1999 — Jan 1-5, Winter Storms/Cold, esp. Midwest and most esp. Chicago vic., IL–89-~100
— 102 U.S. and Canada.[1]
— <100 History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, January 3, 1999, Great Lakes Region…
— >100 Woodhead, James A. Earth Science: Weather, Water, and the Atmosphere. 2001, p.1958
— 91 Blanchard tally based on specific State and locality breakouts below.
— 91 The Gazette (AP). Cedar Rapids, IA. “Record cold reported in Illinois.” 1-6-1999, p. 3.
–82-89 Walsh, David. “US Blizzard, cold wave hit the poor.” WSWS.org, 1-6-1999.[2]
— 57 Tanner, L. (AP). “Computer Storm modeling gave Midwest lots of warning.” Jan 5.[3]
Midwest, Jan 1-4:
— 73 AccuWeather.com. “Remembering the Chicago Blizzard of 1999,” 1-4-2013.[4]
–73-78 Changnon. “January 1999 Blizzard.” 2008 update.[5] (Fatalities are for the midwest.[6])
–73-78 Evbuoma. “Chicago’s 11th year anniversary of…1999 New Years snowstorm.”[7]
–39 Train and Vehicle Accidents.[8]
— 3 Train accidents.[9]
–36 Vehicle related.[10]
–32 Heart attacks from exertion, mainly shoveling snow.[11]
— 5 Snowmobile-related.[12]
— 2 Froze to death.[13]
— 70 Blanchard tally of Midwestern state fatalities.[14]
Summary of Jan 1-5, 1999 Winter Storms & Cold Fatalities by State
Alabama 1
Arkansas 3
Illinois 44
Indiana 4
Iowa 7
Michigan 3
Missouri 2
Nebraska 3
North Dakota 2
Oklahoma 2
Pennsylvania 4
Virginia 4
Wisconsin 5
Ontario, Can. 7
Alabama ( 1)
— 1 Clarke County, Jackson area, Jan 5. Male, 69, found dead on floor of tar paper shack.[15]
Arkansas ( 3)
— 1 Baxter Co., Jan 1-2. Male, 34; slipped on ice while carrying gun; discharged, killing him.[16]
— 2 Jan 1. Vehicle accidents, Jan 1.[17]
Illinois (44)
–73 Allsop, Harry. “Nemo: Top ten worst blizzards to hit the US.” Telegraph, UK, 2-8-2013.[18]
–44 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakout below (though duplication is possible).[19]
–16 State. Tanner, Lindsey (AP). “Computer Storm modeling gave Midwest lots of warning.”[20]
–12 State. AP. “Storm buries Midwest, brings…” The News, Frederick MD. 1-4-1999, 1.
–11 State. AP. “Deadly snow storm heads east.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-4-1999, p. 4.
— 4 “ Petterson (AP). “Snowstorm slams Midwest.” WI State Journal, Madison. 1-3-1999, 2A.
Breakout of Illinois Winter Storm and Cold Deaths by Locality:
— 1 Barrington, Cook Co., Jan 4. Man dies of heart attack after digging his car out of snow.[21]
–43 Chicago area. CBS Chicago. “A Look Back at 3 of Chicago’s Worst Blizzards.” 1-31-2011.
— 8 Chicago. Allen, Jim. “Cold, cold, cold.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-6-1999, p. L2.
— 1 Dalton City, Moultrie Co., Jan 1-3. Female, 47; garage overhang collapsed under heavy snow.[22]
— 2 Downers Grove, DuPage Co., Jan 4. Males; vehicles hit by train on icy rail crossing.[23]
— 1 Elk Grove Village (greater Chicago), man collapses after shoveling snow.[24]
— 1 Hanover Park (Chicago suburb), Cook/DuPage co’s. Jan 4. Man found in a snowbank.[25]
— 1 Lombard (Chicago suburb), Jan 4. Woman crossing slippery tracks hit by train.[26]
— 1 Mundelein (Chicago suburb), Jan 4. Park City man after his car became stuck in snow.[27]
— 1 Wadsworth, Lake County. Jan 4. Snowmobiler hit by train.[28]
Indiana ( 4)
–1 Fort Wayne, Jan 2. Man, 81, heart attack while using a snow blower.[29]
–2 Marion, Jan 3. Snowmobile hits a truck.[30]
–1 Pendleton. Mane, 60, collapsed in his garage after shoveling snow.[31]
Iowa ( 7)
— 7 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.
