1956 — March 16 & 18, snowstorms, 14 States, WV to OH, Northeast, New England–95-138

–95-138 Blanchard estimate:

One can see that five sources listed below note more deaths (141-166) than we do. However, our search for more detailed information, than just noting a death toll, via searches through newspaper archives in fourteen states for the time-frame March 16-21 has resulted in at most 138 deaths. Similarly we conducted in internet search for more specific information. We suspect that the sources noting more than 138 fatalities included fire and automobile deaths which we did not, though we saw a number of fire-related deaths noted during or shortly after the storms. However, we did not find information which specifically claimed that the fire deaths were related to the snow, cold, or high wind. Similarly, there were a sizable number of vehicular deaths in the 14 states we covered. Again, however, we included only those incidents in which ice or snow-covered roads were specifically noted as directly or indirectly related to an event. Of course it is always possible that we have missed locating specific fatalities that should be included.

–166 AP. “Unseasonable Cold Is Felt in Sunny South.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 3-21-56, 1.
–162 Blue Hill Observatory, Milton MA. “Remembering…Snowstorms of March 1956.
–162 Courier-Post, Camden, NJ. “33 Killed in N.J.; 162 in East.” 3-20-1956, p. 1.
–156 UP. “East Coast Paralyzed; Blizzard Fatal To 1566.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 3-20-56, 1.
–141 AP. “141 Are Dead as Blizzard Clogs 14 Eastern States.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-20-56, 1.
–132 AP. “Wild Blizzard Blankets East In New Snow.” Cornell Daily Sun, Ithaca, NY. 3-20-56, 1.
–127 United Press. “Storm Ties Up Much of East…” Berkshire Eagle, MA. 3-20-1956, p.2.
–125 NYT. “13.5-Inch Snow Paralyzes City…Transit Snarled in Northeast. 4-day Toll is 125.” 3-20-56, 1.
–110 AP. “110 Dead As Snow Piles Up.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 3-19-1956, p. 1.
— 96 AP. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast…” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, p. 1.
— 82 AP. “Weekend Death Toll from First Storm Hits 82.” Oneonta Star, NY. 3-19-56, p.1.
— 65 AP. “Northeast Storm Claims 65 Lives.” Lima News, OH. 3-18-1956, p. 1.
— 26 Portsmouth Times, OH. “River Falls; Snow Takes Heavy Toll.” 3-17-1956, p. 1.

Summary of Winter Snowstorm Related Fatalities by State

Connecticut ( 7 – 9) Pennsylvania ( 10)
Delaware ( 1) Rhode Island ( 9-12)
Maine ( 5) Vermont ( 0)
Maryland ( 1 – 3) Virginia ( 4)
Massachusetts (17-18) West Virginia ( 0)
New Hampshire ( 1) 95-138
New Jersey (15-33)
New York ( 30)
Ohio (10-12)
Breakout of Winter Snowstorm Related Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):

Connecticut ( 7 – 9)
–9 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p.2.
–7 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
–6 AP. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll…[MA].” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, 1.
Breakout of Connecticut snow storm related fatalities by locality or cause of death where noted.
–1 Bristol. Collapsed and died while shoveling snow; Henry Conrod, 57.
–1 Groton. Heart attack; Matthew Dubowlk, 70. AP. “Names of Victims…” Lowell Sun. 3-18-56, 4.
–1 Meriden. Died while driving in “worst of storm”; Rank Rice; 73, of Cheshire.
–1 Meriden. Collapsed and died while shoveling snow; George J. Semrau, 57.
–1 Seymour. Collapsed and died while putting snow chains on his car; Robert Potter, 40.
–1 Wolcott. Struck by car; J. A. Warner, 53. AP. “Names of Victims…” Lowell Sun. 3-18-56, 4.
–1 Locale not noted. Car skidded into back of a snowplow.

Delaware ( 1)
–1 Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.

Maine ( 5)
–5 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p.2.
–5 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–1 Eastport. Heart attack after shoveling snow from around car; Ralph Flanders, ~45.
–1 Kennebunk. Heart attack; John P. D’Aseanio, 32.
–1 Merrill area, 17th. Exposure; Fred A Smart, 53, who took shelter in a logging camp stable.
–2 North Limington, 16th. Auto collision during height of storm; Ines Plympton, 30 and daughter, 7.
–1 Sanford, 17th. Heart attack after plowing ½ mile through snow drifts to fiancée’s house.

Maryland ( 1 – 3)
–3 Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.
–1 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p.2.
–1 Hoods Mile area, 17th. Exposure; body of Florence M. Hall, 72, found along roadside.

