1960 — Feb 18-20, Snowstorms, especially East Coast and Northeast, especially NY (15)– 39

–39 Blanchard tally based on State breakouts noted below.
–34 UPI. “34 Deaths Attributed to Storms.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 2-21-1960, p1.
–1 IA
–2 MS
–4 New England
–2 NJ
–8 NY
–1 NC
–4 PA
–5 TN
–2 VA
–5 WV
–26 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.
–18 Five States. AP. “Winds, Drifts Paralyze East; Death Toll 18.” Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. 2-21-1960, p.1.
–16 Five States. AP. “16 Killed In New Snow Storm.” Norwich Sun, NY. 2-20-1960, p. 1.

Summary of Winter-Weather-Related Fatalities by State

Maine ( 1)
Maryland (>4)
New Jersey ( 2)
New York (15)
North Carolina ( 1)
Pennsylvania ( 4)
Tennessee ( 5)
Virginia ( 2)
West Virginia ( 5)
Total 39

Winter-Weather-Related Fatalities by State and Locality and Cause, where noted:

Maine ( 1)
–1 Feb 19-20. Heavy snow. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 2, No. 2, February 1960, p. 12.

Maryland (>4)
–3 Titusville Herald, PA. “Thousands Stranded on Roads as Storm Piles up Deep Drifts.” 2-20-1960, 1.
–1 Romney area. Apparent exposure; body of Estel Lee Martin, 31 found on road near home.
–1 Swanton area, Feb 19. Heart attack shoveling snow from snow-stalled car; Carl Winters, 53.
–3 Localities not noted. “Three Maryland traffic deaths were attributed to the weather.”

New Jersey ( 2)
–2 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” 17 Oct 2005.
–2 UPI. “Deaths Rise in Wake of Record Storm.” Cumberland Times, MD, 2-21-1960, p. 1.
–2 Plane crash during snowstorm. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 2, No. 2, Feb 1960, p. 13.

New York (15)
–20 Feb 18-19. Severe winter snow storm. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 2/2, Feb 1960, p.13.
–15 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–12 UPI. “Most Main Roads Are Open, State Death Toll Reaches 12.” Daily Bulletin, Endicott, NY. 2-22-1960, 1
–11 AP. “Seven Killed in State Over Icy Weekend.” Norwich Sun, NY. 1-22-1960, p. 1.
Breakout of New York winter weather related fatalities by locality, where noted.
— 1 Brewster. High wind; tree falls on Kenneth G. Fine, 8.
— 1 Cassadaga area. Car “accident in blinding snow.” Pushing stalled car. Ernest Runge, 74.
— 1 Elkland. Electrocution. Snowstorm high wind snapped high tension wire onto house.
— 1 Hemlock Lake (shoveling). Wellsville Reporter. “Northeast Battles…Storm,” 2-20-1960.
— 1 Lake Katrine-Kingston area, Rt. 9W. Pickup skids into embankment; Frank Shiels, 52.
— 1 Lockport. Apparent heart attack trying to free of snow-stuck car; Cecil D. Campbell.
— 1 Manchester Center. Carbon monoxide; in snowbound car; Harold N. Ashley, 40.
— 1 Niagara Falls. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Lucien Charbonneau, 54.
— 2 Rochester. Heart attacks shoveling snow; Anthony Santillo, 71; Benjamin Siebert, 65.
— 1 Schenectady area, Rt. 58. Two-car collision; Ronald Freer, 21.
— 1 Skaneateles area. Heart attack after walking three miles through drifts after car stalled.
— 1 Syracuse. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Burr N. Johnson, 81.
— 1 Syracuse. Heart attack shoveling snow; Norman Lahey, 53.
— 1 Winthrop area. Car stops to help driver of snow-stuck car. 3rd car his 2nd killing Clayton Hartson, 35.

North Carolina (1)
–1 Boone area. Exposure; mother set out on foot to get food for children in near-blizzard.

Pennsylvania ( 4)
–4 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” 10-17-2005.
–4 UPI. “Deaths Rise in Wake of Record Storm.” Cumberland Times, MD, 2-21-1960, p. 1.
–4 Feb 18-19. Snow storm. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V2/N2, Feb 1960, p. 15.
–1 Bensalem TWP. May Ann Polanski, 19, hit by two cars; death “attributed to the storm.”
–1 Ebensburg area. Lineman electrocuted while repairing a storm-caused line break; R. W. Griffith, 32.
–1 Norristown area, Feb 20. Car skids on icy pavement, crashes; Roland H. Johnston Jr., 31.