— 1 Ames vic., US Hwy. 30, Dec 30. Holly Pederson, 37; her car hit snowplow while passing.[32]
— 1 Charles City vic., Hwy 218, Dec 30. Greg Green, 32, when pickup slid into path of semi.[33]
— 1 Davenport, Jan 1-3. Boy, 11; semi-truck hits car in which he was a passenger.[34]
— 1 Des Moines, Jan 1-2. Male, 95; slipped outside his house, unable to get up; froze.[35]
— 1 Dubuque, Jan 1-3. Male, 40; heart attack after shoveling snow. NCDC Storm Events Database.
— 1 Grundy County, Jan 1-2. Male, 87; vehicle stranded in snow, frozen while seeking help.[36]
— 1 Jan 1. Boy, 10, sled hit by truck.[37]
Michigan ( 3)
— 1 Oakland County, Pontiac, Jan 4. Male, 46, froze to death walking home early am hours.[38]
— 1 Oakland County, Troy, Jan 4. Female, 86; froze outside nursing home early am hours.[39]
— 1 Oakland County, West Bloomfield, Jan 4. Male, 27, found frozen to death outdoors.[40]
Missouri ( 2)
— 2 Jan 1. Auto accidents, Jan 1.[41]
Nebraska ( 3)
— 1 Cairo, Hall County, Jan 3. Male, 55. Exposure to sub-zero temperatures walking home.[42]
— 1 Dawson Co., Jan 1. Male, 52; 5-vehicle pile-up; semi slides across I-80 into semi.[43]
— 1 Highway 30, Jan 1. Boy (passenger), 15, when two vehicles diverted from I-80 collide.[44]
North Dakota (2)
— 1 Bismarck, Jan 1. Male died from heart attack while shoveling snow.[45]
— 1 Rolette vicinity, Jan 1. Exposure; female, 75, after leaving stranded vehicle in snow.[46]
Oklahoma ( 2)
— 2 Tanner, Lindsey (AP). “Computer Storm modeling gave Midwest lots of warning.”[47]
Pennsylvania ( 4)
— 2 Allegheny County, Jan 2. Female, 43, daughter, 8; car spun out of control on PA Turnpike.[48]
— 1 Erie County, Edinboro, Jan 1. Quadriplegic college student froze; wheelchair stuck in snow.[49]
— 1 Monroe County, Saylorsburg, Jan 2-3. Male, 85; slipped on ice; later died of injuries.[50]
Virginia ( 4)
— 4 ~Lexington, Jan 3, I-81 multi-vehicle crash, icy highway.[51]
Wisconsin ( 5)
— 5 Statewide (1, auto crash; “four other deaths…due to heart attacks while shoveling snow.”[52]
— 1 Kenosha County. Jan 3. Man, 51, apparent heart attack while operating snow-blower.[53]
— 1 Milwaukee. Man, 50, dies after complaining of chest pains after shoveling snow.[54]
— 1 Waukesha Co. I-94 ~exit 18, Jan 2. 50-60 car pileup in blizzard conditions, man, 33.[55]
— 1 West Allis, Jan 3. Man, 54, dies after complaining of chest pains after shoveling snow.[56]
Canada, Ontario ( 7)
— 7 AP. “Storm buries Midwest, brings misery…East.” The News, Frederick MD. 1-4-1999, 1.
Narrative Information (General)
History.com: “After three days of high winds and heavy snow, people in the Great Lakes region begin digging out from one of the worst blizzards on record on this day [Jan 3] in 1999…. In all, more than 100 deaths–as many as 36 from heart attacks–were attributed to the terrible blizzard of January 1999….
