2006 — Nov 29-Dec 1, Winter Storms, especially Midwest, also NY, PA –23-24

—  24  Blanchard tally of State and local fatality breakouts below.

—>23  Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Missouri and Illinois residents try to keep warm…” 12-5-2006.

—>23  Wikipedia. “Early winter 2006 North American storm complex.” 11-27-2013 modified.

—  19  Changnon / Kunkel. Major Winter Storms in the Midwest during Winter 2006-2007, 4[1]

—>19  Taylor, Betsy (AP). “In freezing weather, hundreds of thousands wait for…” 12-4-2006.

—>15  Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Hundreds of thousands without power…15 deaths…” 12-4-2006, p1.

—>13  Johnson. “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

—  11  Vries, Lloyd (CBS/AP). “Winter Storm Blamed for 11 Deaths.” 12-2-2006.

 

Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Illinois             (  5)

—  5  State.  Leonard, Christopher (AP). “Storm Aftermath.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 12-6-2006.

—>2  State. Taylor (AP). “Missouri and Illinois residents try to keep warm…” 12-5-2006.[2]

—  1  Man collapses and dies after trimming a downed tree limb with a handsaw.[3]

—  1  Woman hit by snow-plow while it was backing up.[4]

—  1  Glen Carbon, Dec 2. Woman dies of CO poisoning from generator in encloses garage.[5]

 

Kansas            (  1)

— 1  Skretta (AP). “Deaths blamed on winter storm.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 12-1-2006, 7.[6]

 

Missouri         (11)

–11  State. Leonard, Christopher (AP). “Storm Aftermath.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 12-6-2006.

— 7       “   Taylor (AP). “Missouri and Illinois residents try to keep warm…” 12-5-2006.[7]

— 1  ~Rolla, Dec 1. Semitrailer jackknifes on icy I-44, hits man standing near wrecked vehicle.[8]

— 2  St. Louis. Carbon monoxide poisoning from coal-fueled cooking wok, for heat.[9]

— 1        “      House fire; ice-laden tree-limb falls onto power line killing woman aged 87.[10]

— 1        “      Hypothermia, male, 56.[11]

— 1        “    cause not identified, 81-year-old male found at bottom of stairs at home, no power[12]

 

New York       (  1)

— 1  Tree falls on house.[13]

 

Oklahoma      (1)

— 1 Nov 30, male, vehicle skids on icy road and hits oncoming tractor-trailer.[14]

 

Pennsylvania (2)

— 1 Woman killed by falling tree.[15]

— 1  Woman killed by wind-blown section of a roof.[16]

 

Texas              (1)

— 1 Vehicle with high school girl’s basketball players overturns on icy highway; 14-year-old.[17]

 

Wisconsin       (2)

— 2  Males over 60 died after shoveling snow.[18]

 

Narrative Information

 

Changnon and Kunkel:  “A very powerful early winter storm produced significant snowfall and ice across much of the Midwest on November 30-December 1. More than 6 inches of snow fell along a 1,000-mile path from central Oklahoma to northern Michigan, with accumulations of sleet and freezing rain in excess of 2 inches in large portions of Illinois and Missouri.

 

“This monstrous storm ushered in winter 2006-2007. The storm began in the southern Plains on November 30 and swept across the Midwest during the 30th and December 1, the start of climatological winter. It caused numerous deaths and near record damages in many locales….

 

“Snowfalls of 6 inches or more fell in less than 24 hours, a threshold long recognized as leading to major problems (Changnon et al., 2006).[19] The area of 6 inches or more extended from central Oklahoma to the Northeast, crossing southeastern Kansas, central Missouri, half of Illinois, eastern Iowa, southeastern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan…much of Missouri and Illinois had snowfall of 10 inches or more, with several locales receiving 14 inches or more. Some small areas had 16 inches or more including 18 inches in central Missouri and in west-central Illinois.

 

“In addition, freezing rain occurred over a large area in and parallel to the snow region. Ice layers of 0.25 inch or more were common in much of Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois….Much of this bad ice area also had snowfall of 2-6 inches as the ice storm ended. (pp. 4-5)

 

“Three major factors influenced the magnitude and characteristics of this storm event. First, the combination of the cold Arctic air mass from southwestern Canada into the western United States and very mild air in the eastern United States provided potential energy for development of a strong storm system. Second, given the path of surface low pressure from Texas into the Midwest, winds on the eastern side of the low-pressure center were directly off the Gulf of Mexico, providing abundant moisture to the system. Third, the congruence of the path of the low-pressure system just east of the slow-moving freeze line provided many hours of freezing precipitation.” (p. 7.)