Tennessee ( 5)
–5 UPI. “Deaths Rise in Wake of Record Storm.” Cumberland Times, MD, 2-21-1960, p. 1.

Virginia ( 2)
–2 UPI. “Deaths Rise in Wake of Record Storm.” Cumberland Times, MD, 2-21-1960, p. 1.
–1 Cambria. Snow sled hits milk truck; Clayborne H. Wirt Jr., 8.

West Virginia ( 5)
–5 Cumberland Times, MD. “Five Perish in West Va. Heavy Snow,” Feb 21, 1960, 1.
–5 UPI. “Deaths Rise in Wake of Record Storm.” Cumberland Times, MD, 2-21-1960, p. 1.
–1 Elkins area. Storm related heart attack; Norman N. Cornell, 50.
–1 Elkins area. Heart attack while putting snow-chains on truck; Rolandus B. Kerr, 54.
–1 Romney area. Car skids into path of truck. Charles R. Gillespie, 32, of Clarksburg.
–1 Exposure. Titusville Herald, PA. “Thousands Stranded on Roads…Storm Piles up Deep Drifts.” 2-20-1960, 1
–2 Heart attacks in the storm.

Narrative Information

NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly: “1960…(Feb 18-20) MD-WV-PA-NJ-NY-New England. Heavy snowfall. 26 dead, 4 in Pa and 2 in NJ, mostly from accidents. (LS6211).” (NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.)

Weather Bureau Storm Data on NY: “Statewide…18-19 [Feb]…20 [killed]…Heavy snow, wind.

“Severe winter storm with high winds, heavy snows west and north, and destructive winds, heavy rain, and freezing rain changing to snow, and thunderstorms with hail southeastern New York. In the snow belt areas of western and central New York snow depths up to 2 feet with drifts of 15 to 20 feet resulted in widespread interruption of all types of traffic and communications, closing of schools, interruption of industrial plants and the general economy of the area. Sections of the Thruway closed with 300 cars and 90 tractor trailers and 6 buses immobilized in one mile of the Thruway. In the New York City area and adjacent southeastern counties high winds (75 mph) and electrical storms resulted in widespread loss of power throughout the area with more than 200,000 homes without power. High tides on the coast also resulted in widespread damage. Heavy snow load in snowbelt resulted in the collapse of some buildings. There were numerous injuries attributed to the storm.” (Vol. 2, No. 2, February 1960, pp. 13-14.)

Newspaper

Feb 19, ME: “Following on the heels of spring-like weather and picking one of Biddeford-Saco’s Krazy days as its target, the winter’s most devastating storm hit the area this morning. Up to five inches of heavy, wet snow accompanied by gale-force winds of 30 to 50 miles an hour, disrupted electrical service over a wide area and put a number of telephone lines out temporarily….” (Biddeford-Saco Journal, ME. “Soggy Snow Blankets Area in Worst Storm of Winter.” 2-19-1960, p. 1.)

Feb 20, UPI, Ames, IA: “Snow swirled into Iowa today and began laying a blanket of slick and dangerous white over most of the state. The snowstorm had already been blamed for one death in a traffic accident as highways became snow-covered and slippery. One man was killed when the car in which he was riding slammed into a bridge abutment near Ashton when the driver apparently lost sight of the snow-covered road. The victim was Matthew Joseph Jonas, 26, Ashton….Forecasters warned that the snow would become heavy tonight in a 100-mile-wide band from the southwest to the northeast part of the state. Local accumulations were expected to total 4 inches or more in that zone by Sunday morning. The snow was spilling into Iowa from a storm now centered in the Texas panhandle. The storm center was feeding moist gulf air over the top of the cold air which covers the nation’s midsection, touching off the snow….” (UPI. “Heavy Snow Warning Up For State. 100-Mile Band…” Ames Daily Tribune, IA. 2-20-1960, p. 1.)

