The 10th anniversary of "Snowmageddon" is fast approaching and local residents are being encouraged to share their memories of the 2010 emergency.
A raging blizzard that began December 12, 2010, stranded an estimated 1,500 people in deep wind-swept drifts on Highway 402 and surrounding roads.
A state of emergency declared the evening of December 13 triggered the deployment of the Canadian military to undertake rescue flights.
Lambton County Emergency Management Coordinator Jay vanKlinken said the anniversary is a good time to remind people of the importance of being prepared for something similar in the future.
"That can include preparing a 72-hour kit at home, and even preparing a winter emergency kit for your car to make sure that you can be self-sufficient," said vanKlinken. "What happens is, if an individual or household is self-sufficient for the first number of hours or days, it frees up emergency responders to respond to the most urgent of matters."
The Watford Snowmobile Club and local bus companies were instrumental in providing transportation to stranded motorists.
Over 700 rescued passengers were housed at one of 10 emergency shelters set up in Thedford, Forest, Watford, Warwick Village, Alvinston, Wyoming, and Petrolia.
A similar number were provided with food and shelter by Lambton County residents.
The blinding snowsquall bands eventually subsided on the morning of December 14.
Residents can submit pictures, videos, and written accounts of 'Snowmageddon' to www.lambtonarchives.ca by December 4.
