In Central New York, snow storms are just a part of everyday life. But those who remember it say nothing in the past 50 yearshas compared to the blizzard that hit the area in January 1966.
"That's what made this storm so unique," said Jim Farfaglia, author of "Voices in the Storm: Stories from the Blizzard of '66."
"Heavy winds not only dumped a lot of snow, but drifted the snow. I talked to people who had drifts up to the second story of their house. Couldn't see out their doors or windows."
The storm brought 3 1/2 feet of snow to Syracuse, and 8 1/2 feet fell in Oswego. Farfaglia was 10 years old in 1966.
"One person I talked to, these strangers ended up staying two weeks with them because plows couldn't come by and there was no way they could get their car. That's a long time," Farfaglia said.
And everyone who has lived through it has his or her own story to tell.
"I walked to work," said Fulton resident Robert LaRock. "I couldn't drive and didn't get home for three days. I was a milk man at the time."
"I remember I was 15 years old, there was no school [and] it was perfect," added Chittenango resident Rhoda Brown.
While we have seen our fair share of major snow storms in the past, some wonder on this 50th anniversary, what would happen if a blizzard like that struck again?
"Certainty weather-wise, it could happen," Farfaglia said. "We have recently in places like Buffalo. But as far as how we reacted or reacted? I cant imagine that will ever be the same."
He adds these days, with the Internet and Doppler radar, weather reports are much more accurate, giving communities plenty of time to prepare if and when a storm hits.