Massachusetts (17-18)
–18 Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.
–17 Blanchard tally based on locality and cause of death breakouts below.
–16 AP. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll…[MA].” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, 1.
— 1 Boston. Collapsed while walking in snow; George H. Church, 76, of Cambridge.
— 1 Boston. Found dead in snow-stalled car; William R. Cronin Sr., 51.
— 1 Cambridge. Collapsed in auto; Stephan J. Torre, 60.
— 1 Haverhill. Overexertion (according to M.E.); found on snowbank; John J. Sewasky, 56.
— 1 Haverhill. Overexertion (ruling of Med. Ex.); found dead on porch; Mrs. Edith Fitzgerald.
— 1 Leominster. Heart attack while plowing snow from his yard; Paul Perch, 54.
— 1 Lexington. Collapsed/died at Boston & Maine RR workplace; Walter E. Barrett, 64.
— 1 Milton. Apparent cerebral hemorrhage trying to push snow-bound car & exposure. Gagner.
— 1 New Bedford. Collapsed/died while shoveling snow; Joseph Twarog, 70.
— 1 North Adams. Collapsed/died after walking a mile in storm home; Joseph F. Cain, 60.
— 1 Roxbury. Collapsed at MTA station; Harry Lovell, 60. AP. “Names of Victims…” Lowell Sun. 3-18-56, 4.
— 1 Roxbury. Collapsed in snow; Robert Patton, 52. AP. “Names of Victims…” Lowell Sun. 3-18-1956, 4.
— 1 South Deerfield. Heart seizure and exposure; found in snowdrift; Anthony Opechowski, 61.
— 1 South End. Apparent exposure; found frozen in hallway; William F. Horan, 43, of Roxbury.
— 1 Weymouth. Collapsed after walking home from stalled car in Braintree; William Payne, 63.
— 1 Worcester. Collapsed/died after shoveling snow at home; Ralph R. Conger, 55.
— 1 Worcester. Found dead in snow-stalled car; George Doucette, 65.
— 3 US Navy seamen, whose bodies were found in an open launch on a MA beach.

New Hampshire ( 1)
–1 AP. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll…[MA].” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, 1.
–1 Laconia. Collapsed in snow at home; Mrs. Matilda Dionne, 58.

New Jersey (15-33)
— 33 Courier-Post, Camden, NJ. “33 Killed in N.J.; 162 in East.” 3-20-1956, p. 1.
— 27 UP. “East Coast Paralyzed; Blizzard Fatal to 156.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 3-20-56, 1.
— 23 Assoc. Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.
— 22 AP. “Wild Blizzard Blankets East In New Snow.” Cornell Daily Sun, Ithaca, NY. 3-20-56, 1.
–>15 New York Times. “Jersey Disrupted by 18-inch Snow.” 3-20-1956, p. 9.
— 12 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts noted below.
Breakout of New Jersey snowstorms related fatalities by locality where noted:
— 1 Camden area. Traffic fatality on icy road.
— 1 Elizabeth. “Stricken while shoveling snow.” Martin Kyrtyka, 73.
— 5 Essex County. “…deaths in the county induced by overexertion during the storm.”
— 1 Jersey City. Collapsed after fighting way through drifts to get to work; John Ruby, 57.
— 1 Jersey City. Cause not noted; one of two storm-related deaths reported in Jersey City.
— 1 Roselle Park. “Stricken while shoveling snow.” Silverio Di Zefalo, 62.
— 2 Locale not noted; New Jersey Turnpike collision on icy road.

