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Updated 03/13/2013 07:09 PM

Remembering the blizzard of 1993

It's the 20th anniversary of the blizzard that rocked the eastern seaboard back in 1993. The storm left massive accumulations of snow during the weekend of the 12th, 13th and 14th. For many people who experienced it, it's hard to believe that two decades has passed. Our Melissa Kakareka has memories of what people recall about that storm.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- The weather forecast may have been relatively normal Wednesday, but 20 years ago, it was a different story.

"It was a relatively easy storm to forecast because it was so big. It was almost like a freight train coming at you. You could see it coming and you knew it was going to be a major event," said National Weather Service Senior Forecaster David Morford.

One of the most intense blizzards in history hit New York and the rest of the eastern seaboard in March of 1993. Light snow began on March 12th and picked up in intensity on the 13th.Winds were also more than 50 mph, causing blowing and drifting.

Accumulations were about 18 to 20 inches in the Binghamton area and 30 to 40 inches near the Finger Lakes and Syracuse.

"The accumulations we were expecting were so high, it was kind of hard to get our head around it and make the forecast for that much snow," said Morford.

Schools and businesses were closed until conditions improved and many people found it hard to travel anywhere. DOT employees in the Southern Tier remember working 12 hour shifts in white out conditions.

"It was snowing so hard sometimes you'd stop right in the middle of the road and knock off your wipers so you could see," said DOT Region 9 Highway Maintenance Supervisor-2 Samuel Maslin.

"I remember supervisors were telling them to just use less material. Just keep something down because it was so snowing so fast and hard that the salt they were putting down wasn't doing anything," said Highway Maintenance Supervisor-2 Walter Smith.

"I got stuck almost on a ramp. I was coming around and I see this large lump in the snow and it dawned on me that it was a car," said Highway Maintenance Supervisor-2 Daniel Sabol.

Those who remember the storm say they haven't seen anything of that magnitude since.

"You hear people complain now when its six to seven inches of snow, but they should have been there in the ‘93 storm," said Smith.

Even though it’s been 20 years, memories of the super blizzard still remain fresh for many people who experienced it.