13 Years Since the Great Snowstorm

Thirteen years ago today, the Isle of Man found itself buried under one of the wildest snowstorms in living memory, and people, animals, and power lines were left scrambling in the white stuff.

In March 2013, forecasters called it ‘the worst drifts in 50 years,’ with some saying it was heavier than anything since 1963.

Roads disappeared under snow, schools shut, and over 700 homes lost electricity.

Meanwhile, farmers faced ‘catastrophic losses’ as thousands of sheep and cattle were trapped in drifts up to 10ft deep.

MEA teams worked around the clock, restoring power to nearly everyone while battling ‘horrendous conditions.’

Some residents needed rescuing, and a fair few were probably stuck in their own front gardens, wondering if they should just build an igloo and call it a day.

The west of the island, places like Peel, Kirk Michael, Dalby, and Patrick, took the brunt, with farmers and volunteers teaming up to find and save livestock.

Dalby sheep farmer Walter Bridson, who had 180 sheep buried, admitted the situation was ‘very upsetting,’ as only a handful had been recovered initially.

Meanwhile, Health Minister at the time David Anderson reminded everyone that even in a snowstorm, community spirit was alive and kicking.

Helicopters buzzed overhead, locals cleared lanes, and The Manx Independent even moved sport from the back page to tell the story of heroic animal rescues on the front and back.

It was a storm that tested patience, tractors, and wellies alike, and even now, locals who lived through it can still recall the sight of snow-covered fields, blocked roads, and the endless effort to keep the island moving.

Want to see what it was like from above? Paul Moulton was up in the air in a helicopter, and the footage is a bit mad. Watch HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAbWJ1B3lpQ

Do you remember it? Let us know and show us your photographs: hello@gef.im.