New York ( 30)
–30 Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.
–30 Blanchard tally of deaths based on locality breakouts below.
–22 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, pp. 1-2.
–21 Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p. 6.
–12 AP. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll…[MA].” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, 1.
–10 Times Record, NY. “Winter’s Worst Storm…Ten Persons Lose Lives in N.Y. State.” 3-17-1956, 1.
Breakout of New York snowstorms related fatalities by locality, where noted:
— 1 Albany. Found in driveway after shoveling snow; Mrs. Maud Jameison, 60.
— 1 Bedford, 17th. Heart attack shoveling snow; Joseph Merriam, 42.
— 1 Cortland, 17th. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Robert Whiting, 65.
— 1 East Hampton, March 16-17. Exposure in house; found on bedroom floor; Joseph Zisk, 69.
— 1 Hicksville. “…heart attack…wading three blocks through snow drifts…” Alfred O’Brien, 61.
— 1 Little Falls. Heart attack shoveling snow from railroad switches; Timothy J. Dasey, 66.
— 1 Middletown. Collapsed and died while shoveling snow; LeRoy Gunther 70.
–>16 NYC area. AP. “New York’s Schools Open.” The Times Record, Troy, NY. 3-21-1956, p1.
— 1 Fall on icy stairway of subway platform; John Shelbene, 65 of Springfield Gardens.
–>6 AP article notes at least 8 died in NYC; we already note 2 identified deaths in NYC.
— 1 Queens. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Konrad Michaels, 55.
— 1 Queens, Maspeth. Cause not noted; Konstantin, Manuck, 65.
— 1 Staten Island, Elm Park. Heart attack shoveling snow; Benjamin Boleslaws, 65.
— 1 Staten Island, Port Richmond. Heart attack shoveling snow; Martin Nearly, 63.
— 1 Staten Island, Port Richmond. Heart attack shoveling snow; John Tinessa, 63.
— 1 Staten Island, West Brighton. Shoveling snow at home; Horace C. Chance, 71.
— 1 Port Washington, Nassau Co. Truck skids into worker putting chains on sand truck.
— 1 Putnam Lake. Snow sled collides with car; Maureen Mary Mitchell, 5.
— 1 Saugerties area, NY Thruway. Car skidded, rolled over in median; Duane K. Skinner Jr., 27.
— 1 Saratoga Springs, 17th. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Coleman B. Cheney, 56.
— 1 Syracuse. Heart attack shoveling snow; Jack Mengel.
— 1 Utica. Heart attack caused by exertion during the storm; Andrew Weinberg, 69.
— 1 Yorktown, 19th. Shoveling snow in his driveway; Arthur LeRoy Purdy, 54.

Ohio (10-12)
–12 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p.2.
–12 Logan Daily News, OH. “New Snow Adds to Bad Road Conditions…” 3-19-1956, p. 2.
–3 Traffic deaths on highways attributable to the snowstorm.
–11 Mar 16-17. AP. “Ohio Blames Deaths on 11 on Snowstorm.” Lima News, 3-18-1956, p. 1.
–8 Heart attacks shoveling snow.
–2 Traffic fatalities which “were attributed directly to slippery roads.”
–10 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
Breakout of Ohio snowstorm related fatalities by locality where noted:
–1 Ada, 16th. Car skidded on snow-covered road into tree; Angel Sanchez Garduno, 24.
–1 Barberton, 16h. Died while shoveling snow at home; Henry F. Serfass, 95.
–2 Cleveland, 16th. While or after shoveling snow; Steve Macurak, 58 and Alex Bendic, 73.
–1 Hamilton, 16th. Boy playing in snow in alley run over by truck; John Fuchs, 3.
–1 Jackson area, 16th. Car skids on icy US 35 into back of tractor-trailer; Mrs. Cleo Pollard, 54.
–1 Newark, 16th. While or after shoveling snow; James W. Jackson, 73.
–1 St. Mary, 16th. Boy slid down snow-covered bank into Lake St. Marys; Timothy Harmon, 4.
–1 Waverly, 16th. Car goes out of control on icy US 23; hit by truck; Miss Carolyn Adams, 21.
–1 Youngstown, 16th. While or after shoveling snow; Joseph Matyas, 73.

Pennsylvania (10)
–10 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 9 UP. “East Coast Paralyzed; Blizzard Fatal to 156.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 3-20-56, 1.
Breakouts of Pennsylvania snowstorms fatalities by locality where noted:
–1 Allentown area, Rt. 22. Car skids on icy road; hit by tractor-trailer; Morton Eugene Weldy.
–1 Ardmore, 16th. Collapsed/died trying to walk away from snow-stalled car; Jesse W. Tannahill, 67.
–1 Glenside, 18th. Heart attack after slipping/falling on icy pavement at home; Mrs. Natalie B. Rhoads, 58.
–1 Lewistown, 16th. Heart attack after shoveling snow; State trooper George L. Finkbeiner, 47.
–1 Pittsburgh, 18th. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Fran D. Perna, 63.
–1 Ransom township, 17th. Frozen body of Andrew Pechinak found in snow drift near farm home.
–3 Wilkes-Barre area, Rt. 11. Triple car collision on icy road. David H. Tatelbaum, 20.
–1 Wilkes-Barre, 18th. Heart attack at home after putting snow chains on car; John Novak, 57.

Rhode Island (9-12)
–12 AP. “Bright, Springlike Sun Shines As N.E. Digs Out…” Newport Daily News, RI, 3-20-1956, p1.
–11 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p.2.
–10 Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.
— 9 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 8 AP. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll…[MA].” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, 1.
Breakout of Rhode Island snowstorm related fatalities by locality where noted.
–1 Newport. Exposure? Found dead in snow-stalled car; Navy Capt. Karl E. Jung, 49.
–3 Newport. Exposure? Navy sailors found dead in an open naval boat at Newport Harbor.
–1 Newport harbor. US Navy sailor falls overboard; drowned.
–1 Pawtucket. Collapsed after reported to work in newspaper composing room; Thomas Farley, 64.
–1 Pawtucket. Found dead in snow near home; William Wardle, 70.
–1 Portsmouth. Heart attack after pushing car; George G. Clark, 46.
–1 Locale not noted. RI Prison Guard Archie Summers, 65, after parking car.

