2009 — Jan 26-29, Ice and Snow Storm, esp. Central/Eastern S., esp. KY and AR–91

—  91  Blanchard tally of State breakouts below.

–>56  AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” 2-4-2009.

—  55  Associated Press (Joe Biesk). “Beshear Asks Obama to Speed Aid…”, 2-2-2009.

—  47  CBS Evening News. “Kentucky Power Outages.” 2-2-2009.

—  42  Associated Press. “KY Deploys Full Army Nat’l Guard for Storm Cleanup,” 1-31-2009.

—  40  Associated Press (J. Roberson). “KY. Asks Obama To Speed Federal Aid…” 2-2-2009.

—  32  Lexington Herald-Leader, “More than 607,000 without Power…,” 1-30-2009.

—  27  Associated Press. “Many without Food, Water Rush to Shelters’ Warmth.” 1-30-2009.

—  26  Associated Press. “Power’s Return Could Take Weeks in Ky., Ark.,” 1-29-2009.

—  24  AP, Louisville, Ky. “Million powerless after storms.” Iola Register, KS, 1-29-2009, p. 2.

—  23  New York Times. “Storm Sweeps Northeast From Texas.” 1-28-2009.

—  19  Associated Press. “Deadly Winter Storm Barrels into Northeast.” 1-28-2009.

—  17  CNN. “Winter Blast Blamed for Damage, Deaths.” 1-29-2009.

—  12  The Nation. “Deadly Ice, Snowstorm Cut Swath across US; 12 Killed.” 1-28-2009.

>AP, Little Rock, Ark. “Winter blasts U.S.” Iola Register, KS, 1-27-2009, p. 1.

 

Arkansas:       ( 18)

—  18  NWS WFO, Little Rock, AR. Ice Storm on January 26-28, 2009 (p1). 5-14-2013 mod.[1]

–>15  State. NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, 4.[2]

—  15  FEMA Operations Briefing, February 6, 2009 (cites Ark. Div. Emergency Management).

–>12  Indirect deaths; vehicular, house fires from candles, carbon monoxide poisoning.[3]

—    9  Associated Press, Jan 31, 2009.

—    9  Blanchard tally of locality and/or causality breakouts.

—  >AP, Little Rock, Ark. “Winter blasts U.S.” Iola Register, KS, 1-27-2009, p. 1.

Locality/Causality Breakouts:

—  1  Baxter County, Gassville. CO poisoning (generator in garage); Nathan Johnson, 47.[4]

—  1  Clay Co., Piggott. Hypothermia.[5] Female, 84, in “Permanent Structure.”[6]

—  1  Craighead Co. Falling tree limb.[7] Jan 26-28; Male, 63.[8]

—  1  Poinsett Co., Trumann. Falling tree limb kills police chief helping clean-up.[9] Male, 40.[10]

–>1  House fire from candles or other make-shift heating source.[11]

—  4  Vehicular. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.” (1-30-2009 update)

 

Indiana:          (    1)

— 1  KSPR News (Springfield, MO), Jan 31, 2009.

— 1  Shoveling snow; female. USA Today. “Cold, dark nights…deadly ice storm.” 1-30-2009.

 

Kansas:          (    2)

— 2  State. Vehicular; icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”

 

Kentucky:      (  36)

— 36  KY Public Service Commission. Ike and Ice. The [KY PSC] Report…Ice Storm. 11-19-’09

— 36  KY. Lexington Herald-Leader. “State Releases New Ice Storm Numbers,” Feb 20, 2009

— 36  Blanchard tally of County and locality breakouts below.

— 33  Associated Press. “Ky. Officials: January Ice Storm Killed 33,” Feb 10, 2009.

— 28  FEMA Operations Briefing, February 6, 2009 (cites KY Emer. Ops. Center).

— 27  Associated Press,,  Feb 2, 2009 (Joe Biesk)

— 26  Lexington Herald-Leader, Feb 4, 2009.

— 25  AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm…” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009.

— 24  CNHI News Service, Feb 3, 2009.

— 11  Carbon monoxide poisoning. KY Public Service Commission, 30.[12]

— 10  Indirect deaths. NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 72.

— 11  Associated Press,, Jan 31, 2009.

Locality Breakout:

—  1  Barren Co. Fire; Emmeline Monroe, 93, sits on gas heater, ignites clothes, dies from burns.[13]

—  1  Boyd County. Hypothermia; female, 62, apparently wandered away from home.[14]

—  1  Calloway County. Direct; hypothermia and preexisting health problems, male, 67.[15]

—  1         “        Co., Canonsburg, Jan 28. Hypothermia; Shirley Fannin, 72, had Alzheimer’s.[16]

—  1         “        Co., Murray, Feb 2. Hypothermia; male, 70, in apartment with no power.[17]

—  1  Carter County car crash on ice, 4-year old boy (leading to hypothermia).[18]

—  1        “          “    car crash on ice, Paul Thompson, 40 (leading to hypothermia)[19]

—  1        “          “    Jan 28. Fall in house without power then froze; Robert Wilburn, 88.[20]

—  1  Christian Co., Jan 29. Carbon monoxide poisoning.[21] Joseph Norman, 76.[22]

—  1  Graves County. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 72.

