It might not have been up to the Blizzard of 1978, but the storm that struck on Feb. 13 crippled the city for a couple of days.

By 6 p.m., 13 inches of snow had fallen in the county and 20 to 30 mph winds kept the drifts moving. Schools and businesses closed just in time for Valentine’s Day.

City and county emergency units were on the streets. “Our crews are working heroically,” said Mayor Kevin Smith at the time. City officials were in the command unit at the police station monitoring the storm. County Commissioner Paul Wilson was in a plow checking out the conditions.

Most people, however, stayed home. The Bates family told The Herald Bulletin that they liked to play games while being snowed in. The adults caught up on chores while the kids played. The best part of the snow, said 10-year-old Cameron Bates: no school.

Area shelters worked hard to keep the homeless out of the elements. The Christian Center took in more people than it can usually accommodate.

Those thinking that Interstate 69 would be kept cleared got a rude awakening as the highway just got worse as the snow blew.

Usually by mid-February people can see hints of spring. But not in 2007. Winter kept its grip and then some.

— STEPHEN DICK