Virginia ( 4)
–4 AP. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, p.2.
–4 Warrenton, March 18. Police: snow-covered US 15-19 caused car to skid into 2nd car path.

Narrative Information

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, Milton MA: “….March 1956 started with 5 inches of snow on the ground at Blue Hill Observatory. By the end of the month, the snow depth had peaked at 25 inches, and three 12-inch plus snowstorms had blanketed the Northeast bringing the monthly total at Blue Hill to a March record of 52.0 inches. Including additional snow in April, the winter of 1955-56, with a total of 106.8 inches, was the third snowiest on record up to that time, and it is currently the eighth snowiest on the Observatory’s 133-year record.

“Of the three major snowfalls in March 1956 the storm from March 18-20th was the most significant with upwards of 20 inches falling along the Northeast corridor and much of Southern New England. What was remarkable was that there were three snowstorms in March 1956 in a period of just 11 days from the 14th to the 24th….

“By 7:30 AM EST on Friday, March 16, 1956, the stage was set for the development of a coastal low that typically produces heavy snow and high winds in the Northeast. The North Atlantic states had been flooded with cold air due to eastward passage of a 1032-mb high from the Great Lakes region to Maine. Meanwhile, a wave, which developed in the western Gulf of Mexico on the trailing polar front, had deepened and moved northeastward to eastern Kentucky. This storm brought widespread heavy rains in the southeastern states and snow through the Ohio Valley eastward to southern New Jersey. By this time the typical pattern of development was evident. A warm front lay along the Carolina coast and extended eastward north of Bermuda. An area of 3-hourly pressure falls of 4 to 5 mb, concentrated in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, strongly indicated a secondary development on the coast. By 7:30 PM EST on March 17, the low center in eastern Kentucky had entirely filled and the secondary low had formed and deepened to 984 mb just off Atlantic City, New Jersey The pressure at Atlantic City fell 25 mb in just 12 hours, indicating the explosive nature of the cyclogenesis that took place. Snow had now spread over all of the North Atlantic states, attended by strong winds with gales on the coast. By 1:30 AM EST, March 17, the lowest pressure was 970 mb just east of Nantucket. Snow and strong winds covered the Northeastern states and gales continued on the New England coast. By 7:30 AM EST, March 17, the storm was well out to sea some 380 miles east of Boston. This storm was a nearly perfect example of the rapid development of a coastal storm. It deposited 14 inches of new snow at Albany, New York., 6 inches at Hartford, Connecticut, and 10 inches at Concord, New Hampshire, New York City and Boston. In just 12 hours the intense storm moved from a position off the coast near Atlantic City to 380 miles east of Boston. Snowfall at Blue Hill Observatory measured 12.9 inches, and a peak wind gust to 78 miles per hour was recorded.

“All of this set the stage for the biggest storm, which occurred from March 18-20th. By 7:30 AM EST on the 18th, the area of snowfall attending the developing southern low centers over eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia had enlarged to cover the Ohio Valley and had spread eastward over the Appalachians to cover most of the Mid-Atlantic states. Precipitation fell as rain over southern Maryland and southern Virginia, while snow was falling over the remainder. Snow had spread from southern New Jersey, beginning at 10:45 AM at Newark and 11:03 AM at New York City. At this time one low center was moving eastward near Quantico, Virginia, while another was also moving eastward near Danville, Virginia. During the next six hours there was little change in the area of precipitation. Showers and thunderstorms moved eastward across southern Virginia and eastern North Carolina as the southern low center moved to the coast near Elizabeth City, North Carolina and began to strengthen into a dangerous gale. Snow continued from Maryland and Delaware northward over Pennsylvania and into Long Island as far westward to Cincinnati, Ohio, as the northern low center moved to southern Delaware. By 1:30 AM on the 19th, the surface low system was off the coast, some distance southeast of New Jersey, moving northeastward. Snowfall continued over the New York City area, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and eastern Pennsylvania. On the 19th the snow spread over southern New England. Meanwhile, the low pressure cyclonic center moved northeastward along the coast at an ever-slowing rate toward Nantucket, finally passing to the northeast of that point and filling on the 20th, while a new center formed farther east near Sable Island. It is interesting to note that the duration of precipitation in the form of snow at Philadelphia, Trenton, Atlantic City, Newark, and New York City (Battery) ranged from 31 hours at Philadelphia to 35 hours at Atlantic City. Farther east, over southern New England, the duration ranged from 26 hours at New Haven to 24 hours at Boston. In spite of this, the depth of new snow added by the storm was remarkably uniform, measuring 12 to 13 inches at Trenton, New York City, New Haven, Bradley Field (Hartford), and Boston. A notable exception was the 18 inches that fell at Newark. The final snowfall at Blue Hill was 19.5 inches and the maximum snow depth on the ground reached 25.3 inches on the 20th. At the Observatory a peak gust of 63 mph from the NE was measured on the 19th.