—  1  Hardin County, Radcliff. Hypothermia; mobile home without power; Margaret King, 74.[23]

—  2  Harrison Co., Cynthiana. CO poisoning.[24] James (64) and Margaret (62) Penwell.[25]

—  1  Henderson County. Hypothermia; female, 48; no power or heat. Storm Data 51/1, 2009, 72.

—  1  Hopkins Co., White Plains, Jan 26-28. Hypothermia; Thomas Lacy, 84, mobile home.[26]

—  2  Jefferson Co., Louisville, Jan 30. CO poisoning in home.[27] Beverly (54) & William Matthews, 62.[28]

—  1          “                    “      Jan 30. CO poisoning. Mona Stephens, 47 (in Matthews home).[29]

—  1          “                    “      Feb 1. CO poisoning in home; male.[30] Nywot Chol, 44.[31]

—  2          “                            Feb 1-7. Hypothermia. AP. “Ky. Officials: January…” 2-10-2009.[32]

—  1  Madison Co., Feb 9. Vehicular; motorcyclist hit by electric utility truck (restoration work).[33]

—  1  McCracken Co., Feb 10. MN utility worker on utility pole killed by falling transformer.[34]

—  1  Nelson County, Bardstown, Jan 28. Pauline Johnson, 87, hits head in fall.[35]

—  3  Northern KY, Jan 29. Carbon monoxide poisoning. KY Public Service Commission, 30.

—  1  Owen County. Carbon monoxide poisoning (propane heater).[36] William W. House, 47.[37]

—  1  Radcliff. Hypothermia; Female, 74, in mobile home without power and heat.

—  1  Twigg County. Fire; [38] space-heater. Curtis, Warden, 53.

—  1  Wayne Co., Monticello. Hypothermia; car slid off slick road into creek; Jennifer Powell, 37.[39]

—  4  Webster County. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 72.

–1  Carbon monoxide poisoning; male, “while staying warm in a running vehicle.”[40]

–2  “Heart attacks while moving broken branches or shoveling snow.”[41]

–1  Debris blocked roads delays ambulance in med. emergency.[42] Rebecca Burden, 57.[43]

—  1  Locality not noted. Fall; female on basement stairs while retrieving a kerosene heater.[44]

 

Missouri:        (  8)

— 8  Missouri. FEMA Operations Briefing, February 6, 2009.

— 6  State. Associated Press, Jan 31, 2009.

–2  New Madrid County. Carbon monoxide poisoning; woman and daughter.[45]

–1  Stoddard County, Advance. House fire; alternative heat/light source; male, 78.[46]

–5  Locality not noted. Vehicular due to icy roads.[47]

 

New Jersey:    (  1)

— 1  Sussex Co. Vehicular; male, 50, loses control of vehicle on snow-covered Rt. 206.[48]

 

Ohio:               (  1)

— 1  Associated Press, Jan 31, 2009.

 

Oklahoma:     (  6)

–6  Blanchard tally based on locality and/or causality breakouts below.

–5  KRMG (Tulsa), Jan 31, 2009.

–5  OK Dept. of EM. Situation Update 11, “Winter Storm Continues to Impact State.” 1-30-2009.

–1  Kay County, Jan 28. Vehicular; male.

–1  Tulsa, Jan 26. Vehicular; female.

–1  Tulsa, Turner Turnpike near Chandler, Jan 26. Vehicular (semi-truck);[49] male.

–1  Tulsa, Will Rogers Turnpike near Afton, Jan 26. Vehicular; male.

–1  Woodward County, Woodward, Jan 28. CO poisoning; truck driver in truck cab.

–1  Western Central and Southeast, Jan 26-27. NCDC. Storm Data, 51/1, Jan 2009, 139.

–1  Locality, date, gender and age not noted. Hypothermia.[50]

 

Tennessee:     (  2)

— 2  State. National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 157.

–1  Carbon monoxide poisoning.

–1  “…inability to refill an oxygen tank due to the extensive power loss.”[51]

— 1  Obion County. CO poisoning; Donnie Smith, TN EMA Email, 2/2/2009, 6:01 pm.

 

Texas:             (  7)

—   7  Vehicular; icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”[52]

–6-7  (5 confirmed vehicular; 1 cause not noted; 1 pedestrian fall from icy bridge, possibly).[53]

—   6  Associated Press, Jan 31, 2009.

—   1  North Texas, Jan 27-28. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 159.[54]

—   1  South Texas, Jan 26-27. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 164.

 

Virginia:         (  7)

— 7  Vehicular, due to icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”

— 2  Albemarle County, U.S. 29, Jan 27. Vehicular, car with two women spun off icy road.[55]

— 1  Augusta County, US 340 near Crimora, Jan 27. Pickup slides on icy road and flips; male.[56]

 

West Virginia: (3)

— 3  State. Vehicular; icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”

— 1  Hancock County, Rt. 2 near Newell, Jan 29. Vehicle overturns on icy road.[57]

— 1  Monongalia County, Morgantown, Jan 28. Vehicle slides off icy road; Robert Mares, 50.[58]

 

Causes of Death Breakout (alphabetical)

 

Carbon Monoxide poisoning (18)

—  1  AR  Baxter County, Gassville. CO poisoning (generator in garage); Nathan Johnson, 47.

