A blizzard swept across Long Island on a mild March day in 1888 and buried Long Island under 3 feet of snow.

Mary Cascone, Babylon Town historian, says Sunday, March 11 was a lovely mild day that suddenly turned cold and rainy. The temperature plummeted and it started to lightly snow - the first signs that the deadly blizzard of 1888 had arrived on Long Island's doorstep.

"It was a remarkable event," says Cascone. "It lasted for four days."

The blizzard stretched from Maryland up to Maine and into Canada, taking 400 lives.

Long Islanders took shelter. Sustained winds of 45 mph took down trees and overhead wires and tore apart buildings on Long Island. Anything living that was caught outside was buried alive. The LIRR was shut down. Trains were left stuck on the tracks with passengers freezing inside.

There were also stories of heroism by Long Islanders who set out to help others. One such story of heroism involved Dr. Overton, of Cold Spring Harbor, who braved the storm to deliver babies.

So remember next time when the big one hits: If they could survive with what they had, we certainly can do it today.