Article updated: 2/2/2012 5:12 AM

Blizzard 2011 survivors recall their day a year ago

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An abandon car rest in the south bound lanes of Kirk Road in Geneva. The Blizzard of 2011 left a five cars stranded along Kirk Road between Tyler Ave. and Route 38 in Geneva.

Mark Black

Antioch business owner Marc Mallen capitalized on the blizzard of 2011 by printing and selling about 200 T-shirts.

Paul Valade | Staff Photographer

Aurora police sergeants Alfredo Dean, Joe Weber and Ricky Ahlgren used the massive Special Response Team armored vehicle sometimes called 'the tank' to help motorists stranded during the Blizzard of 2011.

Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Marc Mallen made T-shirts in his Antioch shop during last year's blizzard.

Paul Valade | Staff Photographer

Anthony Butera, a maintenance worker in the Arlington Heights Public Works Department, got stuck himself while driving a snowplow in downtown Arlington Heights during the blizzard.

Deborah Donovan | Staff Photographer

Frank Huss of Genoa survived being stuck in his car for 16 hours — from 7 p.m. Feb. 1, 2011 to 11 a.m. Feb. 2 — along Route 72 west of Walker Road in Hampshire during last year's historic snowstorm. He kept the engine running off and on for heat until he was rescued by snowmobilers.

Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

About this Article

A year ago today, the suburbs were snow-dazed with the third-largest snowstorm since 1886. On this anniversary, we look back at some of the suburban tales of the Blizzard of 2011: a man trapped for 16 hours on Route 72 near Hampshire; Aurora police rescue efforts with a vehicle known as “the tank”; snow plows getting stuck in Arlington Heights; and entrepreneurs selling “snow-maggedon” T-shirts.