–13  KY  Blanchard tally of breakouts below.

–11  KY  Kentucky Public Service Commission, p. 30.

–1  Christian County, Jan 29. Carbon monoxide poisoning. Joseph Norman, 76.

–1  Graves County. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 72.

–1  Harrison County, Cynthiana, James Penwell, 64, generator in the basement.

–1  Harrison County, Cynthiana, Margaret Penwell, 62, generator in the basement.

–1  Jefferson County, Louisville, William Matthews, 62. generator in garage.

–1  Jefferson County, Louisville, Beverly Matthews, 54, generator in garage.

–1  Jefferson County, Louisville, Mona Stephens, 47, generator in Matthews garage.

–1  Jefferson County, Louisville, Feb 1. Male, Nywot Chol, 44.

–1  Owen County, William W. House, 47, propane heater.

–1  Webster Co., CO poisoning; male, “while staying warm in a running vehicle.”

–3  Northern KY, Jan 29. Carbon monoxide poisoning. KY PSC, p. 30.

—  2  MO, New Madrid County. Carbon monoxide poisoning; woman and daughter.

—  1  OK, Woodward Co., Woodward, Jan 28. CO poisoning; truck driver in truck cab.

—  1  TN  Obion County, generator; Donnie Smith, TEMA Email, 2/2/2009, 6:01 pm.

 

Falling Trees/Limbs              (  2)

–1  AR. Craighead County, Jan 26-28. Falling tree limb; male, 63.

–1  AR, Poinsett Co., Trumann. Falling tree limb; police chief helping clean-up. Male, 40.

 

Falls                                        (  2)

–1  KY, Carter Co., Jan 28. Fall in house; no power; froze; Robert Wilburn, 88. Cross-listed.

–1  KY, Nelson County, Bardstown, Jan 28. Pauline Johnson, 87, hits head in fall.

–1  KY. Locality not noted. Fall; female on basement stairs while retrieving a kerosene heater.

 

Fires                                        (  4)                                        

–1  AR. House fire from candles or other make-shift heating source.

–1  KY, Barren Co. Emmeline Monroe, 93, sits on gas heater, ignites clothes, dies from burns.

–1  KY, Trigg County. Space Heater-caused fire, Curtis Warden, 53.

–1  MO, Stoddard County, Advance. House fire; alternative heat/light source; male, 78.

 

Heart Attacks                        (  3)

–1  IN. Snow Shoveling, female.

–1  KY, Webster County, moving broken limbs, Lexington Herald-Leader, 2-4-2009.

–1  KY, Webster County, shoveling snow, Lexington Herald-Leader, 4 Feb 2009.

 

Hypothermia                          (16)                             

—  1  AR, Clay County, Piggott. Hypothermia. Female, 84, in “Permanent Structure.”

–14  KY

–1  Boyd County. Hypothermia; female, 62, apparently wandered away from home.

–1  Calloway County, Canonsburg, Jan 28. Shirley Fannin, 72, Alzheimer’s victim.

–1  Calloway County. Direct; hypothermia and preexisting health problems, male, 67.

–1  Calloway Co., Murray, Feb 2. Hypothermia; male, 70, in apartment with no power.

–1  Carter County car crash on ice, 4-year old boy (leading to hypothermia). Cross-listed.

–1        “        “    car crash on ice, Paul Thompson, 40 (led to hypothermia) Cross-listed.

–1  Carter County, Robert Wilburn, 88, fell in house and froze after power lost, Jan 28.

–1  Hardin County, Radcliff. Margaret King, 74, hypothermia/cardiac arrest.

–1  Henderson County. Hypothermia; female, 48; no power or heat.

–1  Hopkins Co., White Plains, Jan 26-28. Thomas Lacy, 84, mobile home.

–2  Jefferson Co., Feb 1-7. AP. “Ky. Officials: Jan Ice Storm Killed 33,” Feb 10, 2009.

–1  Radcliff, woman, 74, powerless mobile home.

–1  Wayne Co., Monticello. Hypothermia; car slid off slick road into creek; Jennifer Powell, 37.

–1  OK. Locality, date, gender and age not noted. Hypothermia.

 

Life Support Failure                         (  2)

–1  KY. Life support (oxygen) lost when power went out.

–1  TN. “…inability to refill an oxygen tank due to the extensive power loss.”

 

Road blockage in med. emer.           (  1)

–1  KY. Rebecca Burden, 57, dies in ambulance delayed from reaching her and hospital.

 

Transformer fall on Utility Worker ( 1)

–1  KY, McCracken Co., Feb 10. MN utility worker on utility pole; falling transformer.

 

Vehicular                                           (41)    

–4  AR  Vehicular. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.” 1-30-2009.