 

“Dimensions and intensity of the 2006 storm were assessed using results from all snowstorms during 1949-2006, a 58-year period with 2,305 storms (Changnon, 2007[20]).” (p. 9.)

 

“Comparison of the 2006 storm values with the averages reveals the 2006 storm was longer, wider, and much larger than average. It was 3.5 times bigger than the average of 41,300 square miles, but smaller than the largest storm during 1949-2006. Storm size (152,600 square miles) was compared with sizes of past storms. The 2006 storm was the 93rd largest on record and, thus, in the top 4 percent of all snowstorms since 1948.

 

“The 2006 snowstorm also was evaluated based on how heavy snow areas rated statistically against amounts from snowstorms expected to occur at 5- and 10-year frequencies (Changnon, 2006)[21]. Snowfall amounts of 10-14 inches, once in 10-year events, occurred from Oklahoma to northern Illinois…over 50,260 square miles. Snowfall amounts rated as once in 5-year (and less than 10-year) events covered 43,400 square miles. This included the area of 6 inches or more in south-central Oklahoma, and areas of 6-10 inches along the storm’s axis into northeastern Illinois. Thus, storm amounts matched 5- and 10-year frequencies and covered 93,660 square miles, 61 percent of the total snowfall area. Other moderate to heavy snow areas in Wisconsin and Michigan were amounts that occur more frequently than once in 5 years….” (p. 10.)

 

“The storm led to 19 deaths and more than a thousand injuries. Excessive damages to buildings and vehicles and resulting financial losses exceeded $900 million.” (p. 11.)

 

“There were 106,000 loss claims from the 2006 storm, a very high number (Kerney, 2006). The nation has experienced 202 catastrophic winter storms since 1948 (Changnon and Changnon, 2006)[22]. The average property loss per storm was $147 million, and the highest loss was $1.8 billion. Hence, 2006 storm property losses of $300 million were double the average. Assessment also showed that 25 of the 202 past catastrophic storms had insured property losses greater than $300 million, indicating that the 2006 storm losses ranked in the top 13 percent of all catastrophic storms.

 

“The 19 deaths (15 in vehicle accidents and 4 from shoveling snow) were three times the average based on past catastrophic winter storms. Such a magnitude of deaths was uncommon for the more sizable past catastrophic winter storms. Most injuries in 2006 came from falls and traffic accidents. Numerous cases of hypothermia and frostbite occurred during six days after the storm.

The storm and ensuing 6-day period of 21°F average temperatures, all much below normal, affected several sectors. Included were power and telephone systems, transportation, retail sales, property, the environment, and local, state, and federal governments.

 

“The large storm area with thick ice layers, coupled with moderate to heavy snow, produced extensive losses of power and telephone lines from broken wires due to broken poles and falling tree branches…By December 2, 2.4 million customers were without power. Repairs were slowed greatly by thick ice layers, very slick surfaces, and continuing cold temperatures that kept the ice from melting. Power outages still affected 510,000 customers in Missouri and Illinois on December 3, and 350,000 customers were still without power on December 4…including 42,000 customers in Decatur, Illinois. Reports showed that 65,000 customers were without power as late as December 7, six days after the storm ended. Repair costs for power and telephone companies in the eight-state snowstorm area were $177 million. The slow recovery raised government concerns, and Illinois and Missouri launched investigations of the how power companies handled repairs.” (p. 11.)

 

“Other government actions included use of National Guard troops in Missouri and Illinois. Troops were sent to individual houses in power outage areas to assess the needs of local residents. Governors of three states declared portions of their states as major disaster areas, thus qualifying for federal aid. This included 49 counties in Illinois, 52 counties in Missouri, and 27 counties in Kansas. Costs of snow and ice removal and various snow-ice damage repairs by local and state government agencies totaled $65 million, including $15 million in Illinois. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provided $33 million for the local and state recovery and repair efforts.

