Monday marks the 35th anniversary of the last snowfall in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – 35 years ago Monday, Jacksonville witnessed a rare and unforgettable sight: snowfall! It was a Monday in 1989 that had a lasting impact on our city.

“It was like nothing you’ve ever experienced on the First Coast,” said David Benfield, host of First Coast Living.

Benfield was eight years old on Monday 1989. The last time there was a snowstorm in Jacksonville was thirty-five years ago to the day.

His family traveled to Atlanta for the holidays but had to take a detour back home. He remembers there was so much ice and snow that people couldn’t cross the bridges.

“I remember my parents were very worried when we tried to leave town,” Benfield said.

First coastal news Chief Meteorologist Tim Deegan says Dec. 23 is the day everyone remembers for the snow. But what made the impact of December 23rd so drastic were the days leading up to it: twenty hours of freezing rain and sleet that left many families stranded over the holidays.

“This happened in Jacksonville. We had freezing rain and sleet, every single bridge was completely frozen over before it even started snowing. Even though we ended up having snow, that was fun, and because it was all ice, all the snowflakes collected and everything was white by Christmas,” Deegan said.

Benfield and his family were able to stay safe during the storm. He will never forget what happened next.

“As soon as I got home, I ran to all my buddies in the neighborhood, already had my helmet on, so we just went out and played the most epic game of soccer with a bunch of 8 and 9 year old boys,” Benfield said is something he and his friends still talk about today.

“It was really a special day because we haven’t had the opportunity to experience anything like it since.” “It was an exclusive experience for the people of Jacksonville,” said Benfield.