–2  KS  Vehicular; icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”

–1  KY  Carter County car crash on ice, 4-year old boy (leading to hypothermia). Cross-listed.

–1  KY  Carter Co. car crash on ice, Paul Thompson, 40 (leading to hypothermia). Cross-listed.

–1  KY  Madison Co., Feb 9. Motorcycle hit by Utility Truck working power restoration.

–1  KY  Wayne County, Jennifer Powell, car crash leads to hypothermia. Cross-listed.

–5  MO  Localities not noted. Vehicular due to icy roads.

–1  NJ, Sussex Co. Vehicular, male, 50, loses control of vehicle on snow-covered Rt. 206.

–5  OK (OK Dept. of EM.  “Winter Storm Continues to Impact State.” Jan 30 2009.)

–1  Kay County, Jan 28. Vehicular; male.

–1  Tulsa, Jan 26. Vehicular; female.

–1  Tulsa, Turner Turnpike near Chandler, Jan 26. Vehicular (semi-truck); male.

–1  Tulsa, Will Rogers Turnpike near Afton, Jan 26. Vehicular; male.

–7  TX. Vehicular; icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”

–7  VA. Vehicular, due to icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com.

–2  Albemarle Co., U.S. 29, Jan 27. Vehicular, car with two women spun off icy road.[59]

–1  Augusta Co., US 340 ~Crimora, Jan 27. Pickup slides on icy road and flips; male.[60]

–3  WV. Vehicular; icy roads. Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.”

–1  Hancock County, Rt. 2 near Newell, Jan 29. Vehicle overturns on icy road.[61]

–1  Monongalia Co., Morgantown, Jan 28. Vehicle slides off icy road; Robert Mares, 50.[62]

 

Not noted                   (  2)

–1  OK, Western Central and Southeast, Jan 26-27. NCDC. Storm Data, 51/1, Jan 2009, 139.

–1  Ohio.

 

Causes of Death Summary (by mortality)

 

41 — Vehicular          

18 — Carbon Monoxide poisoning

16 — Hypothermia    

  4 — Fires

  3 — Heart Attacks 

  2 — Falling Trees/Limbs                

  2 — Falls                                          

  2 — Life Support Equipment Failure 

  1 — Road blockage by debris in medical emergency delays ambulance

  1 — Transformer fall on Utility Worker

  2 — Not noted

 

The Media – General Coverage

 

Jan 28, The Nation: “CHICAGO (AFP) – Hundreds of thousands of people were left shivering in the dark after a massive ice and snowstorm cut a swath across the United States Wednesday, knocking down power lines, snarling traffic, grounding flights and forcing schools to close.

Freezing rain on the southern end of the storm covered trees and bridges with brilliant ice crystals but made roads incredibly slick and dangerous from Texas to Pennsylvania.
At least a dozen deaths were reported….

 

“The northern side of the snow dumped as much as a foot of snow in some areas of Ohio and the US east coast. And with a cold front moving in behind the storm it could be days before the ice melts and weeks before all the damage is repaired, officials warned….

 

“Some areas got ice on top of snow. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol responded to more than 1,000 weather related collisions on Monday and Tuesday, 130 of them involving injury. Two people were killed.

“More than a hundred accidents were reported from midnight to 9 am Wednesday in the city of Dallas alone and a two people died in Texas, the Dallas Morning News reported. Heavy ice brought down tree limbs and power lines, blew out transformers and caused a number of fires in Kentucky, where several cities were completely without power….

 

“Three people were killed in Arkansas, where emergency shelters were opened after power and phone lines were knocked down by the ice, officials said. Five storm-related deaths were reported in Missouri….”  (The Nation.  “Deadly Ice, Snowstorm Cut Swath across US; 12 Killed.” January 28, 2009)

 

Jan 30, AP: “Since the storm began Monday, the weather has been blamed for at least 27 deaths, including six in Texas, four in Arkansas, three in Virginia, six in Missouri, two in Oklahoma, two in Indiana, two in West Virginia and one each in Ohio and Kentucky. Emergency officials feared that toll could rise if people stay in their homes without power for too long, because improper use of generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.”  (AP, 1-30-2009.)

 

Jan 30, Lexington Herald-Leader: “At least six deaths in Kentucky have been blamed on the storm. Nationally, the winter storm has claimed at least 32 lives.”  (Lexington Herald-Leader, 1-30-2009.)

 

Feb 2, CBS News: Kentucky Governor calls the storm and its aftereffects “the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of the state.”  (CBS Evening News, 2-2-2009)

 

Feb 3, Baxter Bulletin: “Frankfort, Ky. — …. He [Governor Beshear] said there are 24 confirmed deaths from the storm, 10 by carbon monoxide poisoning from alternative fuel sources and the rest from hypothermia and accidents.