 

“As would be expected, the sizable storm had major transportation impacts. Many roads and highways, including several interstate highways, were closed for 1-5 days after the storm, and many rural areas were isolated with no transportation…Truck movement was delayed and halted in several areas. Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis, the three major rail hubs in the nation, were hit by the storm, and busy rail lines between them were in the axis of the storm. Rail-yards were closed, delaying or altogether halting trains for 1-2 days. Amtrak passenger trains between Chicago and St. Louis were halted until December 4. Railroad losses plus the costs to remove snow and ice totaled $74 million. Airports were closed from 12 hours up to 3 days at several locations, including the busy airports in Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis. Losses from hundreds of cancelled flights amounted to $145 million. Added costs for travelers stranded at airports and train stations for unexpected meals and hotel costs were an estimated $4 million.” (p. 13.)

 

“Summary.  Sizable death totals and $924 million in losses and costs rank this storm as one of worst U.S. winter storms in the past 51 years. Storm dimensions were much above average but not quite at record-setting levels.

 

  • Storm size was in the top 4 percent of all past snowstorms, 3.5 times the average size.
  • Snowfalls reached or exceeded 5- or 10-year frequencies in 61 percent of the storm area.
  • Ice storm area was 2.3 times the average size and in the top 23 percent of all past ice storms.
  • Insured property losses of $300 million were double the winter catastrophe average, the 26th

highest loss in the 202 winter catastrophes since 1948.” (p. 14.)

 

NWS:  “A very powerful early season winter storm produced significant amounts of snow and ice across much of the middle of the country on November 30th and December 1st, 2006. Over a foot of snow fell from Oklahoma to southeastern Wisconsin and accumulations of sleet and freezing rain in excess of 2 inches were common across eastern Missouri and western Illinois. The last winter weather event of this magnitude occurred on January 1st of 1999.

 

“The precipitation changed over to all snow during the evening hours of November 30th over central and northeast Missouri as well as west central Illinois. A band of very heavy snow set up over this region with several reports of thunder-snow received.

 

“The combination of accumulated ice on trees and power lines and gusty northwest winds produced widespread downed trees and power outages. At one time over 500,000 households and businesses were without power from the St. Louis Metropolitan Area into central Illinois. Below are maps produced by Ameren Electric Company that highlight the affected customers across Missouri and Illinois, and in the immediate St. Louis Metropolitan Area.

 

“It should be stated that some of these same areas suffered power outages from the two severe storm episodes in mid-July of 2006. Some residents have now been victim of two prolonged power outages, one in extreme heat and the other after a major winter storm with temperatures falling into the teens.”  (National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, St. Louis, MO. Heavy Snow & Significant Ice Event November 30th to December 1st, 2006 (webpage). 11-17-2009 modification.)

 

Wikipedia: “The Early Winter 2006 North American Storm Complex was a severe winter weather event in the last week of November 2006 and continuing into December 1. It affected much of North America in some form, producing all kinds of severe weather including a major ice storm, blizzard conditions, high winds, extreme cold, a serial derecho and some tornadoes….

 

“The massive and far-reaching storm was called the Superstorm of 2006 by some meteorologists.[23]

 

“As of December 4, at least 23 deaths had been attributed to the storm system.

 

“The storm allowed frigid air bottled up in much of western Canada and Alaska to flow south and overspread the United States, with sub-zero (°F) highs in the Northern Plains. The colder air later reached the eastern half of the United States with much lesser impact….

 

“Late on November 28, the system moved eastward into the Midwest, with the most significant impacts taking place on November 29 and 30. Up to a foot (30 cm) of snow with blizzard conditions and even some freezing rain at times fell across the Plains and Midwest as far south as Texas through the 30th, bringing the first significant snowfall of the season to some areas. Freezing rain and other winter weather also took place across parts of the southern Plains and the Tennessee Valley by the 30th, as well. Blizzard conditions were reported in Oklahoma, where Tulsa, Oklahoma picked up about 10 inches (25 cm) of snow, a record high snowfall so early in the season for that city.

 

“The storm continued to press northeastward late in the day on November 30, producing heavy snow and ice across most of Kansas and Missouri. The Wichita area received blizzard conditions, while Butler, Missouri picked up 15 inches (38 cm) of snow. Freezing ran and sleet caused widespread power outages in the St. Louis region, causing over ½ million customers (almost entirely Ameren) to be without power in Missouri and Illinois, for the second time in 1 year…some of them not gaining power for a week. On Sunday, December 3, over 300,000 customers were still without power through the weekend, prompting the Army National Guard to come in and provide aid.

