Historically written; The blizzard of ’77

There are people may have been around and can still recall the great blizzard in 1977 that affected more than just the eastern part of the states.

This blizzard would stick out in the memories of all who were of age to recall the death and destruction the blizzard brought.

For those too young to remember or didn’t experience the hardships of that historic weather event, a new book that had part of the research done here in Sidney, has been published through Outskirts Press in Parker, Col.

The book simply called ‘Blizzard of ’77’ and is an expansion on author Steve Wood’s book ‘Building Our Dream in Remote Colorado.’

Wood said in his first book, he tells readers about the experience his wife, guests of his home and he shared of the “four day, five state blizzard.”

“I had to use our survival techniques to survive with 23 people in our home with no water, little readymade food, not heat and all the other amenities one is used to, just to try to make sure all involved survived,” Wood said. “The feedback on this story was overwhelming and even the publisher had indicated that it would make a good book.”

Wood having grown up in Col., living north of Holyoke, said he understood the lifestyle of that of rural farmers and residents at the time of the blizzard.

He said while researching for the second book he finally had a full grasp of the extent the massive snow storm had on people and the damage it created as well as the grief it brought to the area.

“I had no idea when I stated to research the blizzard its scope, human los, devastation and magnitude of this blizzard. Only after seeking expert weather data and traveling the entire area have I come to realize its effect.”

His book covers over 42 individual stories and “many others that are used as references,” Wood said.

In total the response he received, after placing ads in papers and talking to radio stations, resulted in over 200 interviews.

He also used newspaper stories in his book, 31in total he said, from the areas the blizzard affected.

He said in all of his research he also realized the blizzard of 1977 also had an “effect on the farm crisis of the 80s.”

According to Wood, “This book is not only about a storm, it is about history. I go into detail about the terrain of most all the states involved, the people and their reaction and how they responded – some with humor and others wanting to die. In my over 7,000 miles of travel not one time did I meet anyone over 40 that did not have a memory of this blizzard.

“It’s about how our own government reacts and the political ramifications caused by political manipulation. There have been many storms before and since, that shows how ill prepared we are as a nation. I believe the reader will get a sense of how dependent we have become on electric power, communication, ready food, transportation and heat.

“This is a true facts book with historical background, as all my stories are, but this is my biggest and I feel best work that will impact the reader. I believe everyone reading these stories and learning good old farmer common sense will get an understanding and gain knowledge as to survival techniques, and there are many.”

Wood said he has another book he would like to write, but only after the extensive research and all the travel that goes along with the research has been done and that means, for him, it will be a while.

He and wife Jan are in their 70’s and retired at this time still living in the remote region of the Colorado Rockies, at an altitude Wood said was at 9700 ft.

His book is available in e-reader format or as a paper back and Wood said since its release in mid-Nov. he has received many good reviews.

Wood plans to have a book signing in the areas the blizzard affected, but as he stated, “probably after the first of the year.”