 

From OK DEM Situation Update 11, Jan 30, 2009 on Fatalities:  “Five deaths are now attributed to the storm. A Tulsa man died Thursday from injuries sustained in a crash that occurred Monday in Tulsa, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP). A Kansas woman died Wednesday in a wreck in Kay County. Two Tulsa men died Monday in separate crashes; one on the Turner Turnpike near Chandler, the other on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Afton. Additionally, the State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports a truck driver died of carbon monoxide poisoning. He was found Wednesday in the cab of his truck in Woodward. During the storm, OHP worked more than 1,150 weather related collisions, 200 involving injury.

 

“A massive ice storm last week which caused thousands to lose power and heat resulted in the death of a Gassville man who died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning, authorities said. The body of Nathan Johnson, 47, of 625 Magness St., was discovered over the weekend by the Gassville Police Department.”  (Baxter Bulletin (Arkansas), “Carbon Monoxide”, 3 Feb 2009)

 

Feb 20, Lexington, KY:  “Shirley Fannin, a 72-year-old Alzheimer’s patient, managed to get out of her Cannonsburg home the night a deadly ice, storm and winds buffeted Kentucky last week. Her frozen body was found the next day in her driveway, one of at least 25 deaths related to what is now being called Kentucky’s worst natural disaster.

 

That same night, Robert Wilburn, 88, of Carter County, fell in his house after the power went off. By morning, he, too, was a victim of hypothermia, the severe cold that stopped his heart.

 

Amid the car crashes and carbon monoxide poisonings that usually dominate such destructive events, these are the quiet deaths of the group that is easy prey: the elderly.

 

Nine of the people who died in the storm were 70 or older, many already suffering from illness or the frailty that makes them especially vulnerable to cold. In one particularly heartbreaking case, a 93-year-old Barren County woman sat on her gas heater, which then ignited her clothes, said Coroner Mike Swift. She later died from her burns….

 

Another category of deaths that were preventable were those caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, which took 10 lives in the past week.  For example, a family of three died in Louisville of carbon monoxide poisoning because of a generator working in their garage. The gas is odorless, but can build up without extensive ventilation….

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all homes have at least one carbon monoxide detector, which can be purchased at home improvement stores such as Home Depot.

 

“Government officials have released a ‘by-the-numbers’ loot at last month’s devastating ice storm in Kentucky.  According to the report, preliminary disaster assessments totaled $115 million; there were 36 fatalities; 987,810 meals and 1.9 million liters of water were delivered to disaster victims; 500 cots and 1,000 blankets were delivered; and 220 shelters served people at the storm’s peak.  In addition, 4,900 miles of roadway were affected by the storm.  The report says that emergency management agencies in 10 other states helped out and 25 volunteer organizations from 15 states offered help.” (Lexington Herald-Leader (KY). “State Releases New Ice Storm Numbers,” Feb 20, 2009)

 

Arkansas

 

NCDC Storm Data: “Ice Storm in Northern Arkansas – January 26-28-, 2009.

 

“Low pressure approaching from the southwestern United States caused relatively warm, very moist air to overrun cold air near the ground. As a result, freezing rain and sleet began falling in northern and western Arkansas during the afternoon and early evening of January 26th. The precipitation spread rapidly eastward, becoming mainly freezing rain later on the night of the 26th. Ice accumulated rapidly in northern Arkansas on the 27th, when freezing rain fell nearly continuously. Late on the night of the 27th and early on the 28th, much of the precipitation turned over to light sleet and snow. Precipitation finally came to an end on the morning of the 28th.

 

“A historic ice storm was the result across the northern third of Arkansas. In many places, ice accruals reached 1 to 2 inches, and there were locally greater accruals at some of the higher elevations of the Ozark Mountains. Elsewhere across the northern half of the state, ice accruals in the ¼ to ½ inch range were common. Total damage from the ice storm was close to $1 billion.

 

“There were three direct deaths associated with the ice storm. The police chief of Trumann (Poinsett County) was killed when a large tree limb fell on him while he was helping to clean up limbs that had been knocked down by the ice. A falling tree was also responsible for a death in Craighead County, and a hypothermia death occurred at Piggott in Clay County. More than a dozen indirect deaths occurred. These were due to vehicle accidents on icy roads, house fires which resulted from the use of candles and auxiliary heating sources in areas where power was out, and carbon monoxide poisoning which resulted from the improper use of backup generators.

 

“The ice storm knocked out electricity to more than 450,000 customers. At one electric cooperative serving northeast Arkansas, only 12 out of the cooperative’s 12,000 customers did not lose power.

 

“Power was restored to all homes and businesses within a month. However, restoration of service to irrigation systems, grain bins, hunting cabins, and yard lights took considerably longer. Altogether, more than 40,000 power poles had to be replaced after they snapped or toppled. In addition, more than 13,000 transformers had to be replaced, along with at least 2,000 miles of wire. To get the task accomplished, close to 10,000 utility workers were brought in from other areas, some from as far away as Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Florida. It was estimated that months would be needed to complete the rebuilding of the electrical transmission system and final clean-up activities.

 

“Telephone service was knocked out to many areas, and water and sewer service also failed in some areas.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 4.)