 

“The storm also significantly impacted central Illinois, where Bloomington received 3 inches (75 mm) of ice, followed by 17.6 inches (44 cm) of snow. In Peoria, Illinois, heavy snow caused the roof of a nursing home to collapse, injuring four people.

 

“The storm hit the Chicago area on the morning of December 1, its intensity peaking during the morning rush hour. It’s expected impact caused over 450 flights to be canceled at O’Hare International Airport and 70 flights to be canceled at Midway International Airport. Additionally, hundreds of schools, colleges, and even workplaces, particularly in the collar counties, were closed for the day….

 

“The storm moved out over Lake Michigan and into the northern sections of lower Michigan midday December 1, and up to a foot of snow fell across the area. By late afternoon, the blizzard moved into Canada.” (Wikipedia. “Early winter 2006 North American storm complex.” 11-27-2013 modified.)

Newspapers at the time

 

Nov 30:  “Kansas City, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius welcomed the winter season Thursday [Nov 30] by declaring a disaster emergency, ensuring that resources are available to counties hit hard by the season’s first major snow and ice storm. The disaster emergency applies to 27 counties in the southcentral, southeast and northeast parts of the state. It allows for additional state resources to be provided to counties responding to the storm, and also expedites restoration of electrical power by resolving issues related to additional hours of service needed by employees serving in response roles. “We want local communities to be able to respond quickly and effectively to the storm, which is why we’ll be providing state resources to help their response,” Sebelius said.

 

“Kansas Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm, which began that afternoon with freezing rain, sleet, snow, high winds and temperatures below freezing.” (Garden City Telegram, KS. “First winter storm blows across Kansas.” 12-1-2006, p. 1.)

 

Dec 2: “Des Moines, Iowa – Snow and ice plastered a wide area of the Midwest on Saturday [Dec 1], interrupting campaigning by presidential hopefuls, disrupting ‘ airport and highway traffic and killing at least three people.

 

“The National Weather Service posted winter storm and ice warnings across parts of Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, the eastern Dakotas, Illinois and northern Michigan, although some warnings were lifted by midday.

 

“Much of Iowa was hit by snow, sleet and freezing rain. Temperatures warmed to above freezing by evening, helping to melt away much of the ice and sleet that had accumulated, said Ken Podrazik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

 

“Hundreds of flights were canceled at airports in Des Moines, Chicago and Milwaukee. Officials decided to close Des Moines International Airport for several hours after a United Airlines plane slid off a taxiway as it was heading to a runway for a flight to Chicago’s O’Hare, said airport spokesman Roy Criss. He said none of the 44 passengers was injured, and the airport reopened by midafternoon.

 

“At Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wis., an incoming Mesa Airlines regional jet flying for United Express slid off the pavement after failing to make a turn onto a taxiway, but no injuries were reported among the 25 passengers, said United Airlines spokesman Jeff Vick.

 

“The storm also complicated plans for some presidential hopefuls drumming up support for the Jan. 3 caucuses that kick off the nomination process. Republican Mitt Romney canceled three campaign stops planned Saturday in southern Iowa, and former President Clinton canceled a rally for his wife, US. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, scheduled Saturday afternoon outside Des Moines.

 

“Heavy ice accumulations on power lines blacked out more than 14,000 customers scattered around Iowa, said representatives for Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy. Thousands more were without power near Galesburg, Ill., Ameren spokesman Leigh Morris said.

 

“In Indiana, a van carrying Purdue University’s ice hockey team rolled over on an ice-slickened highway about 20 miles southwest of West Lafayette, killing one team member and injuring seven others, school officials said.

 

A man died when his Jeep hit a semitrailer on a highway north of Madison, Wis., authorities said. Vehicles had been slowing after another semitrailer tipped on its side as the driver tried to exit the highway.

 

“On an icy interstate near Wellington, Colo., a van slid off the road, rolled and struck a fence. One passenger was thrown from the vehicle and died, while the driver and two other passengers

were injured, police said.” (Santa Fe New Mexican, NM. “Winter storm slams Midwest.” 12-2-2007, p. A10.)