“The storm began on January 1, when snow began falling across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Most areas saw at least 15 inches of snow before the storm moved on. The hardest hit area was Chicago, where wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour combined with heavy snow to reduce visibility to near zero at times and create huge impassable drifts. O’Hare Airport, one the nation’s busiest, had to shut down, stranding 200,000 people for as much as four days. The weather also made train travel through the area impossible, and mail across the country was delayed because of the blizzard.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, January 3, 1999, “Great Lakes Region Digs out from Record Blizzard”)
Changnon: “A major blizzard struck portions of the Midwest on January 1-3, 1999. The storm produced 22 inches of snow in Chicago and was rated by the NWS as the second worst blizzard of the 20th century, ranking behind the blizzard in January 1967. Soon after the snow ended, record low temperatures occurred with values of -20 degrees or lower in parts of Illinois and surrounding states on January 3 and 4. The areas with the heaviest snows, 15 inches or more, included Illinois (central and north), Wisconsin (southern), Indiana (central and north), Michigan (southern), and Ohio (northern).
“Estimates of losses and recovery costs are between $0.3 and $0.4 billion with 73 dead as a result of the storm. The governor of Illinois declared the entire state a disaster area … President Clinton declared 45 Illinois counties disaster areas (half the state)…Areas of Indiana were also declared disaster areas. “Any such large-scale record winter storm creates numerous serious impacts on human life and property. Many of the worst impacts were associated with the storm’s effects on transportation. Every form of Midwestern transportation was either halted and delayed by 2 to 4 days, or greatly slowed, and transportation problems were the source of many accidents and deaths. Auto and train-related deaths totaled 39 with 5 more dead due to snowmobile accidents. “Railroad trains in the storm’s heart were stalled or delayed by 12 to 24 hours, and since Chicago is the Nation’s rail hub, many priority shipments for the East and West Coasts were delayed, at great expense, by 1 to 4 days. The suburban train service of Chicago…was overwhelmed by travelers who were unable to use normal vehicular transport, and 3 separate train accidents killed 3….
“Major auto accidents involving numerous vehicles occurred on major highways and interstates, causing more than 2,500 auto and truck accidents. Snow removal on city streets buried thousands of cars and driveway entrances, trapping many motorists without transportation, and it took up to a week after the storm before most vehicles had been extracted from these man-made snowbanks. Many traveling motorists became trapped on highways and thousands were housed in emergency shelters…for 1 to 3 nights.
“The storm’s impact on commercial aviation was staggering at Chicago and Detroit. Northwest Airlines reported than more than 1,100 flights were canceled during January 2-4, and United Airlines canceled 60% of its O’Hare flights during the 2-day storm. O’Hare Airport had 300,000 travelers stranded for periods of hours up to 4 days. Costs were staggering, in the millions…
“Navigation on the major Midwestern rivers was reduced by 50%. The cold temperatures during and after the storm created large ice floes on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and these limited safe barge movement and the operation of locks and dams.
“…There were 39 known deaths due to vehicle and train accidents. Five died in snowmobile accidents, 2 froze to death, and another 32 lost their lives due to heart attacks resulting from over exertion and mainly snow shoveling. The Midwestern total, still considered incomplete, is 73 persons killed.” (Changnon, Stanley A. “January 1999 Blizzard: Impacts of the New Years 1999 Blizzard in the Midwest.” NOAA, NCDC, Midwest Climate Center, 8-20-2008 update.)
Jan 2: “Indianapolis (AP) — A New Year’s Day storm brought snow and freezing rain from the Dakotas to Indiana Friday night, with some areas getting up to 8 inches of snow….” (The Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Blizzard batters Midwest.” 2-2-1999, p. 1.)
Jan 3: “A huge snowstorm blew across the Midwest on Saturday [Jan 2] with whiteout conditions and drifts up to 8 feet high, canceling hundreds of airline flights, forcing motorists off roads and keeping mail deliverers from their appointed rounds….