Sources

Advance News, Ogdensburg, NY. “Another Snowfall Engulfs Us.” 2-21-1960, p. 2. Accessed 11-233-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ogdensburg-advance-news-feb-21-1960-p-4/

Associated Press. “16 Killed In New Snow Storm.” Norwich Sun, NY. 2-20-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwich-sun-feb-20-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Seven Killed in State Over Icy Weekend.” Norwich Sun, NY. 1-22-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwich-sun-feb-22-1960-p-2/

Associated Press. “Two Men Killed When Plane Rams Home in Jersey.” Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. 2-19-1960, p. 6. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-feb-19-1960-p-6/

Associated Press. “Virginia Boy Killed as Sled Hits Truck.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. 2-21-1960, p. 2. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-feb-21-1960-p-4/

Biddeford-Saco Journal, ME. “Soggy Snow Blankets Area in Worst Storm of Winter.” 2-19-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-saco-journal-feb-19-1960-p-1/

Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “New Week-End Snow Possible; 3 Die in State.” 2-20-1960, pp. 1-2. Accessed 11-23-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-feb-20-1960-p-1/

Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. “Area Man Found Dead.” 2-21-1960, p. 21. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-times-feb-21-1960-p-21/

Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. “Five Perish in West Va. Heavy Snow,” 2-21-1960, p. 1, col. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=102556675

Daily Mail, Hagerstown MD. “Drifting Keeps County Road Workers Busy; More Snow.” 2-20-1960, p2. Accessed 11-23-2022 : https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-daily-mail-feb-20-1960-p-2/

Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. “Obituaries.” 2-22-2960, p. 3. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/canandaigua-daily-messenger-feb-22-1960-p-3/

Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Gale-Force Rain Cripples Power.” 2-19-1960, p. 17. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-feb-19-1960-p-17/

Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. “County Traffic Near Paralysis, One Dead as Storm Continues.” 2-20-1960, p.1. Accessed 11-23-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-feb-20-1960-p-1/

Elmira Telegram, NY. “Elkland Man Killed.” 2-21-1960, 8-B. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elmira-sunday-telegram-feb-21-1960-p-50/

Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Snow Paralyzes Western Maryland (continued from p1).” 2-20-1960, p. 7. Accessed 11-23-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-feb-20-1960-p-7/

Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Skid Crash Kills Blairsville Man.” 2-20-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-feb-20-1960-p-1/

Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Snow Keeps 2 Major Roads Closed.” 2-20-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-feb-20-1960-p-1/

Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. “Katrine Death Linked to Storm. Area Has 5-Inch Snow…” 2-19-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-feb-19-1960-p-1/

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts for the Philadelphia/Mt. Holly, NJ Forecast Area.” Mount Holly, NJ: NWS FO, Oct 17, 2005 update. Accessed 1-4-2018 at: https://www.weather.gov/phi/hist_phi

Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Driving Snow Snarls Thruway. Shoveler Dies. 8 New Inches…” 2-20-1960, p1. Accessed 11-23-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-feb-20-1960-p-1/

Syracuse Herald American, NY. “Storm Isolates Wide Areas. 500 Motorists Stranded, 10 Dead After Onslaught.” 2-21-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-feb-21-1960-p-117/

Times Record, Troy, NY. “Snow Traps Many Travelers on Thruway (continued from p1).” 2-20-1960, p. 9. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-times-record-feb-20-1960-p-9/

Titusville Herald, PA. “Thousands Stranded on Roads as Storm Piles up Deep Drifts.” 2-20-1960, p.1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-feb-20-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “34 Deaths Attributed to Storms.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 2-21-1960, p.1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-feb-21-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “Deaths Rise in Wake of Record Storm.” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD, 2-21-1960, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=102556675

United Press International. “Heavy Snow Warning Up For State. 100-Mile Band…” Ames Daily Tribune, IA. 2-20-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ames-daily-tribune-feb-20-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “Most Main Roads Are Open, State Death Toll Reaches 12.” Daily Bulletin, Endicott, NY. 2-22-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/endicott-daily-bulletin-feb-22-1960-p-2/

United Press International. “Mother Dies In Attempt To Get Food.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 2-21-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-feb-21-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “State Paralyzed by Second Snow Within a Week.” Weirton Daily Times, WV. 2-19-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/weirton-daily-times-feb-19-1960-p-1/

Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 2, No. 2, February 1960. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 11-22-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-6F6EF9AD-DBB5-4655-9B4B-1B1032AE86E6.pdf

Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. “Northeast Battles Second Large Storm,” Feb 20, 1960, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=135553967