1966 – March 22-24, Midwest blizzard/snowstorm, esp. NE (21), IA (6-7) MN (6-9) –41-46

–41-46 Blanchard count from State and local breakouts below.*

— 34 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, pp. 16-20.
— 32 AP. “Blizzard Leaves 32 Dead in Six States.” Daily Plainsman, Huron, SD. 3-24-1966, 1.
— 3 Iowa
— 7 Minnesota
–17 Nebraska
— 2 South Dakota
— 2 Wyoming
–>28 AP. “Blizzard takes 28 lives…leaves Plains.” Globe-Gazette, Mason City, IA. 3-24-1966, 1
— 27 Haines “The late March blizzard of 1966 in…Middle West.” Weatherwise, V19, p194-197, 1966.
— 27 Schwartz and Schmidlin 2002, “Climatology of Blizzards in the Coterminous US…”

*Blanchard note: While our tally from the State breakouts comes to 42-46, we could find no detail on the one death reported in Colorado, thus we do not include in this tally.

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Colorado ( 1)
Iowa (6-7)
Minnesota (6-9)
Nebraska ( 21)
South Dakota ( 2)
Wisconsin ( 4)
Wyoming ( 2)
Total: 42-46

Snowstorm and Blizzard-Related Fatalities by State (and locality when noted)

Colorado ( 1)
–1 March 22. No detail. Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Special Train Dispatched…” 3-23-1966, 6.

Iowa (6-7)
–6-7 Blanchard total based on locality breakouts. (Range concerns inclusion of baby’s death.)
— 6 AP. “Iowa blizzard death toll now put at six.” Daily Gate City, Keokuk, IA. 3-25-1966, p1.
— 6 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 16.
Breakout of Iowa storm-related deaths by locality and cause.
— 1 Chester, March 24. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Melvin Isaacson, 74.
— 1 Clear Lake. Exposure. Frozen body of Donald Christiansen, 58, found 23rd near farm driveway.
— 1 Fenton, March 23. Infant needing medical care dies “when drifted roads prevented” movement.
— 1 Kimballton area farmer; heart attack after spending night in snow-stalled car and walking out.
— 1 Lake Park. Apparent exposure. Body found in deep snow March 23; Paul Nagel, 70.
— 1 Le Mars, west of. “At least one person…killed in an auto accident…bad road conditions.”
— 1 Sioux City, March 24. Heart attack shoveling snow; George Verbeski, 62.

Minnesota (6-9)
–6-9 Blanchard total based on breakouts. Show 6 specific deaths and 3 snow-shoveling deaths).
–7 AP. “Snowfall Piles Up to 17 Inches.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 3-24-1966, p. 1.
–5 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 17.
–1 Fairmont. Woman killed when snow-heavy marquee fell.
–4 “Four others died as direct result of storm.”
–1 Blue Earth area. Apparent heart attack; collapse after walking ½m through snow to home.
–1 Fairmont. Blunt-force trauma. Snow-laden marquee falls killing Mrs. Paul Udy, 55.
–1 Rolling Stone area. Heart attack; car stalls in snow; man tries to walk away uphill.
–1 St. Peter area. Suffocation/asphyxiation/exposure. William Manns, 29, in snow covered car.
–1 Twin Cities Int. AP area, Trunk Highway 5; car collision reported as “storm-connected.”
–1 Winona area. “…elderly man died…apparent heart attack after…car stalled near Winona.”
–3 Heart attacks; “Three snow shoveling deaths.”

Nebraska (21)
–21 Blanchard count from locality breakouts below.
–21 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 18.
–10 deaths in stalled cars (direct deaths) (seven were men in three stalled cars).
— 5 deaths of people walking for help (direct deaths)
— 7 “storm-related” deaths (probably includes Omaha couple’s death.)
–17 AP. “Nebraska counts 17 dead in vicious spring blizzard.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-24-1966, p1.
–17 Lincoln Evening Journal, NE. “17 Storm-Related Deaths.” 3-24-1966, p1.
— 1 Arthur area. Heart attack or exposure after leaving stalled truck; body found in snow.
— 1 David City area. Exposure; tried walking home from snowbound car; Mrs. Eugene Deavers, 39.
— 2 Greeley area. CO poisoning; brothers found dead in their truck; brothers Ernie and Eddie Lowe.
— 2 Gresham area. Exposure; Mr. Gold Dey, 58 and Mrs. Ethel Dey, 53, of Gresham.
— 4 Howells area. Exposure or CO poisoning; one car; Omaha salesman, 3 Cuming Co. board of supervisors.
— 1 Laurel/Coleridge area. Exposure or CO poisoning; Robert Palmgren, 31, found dead in his car.
— 3 Newport area, 22nd. Two-car “accident on icy Highway U.S. 20…three miles east of Newport.”
— 1 Norfolk area, 1m north. Apparent heart attack after trying to dig his car out of snow; Steffen.
— 2 Norfolk area. Apparent exposure; Federal Bureau of Public Roads employees.
— 2 Omaha. Couple asphyxiated (CO) by heating system downdraft caused by storm wind.
— 1 Schuyler. Heart attack; Paul Nevius, 54, of Fremont.
— 1 Wood River. Heart attack; Ernest H. Grim, 82, of Wood River.

