1958 — Jan 7-8, Winter Storm (snow/sleet/ice/high wind, cold) Northeast, esp. CT/9 –33-35

— <50 UP. “Touch-and-Go in Florida as to Life…” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 1-9-1958, 1. -- >35 AP. “Severe Coast Storm Blamed for 35 Deaths.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 1-9-1958, 3.
— 35 AP. “Cold Wave Damages Florida Crops.” Times-Record, Troy, NY. 1-9-1858, p. 1.
–33-35 Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.
— 33 Anniston Star, AL. “Warmer Air Due In City. 33 are Dead over Nation.” 1-9-1958, p. 1.

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Connecticut ( 9)
Delaware ( 1)
Maine ( 3)
Massachusetts ( 8)
New Hampshire ( 1)
New Jersey (1-3)
New York ( 8)
Pennsylvania ( 1)
Total 33-35

Breakout of Winter Snow Storm Fatalities by State (and locality where noted):

Connecticut (9)
–9 UP. “Total of Deaths Blamed on Storm…Nine.” Naugatuck Daily News, CT. 1-9-1958, p.1.
— 1 Ansonia. Heart attack shoveling snow; Albert Tenedine, 62.
— 1 Fairfield. Heart attack while sweeping snow; Matthew Caplan, 67.
— 1 Granby. Heart attack plowing snow from driveway; Wilmon MacLachlan, 78.
— 1 Greenwich. Heart attack shoveling snow; Frank H. Smith, 85.
— 1 Mansfield. “…died while trudging home from his stalled car.” Eugene Samson, 52.
— 1 Middletown, Jan 8. Heart attack shoveling snow; H. P. Heppenstall, Sr., 50.
— 1 New Britain. Heart attack shoveling snow; Arman E. Roy, 56.
— 1 New Haven. Succumbed while pushing his car; Nolan Parkus, 56.
— 1 Norwich. Heart attack removing snow; Phillip L. Jarvis, 56.

Delaware (1)
–1 Greenwood area. Car skidded on icy road fatally injuring woman.

Maine (3)
–1 Knox, Jan 7. Heart attack while supervising snow removal operations; Austin Jennings.
–1 Saco, Jan 8. Collapsed while shoveling snow at home; Lewis M. Smith, 74.
–1 Westbrook. Crushed. Public works snowplow operator found next to stalled snowplow.

Massachusetts (8)
–8 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–7 “20 Deaths Attributed to Elements.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA. 1-8-1958, p.1.
Breakout of Massachusetts winter weather related fatalities by locality where noted:
— 1 Ashland, Jan 8. Drowning; car skids off road into Sudbury River; Mrs. Guistina Puntini.
— 2 Boston, Jan 8. Drownings after falling through Scarboro Pond ice in Franklin Park.
— 1 Dracut, Jan 8. Heart attack shoveling snow; Frank Niemaszyk, 51.
— 1 Fitchburg, Jan 8. Heart attack removing snow; Frank Zichelle, 63.
— 1 Gardner, Jan 8. Collapsed and died while shoveling snow; Frans J. Niemi, 68.
— 2 Sharon, Jan 8. Car and truck collide “at the height of the storm.”

New Hampshire (1)
–1 Nashua, Jan 8, “over-exertion – walking through the deep snow.” Constance Largy, 45.

New Jersey (1-3)
–1-3 Blanchard estimate – could find no details concerning any NJ weather-related deaths.
–3 Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. “Touch-and-Go in Florida as to Life or…” 1-9-1958, p. 1.
–1 Record-Argus, Greenville, PA. “20 Deaths Attributed to Elements.” 1-8-1958, 1.

New York (8)
–7 Blanchard tally from cause of death and locality breakouts below.
–6 Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. “20 Dead as Result of Fierce East Coast Storm.” 1-8-1958, 1.
–4 Apparent heart attacks while shoveling snow or trying to free stalled cars.
–2 Vehicular incidents.
–1 Albany. Exposure after slipping and falling into the snow near home: Frank Hurley, ~80.
–1 Jamestown, Jan 11. Car hits snow sledder on 9th, died of injuries 11th; Richard A. Fred, 5.

Pennsylvania (1)
–1 Wilkes Barre area. Two car skidding collision.