 

Kentucky

 

KY Public Service Commission: “Unlike the September 14, 2008, wind storm, the ice storm that struck Kentucky on January 26th through 28th of 2009 was not unexpected. What was not anticipated was that it would cause the largest power outage in the state’s history….

 

“…John Gordon, head of the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Louisville said some months later. ‘…it was a highly anomalous event. It was the biggest ice storm in Kentucky history.’….

 

“The storm struck first with a mixture of snow, followed by sleet. Late on January 26th in western Kentucky and on the morning of January 27th in the Louisville area, the precipitation turned to freezing rain. According to the NWS, conditions had developed perfectly into a classic ice storm scenario.

 

“A layer of relatively warm air several thousand feet thick was sandwiched between cold, snow-producing air above it and cold air near the surface. As snow fell through the warm air, it melted, turning into a cold rain. Early in the storm, the snow refroze as it neared the ground, becoming sleet. However, as the thickness of the air layers changed, the melted snow did not have time to re-freeze, becoming supercooled liquid. When it landed on surfaces that were now at temperatures well below freezing, the rain instantly became ice.

 

“While ice is a feature of nearly every winter storm in Kentucky, the January 2009 storm was unusual because it moved very slowly. The cold front propelling the storm stalled over the state, allowing the layer of warm air to override it, creating the severe icing conditions.

 

“By the time the warm air layer dissipated, as much as two inches of ice coated every surface in some areas. Only the southeast corner of the state escaped significant ice accumulations. Total precipitation from the storm ranged from two inches to five inches, with the heaviest total in south central Kentucky, where much of it fell as rain. Snow depths increased along a south-to-north gradient, with many areas near the Tennessee border receiving no snow, while counties along the Ohio River received six to eight inches.

 

“In the areas with the heaviest ice accumulations…the effect on utility infrastructure was immediate and devastating. Unlike the wind storm, in which most of the damage was caused by falling trees and limbs, the ice itself was heavy enough to bring down electric distribution lines and poles. Disintegrating trees magnified the problem, adding more weight as they toppled across lines. [pp. 25-26]

 

“In all, the storm toppled about 10,600 poles in the distribution systems of jurisdictional electric utilities. Spaced 200 feet apart that number of poles would carry 381 miles of line – enough to stretch from one end of Kentucky to the other.

 

“Electric transmission lines, which had largely withstood the 2008 wind storm, were far more vulnerable to the effects of ice, especially when amplified by the strong winds which followed within 48 to 72 hours. With low temperatures preventing any melting, the combined load of the ice and winds in excess of 40 miles per hour was enough to buckle transmission towers and snap bolts at section joints on steel monopole structures. In the first two or three days following the storm, most of the electric transmission grid west of Interstate 65 was out of service. At one point, KU had no functioning transmission lines west of Owensboro.

 

“Another significant difference between the ice storm and the wind storm was the extent of damage to telecommunications. Some communities in western Kentucky were nearly cut off from the outside world for as long as three days. While local landline phone service generally continued uninterrupted, long-distance trunk lines ceased to function. Wireless phones also failed in many areas, usually due to some combination of icing on towers, loss of power or loss of interconnectivity with the larger phone network. As a result, many communities had difficulty communicating their situation and emergency needs to regional or state disaster response officials. The mayor of Fulton reported driving into Tennessee in order to find a location where his cell phone would work. Other communities relied on shortwave radio (ham) operators for contact with the outside world for several days.” [p. 28] (Kentucky Public Service Commission. Ike and Ice. The Kentucky Public Service Commission Report on the September 2008 Wind Storm and the January 2009 Ice Storm. 11-19-2009.)

 

Missouri

 

NCDC Storm Data: “This prolonged, major winter storm was termed the worst in decades for southeast Missouri. The storm dumped 6 to 10 inches of sleet and snow along and north of a line from Van Buren through Greenville to Cape Girardeau. This resulted in very difficult driving conditions along with at least two dozen roof collapses. South of that line, at least one inch of ice accumulated. Locally 1.5 to 2 inches of ice accumulated south of a line from Poplar Bluff to Dexter to Benton. This resulted in catastrophic damage to trees, power lines, and utility poles in places such as Dexter, Sikeston, Charleston, and New Madrid. A utility company serving much of the region reported this was the most damaging event in the history of the company. More than 145 miles of high-voltage transmission lines were down in that company’s area alone. A utility manager stated that ice accumulation made high voltage lines five inches in diameter. This was sufficient to bring down the two-pole structures with cross-arms that carry transmission lines. At least 6,000 power poles in southeast Missouri were replaced after being snapped or downed. One utility company briefed the governor that restoration of its facilities would cost 80 million dollars. Nearly 100 percent of residents lost power. Power was restored to most residents of cities and larger towns in 5 to 9 days, but the last rural residents went three weeks without power. Both cell and landline phone services were out for a few days in many places.

 

“Downed trees and limbs blocked numerous roads. Thirteen state roads were closed one week after the storm. Tree limbs landed on vehicles and punctured some house roofs. In the hardest hit areas from Charleston to Sikeston to Dexter, very few trees were not damaged.