 

Dec 4, Taylor:  “St. Louis…. The storm was blamed for at least 15 deaths as it spread ice and deep snow from Texas to Michigan and then blew through the Northeast late Friday and early Saturday. Thousands of travelers were stranded by canceled flights, highways clogged by abandoned vehicles and stalled trains. By midday Sunday, 382,000 customers of St. Louis-based Ameren Corp. had no electricity in a roughly 300-mile swath from Jackson, Mo., northeast to Pontiac, Ill., paralleling the track of the storm…. At the peak of the outages on Friday, 510,000 customers were without power, said Ameren spokeswoman Susan Gallagher. Hundreds of thousands also lost power in the other states hit by the storm.”  (Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Hundreds of thousands without power. Severe weather blamed for at least 15 deaths from Texas to Michigan.” Winchester Star, VA. 12-4-2006, p. 1.)

 

Dec 5, Taylor:  “St. Louis (AP)…. In neighboring Illinois…Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered National Guard troops to begin checking on Decatur-area residents Tuesday [Dec 5]….

 

“The St. Louis-based utility Ameren Corp. was reporting nearly 195,000 outages in Illinois and Missouri on its Web site early Tuesday. The bulk of the outages were in the St. Louis area. The utility said it would be several more days before power is fully restored. “We’ve had some ice storms before. This one puts them to shame,” said Ron Zdellar, vice president of energy for AmerenUE, who has worked for the company for 35 years. Utility crews were working 18-hour shifts, especially in the biggest problem areas, where ice coated roads and utility poles. Workers from 14 states were helping.

 

“The storm also caused widespread power outages elsewhere as it blew snow and ice from Texas to Michigan last week and battered parts of the Northeast with thunderstorms and high winds.

 

“The number of deaths blamed on the storm rose Monday to at least 23, with three more deaths

reported in Missouri and one more in Illinois. The causes included weather-related traffic accidents, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and exposure, officials said….” (Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Missouri and Illinois residents try to keep warm in blackout caused by winter storm.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA. 12-5-2006, p. 5.)

 

Dec 6, Leonard:  “St. Louis — For more than 160,000 Midwesterners without power for a sixth day Tuesday, trying to stay warm can be just as dangerous as facing below-freezing temperatures.

 

“Sixteen deaths in Missouri and Illinois have been blamed on last week’s winter storm and its aftermath. Eleven of the confirmed deaths were in Missouri.

 

“Another nine deaths in the two states – five in Missouri, four in Illinois — were suspected to be weather-related.

 

“Using portable generators or burning other fuels indoors has killed at least two people and sickened dozens in the St. Louis area since power went out Thursday night. The generators give off lethal carbon monoxide, which can accumulate quickly inside homes.

 

“By Tuesday, at least 38 people had been admitted to hospitals in St. Louis County due to carbon

monoxide poisoning, said county police spokeswoman, Tracy Panus. That’s more than double the 13 people admitted for hypothermia, she said. Two men died in St. Louis this weekend after trying to heat their home by burning charcoal in a cooking wok. Houng Nguyen and Khanh Nguyen were trying to stay warm in an enclosed porch, said city police spokesman Richard Wilkes.  St. Louis County employees and Missouri National Guard members were going door to door in neighborhoods still without power Tuesday, warning people not to run generators inside….nighttime temperatures were expected to fall into the 20s.

 

“The Missouri Emergency Management Association reported 11 storm-related deaths since ice and snow hit the state Thursday night. An additional five deaths in St. Louis were being investigated to determine if they were storm-related.

 

“In Illinois, autopsies confirmed the storm and its aftermath caused five deaths, while four more fatalities were under investigation….”  (Leonard, Christopher (AP). “Storm Aftermath.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 12-6-2006, p. 1.)