“All in all, this was one of the most severe and deadly snowstorms in southern New England history. Approximately 162 people were killed and most towns were left paralyzed under deep snowdrifts as high as 14 feet….” (Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, Milton MA. “Remembering the Incredible Snowstorms of March 1956.”)

Newspapers

March 17, AP: “New York, March 17 (AP) – The storm-battered northeast today dug slowly out of a mountain of snow heaped upon it by a violent winter’s end tempest which cost 96 lives, staggered transportation and smashed several ocean-going vessels. Five other persons died in a Maine fire at the height of the storm.

“There was no immediate estimate of property damage but the fury of the blow – with winds of 70 miles an hour creating blizzards at some points – made it one of the worst ever recorded so late in the season. Spring is due to arrive in only four days.

“The snow, rain, sleet and gales which began early yesterday ravaged a vast region stretching from Virginia to Ohio and into Canada for nearly 24 hours. T wind whipped up thunderous waves that pounded coastal areas, drove many residents inland and battered shipping both in port and at sea.

“Deaths by states were: Massachusetts 16, New York 12, Rhode Island 8, Connecticut 6, New Jersey 4, Ohio 6, Maine 2, Maryland 1 and New Hampshire 1.

“Air and automobile travel was all but brought to a standstill. Many trains were delayed. Thousands of automobiles were abandoned along city streets and county highways alike as angry skies deluged numerous areas with nearly two feet of snow. Wind swept it into mountainous drifts.

“Between Sturbridge and Auburn, Mass., more than 700 persons were marooned in their cars overnight. Civil Defense officials in towns along the 19-mile route mobilized under emergency procedures to aid police in rescuing them.

“Hundreds of car accidents occurred before the height of the storm, accounting for a number of lives lost. Many additional deaths were attributed to heart failures caused by over-exertion in shoveling snow or slogging through high drifts.

“Nine or more ocean-going ships suffered violent effects from the storm. Five were driven aground. Four of these included three destroyers and a frigate which had been anchored off Newport, R.I. The Navy vessels were torn from their moorings and thrust ashore. As morning came, bodies of three Navy men were found in an open launch that drifted onto a beach. An Italian freighter, the Etrusco, was blown almost out of the water near Scituate, Mass., by winds up to 70 miles an hour. After hours of anxiety over the safety of the crew, the 30 men were brought ashore across 50 yards of rope lines when the winds abated.

“Off Long Island, N.Y., a gasoline laden tanker, the Sylvia, with a crew of 13, lost its rudder while four miles offshore. For hours the gale edged it nearer and nearer land. With the ship more than half way there, the wind direction changed. A seagoing tug finally took it in tow.

“Air travel in and out of Boston was halted completely today and a resumption of service was not expected before 10 p.m. ….

“The island of Martha’s Vineyard, which has a population of 5000, lost its power at the peak of the storm. At Nantucket, Mass., 25 to 30 residents had to be evacuated from their homes on that island because of blizzard-driven high tides sweeping over their property.

“Heavy snow ranged as far south as Maryland. Some parts of that state got six inches.” (Associated Press. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll of Lives Taken in Massachusetts.” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, p. 1.)

March 18: “Boston – The blizzard winds which whipped snow and sleet across the nation from Ohio to Maine blew out to sea Saturday [17th] off the New England Coast. At least 60 persons died along the storm path. Deaths totaled 40 in New England, six in Ohio, five in New York, four in Pennsylvania and five in New Jersey. Officials called the blockbuster blizzard the wildest storm in a generation….” (Mansfield News-Journal, OH. “Blizzard Blows Out to Sea…‘Wildest’ Storm in 3 Decades.” 3-18-1956, p. 1.

