Chicago Blizzard 2011: Looking back on 'Snowmageddon' 10 years later

More than 20 inches of snow. Drivers stranded for miles on Lake Shore Drive. Do you remember the Chicago blizzard of 2011? FULL STORY HERE: abc7.ws/3aeaBS9

[@eddieg6436]

Chicago is a beautiful place to visit May through September.

[@beangie]

Nope it is great up to early December before it start heavily snowing

[@eddieg6436]

@@beangie That’s great there’s little or no snow up to December, but it’s too cold for me. .....A trip in mid September is perfect, with a weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for boating, and exploring the village.

[@CubsFan2812]

Chicago is beautiful in the autumn. It usually doesn't get bad here until after Christmas, honestly. The winters are starting later and ending later. That said the weather is usually nicer in March than it is in April most years. Lol

[@2j1n12]

I’m from Chicago, and I can confirm that snow is almost nonexistent until after Xmas day.

[@CubsFan2812]

@@2j1n12 Yup im from Wisconsin, same here also

[@ernestclements7398]

The one thing that brings all of Chicago together in a spirit of cooperation is a big old fashioned blizzard, ( one even caused a mayor to lose his job) it's too bad they don't happen often enough. Break out the shovels cold cuts, and hot chocolate, and the whole neighborhood turns out!

[@egseven]

I wish I can go back in time makes me sad

[@butt5810]

we'll be alright

[@arbaz102]

Simpler times back then, I mean we thought we had it bad back then we had it actually pretty good lol

[@egseven]

@@arbaz102 facts

[@karlacorral774]

@@butt5810 this was actually comforting wow

[@butt5810]

@@karlacorral774 look at us just a bunch of friends making eachother feel better

[@J_D_B4379]

The thunder amd lightning that night was amazing. Coolest weather I've ever experienced even though I was in a plow truck for 53 hours

[@StylistecS]

I experienced the snowstorms on the east coast in December 2009 and February 2010. I temporarily relocated to Chicago in July 2010. I think this one was worse than either of the ones I went through in DC.

[@rowdy6300]

Car jackers can’t steal no cars now thank you lord

[@Av1ance]

🙌🏽🙌🏽 woo woo!

[@rhdtv2002]

Underrated comment

[@terryomalley9669]

The lousy bums. I guess I'm not too smart. I always paid for all of my vehicles. 73 Plymouth duster was the first.

[@SupermanHopkins]

For those of you complaining about having to work from home, I can't tell you how awful this storm was. There was a literal thunderstorm happening while the snow was falling; it was insane.

[@jdubb007]

Agree 1000%. It normally took me less than 20 minutes to get home, that day it took 3 or 4 hours. If I had started to walk from work I would have made it home quicker.

[@Ichigoat19]

And Chicago Lakefront Had 70 Mph winds

[@juliemanarin4127]

I remember trying to get to work

[@jogman262]

I’ve lived here in the Chicagoland area for the 5 biggest snowstorms we’ve ever had. 1. Blizzard of 1967 2. New Years Day Snowstorm 1999 3. Groundhogs Day Snowstorm 2011 4. January 1979 Snowstorm 5. Super Bowl Snowstorm 2015 Two distinct things I remember about two of those. The 1979 although fourth heaviest there had to have been at least 24 inches on the ground. That was a bad winter. And the 2015 snowstorm on Super Bowl Sunday the winds were so gusty that traveling wasn’t too bad afterwards because the wind took much of it off the roads. Yes, I still live waiting for the next big one.

[@jamescook9661]

I was living in Kankakee and working in Chicago heights at a railroad car plant in 79 i made sure all 5 of us made it to work only for us tocbe one of the few there and being tasked to shovel snow all day.cthe next day the company announced theyd pay those who didn't show up! Most of whom could have walked tocwork!

[@JB0010]

​@@jamescook9661That's life in the big city

[@iloveturkishtea]

i guess you are excited for this weekend storm haha

[@bobertkallahan4392]

@@JB0010More like life workin at the fuckin plant

[@iamsunnysideup7115]

2011 seems like such a sweet memory right now even with the snow! 🥺🥺🥺

[@LWWM]

I will never forget this day!!! I just left my car and walked 6 hours to my house.

[@yekonerocru]

I love Chicago everybody knows how to make the best of it 💯

[@nickdelaney6953]

Chicago is not what it used to be people are so snobby and rude now

[@Taralatishabrown]

I never 4get this day actually great memory🎉❤

[@2414kels]

I was working out in Elgin that year, but live in the city. The day before the blizzard hit our manager told us... "Don't even think about coming out tomorrow morning a big storm is coming so we're leaving early today just in case it comes earlier than expected" so, I left work did some more grocery shopping. Next day snow started I was watching movies fell asleep, woke up and it was piled up outside. Every home across the street from me was without power. My side of the street still had power. I remember being so sore shoveling snow the next day and everybody helping out.