 

“A few fatalities were indirectly caused by the storm. In New Madrid County, a woman and her teenage daughter died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas-powered generator in the garage. In Advance, a 78-year-old man perished in a house fire likely started by an alternative heat or light source.

 

“No accurate count of storm-related injuries was maintained. However, Scott County alone recorded 20 cases of serious carbon monoxide poisoning. Scott County reported one person very

seriously injured while clearing debris. A number of people throughout the region were injured in slips and falls.

 

“The National Guard assisted local and state agencies with recovery efforts, including door-to-door welfare checks in rural areas. Emergency shelters were opened for those without heat. Water supplies were interrupted in some towns where water towers could not be replenished by pumps. Gas was difficult to find for a few days due to a combination of power outages and high demand.

 

“A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed for a few days in some cities, including Dexter and Sikeston.

 

“Some structure fires were sparked by alternative heating, lighting, and cooking devices.

 

“Numerous traffic accidents occurred during the first several hours of the storm, sending several people to medical clinics.

 

“An aluminum plant in New Madrid suffered severe damage when the aluminum being processed cooled due to the power outage. Production was reduced by 75 percent, and full production was not expected to resume for up to a year.

 

“Heavy snow and sleet were the main precipitation types north and west of a line from Poplar Bluff to Cape Girardeau. The weight of the sleet and snow caused at least two dozen building collapses. In Wayne County, several buildings collapsed under the weight of the sleet and snow. A mill building collapsed near Patterson. Serious damage occurred at a marina near Clearwater Dam, where two boats were damaged. At Piedmont, a portion of a manufacturing warehouse and a law office building both collapsed. Elsewhere in Wayne County, a house and a storage building collapsed. Several metal buildings and carports collapsed in northern Stoddard County. In Cape Girardeau, the roof of a manufacturing company collapsed, and a large awning took down parts of the brick facade of a commercial building. Six to eight other buildings in Cape Girardeau County collapsed.

 

“No injuries were reported, but some animals were lost under a collapsed barn.

 

“A number of roofs caved in across Perry County, Carter County, and northern Scott County. A pallet mill and a manufacturing company sustained heavy losses in Carter County. The majority of structures damaged or destroyed in Carter County were metal buildings, barns, and sheds. In Carter County, National Guard troops assisted local first responders in distributing water and MRE’s to those stranded in their houses. Law enforcement officials were forced to patrol in their personal four-wheel drive vehicles, since roads were not passable to cars. Phone service was disrupted in some areas….” (p. 97)

 

NCDC on Dent, Maries, Phelps Counties, Jan 26-28: “A significant winter storm brought a combination freezing drizzle, freezing rain, sleet and snow to the Missouri Ozarks January 26 and 27, 2009. Freezing drizzle and light freezing rain developed area wide at the onset of the event causing multiple traffic accidents. Freezing rain persisted for much of the event across far southern Missouri resulting in significant ice accretion of one half to one inch. This ice storm downed tree limbs and power lines causing numerous power outages. As many as 20,000 residences lost power along the Arkansas border from Branson to Alton. Sleet was the predominant precipitation type for much of the area with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches common. As much as 6 inches of sleet fell across far south central Missouri. The weight of freezing rain and sleet across far southern Missouri caused the roofs of several buildings and a boat dock to collapse. The sleet transitioned to snow toward the end of the event with 2 to 4 inches of snow common on top of the freezing rain and sleet.” (p. 98) (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009. NOAA, pp. 97-98.)

 

New Jersey

 

NCDC Storm Data: “New Jersey, South and Northwest…[Jan 28]…Winter Weather.

 

“A frontal boundary was draped from the southern Mid Atlantic region southwestward to the northern Gulf of Mexico. An area of low pressure developed along this front across the lower Mississippi Valley late in the day on the 27th. The storm system then moved northeastward and tracked near the Ohio River Valley during the morning of the 28th. As the storm continued to track northeastward, it strengthened as it moved into New England during the early evening hours of the 28th. An associated cold front then swept across the Mid Atlantic region during the early evening hours of the 28th.

 

“A cold air mass ahead of the system allowed for snow to overspread the state generally from south to north during the 27th. As milder air then worked in especially above the surface, the snow changed to sleet and freezing rain during the night of the 27th mainly across the southern and central parts of the state. Enough warming occurred during the 28th, which allowed the wintry mix to change over to plain rain before ending mainly across the central and southern parts of the state. The mixed precipitation held on the longest across the northwestern part of the state as the cold air remained entrenched longer. The combination of the frozen and freezing precipitation along with the cold temperatures, created a high impact event for most of the state. This also produced very slippery roadways across the state.