Narrative Information

O’Connor, Monthly Weather Review: “….January 1958 was characterized by a major southward migration of the upper-level westerlies into the subtropics…in the Western Hemisphere. Near mid-month an almost record-breaking blocking anticyclone consolidated in Davis Strait, causing a succession of ‘northeasters’ to stagnate off New England. These conditions persistently deployed cold polar air into the southeastern United States…. [p. 11]

Individual Storms

“….On the 5th and 6th another low-latitude storm in northern Mexico caused flooding rains of 6 inches or more in the lower Rio Grande Valley and 7 inches of snow in extreme western Texas and eastern New Mexico. This cyclone moved across the northern Gulf and up the Atlantic seaboard with heavy rains enroute. At Nantucket early on the 8th this storm deepened to a record low barometer of about 960 mb., with winds of hurricane force near the center and heavy snows along a 50-mile belt from Virginia northward. Storrs, Conn., for example collected 17 inches of snow, a new record….” (O’Connor. “The Weather and Circulation of January 1958.” Monthly Weather Review, January 1958, p. 15)

Newspapers

Jan 8: “New York (AP) — A fierce winter storm, which cost at least 20 lives, moved northeast toward the Canadian maritime provinces today after pummeling the east — from Maine to Florida — with a staggering variety of elements. Weathermen termed it one of the most intense coastal storms of recent years. Although skies cleared today over most of the Middle and South Atlantic states, bone-chilling cold was forecast for New England.

“The tempest thrashed the seaboard with avalanches of snow, wind gusts up to 75 miles an hour, sleet, rain and lightning. In New England it snarled automobile traffic, forced business houses to close, tumbled power lines and closed schools. Augusta, Maine, was hit by 16-inches of snow. Atlantic City, N.J., got 13.3 inches – the biggest downfall there in nearly 17 years.

“Florida, with its citrus crop already hard hit by an earlier cold spell, was handed another blow. Snow fell in the sunny state as far south as Lakeland in the heart of the citrus growing area. For the first time in history, the Florida Weather Bureau forecast snow flurries. Florida has had snows, but never a forecast of snows.

“The death toll from automobile accidents and heart attacks brought on by snow shoveling: Massachusetts, 7; New York, 4; Connecticut, 4; and Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maine and New Hampshire 1 each….” (Associated Press. “20 Deaths Attributed to Elements. Icy Weather Grips East from Maine to Florida.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA. 1-8-1958, p. 1.)

Jan 8, AP: “New York, Jan. 8 (AP) – Sunny skies and falling temperatures today marked the aftermath of a short East Coast snowstorm, the first of the new year. Snow even fell in Florida. The Weather Bureau forecast below-freezing temperatures for the Northeast tonight, with anticipated 15 below zero in northern Maine.

“At least 35 deaths were attributed t the storm, which the Weather Bureau called one of the most intense coastal storms of recent years. Most of the victims died in auto accidents or collapsed while shoveling snow.

“There was 19½ inches of snow at Fitchburg, Mass., and up to 16 inches throughout Connecticut. Atlantic City, N.J., had 11.3 inches, the most in nearly 17 years. New Haven’s 14½ inches of snow was just half an inch below the 1948 record for that Connecticut city.

“The storm slowed or halted auto traffic, tore down power lines and closed school and business firms. Hundreds of cars were abandoned in snowdrifts. Parkways were closed or the rate of travel sharply curtailed.

“Winds in gusts up to 75 m.p.h. whipped the snow into deep drifts in some areas.

“New York City got off comparatively easy as the storm moved along the coast. Five inches of snow failed to seriously impede metropolitan transportation….” (Associated Press. “Severe Coast Storm Blamed for 35 Deaths.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 1-9-1958, p.3.)

Jan 9: “….The center of a storm that dumped up to 19½ inches of snow in parts of the northeastern United States moved into eastern Canada, losing much of its punch. The storm was blamed for 33 deaths. Most of the victims died in auto accidents or from heart seizures while shoveling snow.” (Anniston Star, AL. “Warmer Air Due In City. 33 are Dead over Nation.” 1-9-1958, p. 1.)

Jan 9, UP: “A cold snap settled over the snow-laden East Coast today, putting Florida’s billion-dollar citrus industry in danger of complete ruin. Temperatures plummeted during the night from Maine to Florida, with the most noticeable drops occurring in New England. The U.S. Weather Bureau reported that night-time temperatures were generally about 20 degrees lower than a day earlier, and that near-zero readings were common….

“The sudden East Coast snow storm which pounded the area Tuesday night [7th] and dumped record amounts in some parts of New England, was just about played out early today. Only a few flurries still whipped along the seaboard.

“The broad storm belt extended from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic Ocean, and weather caused deaths climbed to near 50. Connecticut counted eight snow deaths alone, and there were other fatalities blamed on snow, cold, ice, home fires and accidents. The United Press counted at least 44 weather victims since the snow and cold weather hit Tuesday. They included 20 deaths from traffic or heart attacks in New England, 6 in New York and 3 in New Jersey and highway deaths in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Wisconsin. In addition, there were 11 fire victims, 4 in Virginia, 1 in North Carolina and 6 in the Midwest, and an airman died in a Florida plane crash during a rain-storm….” (United Press. “Touch-and-Go in Florida as to Life or Death of State’s Citrus Crop Due to Second Serious Freeze-up.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 1-9-1958, p.1.)

