Roy V. Alleman

Mostly focused on the Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, and Colorado, but the blizzard of 1949 was the largest to its time affecting much of the country in early January. It was the first in a series of blizzards giving no opportunity for ranchers and farmers to recover. Book focuses mostly on rural areas and the devestating effect the storm had on farmers and ranchers. Forecasters failed to predict the severity of the storm and many were caught going about there business when the sudden and intense snow storm and temperature drop left them seeking immediate shelter. Because of this, many had to rely on the kindness of strangers. For example, trains stalled in snow banks in towns of only a couple of hundred people, almost doubling the population, so these people had to go to homes or churches for relief. One of the things that amazed me is how kind people were in helping victims. I struggle to imagine that the same thing would happen in 2018. Many homes went days without food or heat. Book contains some detailed accounts of private pilots flying their small planes to specific farms or communities to provide emergency relief, such as medical care.… (mais)