March 19, AP: “(By The Associated Press) Winter that refused to day die today smothered the metropolitan New York area with a second snow blanket of the weekend. It brought the toll of storm dead to 95. It prostrated the nation’s largest city with a fall measuring a foot – the worst snowstorm in seven years. New England faced a similar prospect. In New York and the wide area which supplies a large part of the city’s working population trains stalled entirely or ran late and some businesses and schools didn’t even open after the weekend. La Guardia Airport was shut down. Even the usually reliable New York subways were halted in spots. Wind-whipped drifts gripped autos on countless streets and highways. A monumental tie-up choked the parkways that lace through Queens. During the night an estimated 3,000 motorists abandoned their snowbound cars on these roads and were given emergency shelter in hospitals, police stations and an armory.

“The second storm struck West Virginia yesterday (Sunday) and swirled up the middle Atlantic coast during the night. Later Heavy snow bore down on New England.

“The storm followed hard on the heels of a blizzard that raked the northeast last Friday and dumped up to 19 inches of snow in New England.

“The death toll ranged through 11 states in two storms….The death toll in the two storms included: Massachusetts 16; New York 22; Rhode Island 11; Connecticut 9; New Jersey 9; Ohio 12; Maine 5; Maryland 1; New Hampshire 1; Pennsylvania 5, and Virginia 4.” (Associated Press. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, pp. 1-2.)

March 20, UP: “New York (UP) – Thirty million persons today fought their way out of a paralyzing snowstorm that affected their jobs, schools, transportation, and their economy. At least 127 were dead from Maine to Virginia in the spring storm which dumped up to 21 inches of snow on 14 states. New York City, buried under 14 inches of snow, was the hardest hit. Today 12 hours after the snowfall had stopped, its massive transportation system remained crippled, many of its businesses were idle, schools were closed and hundreds of miles of streets were blocked.

“The Weather Bureau announced that spring would arrive officially at 10:21 a.m. EST today but first-day-of-spring temperatures were not expected to melt much of the deep snow covering.

“The Commerce and Industry estimated the snow had already cost New York City businesses $150 million. Many firms closed or operated only a few hours Monday. Only slightly better conditions were predicted for today. Some 33 per cent of New York workers who commute to their jobs from scores of suburbs were unable to fight their way through snowdrifts or find adequate transportation….

“The number of persons affected was probably greater than in any previous storm including the 1947 snow which measured 25.8 inches at its deepest points….

“Air travel out of New England’s Logan International Airport was canceled. Buses were frozen at terminals and trains ran on broken schedules. The new storm brought sweeping drifts up to 15 feet deep. Most of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut reported up to 15 and 16 inches of snow….” (United Press. “Storm Ties Up Much of East…” Berkshire Eagle, MA. 3-20-1956, p.2.)

March 20, Tuesday, AP: “By The Associated Press. Here is a state-by-state summary of storm conditions:

“CONNECTICUT: More than a foot and a half of snow closed schools and factories and largely halted traffic in many towns. Busses canceled at Hartford. State of emergency in Norwich, pop. 37,000. Eleven deaths since Friday [16th].

“MAINE: More snow predicted through the night along coast with temperatures as low as 20 below zero. Five dead.

“MARYLAND: Worst March storm since 1942., up to a foot of snow. Drifts up to four feet. Schools closed. Bowie race track closed. Three deaths.

“MASSACHUSETTS: Winds up to 55 m.p.h. drifting more that a foot of snow. Schools generally closed. Transportation crippled. Boston Airport closed. Five cities declare local emergencies. Factories and major stores in Fall River closed. Abnormal tides flood coastal lowlands. Two offshore islands isolated. Cape Cod hit severely. Eighteen dead.

“NEW HAMPSHIRE: Storm skirts southern part of state, leaving northern part relatively free of heavy snowfall. One dead.

“NEE JERSEY: More than 21 inches of snow in some sections; drifts to 12 feet. Rail, bus, auto traffic snarled. Turnpikes all but closed. One commuting railroad knocked out. Legislature unable to meet, courts closed. Some areas alerted to flood danger when thaw ensues. Buses and cars stranded with occupants along rural highways. Somerset County declared a disaster area; 23 dead.

“NEW YORK: New York City virtually paralyzed by heaviest accumulated snowfall since 1947. Parkways hopeless, thousands of motorists given emergency shelter. Tens of thousands of cars marooned. Suffolk County on eastern tip of Long Island isolated, emergency declared in worst storm of 50 years; 30 dead.

“PENNSYLVANIA: Eastern half of state buried under up to a foot of snow. Most schools in area closed, many offices shut down. Secondary roads drifted shut in many places; 7 dead.

“RHODE ISLAND: Smallest state blanketed along with rest of New England coast. Normal life crippled; 10 dead.

“VERMONT: Southern part of state lashed by edge of storms. No Deaths.

