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You're going to need a bigger scraper.

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By Tanda Gmiter | MLive

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Even though it's been more than 40 years, the monster Blizzard of 1978 is still a vivid winter memory for many Michiganders.

Over the course of three days - Jan. 25-27 - the Great Lakes were in the grip of a powerful snow-maker.

MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has described how two storm systems - one swooping down from Canada, and the other barreling up from the Gulf of Mexico - converged just east of the Mitten State to wreak havoc.

As far as massive, deadly storms go, the Blizzard of 1978's only rival maybe be the Great White Hurricane of 1913, weather experts say.

During the '78 event, the National Weather Service said snowfall amounts included 30 inches in Muskegon (hello, lake effect) and just over 19 inches in Grand Rapids and Lansing. Flint had 9.9 inches and Detroit had 8.2. Southeast Michigan saw lower snowfall amounts because it had rain instead of snow for some of the storm window.

The NWS had this to stay about this historic storm:

"The most extensive and very nearly the most severe blizzard in Michigan history raged throughout Thursday January 26, 1978 and into part of Friday January 27. About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile. Many were hospitalized for exposure, mostly from homes that lost power and heat. About 100,000 cars were abandoned on Michigan highways, most of them in the southeast part of the state."

To mark this anniversary, we pulled together photos from across the state and both peninsulas to show how Michiganders weathered the storm.

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A man helps the driver of a sedan free his vehicle from a snow bank on Smith Street in Bay City on Jan. 26, 1978.

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Sasha the dog and Ann Crans return from Kroger on Lake Michigan Drive in Grand Rapids, with Dan Crans behind them on Jan. 29, 1978.

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Customers check out with a stockpile of food and groceries as they weather a winter storm in Bay City on Jan. 26, 1978.

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Not even the old gray mare could make it through the drifts at the corner Meinert and Chase Roads in the northwest corner of Muskegon County, so Dan Fraser and his horse, Misty, returned to the barn in the Blizzard of 1978.

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Karen Hammer, Jamie Var, Mary Miles pull a sled full of groceries on Gold Avenue in Grand Rapids on Jan. 30, 1978.

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A child and dog outside a Flint apartment building.

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Mike Herbert found empty shelves during the snowstorm of January 1978.

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Photo courtesy of the Michigan Technological University Archives

In this Upper Peninsula photo from Jan. 24, 1978, Houghton's extra snow is being dropped on the shores of Portage Lake at the Copper Range Railroad property, just east of the bridge.

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In January 1978, a Kalamazoo Gazette reporter climbs over the top of a drift on the Kalamazoo Mall that partially covered the entrance to the stores after a fierce winter storm swept through the area.

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These vehicles failed to make the South Street exit off of U.S. 127 South during the Blizzard of 1978. They had to be towed before plows could clear the ramp.

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Employees of O'Harrow Construction Co., 4575 Ann Arbor Road, remove snow and debris from the inside of Summit Lanes' bowling alley, 1256 McDevitt Ave. The roof was a victim of the Blizzard of 1978.

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Volunteer Ed Johnson scaled snow drifts during the Blizzard of 1978 to deliver medicine on West Michigan Avenue.

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Residents of Chelsea found snowmobiles to be the ideal vehicles while traveling down Main Street during the Blizzard of 1978

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Tim McCaffery leads the way for his dogsled, with sons Brian and Sean tucked in tightly. Mary McCaffery brings up the rear in the Blizzard of 1978.

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Shovelers clear a road after the Blizzard of 1978.

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Shovelers play after the Blizzard of 1978.

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Joe, 11, left, and Russell, 13, Sherwood went out on business in the Blizzard of 1978, and sold candy bars to finance a class trip.

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Grand Rapids Press file photo

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According to Grand Rapids Press archives, by the morning of Jan. 26, 1978, Grand Rapids police cruisers were ordered off the roads unless necessary, and ambulances got stuck in snow drifts while trying to reach people in need of emergency help.

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A firefighter inspects damage done when piled up snow collapsed a part of the roof at the former Joshua Doore warehouse, 640 44th St. SW in Grand Rapids and broke open a water pipe on Jan. 26, 1978.

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A truck drives on a snowy road from Jan. 30, 1978.

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To prevent Katherine Zant's roof from collapsing, at 1911 Newark Ave. SE, firefighter Jim Potter used a shovel in the Blizzard of 1978.

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Grand Rapids Press file photo

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Image courtesy of the National Weather Service

Day 1: Two Storms Converging Brings Monster Blizzard

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Image courtesy of the National Weather Service

Day 2: It Snowed for 48+ Hours in Michigan

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A couple walks south on Jackson Street during the Blizzard of 1978.

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Midnight on W. Michigan Avenue at Progress Place Mall during the Blizzard of 1978.

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Snow from the Blizzard of 1978 caved in the roof at Jackson Door and Trim, 2410 E. Michigan Ave., the former Palace Bowling Alley. A nearby truck from Aalen Aides Inc. was inundated with bricks and blocks.

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Jan. 26 during the Blizzard of 1978.

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A city of Jackson salt truck, which was trying to clear roads, was knocked on its side near the intersection of Jackson and Cortland streets on Jan. 27

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Residents of 20th Street, between Washington Avenue and Franklin Street, got together on Jan. 28, 1978 and spent five hours clearing their street and residents' driveways after the Blizzard of 1978.

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During the Blizzard of 1978, the best way to navigate through downtown Jackson was on skis. The story dumped 23 inches of snow on the area.

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Heavy snow during the Blizzard of 1978 caved in the roof over the cafeteria at Concord High School.

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This photo from W. Wilkins St. on Jan. 26, 1978 was typical of any side street in town after the blizzard hit.

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Private contractors hired by the city removed snow from downtown Jackson during the Blizzard of 1978. James Ferguson uses a front-end loader to put snow on a truck. A parking ban on downtown streets was in effect during the clean up from the storm.

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Approximately 23 inches of snow fell on Jackson during the Blizzard of 1978, burying mailboxes.

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John Martin of Jackson, pictured here in January 1978, helped people dig out their cars.

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Cars, like this one on Mechanic Street, were stuck in huge drifts during the Blizzard of 1978.

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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Want to Read More About Great Lakes Winter Weather History?

Here are a few other Great Lakes stories you might enjoy:

Why the "White Hurricane" of November 1913 was the Great Lakes' worst disaster in history

Daring rescue saved sailors entombed for days in ice-covered White Hurricane shipwreck

This Great Lakes shipwreck left sailors encased in ice until spring.

Lighthouse Mystery: Air Force pilot crashes, leaves heartbreaking note before vanishing

Mystery surrounds old Lake Michigan shipwreck, woman left tied to the mast.

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