There was a similar storm coming through the country in late December 1970. I was in the Navy, was on holiday leave in Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin, and needed to be back in Maryland by January 4.
I left the Duluth, MN / Superior, WI area early on December 30. About 12 hours later I stopped in a motel in South Bend, IN. The storm was about eight hours behind me. I slept a few hours and got back on the road ahead of the storm. By the time I got into Pennsylvania, the storm was catching up with me. I made it all the way to Silver Spring, MD, to the Washington DC area Capitol Beltway, before the storm overtook me. I was about 20 miles from my destination. As I entered the Beltway, tractor-trailers, trucks, and cars were scattered everywhere. I spent the next 12 hours in my 1963 Studebaker Lark waiting for the road to get re-opened.
Thankfully, growing up where winter survival was second nature, I had everything I needed to take it in stride. Being an amateur radio operator, and having a "ham rig" in my car, I even got to communicate with friends while I waited for daylight.
I guess it is a sickness to grow up on the shores of Lake Superior. I love big blizzards.
Stay safe,
Ken
