Although the most snowfall recorded in one season was 578 cm in 2014-2015, one of the most memorable winter storms in the Sault was December, 1995! Beginning in the evening on Tuesday December 5th, the snow just kept coming. A 43 hour Highway 17N closure followed shortly thereafter and all Air Ontario and Bearskin Airline flights out of Sault Ste. Marie were cancelled.
After a brief lull in the weather, the storm picked up again on Friday December 8th. Between the 9th and Monday, December 11th, a record 144 cm of snow fell. By Tuesday, 177 cm. Much like this past weekend, most of the city shut down including city transit, schools, highways and most retailers. All flights were grounded and hospitals cancelled all non-emergent surgeries. The headline on Tuesday, December 12th? "Enough, already!"
On December 11th, Sault Michigan declared an official state of emergency, calling in the National Guard for assistance in cleaning up after the storm. Although there were calls for it from concerned citizens, Sault Ste. Marie, ON did not declare a state of emergency. The acting Mayor at the time, Joe Fratisi, stated his concerns to the Sault Star. "Declaring a state of emergency will not get us more people, more equipment or more money. And I think that's what some of the public believes will happen."
The paralyzing winter storm hit its peak when the roof of the Station Mall collapsed under the weight of the snow at 8:30 AM on Thursday, December 14th. The collapse occurred near the Fountain Court between the former Swiss Chalet and Zellars. No injuries were reported. Later investigation showed that the cause of the roof failure was faulty welding on the ceiling beams. Did you know that Sault Michigan also reported a massive roof collapse on the same day? The entire roof of the Wier's Furniture Center warehouse, a 10,000 sqf building, collapsed on the evening of Thursday, December 12th causing an estimated $250,000 in damages to the furniture alone.
From the Sault Ste. Marie Museum Archives -
Although the most snowfall recorded in one season was 578 cm in 2014-2015, one of the most memorable winter storms in the Sault was December, 1995!
Beginning in the evening on Tuesday December 5th, the snow just kept coming. A 43 hour Highway 17N closure followed shortly thereafter and all Air Ontario and Bearskin Airline flights out of Sault Ste. Marie were cancelled.
After a brief lull in the weather, the storm picked up again on Friday December 8th. Between the 9th and Monday, December 11th, a record 144 cm of snow fell. By Tuesday, 177 cm. Much like this past weekend, most of the city shut down including city transit, schools, highways and most retailers. All flights were grounded and hospitals cancelled all non-emergent surgeries. The headline on Tuesday, December 12th? "Enough, already!"
On December 11th, Sault Michigan declared an official state of emergency, calling in the National Guard for assistance in cleaning up after the storm. Although there were calls for it from concerned citizens, Sault Ste. Marie, ON did not declare a state of emergency. The acting Mayor at the time, Joe Fratisi, stated his concerns to the Sault Star. "Declaring a state of emergency will not get us more people, more equipment or more money. And I think that's what some of the public believes will happen."
The paralyzing winter storm hit its peak when the roof of the Station Mall collapsed under the weight of the snow at 8:30 AM on Thursday, December 14th. The collapse occurred near the Fountain Court between the former Swiss Chalet and Zellars. No injuries were reported. Later investigation showed that the cause of the roof failure was faulty welding on the ceiling beams.
Did you know that Sault Michigan also reported a massive roof collapse on the same day? The entire roof of the Wier's Furniture Center warehouse, a 10,000 sqf building, collapsed on the evening of Thursday, December 12th causing an estimated $250,000 in damages to the furniture alone.
Do you remember this storm in 1995?