The Blizzard of 1982

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Severe weather is a fact of life throughout Labrador, and is taken into account in daily life and work in Labrador City and Wabush.

However, in 40 years, nothing has matched the "blizzard of '82." That winter was a harsh one throughout eastern Canada. On January 18, 1982 we experienced the pinnacle of a storm which had been building over the previous two weeks: high winds, blowing snow and wind-chill factors below -100° C. (-148° F.) Labrador West was declared a disaster area. Sixty per cent of Labrador City lost electrical power - in conditions where home heat was clearly an immediate necessity of life. The RCMP were quick to recognize that residents of the Harrie Lake trailer park were in a life-threatening situation and mobilized the entire town to provide for the 2,000 residents of Harrie Lake who had to be evacuated.

The full extent of property damage caused by the blizzard of '82 was listed over $638 thousand but will never be known in its entirety. Disaster has a way of bringing out the best in people. Many of the civic officials, linesmen, firemen, heavy equipment operators, electricians, bus drivers and mine officials who worked so tirelessly and in extreme discomfort did so secure in the knowledge that, while they were away, their own homes and families were safely in the care of concerned neighbors.

The bonds of community are those of shared experience - both good and bad. Those who suffered damage to their houses - frozen pipes, shingles torn from roofs, broken windows and doors torn from their hinges - found not only that they were able to survive through the efforts of the community, but that their sense of Labrador City as "home" was even stronger. This feeling was emphasized when just 56 days after the storm, this area proudly hosted 800 athletes for the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games.