Sources

 

Changnon, Stanley A. and Kenneth E. Kunkel. Major Winter Storms in the Midwest during Winter 2006-2007 (Data/Case Study 2007-04). Champaign, IL: Illinois State Water Survey,

Garden City Telegram, KS. “First winter storm blows across Kansas.” 12-1-2006, p. 1. Accessed 12-31-2013 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=135866888&sterm

 

Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Oct 2007. Accessed 12-29-2013 at: http://www.isws.illinois.edu/pubdoc/dcs/iswsdcs2007-04.pdf

 

Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=183811305&sterm

 

Leonard, Christopher (AP). “Storm Aftermath.” Sedalia Democrat, MO, 12-6-2006, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=183811336&sterm

 

Lucchesi, Nick, and Dennis Grubaugh. “Tragedy follows ice storm. Generator fumes kill woman, hospitalize man. Telegraph Sunday, Alton, IL. 12-3-2006, p. 1. Accessed 12-31-2013 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116792950&sterm

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, St. Louis, MO. Heavy Snow & Significant Ice Event November 30th to December 1st, 2006 (webpage). 11-17-2009 modification. Accessed 12-31-2013 at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx/?n=11_30_2006

 

Skretta, Dave (AP). “Deaths blamed on winter storm.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 12-1-2006, p. 7. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=112133708&sterm

 

Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Hundreds of thousands without power. Severe weather blamed for at least 15 deaths from Texas to Michigan.” Winchester Star, VA. 12-4-2006, 1. Accessed 12-31-2013 at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=150208287&sterm

 

Taylor, Betsy (AP). “In freezing weather, hundreds of thousands wait for electricity in Mo. and Ill.” 12-4-2006, p. 7. http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=151406331&sterm

 

Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Missouri and Illinois residents try to keep warm in blackout caused by winter storm.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA. 12-5-2006, p. 5. Accessed 12-31-2013 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=151406340&sterm

 

Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Thousands still without power in St. Louis area. Officials blame four deaths on icy weather.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-4-2006, p. 2. Accessed 12-31-2013 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=183811321&sterm

 

Vries, Lloyd (CBS/AP). “Winter Storm Blamed for 11 Deaths.” 12-2-2006. Accessed 12-31-2013 at: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/winter-storm-blamed-for-11-deaths/

 

Wikipedia. “Early winter 2006 North American storm complex.” 11-27-2013 modified. Accessed 12-31-2013: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_winter_2006_North_American_storm_complex

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Authors do not indicate where the fatalities occurred. Their focus, however, is on the U.S. Midwest, thus presumably this is where all the fatalities occurred. We are aware of a snow-related suffocation death in Ontario, Canada, but have no reason to think that this death is one of the 19.

[2] Our number. Article notes “one more (death) in Illinois…” which presupposes at least one previous death.

[3] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[4] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[5] Lucchesi, Nick, and Dennis Grubaugh. “Tragedy follows ice storm. Generator fumes kill woman, hospitalize man. Telegraph Sunday, Alton, IL. 12-3-2006, p. 1.

[6] “On Wednesday (Nov 29), a woman was killed on the Kansas Turnpike just east of Topeka when a car in which she was a passenger lost control and slid into the path of an oncoming vehicle.”

[7] Our number. Taylor’s reporting of the day before had four deaths for St. Louis. This report notes “three more deaths reported in Missouri.”

[8] Skretta, Dave (AP). “Deaths blamed on winter storm.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 12-1-2006, p. 7.

[9] Males, ages 35 and 37. Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Thousands still without power in St. Louis area. Officials blame four deaths on icy weather.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-4-2006, p. 2.

[10] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[11] Had chronic congestive heart failure and diabetes, found in backyard. Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Thousands still without power in St. Louis area. Officials blame four deaths on icy weather.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-4-2006, 2.

[12] Taylor, Betsy (AP). “Thousands still without power in St. Louis area.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-4-2006, p. 2.

[13] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[14] Skretta, Dave (AP). “Deaths blamed on winter storm.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 12-1-2006, p. 7.

[15] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[16] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[17] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[18] Johnson, Carla K. (AP). “Midwest digs out from snowstorm.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-3-2006, 2A.

[19] Changnon, S.A., D. Changnon, and T.R. Karl. 2006. Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Snowstorms in the Contiguous U.S. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 45: 1144-1155.

[20] Changnon, S.A. 2007. Final Report Snowstorm Project. Changnon Climatologist, Mahomet, IL.

[21] Changnon, S.A. 2006. Frequency Distributions of Heavy Snowfall from Snowstorms in the U.S. Journal of Hydroponic Engineering, ASCE, 11: 427-431.

[22] Changnon, S. and D. Changnon. 2006. Snowstorm Catastrophes in the U.S. Environmental Hazards 6: 158-166.

[23] Cites:  AccuWeather.com. Weather Blogs – Weather News.