“DELAWARE: Blanketed by both storms, transportation, schools, business affected. One dead.”
(Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance. Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1.)

March 20, UP: “New York (UP)– The death toll rose today to at least 156 persons killed in two weekend storms which swept across the northeastern states. The death toll from the first storm which rolled in from the Midwest on Friday, was 88. New England states reported 24 deaths in the second storm which blew up along a hurricane path from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod, paralyzing parts of seven states under one to two feet of snow. Twenty seven died in New Jersey, nine in Pennsylvania, eight in New York, for a total of 68.

“The storm swirled out to sea off New England today, cutting communications with outlying islands raising dangerous tides along the Massachusetts coast and tolling 11 fishermen into a close brush with death.

“Nova Scotians woke to a new fall of 25 inches of snow this morning from the same low pressure system.

“The weather bureau reported a high of 27 inches of snow at Concord, N.H., 21 at Newark, N.J., 18 at Boston and Portland, Maine, 20 at Hartford, 13 inches at New York City.

“Metropolitan areas from Philadelphia to Boston struggled to sort out tangled transportation systems and stranded citizens under a snow blanket that glittered deceptively in the first spring sunshine.

“The storm was the worst in 40 years throughout most of the area.

“Snow removal went slowly despite slightly rising temperatures as plows were forced to move or detour around thousands of abandoned trucks and autos.” (United Press. “East Coast Paralyzed; Blizzard Fatal To 156.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 3-20-1956, p.1.)

Sources

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Associated Press. “110 Dead As Snow Piles Up.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 3-19-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-mar-19-1956-p-43/

Associated Press. “141 Are Dead as Blizzard Clogs 14 Eastern States.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-20-56, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-mar-20-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Boy, 3, Killed By Truck.” The Lima News, 3-18-1956, p. 11-B. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-mar-18-1956-p-21/

Associated Press. “Bright, Springlike Sun Shines As N.E. Digs Out From Under.” Newport Daily News, RI, 3-20-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-29-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/newport-daily-news-mar-20-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “East Storm At a Glance.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 3-20-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-mar-20-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Exertions in Snow Cause Autoist’s Death.” Newport Daily News, RI. 3-21-1956, p. 13. Accessed 3-29-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newport-daily-news-mar-21-1956-p-13/

Associated Press. “Henry County Adds Another to Traffic Toll. Nine Die in State During Weekend.” The Bee, Danville, VA. 3-19-1956, 1. Accessed 3-29-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-mar-19-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Names of Victims Claimed By The Blizzard in New England.” Lowell Sun. 3-18-1956, p.4. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-mar-18-1956-p-4/

Associated Press. “New York’s Blizzard Aftermath…” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 3-20-1956, p.15. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-mar-20-1956-p-15/

Associated Press. “New York’s Schools Open.” The Times Record, Troy, NY. 3-21-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-mar-21-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Northeast Storm Claims 65 Lives.” Lima News, OH. 3-18-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-mar-18-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Ohio Blames Deaths on 11 on Snowstorm.” Lima News, 3-18-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-mar-18-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Snow Shoveling Fatal To Handicapped Man.” Lima News, OH. 3-18-1956, p. 5-D. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-mar-18-1956-p-39/

Associated Press. “Storm Toll Reaches 95 For East.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 3-19-1956, pp. 1-2. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-mar-19-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Unseasonable Cold Is Felt in Sunny South.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 3-21-1956, p1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wellsville-daily-reporter-mar-21-1956-p-4/

Associated Press. “Weekend Storm Mounts In Maine.” Biddeford Journal, ME. 3-19-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-mar-19-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Wild Blizzard Blankets East In New Snow.” Cornell Daily Sun, Ithaca, NY. 3-20-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ithaca-cornell-daily-sun-mar-20-1956-p-1/

Associated Press. “Storm Killed 96 Persons in Northeast. Heaviest Toll of Lives Taken in Massachusetts.” Lowell Sun, MA. 3-18-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-mar-18-1956-p-1/

Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, Milton MA. “Remembering the Incredible Snowstorms of March 1956.” Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://bluehill.org/remembering-the-incredible-snowstorms-of-march-1956/

Brewster Standard, NY. “Maureen Mitchell, 5, Dies in Accident. Coasting Out of Alden Drive, Putnam Lake, Her Sled Collide With An Automobile…” 3-22-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brewster-standard-mar-22-1956-p-1/

Chappaqua Sun, NY. “Town Digging Out After 2-Day Snow Drops 19 Inches.” 3-22-1056, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cazenovia-republican-mar-22-1956-p-1/