“By Saturday afternoon, the storm had dumped 17 inches at Chicago’s Midway Airport, it was 13 inches deep in western Indiana’s Parke County, and 10 inches of new snow had fallen in southwestern Ohio and Eldora, Iowa. Up to 15 inches was forecast in Missouri, and two feet was likely at Marquette, Mich. Wind gusting to 40 mph created blizzard conditions and northern Indiana’s LaGrange County pulled its plows off the roads because snow was drifting 5 to 8 feet deep….
“More than 50 of Indiana’s counties and cities declared snow emergencies, banning unnecessary travel; Indiana Gov. Frank O’Bannon declared a less-restrictive statewide snow emergency. “The roads are impassable,” said Pam Bright of the Indiana Emergency Management Agency. The Postal Service even quit delivering mail in the Indianapolis area. Rain, slush and freezing temperatures made it too dangerous for carriers to walk their routes, said Postmaster Mile Lamborne….
“TWA canceled nearly 400 morning flights at St. Louis, its main hub. At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, American canceled all flights through midnight Saturday and United shut down everything after midafternoon….” (Petterson, Roger (AP). “Blowing snow, ice shut down Midwest travel.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 1-3-1999, p. 1.)
Arkansas
NCDC: “A major ice storm developed over northern and central Arkansas during the morning of January 1st and lasted through the evening hours. The icing was found mainly north of Clarksville, Perryville, Little Rock and Hazen. Precipitation began developing over southern and western Arkansas and gradually spread eastward. The precipitation was mostly in the form of rain which froze on contact with roadways and exposed surfaces in northern and central sections of the state. In portions of northern Arkansas, more than an inch of ice was reported…with extensive tree and power line damage. At one point during the evening of the January 1st, up to 85 percent of Boone County had lost power. It was estimated that up to 100,000 customers were without power during the event. Numerous traffic accidents occurred, but only minor injuries were reported. However, the ice did claim one life. A man in Baxter County slipped on the ice while carrying a gun, with the gun accidently firing…killing the man. Warmer air was trying to surge northward during the period, but with slow progress. From 6pm on January 1st to 12am on January 2nd, the surface temperature at Harrison remained at 30 degrees. Meanwhile, the temperature at Pine Bluff had climbed from 43 degrees to 53 degrees. The warmer air would eventually take over, with heavy rain developing across central and southern Arkansas. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals ending at 6am on the 2nd included 2 to 4 inch amounts generally south of Clarksville, Heber Springs and Newport. The storm system producing the rain moved east of the state during the morning hours of the 2nd. Behind the system, colder air changed precipitation to snow in portions of northern Arkansas. 1 to as much as 5 inches of snow was reported in Baxter…Boone…Fulton…Marion…Newton and Searcy Counties.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Ice Storm, Arkansas, Baxter County, Jan 1-2, 1999.)
Illinois
Allsop: “One of Chicago’s worst ever storms, a record 18.6 inches fell in the first day alone. Temperatures fell as low as -30° Celsius. 73 people were killed, with 32 of the deaths resulting from heart attacks brought on by shoveling snow.” (Allsop, Harry. “Nemo: Top ten worst blizzards to hit the US.” Telegraph, UK, 2-8-2013.)
