountains and as far north as New England. Freezing rain and power outages added to the misery near the coast.

Strong winds blew the snow into 5-to-10 foot drifts in western and northern sections of the state, and drove visibility down to near-blizzard conditions. ( It did qualify as a blizzard elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic, hence the name "Blizzard of '96" ) ... Big Meadows, Madison County, had a snow depth of 47 inches which set a record for Virginia that still stands.

According to the NWS, the overall toll across the Eastern Seaboard: at least 60 fatalities, including 18 in Virginia and 6 in North Carolina, $500 million in insured losses (in 1996 money), collapsed roofs and countless accidents and stranded cars on roads.

Due to an impressive amount of advance notice in the forecast, VDOT was able to start preparing four days before the storm. But the enormous volume of snow caused travel and business to halt for at least a few days, and up to a week in some areas.

Snowfall totals



NOAA

Richmond area

{snip}



Eight-year-old Manman Watkins snatches the hat off the head of his older brother, Steve, 9, as the two played in the 3000 block of Ellwood as the snow started falling Saturday afternoon.

JOE MAHONEY

{snip}



David Oakley (pictured) rented some Cross-Country skis and went out to circle the Lee Monument. Him and his friend Angela Thurston (not pictured) eventually were headed to Carytown, where Angela works.

{Him and his friend?}

STEPHEN SALPUKAS

Eastern U.S. snow cover



NOAA

{snip}

Roanoke



Rear view mirrors are the only visible remains of buried automobiles on Second Street in Old Southwest. Sunday January 7,1996. At least 20 inches of snow were dumped on Southwest Virginia with more to come.

DON PETERSEN/ROANOKE TIMES

{snip}

Culpeper



The north side of Davis Street looks like a ghost town during the blizzard of 1996.

Alan Wohlleben

{snip}