Jan 9, UP on Connecticut: “Hartford, Jan. 9 – (UP) – The toll in Connecticut’s worst snowstorm in two years mounted today as the state sought to return to normal. Nine deaths occurred as Nutmeggers dug out from the Tuesday northeaster which left about a foot of snow in many places and as much as 17 inches in Storrs. This snowfall became glazed during the night when a cold wave swept the state, sending the mercury dipping toward zero. This created additional traffic hazards and State Police said that tie-ups were still occurring, mostly caused by jack-knifing trailer trucks. The U.S. Weather Bureau said that the mercury would remain below freezing today but predicted it will warm Friday and Saturday. This should melt the snow considerably, aiding in the clean-up….

“State Police reported roads still slippery in spots and advised continued caution. They said more than 100 abandoned vehicles had to be hauled away to permit plowing and sanding…

“The weatherman said this storm was the worst since two blizzards in March of 1956 which dumped up to 20 inches of snow and were accompanied by stronger winds and lower temperatures….

(United Press. “Total of Deaths Blamed on Storm Rises to Nine.” Naugatuck Daily News, CT. 1-9-1958, p.1.)
Sources

Anniston Star, AL. “Warmer Air Due In City. 33 are Dead over Nation.” 1-9-1958, p. 1. Accessed at: https://newspaperarchive.com

Associated Press. “2 Dorchester Girls Drowning Victims.” Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. 1-9-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fitchburg-sentinel-jan-09-1958-p-1/

Associated Press. “20 Deaths Attributed to Elements. Icy Weather Grips East from Maine to Florida.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA. 1-8-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-08-1958-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cold Wave Damages Florida Crops.” Times-Record, Troy, NY. 1-9-1858, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-jan-09-1958-p-1/

Associated Press. “Severe Coast Storm Blamed for 35 Deaths.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 1-9-1958, 3. Accessed 2-17-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-09-1958-p-3/

Associated Press. “Snow Blankets Seaboard as far South as Virginia.” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-8-1958, p.16. Accessed 2-17-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-08-1958-p-16/

Biddeford Journal, ME. “”Lewis M. Smith [obituary].” 1-9-1958, p. 2. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-jan-09-1958-p-2/

Biddeford Journal, ME. “Road (continued from page 1).” 1-8-1958, p. 4. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-jan-08-1958-p-4/

Evening Observer, Dunkirk, NY. “Boy Coaster, 5, Dies of Injuries Inflicted by Car.” 1-11-1958, p. 4. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-11-1958-p-4/

Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. “Two Area Deaths Attributed to Storm.” 1-9-1958, pp. 1-2. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fitchburg-sentinel-jan-09-1958-p-1/

Lowell Sun, MA. “First Casualty of Season. Dracut Man Succumbs While Shoveling Snow.” 1-9-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-jan-09-1958-p-27/

Nashua Telegraph, NH. “Entire State Buried Under Heavy Snow as Winter Hits.” 1-8-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-08-1958-p-16/

Nashua Telegraph, NH. “Record Storm Here Claims One Life; City Virtually Paralyzed.” 1-8-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-08-1958-p-1/

O’Connor, James F. “The Weather and Circulation of January 1958.” Monthly Weather Review, January 1958, pp. 11-35. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAQQw7AJahcKEwiwtJinmp39AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAg&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjournals.ametsoc.org%2Fdownloadpdf%2Fjournals%2Fmwre%2F86%2F1%2F1520-0493_1958_086_0011_twacoj_2_0_co_2.pdf&psig=AOvVaw2HeyssQ6OqbOwOORmcveK2&ust=1676742585768994

Times Record, Troy, NY. “Dies of Exposure.” 1-8-1958, p. 16. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-jan-08-1958-p-16/

Times Record, Troy, NY. “Mother of 11 Drowned.” 1-9-1958, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-jan-09-1958-p-1/

United Press. “20 Dead as Result of Fierce East Coast Storm.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 1-8-58, p. 1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-08-1958-p-1/

United Press. “Total of Deaths Blamed on Storm Rises to Nine.” Naugatuck Daily News, CT. 1-9-1958, p.1. Accessed 2-17-2023: https://newspaperarchive.com/naugatuck-daily-news-jan-09-1958-p-1/

United Press. “Touch-and-Go in Florida as to Life or Death of State’s Citrus Crop Due to Second Serious Freeze-up.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 1-9-1958, p.1. Accessed 2-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-09-1958-p-1/