NCDC: “A major winter storm paralyzed much of the region during the first few days of 1999. Snow began falling across portions of Central Illinois before noon on New Year’s Day and continued to fall, moderate to heavy at times for most of the following 24-hour period. Locations near and south of Charleston/Mattoon saw periods of mixed precipitation, including freezing rain, while farther north snow was predominate. After the snowfall and precipitation diminished, winds increased from the northwest and temperatures dropped, causing dangerous wind chills and treacherous driving conditions with extensive blowing and drifting snow through the third day of the year. Total snow accumulations topped 6 inches mainly along and north of Interstate 70. Lesser amounts fell to the south, where more freezing precipitation was reported. The heaviest snow band in Central Illinois was found west and north of a line from Quincy to Virginia (Cass County) to Peoria to Bloomington to Champaign where reports of 14 or more inches of snow were common. The weight of the heavy snow and ice caused many roofs and porches to collapse, resulting in one death and an injury. An overhang attached to a garage at a Dalton City (Moultrie County) residence collapsed, killing a 47-year old woman and injuring her husband. In Pekin (Tazewell County), a storage building roof collapsed. A garage roof collapsed onto a station wagon in Winchester (Scott County). In Sullivan (Moultrie County), another roof collapsed. In Chesterville (Moultrie County), the roof caved in on the Bourbon Township Shed. Structural damage was sustained at the Farm and Fleet just west of Bloomington on Route 9 (McLean County). Part of the roof collapsed on the TCI building in Decatur (Macon County). The roof caved in and fell onto a service truck and two cars at Walker’s Tire and Muffler Shop in Farmer City (Dewitt County). A private airplane was totaled when the roof of one of the main hangers at Kermit Patchett Airport in Marshall (Clark County) collapsed. Several homes in town also reported collapsed porches. In Lawrence County, more than $1000 in damage was sustained to vehicles in three separate accidents, with only minor injuries reported. Elsewhere, no damage estimates were available. In addition, many locations sustained temporary or extended power outages during the storm.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heavy Snow, Illinois, Peoria, Jan 1-3, 1999.)
Iowa
NCDC: “A strong winter storm exiting the Southern Rockies pumped warm tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico over cold Arctic air already in place over the upper midwest. As the storm moved toward the Great Lakes it produced heavy snow, strong winds, and a bitterly cold start to the New Year across Eastern Iowa and Northwest Illinois. With snowfall amounts ranging from 12 to 15 inches across Southeast Iowa to 9 to 12 inches over East Central Iowa roads and highways quickly became snow-packed causing several businesses to close over the weekend. Most school students enjoyed a longer holiday break as schools were closed several days to allow snow to be removed from streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Two fatalities were reported. In Burlington a 40 year old man died of a heart attack after shoveling snow, and in Davenport an 11 year old Oklahoma boy was killed when the car in which he was riding was struck by a semi-truck. Over all…most counties reported few accidents as motorists heeded earlier advisories that warned of deteriorating travel conditions.” (National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Dubuque, Iowa, Jan 1, 1999.)
Michigan
NCDC: “Arctic air invaded Michigan behind the massive snowstorm. As usual, the Great Lakes offered some protection, as air was warmed as it crossed the lakes. But far southeast Michigan did not receive the benefits of the lakes, as arctic air coming from the northwest curled around the southern tip of Lake Michigan and turned northeast into the southeast corner of the state.
“After a high of around 10 degrees on the 4th, temperatures nose-dived that night. The mercury plunged to -10 at Detroit Metro Airport, Adrian, and Ypsilanti, and -13 at Ann Arbor and Tecumseh. It was not until late afternoon on the 5th before temperatures rose to above zero. By midnight, the temperature at Detroit Metro Airport had risen all the way to 6 degrees.
“The cold caused three deaths in Oakland County, all on the 4th. In Pontiac, a man froze to death while walking home early in the morning. An elderly woman somehow walked out of a nursing home in Troy early in the morning; she was found dead in the driveway later in the morning. In West Bloomfield, a young adult male was found frozen to death; the exact circumstances of his death were unknown.
“The bitter cold caused numerous cases of frostbite. Injuries were reported near Pontiac and in Shelby Township on the 4th. On the 5th, a single hospital in Westland reported that “dozens suffered from exposure and frostbite.” The number of injuries listed above is undoubtedly a gross underestimation.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Cold/Wind Chill, Michigan, Oakland County, Jan 4-5, 1999.)
Nebraska
NCDC: “The start of 1999 was ushered in with snow, ice, and very cold weather across central and south-central Nebraska. On New Years Day, a steady snowfall along and north of Interstate 80 dumped from 1 to 5 inches of snow. Most of the 5 inch reports were along Highway 92 from Loup City to Osceola, but also in parts of northeast Dawson county. By late morning, freezing drizzle developed southeast of Hastings and eventually coated area roads with a layer of ice. Light snow later that evening made travel even more treacherous. A five vehicle pile-up on the Interstate that involved two semi-trailers killed one man and injured 3 others. This accident was caused when one of the semi-trailers lost control on the slick roadway, crossed the median and collided with the other semi and other cars. The traffic from the Interstate was redirected to Highway 30 where another accident occurred involving two vehicles. This accident killed a 15 year boy and injured 3 others. Several other minor accidents were reported in the same area during the day of the first.