[@shootMEshootME1]

hello from New Orleans

[@memonavaramirez6261]

Haha

[@jamesblunt1915]

The only time you could walk the streets of Chicago without worrying about being shot. 😂

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man I remember that day like it was yesterday! I didn’t go to work for 2 day’s! It was like a ghost town out there!

[@likeitornotwithmichaellane4896]

I remember that day vividly. Mayor Daley and his administration did a horrible job in preparing for this. This was forecasted a week before.

[@KazeriantheVIIII]

Daley literally had no preparations in place, did not plow hardly any streets, and did not even bother to show up to the morning press conference. And to add insult to injury just got Chicago eliminated from the Olympics venue days before. I always thought the dude became unhinged during is last days in office.

[@christophermcfarland1650]

Mayor Daley was still a better mayor than Lightfoot

[@DaLatinKnight]

@@christophermcfarland1650 we really set the bar low

[@jamescook9661]

Not sure why i dontremember this? I remember 67 and 79 vividly i also remember being at the bar on topcof the Hancock after a ice and wind storm and looking at an empty lake shore drive

[@Amoni.London]

I Know All That Snow Was A Headache For Chicago.. But I Live In Dallas TX So I've Never Experienced Anything Other Than Heat😞.... I Love Your City❤

[@theloneone7587]

I had to get my kid off the school bus a mile away from our house in Lombard. Me and 3 other moms on our block walked the mile and walked in a file with about 20 kids in the snow. Two girls had on chucks on that got so wet. We thought they would get snow bite. Four kids stayed overnight at our house because we couldn't find their parents. They were stuck in traffic, so we left a note with our house number. They were picked up the following morning.

[@stevendayton4249]

2008 was a very cold year too. Went to a Bears game at Soldier Field and it was against the packers during a December ice storm. Minus 25 degrees i had to leave early cause my fingers were starting to sting.

[@michellehernandez2840]

I had to sleep at my first hospital job as an RN during this storm. Their was no safe way for me to get home or for scheduled oncoming RNs to get to the hospital. Memories.

[@immasoxfanbaby]

Thanks i remember

[@ChicagoNicky]

Yeah I got caught in this I’m still here to tell my story ☺️ blessed

[@edwynnkelley136]

If you live in Chicago, look out of your windows this morning.

[@willyjoerockhead]

When they towed all the cars away did the owners have to pay for the towing?

[@ChicagoNicky]

@@willyjoerockhead I assume they did I was taking public transportation at the time so I’m not positive but know how money hungry Chicago is they did..

[@georgedejohn4470]

Pulling together with shovel's , Beer and wine, that was my Chicago. Chicago strong!!!

[@faustinataylor5087]

The snowstorm of 67 was fun. The snowstorm of 78 cost Mike Blandic to lose his job as Mayor and that's how Chicago got its first FEMALE MAYOR JANE BURN..HELLO FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA..

[@elultimo102]

In '67 I had to walk down the RR tracks from Richards HS toward home. I lived two blocks from the tracks, so I figured that they would guide me. (The buses didn't come).

[@highwaymaintainer]

It was January 12-14 1979

[@elultimo102]

@@highwaymaintainer It never thawed at all until spring, when it caused floods. The Fox River got within 25' of my house---about 4' above usual water level.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Oh I remember this well!

[@chiefe27]

This was actually a fun time

[@hotmasked1]

Always keep a wool blanket and pillow in the trunk sometimes its better just to find a side street and park go to sleep in the backseat then wake up the next morning a then drive home.

[@Taralatishabrown]

I love the snow🎉

[@cool3929]

To be fair, a a Chicago girl, we were warned NUMEROUS times about this. 💁💁💁

[@MichaelW52883]

This was a crazy as night. Massive snow storm cold as hell, you would thought it was the friggin Ice age.

[@cmart674]

Watching from Seattle its snowing here but I'll always be a native Chicagoan

[@kcmatloff5707]

Just another day in canada.