South Dakota ( 2)
— 2 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 20.
–1 Yankton. Exposure and exhaustion. Chris Stenkler, 78, after car stuck in snow.
–1 Sioux Falls death “indirectly caused by storm due to heart attack.” (pushing car)

Wisconsin ( 4)
–0 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 20.
–1 Altoona. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Mr. Cardinal, 75.
–1 Chippewa Falls, Hwy. 53, 23rd. Car-truck collision in “severe weather.” Victor Koskovich, 47.
–1 Elmwood, March 24. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Jay Orvin Hammond, 85.
–1 Galesburg, March 23. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Peter Berg, 80.

Wyoming ( 2)
–2 March 23. Exposure.
–1 Caton’s Ranch near Sheridan. Exposure after walking 8 miles from car back to ranch.
–1 Powder River Pass, west of Buffalo. Carbon monoxide poisoning; Allen H. Stewart, 48.

Narrative Information

EDS Storm Data, Iowa: “Iowa, NW Third of Iowa…22-23…6 [killed]…Blizzard.

“Rain Changed to sleet, glaze and snow evening 22nd. High winds, 35-40 mph, with gusts to 60-70 mph, downed power and communication lines and isolated the area.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 16.)

EDS Storm Data, Kansas: “Kansas. Entire State…22 [March]…0 [killed]…Blizzard, wind.

“A fierce blizzard razed over northwestern and portions of north-central and west-central Kansas, tearing down power and communications lines, blocking highways, and stranding numerous travelers. Strong winds occurred in other areas of the State, causing some damage to television antennas, signs, power and telephone lines, and buildings. Winds of 60 mph, with strong gusts, were reported over portions of Western Kansas during the height of the storm.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 17.)

EDS Storm Data, MN: “South of line-Sioux Falls, SD, to Cambridge. 22nd-24th 5 [killed]…Blizzard

“Storm spread from west to east beginning most areas with thunder-showers…..Showers changed quickly to wet snow and in some cases ice. Reports of ice accumulation over one inch. In extreme south and southeast, hundreds of telephone and power poles snapped under weight of snow and force of strong winds. Woman killed in Fairmont as a snow-heavy marquee fell. Four others died as direct result of storm. Hundreds stranded as about all travel stopped. In Twin Cities 13.6 inch, 24 hour snowfall third heaviest of record; 11.3″ of this fell in 12 hours. Here University of Minnesota closed for first time in history because of weather. Almost all industry, schools, and businesses closed throughout storm region.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 17.)

EDS Storm Data, Nebraska: “Most of state…22nd…15 [deaths]…Near blizzard

“A severe spring storm entered southwestern Nebraska late on 21st and moved rapidly northeastward. Rain, freezing rain, sleet, hail, and snow accompanied the storm. Gale winds and fine wind-driven snow followed the storm center. Lines covered with ice and snow blew down over widespread areas but most severely in a strip from Perkins and Deuel Counties east-northeastward. Traffic became paralyzed; ten persons died in stalled cars, five died while walking for help. In addition, there were six ‘Storm-related’ deaths, a total of 21 lives lost in Nebraska.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 17.)

EDS Storm Data, South Dakota: “West, Southeast…22nd-23rd …1 [death]…Blizzard…snow.

“The storm began on 22nd in west moving southeastward into Nebraska and then moving northeastward across southeastern part of South Dakota. Winds of up to 50 M.P.H. caused blowing snow which reduced visibility to near zero. Up to 7 inches of snow fell in the southeast and lower levels of he west had 8 inches, while Lead in the Black Hills received 2 feet. Traffic was paralyzed due to snow-blocked roads. Schools and many business places were closed. One death at Yankton was directly caused by storm due to exposure and exhaustion. One death at Sioux Falls was indirectly caused by storm due to heart attack….” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 20.)

EDS Storm Data, Wisconsin: Northwestern half of state. 22-23rd …0 [deaths]…Snow, wind.

“Worst storm of the winter. Snow whipped by gale winds accumulated 5 to 15 inches north of a line from La Crosse to Green Bay. Heaviest amounts in Pierce and St. Croix counties. Huge drifts blocked highways and closed schools and businesses for 48 hours. Telephone and power lines down in many areas due to wet snow and wind. The storm was accompanied by thunder and lightning. Several buildings damaged by lightning.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, p. 20.)

Haines: “As a result of the blizzard, the Middle West counted 27 dead, mostly stranded motorists. In Nebraska 15 people lost their lives. Ten persons died in stalled cars, five died after they left their cars to seek shelter. In Iowa six losses of life were directly attributed to the storm, most as the result of exposure.”