Courier-Post, Camden, NJ. “33 Killed in N.J.; 162 in East.” 3-20-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://courierpostonline.newspapers.com/image/180129320/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjE4MDEyOTMyMCwiaWF0IjoxNjgwMDQxMjk5LCJleHAiOjE2ODAxMjc2OTl9.y7cIhDG34GDKZNx0qIJVgoESfw3n-yCrSTkdSU34G98&terms=snow&match=1

Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. ‘6 Killed In Crashes.” 3-17-1956, p. 2. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-daily-intelligencer-mar-17-1956-p-2/

Daily News, Huntingdon and Mount Union, PA. “Cpl. Finkbeiner, State Trooper, Fatally Stricken.” 3-17-1956, 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huntingdon-daily-news-mar-17-1956-p-1/

East Hampton Star, NY. “Joseph Zisk.” 3-22-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-hampton-star-mar-22-1956-p-1/

Frederick News Post, MD. “Five to Eight Inches of Snow in County.”3-19-1956, p. 4. Accessed 3-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/frederick-news-post-mar-19-1956-p-4/

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Lima News, OH. “Findlay Beet Worker’s Car Crashes Into Tree.” 3-17-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-mar-17-1956-p-1/

Logan Daily News, OH. “New Snow Adds to Bad Road Conditions…” 3-19-1956, pp. 1-2. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logan-daily-news-mar-19-1956-p-2/

Lowell Sun, MA. “43 Are Dead in Record Blizzard (continued from p.1).” 3-17-1956, p. 2. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-mar-17-1956-p-17/

Mansfield News-Journal, OH. “Blizzard Blows Out to Sea…‘Wildest’ Storm in 3 Decades.” 3-18-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mansfield-news-journal-mar-18-1956-p-1/

New York Times. “2 Die in Nassau; Area Paralyzed.” 3-20-1956, p. 7. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/03/20/86549925.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0

New York Times. “13.5-Inch Snow Paralyzes City; Schools Closed, Business Drops; Transit Snarled in Northeast. 4-day Toll is 125.” 3-20-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/03/20/86549850.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0

New York Times. “Jersey Disrupted by 18-inch Snow.” 3-20-1956, p. 9. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/03/20/86549949.html?pageNumber=9

New York Times. “Snow Blankets Eastern States; 71 Lives Are Lost.” 3-18-1956, pp. 1 and 82. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/03/18/90494625.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0

Newark Advocate, OH. “Six Persons Listed Dead in Great Ohio Snowstorm.” 3-17-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newark-advocate-mar-17-1956-p-1/

Newport Daily News, RI. “Newport Naval Circles. Still Digging Out.” 3-21-1956, p. 10. Accessed 3-29-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newport-daily-news-mar-21-1956-p-10/

Newport Daily News, RI. “Storm (continued from p.1.)” 3-20-1956, p. 7. Accessed 3-29-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/newport-daily-news-mar-20-1956-p-7/

Portsmouth Times, OH. “Waverly Has Third Death In Three Days.” 3-17-1956, p. 10. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-mar-17-1956-p-20/

Portsmouth Times, OH. “Wife Killed in Truck, Car Crash.” 3-17-1956, p. 10. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-mar-17-1956-p-20/

Somerset Daily American, PA. “14 Die (continued from p.1).” 3-19-1956, p. 2. Accessed 3-29-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-mar-19-1956-p-2/

Times Record, NY. “One Killed, Six Hurt In Auto Mishaps.” 3-19-1956, p. 22. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-mar-19-1956-p-22/

Times Record, Troy, NY. “Winter’s Worst Storm Cripples Area…Ten Persons Lose Lives in N.Y. State.” 3-17-1956, p1. Accessed 3-27-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-mar-17-1956-p-1/

United Press. “East Coast Paralyzed; Blizzard Fatal To 156.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 3-20-1956, p.1. Accessed 3-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-mar-20-1956-p-1/

United Press. “Eastern Part of State [PA] Reports 12-Inch Fall.’ Dubois Courier Express, 3-19-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-29-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-mar-19-1956-p-1/

United Press. “Storm Ties Up Much of East; N.Y. Business Loss $150 Million.” Berkshire Eagle, MA. 3-20-1956, p.2. Accessed 3-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/berkshire-eagle-mar-20-1956-p-2/

United Press. “Three U.S. Sailors Found Dead In Boat.” Times Record, Troy, NY. 3-17-1956, p. 1. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-mar-17-1956-p-1/

Additional Information

Mook, Conrad P. and Kenneth S. Norquest. “The Heavy Snowstorm of March 18-19, 1956.” Monthly Weather Review, March 1956, pp. 116-125. Accessed 3-27-2023 at: https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1956)084<0116:THSOM>2.0.CO;2