[@zarbonida]

antipatico

[@donking3540]

No carjacking 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@sidneybaldwin7336]

Dang

[@BearMeat4Dinner]

I remember this 15 foot swells against the house

[@josephgeorge8510]

I remember it was my second night on the job as a security guard with titan security group at jcf interpark it was a 12 hr shift from 7pm to 7am image me as a Mobil patrolman what i went thru

[@ernestclements7398]

I was working in Public Safety at Evanston Hospital, the emergency room was full of car accidents and weather related injuries we had to switch posts every two hours from inside to outdoors, and our reliefs didn't show up resulting in 16 hour shifts, we had one out side rover two outside stationary posts, one dispatcher and two inside rovers, with a watch commander, talk about a bunch of zombies! When it was over none of us could even see straight much less function, and I still had to dig my car out of the Northwestern Football parking lot in order to get home!

[@MermaidV666]

Today it kinda looks the same😂😂 I love my city 🥰🖤💫

[@BulletAgario]

Now that’s a storm!

[@BulletAgario]

Fr! I want it!

[@Tongy]

Still had to go to school

[@ernestclements7398]

The only snow day that I can recall happening in Evanstons district 65 was the day after the big snow of 67, now though if a couple of inches fall it's OMG we've got to declare a snow day!

[@arbaz102]

Bro niles west was always on bull lmao rmr those fb posts where it said “schools closed” u click the link and then SIKEEE!😂🤣😂

[@bearbones4347]

For some reason I believe this..

[@thegreyghost5385]

I can’t believe it’s been tht long since lake shore froze over

[@patrickmccarthy7877]

Spray alcohol on the glass, ice melts instantly.

[@KazeriantheVIIII]

I remember that night all so vividly. After work I stopped at the best buy on the corner of Belmont and kimball. I came out and saw the wind and snow picking up. I knew we were in for a big one. The next morning our glorious mayor was MIA from the television news and it took days before the side streets and even some main roads to get cleared. Western Ave was a mess. And it was the beginning of the end for Mayor Daley.

[@rhdtv2002]

No drive bys today

[@kalzyoung]

Took me 3 hours walk to a store that was only four blocks away

[@rogeriacatto6667]

Stay safe out there!

[@chardelraconner2166]

"Cancun drift events got the Midwest stuck on smartee pants. Wright Dan¡¡?" ©

[@jaythomas3224]

9 died 5 on the Drive!!

[@demetriussmith1681]

I miss Daily frfr.

[@muhammadwaqar2945]

I was there

[@user-oi1tb4ff5i]

God's blessings on America!

[@patrickmccarthy7877]

Imagine this, push a button on the dashboard and a snowplow drops down from underneath the bumper. Feel free to steal my idea if it helps others.

[@claytonkeyes7041]

Now it's just tornado Alli 😞

[@calamity333]

anyone else hear thunder during this storm? because i did.

[@Ayoo_Rich00]

Yes I vividly remember it Thunder-storming while snow storming during the 2011 blizzard. The snow froze so hard into shards and crystals of ice and cane down so vigorously from the harsh winds to the point where it hurt when exposed facially.

[@MichaelW52883]

I remember lightning and thunder

[@fortheloveofgod7258]

🌿🕎🌿May the will of The Most High be done concerning snow and freezing temperatures in the United States RIGHT NOW. In the name of my Heavenly Father. All praises to The Most High - God of Israel to whom all praises are due. Sobeit🌿🕎🌿

[@egseven]

In Jesus name we pray amen

[@habibisworld2767]

I remember. My friend had to abandon his car on LSD

[@A3Kr0n]

This is so yesterdecade...

[@adinicic4259]

Yea that was a good day to call of work. I take LSD to Grand Ave and just took a peek outside the window in the morning. It was a common sense not to go anywhere.

[@robinsss]

where is the surprise when it snows now all they have to do is seed the clouds and it snows

[@mr.salvatorejpluchino8467]

MAN THIS LOOK LIKE THE BLIZZARD 🌨OF 79 , CARS 🚗 STUCK IN THE SNOW ❄️. JUST SAYING

[@shaunashauna385]

What's wrong with people? 🤦🏾‍♀️ STAY HOME!

[@Ichigoat19]

Before CoronaVirus Btw not here to argue

[@gabrielc7861]

2019 is pre pandemic

[@luuluubarabaramei8714]

God's damming dang omg yes yes ok ok

[@luuluubarabaramei8714]

Yes yes help me out please ok ok

[@anthonycamuccio2531]

pfff 11 inches...bro in North Jersey we get that at least 3 times a year....try more like 22 or 26 inches now that's a blizzard

[@deltafalcon8339]

It was 21 inches

[@luuluubarabaramei8714]

Omg my gosh please helpping me rip rip forever always yes yes ok ok

[@Donnshizzle]

Dang, and no Joe Rogan podcasts back then while stuck in your car

[@jamesmikkelson9925]

Dang