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Dec 20 1977 storm memories
Topics: bakersfield, weather, great dust storm of 1977
Posted by elena62 Mon Nov 12, 2007 11:37:03 PST
Viewed 2065 times
0 responses 0 comments Location: Bakersfield, CA 93301

I remember the Dec 20 1977 quite well. The wind and dust blew hard all day and visibility was down.  The power went off in my office downtown and we had no windows in my room, so we had to  sit in pitch darkness doing nothing because fire safety rules forbid lighting candles. We just had the bad luck not to have any windows in my section. The back door was left open to let some light in. 

After 3 hours we were allowed to go home early,  about 4 pm, since there was little chance of power being restored that day.  I went  home to my apt only to find the power was off there too. I had to walk to the minimarket next door to find some readymade food and I had to struggle hard against the wind to avoid being blown down.  One of my friends had her front door blown open during the day and went home to find her house full of dust.  It took her over a week to clean up. Arvin and Lamont had lots more damage than Bakersfield did.  I think we inhaled dust for maybe a week before the air cleared up. It was hard on those with breathing problems. 

 

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