“Once the ice and snow ended, arctic air spilled across the area aboard 20 to 30 mph north winds. Blowing and drifting of the fallen snow caused very poor visibilities for a time on the 2nd. Temperatures fell to 5 to 15 below zero through midday the 3rd. On January 3, a 55 year old Cairo man died from hypothermia after being exposed to the sub zero temperatures. The man had attended his son’s wedding the previous evening and died from exposure as he walked home late that night.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Nebraska, Hall, Jan 1-3, 1999.)
Pennsylvania
NCDC: “A strong winter storm approached the region from the south central U.S., bringing a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain to western Pennsylvania. Across southwest Pennsylvania, between 1 and 3 inches of snow fell before the precipitation turned to freezing rain. Ice accumulations of between 1/4 and 1/2 inch were reported across the majority of the area. Farther north, across northwest Pennsylvania (generally north of Interstate 80), snowfall amounts of between 3 and 6 inches were common before the precipitation turned to freezing rain. In addition to the snowfall, these areas also picked up between 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice accumulation.
“This combination of ice and snow produced numerous accidents on roads across western Pennsylvania. Two fatalities were reported as a woman and her 8-year-old daughter were killed after their car spun out of control on an icy section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Allegheny County. Winds picked up in intensity across the area on the evening of the 2nd with Fayette and Westmoreland Counties (which border the western slopes of the Laurel Highlands) reporting the most damage. Winds estimated at between 60 and 80 MPH downed trees, power lines and even telephone poles that were already weighed down with a thick accumulation of ice. As a result, an estimated 30,000 people were without power in those two counties. In Latrobe, Westmoreland County, winds blew a section of roof off of the American Legion building. In Fairchance, Fayette County, a restaurant completely collapsed due to the force of the winds. Also in Fayette County, a newly constructed garage near the town of Bridgeport was blown 15 feet off of its foundation and collapsed onto two parked vehicles.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Jan 2-3, 1999.)
NCDC: “Wintry precipitation affected Eastern Pennsylvania the evening of the 2nd and morning of the 3rd. It lasted the longest in the Poconos and claimed the life of an 85-year-old Saylorsburg man (Monroe County) who slipped on the ice and died from the injuries he sustained a couple of weeks later.
“A very cold and dry air mass built into Eastern Pennsylvania on the 1st and the 2nd. As the high pressure system built into New England and the adjacent coastal waters, the circulation around it and a low pressure system over the Lower Ohio Valley started to bring in warmer air from the Atlantic Ocean. During the evening of the 2nd the air near the ground was cold enough for precipitation to start as light freezing rain and sleet from the Lehigh Valley south. In the Poconos precipitation started as snow and sleet. Precipitation intensity was light for the first several hours of this event. This permitted temperatures to rise above freezing before the onset of heavy rain. The only places this did not occur were in the valleys of the Poconos as several hours of heavy freezing rain occurred during the early morning of the 3rd. By mid-morning of the 3rd even the Poconos’ air temperatures went above freezing. Water equivalents of ice and sleet around the Philadelphia area were only a few hundredths of an inch. This increased to one to two tenths of an inch in Berks County and the Lehigh Valley and as much as three-quarters of an inch in the valleys of the Poconos.
“Because this occurred late on a weekend night, the number of reported vehicular accidents was not very high in the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos. In and around Philadelphia numerous fender benders were reported. A truck spreading salt even overturned. A six lane stretch of Roosevelt Boulevard within Philadelphia was closed because of icy conditions.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Pennsylvania, Monroe County, Jan 2-3, 1999.)