Schwartz and Schmidlin: “….27 people, mostly stranded motorists, died in the Midwest blizzard of March 1967….”

Sources

Associated Press. “2 Deaths as Result of Storm.” Austin Daily Herald, MN, 3-23-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/austin-daily-herald-mar-23-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “Blizzard Leaves 32 Dead in Six States.” Daily Plainsman, Huron, SD. 3-24-1966, 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-daily-plainsman-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “Blizzard takes 28 lives…leaves Plains.” Globe-Gazette, Mason City, IA. 3-24-1966, p1. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mason-city-globe-gazette-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “Iowa blizzard death toll now put at six.” Daily Gate City, Keokuk, IA. 3-25-1966, p.1. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/keokuk-daily-gate-city-mar-25-1966-p-2/

Associated Press. “Nebraska counts 17 dead in vicious spring blizzard.” Beatrice Daily Sun, NE, 3-24-1966, 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beatrice-daily-sun-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “Snowfall Piles Up to 17 Inches.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 3-24-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “Storm” The Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD. 3-23-1966, p. 2. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-mar-23-1966-p-2/

Associated Press. “Storm Brings Traffic to Halt.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 3-23-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-mar-23-1966-p-1/

Austin Herald, MN. “Vital Statistics…Deaths…Melvin Isaacson.” 3-25-1966, p. 8. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/austin-daily-herald-mar-25-1966-p-8/

Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “4 Perish in Iowa Drifts; Open Roads.” 3-24-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-mar-24-1966-p-2/

Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “17 Lost in Nebraska; Power Out.” 3-24-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-mar-24-1966-p-2/

Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Special Train Dispatched To Aid Stalled Motorists (continued from Page 1.)” 3-23-1966, p6. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-mar-23-1966-p-6/

Des Moines Register, IA. “Power Lines, Phones Out, 7-Inch Snow.” 3-23-1066, p. 1. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/des-moines-register-mar-23-1966-p-1/

Donald A. Haines (1966) “The Late March Blizzard of 1966 in the Middle West,” Weatherwise, 19:5, 194-197, DOI: 10.1080/00431672.1966.9930526. Abstract accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=%E2%80%9CThe+late+March+blizzard+of+1966+in+the+Middle+West.%E2%80%9D

Environmental Data Service, Environmental Science Services Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Storm Data, Vol. 8, No. 3, March 1966, Asheville: 1966. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-D72E18A6-CFAB-44B0-B6F8-C5618AE79E7B.pdf

Eau Claire Leader, WI. “Services Scheduled for Three Men Who Died During Storm.” 3-25-1966, A3. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eau-claire-leader-mar-25-1966-p-3/

Globe-Gazette, Mason City, IA. “Storm kills man at Clear Lake.” 3-24-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mason-city-globe-gazette-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Lincoln Evening Journal, NE. “17 Storm-Related Deaths.” 3-24-1966, p1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-journal-and-nebraska-state-journal-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Lincoln Evening Journal & Nebraska State Journal. “Fatalities…Mar. 22-23 Storm.” 3-25-1966, p. 8. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-journal-and-nebraska-state-journal-mar-25-1966-p-8/

Lincoln Evening Journal, NE. “Nebraska’s Spring Blizzard Toll at 4 Dead, 13 Missing.” 3-23-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-journal-and-nebraska-state-journal-mar-23-1966-p-1/

Lincoln Evening Journal, NE. “State White Blizzard Mantle Enwraps 19 Fatalities…” 3-24-1966, 1. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-journal-and-nebraska-state-journal-mar-24-1966-p-1/

Lincoln Evening Journal & Nebraska State Journal. “Took the Shortcut – And Died in the Night (cont. from p.1).” 3-25-1966, p. 8. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lincoln-evening-journal-and-nebraska-state-journal-mar-25-1966-p-8/

Schwartz, Robert M. and Thomas W. Schmidlin. “Climatology of Blizzards in the Conterminous United States, 1959–2000.” Journal of Climate, Vol. 15, Issue 13, July 2002, pp. 1765-1772. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/clim/15/13/1520-0442_2002_015_1765_cobitc_2.0.co_2.xml

The News, Mt. Pleasant, IA. “Ft. Madison Man Trapped In Car For 18 Hours.” 3-26-1966, p. 3. Accessed 5-3-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-pleasant-news-mar-26-1966-p-3/

United Press International. “Spring Storm Leaves Two Dead in Wyoming.” Daily Herald, Provo, UT. 3-23, 1966, 6A. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/provo-daily-herald-mar-23-1966-p-24/

Winona Daily News, MN. “Farmer Dies Walking From Stalled Car.” 3-23-1966, p. 17. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-mar-23-1966-p-34/

Winona Daily News, MN. “Man, 80, Dies Shoveling Snow.” 3-24-1966, p. 17. Accessed 5-4-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-mar-24-1966-p-33/