A single massive snowstorm forced American cities to move their power lines underground
The devastating Great Blizzard of 1888 paralyzed the American East Coast, leading to a massive infrastructure overhaul that moved utility lines and transit systems underground.
The Great Blizzard struck the northeastern United States on March 12, 1888, catching the region completely off guard after a mild, spring-like day. The storm dumped up to 50 inches of snow, trapped 15,000 people on trains, and killed 400 people. Most significantly, the massive weight of the snow and ice snapped overhead telegraph and power lines, cutting off all communication and plunging cities into darkness.
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