In mid-March 1888, a blizzard paralyzed New York City and surrounding states. The unexpected storm surprised people who had become complacent after enjoying several days of unusually warm weather for late winter. People reacted to the devastating storm in various ways. Some adults and children insisted on going to work or school. Others decided to stay home. Travelers were stranded on trains and boats. Ordinary people acted heroically to save strangers. Hundreds of people died during the blizzard. This natural disaster resulted in improved weather forecasting techniques, municipal cleaning plans, and underground transit systems and wiring.