STATEN ISLAND N.Y. The two-day Blizzard of 2003 (also known as the North American Blizzard of 2003) lasted from Feb. 16-17, leaving Staten Island covered with nearly 20 inches of snow.<\/p>\n
It spread heavy snow across the major cities of the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, making it the defining snowstorm of the very snowy winter of 2002-2003.<\/p>\n
From shoveling to sledding, Staten Island residents spent their day trying to maneuver through the snow.<\/p>\n
As seen in the photos below, snow-covered cars and streets made this blizzard unforgettable.<\/p>\n
It is one of the many storms that dumped 20-plus inches of snow on Staten Island, dating back as far as 1888.<\/p>\n
Shoveling out<\/p>\n
Custodian Ray Mazurek uses a snowblower to clear a sidewalk outside Paulo Intermediate School (IS 75) in Huguenot. (Staten Island Advance\/Rob Sollett)staten island advance<\/p>\n
Former Woman of Achievement, Luz Captain of oakwood, Guyon Ave takes a break to smile at the cameras she shovels her driveway. (Staten Island Advance\/Jan Somma)staten island advance<\/p>\n
A snowplow clears Guyon Ave. in Oakwood. (Staten Island Advance\/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n
Blizzard conditions on Monday, Feb. 16, 2003, forced the owners of SportsFest, located at 55 Mill Rd., New Dorp, to take down the bubble-like structure as a precaution against the 40-mph wind gusts that ripped through the borough. The year-round sports center, home to indoor soccer leagues, is expected to be up and running in the next few days. (Staten Island Advance\/Hilton Flores)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
A machine clears snow from the tracks of the Staten Island Railway as a Sanitation truck plows the Beach Avenue overpass in New Dorp. Service on the railway was suspended shortly after noon when the snowfall buried the electrified third rail. Staten Island Advance\/Frank J. Johns)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
Snow-covered cars along Richmond Rd in Grasmere on Feb. 16, 2003. (Staten Island Advance\/Rob Sollett)staten island advance<\/p>\n
Maria and David Cheung dig out on Buchanan Avenue, Meiers Corners. Violations will cost homeowners, Sanitation Department says. (Staten Island Advance\/Irving Silverstein)staten island advance<\/p>\n
Dangerous Roads<\/p>\n
Roadways around the island including the Staten Island Expressway were completely blanketed in snow, making islanders travel by foot to stores.<\/p>\n
Stranded on Richmond Ave. These people seemed to have a hard time leaving the Shop-Rite on Richmond Ave. (Staten Island Advance\/Rich Kane)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
An Empty Costco seen behind this lonely snowplow clearing the gas station on Richmond Ave. (Staten Island Advance\/Rich Kane)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
February's blizzard buried streets with nearly 20 inches of snow and forced residents to do their shopping on foot. (Staten Island Advance\/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n
Sand Lane was taken by Robin Rd. in South Beach. (Staten Island Advance\/Frank J. Johns)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
Snow day festivities<\/p>\n
While some may have chosen to stay in their homes, others embraced the snowy weather.<\/p>\n
Marco Lacertosa, 9, Angelina Lacertosa, 6, Tiffany Stawiarski, 8, and Joshua Schorr, 11, play on a snow pile at Stonegate in Grasmere. (Staten Island Advance\/Hilton Flores)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n
Lyman Brothwell puts the finishing touches on a 20-foot snow dog outside his home in Mariners Harbor. The project took five hours to complete. (Staten Island Advance\/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n
Dominick Cortese, 12, Jessica Kelly, 11, Brandon Ventrudo, 11, and Vito Cortese, 8, rear, enjoy a snowball fight on the hill off Martling Avenue in Clove Lakes Park. (Staten Island Advance)<\/p>\n
Frank Peduto traversed through Arden Heights on his all-terrain vehicle (ATV). (Staten Island Advance\/Jan Somma)staten island advance<\/p>\n
Elias Pinedo plays with dog Lady along Targee St. in Grasmere. (Staten Island Advance\/Rob Sollett)staten island advance<\/p>\n
The sun sets on another day of digging out of the blizzard and wondering when smaller streets would be completely passable. (Staten Island Advance\/Michael McWeeney)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE<\/p>\n
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18 years ago today: The Blizzard of 2003 slams Staten Island - silive.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" STATEN ISLAND N.Y. Continue reading