Written By: Alana Abramson, Liz Ronk
On March 18, 1956, a storm hit the East Coast, blanketing the northeast corridor with snow. LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured these images of New Yorkers coping with the onslaught of winter weather. Though the images did not run in the magazine, the storm did make news with the tale of one New Yorker who had more trouble than most with the snow.
Al Asnis of LIFE’s photo lab happened to be waiting for the train on an El platform when he saw a man “writhing on the sidewalk below,” the magazine reported.
As LIFE described in the April 2, 1956 issue:
While preoccupied passers-by went their way, Asnis took a picture then rushed to offer his assistance just as other help arrived. The man was a 48-year-old letter carrier named Max Urkowitz who, on the way home after his rounds, had fallen, twisting his leg. He said he had heard a sharp-snap and thought the leg was broken. One man, doing a job that no novice should attempt, expertly fashioned a makeshift splint for a broken leg. Arriving after a 90 minute delay caused by the snow, an ambulance attendant admired the splint but had to remove it en route to the hospital so the patient could be examined. Instead of a fracture, it turned out, Urkowitz suffered only a bad sprain.
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Blizzard in New York City, Mar. 18-19, 1956.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