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Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Winter Storm Leaves Stranded Travelers, Slick Roads Behind.” 1-4-1999, A3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=111672779&sterm
Sanchez, Robert. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, p. C5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=91544108&sterm
Stingl, Jim. Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI. “Storm leaves mark as snowiest in 52 years.” 1-4-1999, p. 1. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=OP2qWFMeUpEC&dat=19990104&printsec=frontpage
Tanner, Lindsey (AP). “Computer Storm modeling gave Midwest lots of warning.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 1-5-1999, p. 2. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=162264514&sterm
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “Record cold reported in Illinois” (AP). 1-6-1999, p. 3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=153682519&sterm
The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Weather lightens up as Midwesterners thaw out, dig out.” 1-7-1999, 7. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=189077827&sterm
Walsh, David. “US Blizzard, cold wave hit the poor.” WSWS.org, 1-6-1999. Accessed 2-13-2013 at: http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/01/bliz-j06.html
Woodhead, James A. (Editor). Earth Science: Weather, Water, and the Atmosphere. University of California, Salem Press, 2001.
[1] The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO. “Weather lightens up as Midwesterners thaw out, dig out.” AP. 1-7-1999, 7.
[2] This is U.S. and Canada. If seven Canadian fatalities noted below are subtracted then the U.S. total would be 82.
[3] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 1-5-1999, p. 2.
[4] While this internet page is titled “Remembering the Chicago Blizzard,” the death figure appears to relate to the Mid-west. NOAA is quoted as follows: Soon after the snow ended, record low temperatures occurred with values of -20 degrees or lower in parts of Illinois and surrounding states on January 3 and 4. The areas with the heaviest snows, 15 inches or more, included Illinois (central and north), Wisconsin (southern), Indiana (central and north), Michigan (southern), and Ohio (northern). Estimates of losses and recovery costs are between $0.3 and $0.4 billion with 73 dead as a result of the storm. The governor of Illinois declared the entire state a disaster area on January 4, and on January 20, President Clinton declared 45 Illinois counties disaster areas (half the state) and subject to receiving federal relief….Every form of Midwestern transportation was either halted and delayed by 2 to 4 days, or greatly slowed, and transportation problems were the source of many accidents and deaths. Auto and train-related deaths totaled 39 with 5 more dead due to snowmobile accidents.”
[5] Changnon writes “The Midwestern total, still considered incomplete, is 73 persons killed.” Yet in the sentence preceding he writes “There were 39 known deaths due to vehicle and train accidents. Five died in snowmobile accidents, 2 froze to death, and another 32 lost their lives due to heart attacks resulting from over exertion and mainly snow shoveling.” The total of these numbers is 78. Perhaps the 5 snowmobile accidents are included in the 39 vehicle and train accident 39.
[6] Changnon specifically notes IL, WI, IN, MI, and OH.
[7] Examiner.com, 1-3-2010. In that NOAA’s Changnon notes 73 fatalities for the midwest, it is probable that this report is incorrectly claiming these fatalities for just the Chicago vicinity. While 73 is the number noted, the breakout of deaths by cause totals 78.
[8] Evbuoma.
[9] Changnon.
[10] Changnon.
[11] Changnon; Evbuoma. “Chicago’s 11th year anniversary of…1999 New Years snowstorm.” 1-3-2010.
[12] Changnon; Evbuoma. “Chicago’s 11th year anniversary of…1999 New Years snowstorm.” 1-3-2010.
[13] Changnon; Evbuoma. “Chicago’s 11th year anniversary of…1999 New Years snowstorm.” 1-3-2010.
[14] We include as Midwestern, IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI. (Wikipedia)
[15] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Cold/Wind Chill, Alabama, Clarke County, Jan 5, 1999. Notes “The temperatures in the Jackson area only reached the mid 30s the day before (January 4) and fell to 13 degrees that night….It was determined the man died from hypothermia. The heater in his home was never turned on that day.”
[16] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Ice Storm, Arkansas, Baxter County, Jan 1-2, 1999.
[17] Petterson, Roger (AP). “Snowstorm slams Midwest.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-3-1999, p. 2A.
[18] Under the heading of “The Blizzard of Jan 204, 1999,” Allsop writes “One of Chicago’s worst ever storms, a record 18.6 inches fell in the first day alone. Temperatures fell as low as -30° Celsius. 73 people were killed, with 32 of the deaths resulting from heart attacks brought on by shoveling snow.” We highlight in yellow to denote that we do not include in our tally for Illinois. We think it is probable that the total of 73 and a breakout of 32 heart attacks comes from NOAA data, which refers to the Midwest, not just Chicago.
[19] Some of the individualized breakouts are within the greater Chicago metropolitan area and could conceivably have been included in the figure of 43 deaths in the Chicago area reported by CBS Chicago.
[20] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 1-5-1999, p. 2.
[21] Sanchez. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, C5. Barrington is to the northwest of Chicago and can be viewed as a Chicago-area suburb.
[22] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Heavy Snow, Illinois, Moultrie County, Jan 1-3, 1999.
[23] Sanchez. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, C5. Downers Grove is near Chicago and thus these two deaths could conceivably be included in 43 deaths reported for Chicago area by CBS Chicago.
[24] Allen, Jim. “Cold, Cold, Cold.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-6-1999, p. L2.
[25] Sanchez. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, C5. Notes that due to slippery conditions the woman was watching her feet and thus did not see the train.
[26] Sanchez. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, C5.
[27] Sanchez. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, C5.
[28] Sanchez. “Three people die in train accidents; four others die after storm.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-5-1999, C5. Could conceivably be viewed as an outer suburb of Chicago.
[29] Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Winter Storm Leaves Stranded Travelers, Slick Roads Behind.” 1-4-1999, A3.
[30] Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Winter Storm Leaves Stranded Travelers, Slick Roads Behind.” 1-4-1999, A3.
[31] Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Winter Storm Leaves Stranded Travelers, Slick Roads Behind.” 1-4-1999, A3.
[32] Daily News, Estherville, IA. “Two die on highways after snow storm.” 1-2-1999, p. 5.
[33] Daily News, Estherville, IA. “Two die on highways after snow storm.” 1-2-1999, p. 5.
[34] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Iowa, Van Buren, Jan 1-3, 1999. Notes the boy was from OK.
[35] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Iowa, Polk County, Jan 1-2, 1999.
[36] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Iowa, Grundy County Jan 1-2, 1999.
[37] Petterson, Roger (AP). “Snowstorm slams Midwest.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-3, 1999, p. 2A.
[38] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Cold/Wind Chill, Michigan, Oakland County, Jan 4-5, 1999.
[39] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Cold/Wind Chill, Michigan, Oakland County, Jan 4-5, 1999.
[40] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Cold/Wind Chill, Michigan, Oakland County, Jan 4-5, 1999.
[41] Petterson, Roger (AP). “Snowstorm slams Midwest.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-3, 1999, p. 2A.
[42] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Nebraska, Hall County, Jan 1-3, 1999.
[43] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Nebraska, Dawson County, Jan 1-3, 1999.
[44] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Nebraska, Dawson County, Jan 1-3, 1999.
[45] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, North Dakota, Williams County, Jan 1, 1999.
[46] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, North Dakota, Williams County, Jan 1, 1999.
[47] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, 1-5-1999, p. 2.
[48] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Jan 2-3, 1999.
[49] AP, St. Louis. “Massive winter storm roars across the nation.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 1-2-1999.
[50] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Winter Storm, Pennsylvania, Monroe County, Jan 2-3, 1999.
[51] Associated Press. “Deadly snow storm heads east.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-4-1999, p. 4.
[52] National Weather Service, Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI, Weather Forecast Office. “Major Winter Storm for Southern Wisconsin – January 2nd, 1999.” 2-18-2010 last modified.
[53] Stingl, Jim. Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI. “Storm leaves mark as snowiest in 52 years.” 1-4-1999, p. 1.
[54] Stingl, Jim. Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI. “Storm leaves mark as snowiest in 52 years.” 1-4-1999, p. 1.
[55] Stingl, Jim. Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI. “Storm leaves mark as snowiest in 52 years.” 1-4-1999, p. 1.
[56] Stingl, Jim. Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI. “Storm leaves mark as snowiest in 52 years.” 1-4-1999, p. 1.