 

“The Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township (Hunterdon County) was briefly on backup generators on the 28th due to the winter storm, which caused some problems with power lines in the area. Nineteen weather-related wrecks were reported in Warren County through 12:00 PM EST on the 28th, which included a jack-knifed tractor-trailer on a back road in Mansfield Township. The mixture of snow, sleet and rain late on the 27th and on the 28th produced messy road conditions and prompted schools to close across Morris County. Roads were particularly bad during the morning of the 28th as the snow fell at nearly an inch per hour for a time. Around 12:00 PM EST on the 28th, two lanes of Route 287 northbound were closed after a truck flipped near Exit 32 in Harding (Morris County). At about the same time, an entrance ramp on Route 80 in Mount Olive was closed because of an overturned vehicle. Less than a dozen accidents were reported in Washington Township. During the afternoon of the 28th, flooding became a problem in some areas as slush clogged storm drains and created pockets of water at intersections. An acceleration lane on Route 80 eastbound in Denville was closed briefly at 2:00 PM EST on the 28th after a large area of standing water formed. Flooding also caused some problems in Parsippany at both Baldwin and Parsippany roads. Some power outages were reported however these were mostly minimal in scope according to officials.

 

“The winter storm produced a couple inches of snow late on the 27th and the 28th, however as milder air moved in, dense fog overspread the Ocean County area. The visibility was reduced to near zero in many areas. During the evening hours of the 28th, a fog warning was issued for the entire length of the Garden State Parkway. Due to the inclement weather, as many as 500 Jersey Central Power and Light customers lost power in the Barnegat Light area. Also, most public schools altered their schedules due to the wintry weather.

 

“An 8-year-old girl in Woodbury (Gloucester County) was injured during the early afternoon hours of the 28th when the sled she was on collided with an SUV. The girl was sledding down a driveway and entered the street then went under the SUV, which was pulling away from the curb. The girl had to be extricated from the vehicle. In Woolwich Township (Gloucester County), the southbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike were blocked for about three hours during the early morning hours of the 28th after a car and a tractor-trailer collided. A female in the car was taken to a nearby hospital for serious head injuries. The State Police reported that the accident was weather related. The winter storm produced hazardous road conditions late on the 27th and on the 28th in Sussex County. A fatal crash occurred on a snow-covered Route 206 early on the 28th as a 50-year-old man was killed when his vehicle went off the roadway.

 

“Some snowfall totals included; 4.0 inches in Lafayette (Sussex County), 3.7 inches in Blairstown (Warren County), 3.5 inches in Oak Ridge (Morris County), 3.5 inches in Whitehouse (Hunterdon County), 3.5 inches in Manalapan (Monmouth County), 3.5 inches in Wantage (Sussex County), 3.4 inches in Marcella (Morris County), 3.3 inches in Oakland Mills (Monmouth County), 3.1 inches in Edison (Middlesex County), 3.1 inches in Estell Manor (Atlantic County), 3.0 inches in Somerville (Somerset County), 3.0 inches in Trenton (Mercer County), 3.0 inches in Colts Neck (Monmouth County), 2.9 inches in Pottersville (Morris County), 2.8 inches in Ewing (Mercer County), 2.8 inches in Plainsboro (Middlesex County), 2.7 inches in National Park (Gloucester County), 2.7 inches in Belvidere (Warren County), 2.7 inches in Wertsville (Hunterdon County), 2.7 inches in Branchburg (Somerset County), 2.5 inches in Riegelsville (Hunterdon County), 2.3 inches in Newport (Cumberland County), 2.1 inches in Pittsgrove (Salem County), 2.0 inches in Edgewater Park (Burlington County), 2.0 inches in Stratford (Camden County), 2.0 inches in Vineland (Cumberland County), 1.9 inches in Mount Laurel (Burlington County), 1.8 inches in Somerdale (Camden County), 1.8 inches in Glassboro (Gloucester County), 1.7 inches in Mount Holly (Burlington County), 1.5 inches in Toms River (Ocean County), 1.5 inches in West Deptford (Gloucester County), 1.5 inches at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona (Atlantic County), 1.5 inches in Hammonton (Atlantic County), 1.2 inches 0.8 of a mile northnorthwest of Woodbine (Cape May County) and 1.0 inch in Tuckerton (Ocean County).” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 114.)

 

Oklahoma

 

NCDC Storm Data: “Bryan – Garfield – Harper – Jackson – Kiowa – Love – Major – Woods – Woodward…26-27—Winter Weather

 

“A significant winter storm affected much of Oklahoma beginning around sunrise on the 26th and continuing through much of the 27th. Precipitation in the form of drizzle and freezing drizzle overspread the northwest half of the state, and by midmorning travel problems were being reported, especially along the Interstate 44 corridor. The precipitation over northwest Oklahoma began to mix with sleet and snow, although amounts were relatively light. Wintry precipitation continued through the day and into the overnight hours. Amounts still remained light, but glaze on the roads created more widespread travel problems. Sleet eventually became the dominant precipitation type. Some thunder-sleet was reported south and east of the Oklahoma City metro area. Sleet accumulations over some areas in Seminole, Pottawatomie, and Hughes counties were three to four inches. Most locations over central and southern Oklahoma ranged from one to two inches. This was on top of at least a quarter inch of ice that fell on the 26th. Widespread automobile accidents were reported. A few power outages were also reported, probably due to more sleet than ice accumulation. Tree and power line damages were minimal, with most damage occurring during traffic accidents. Monetary damages were estimated.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 139.)

 

Tennessee

 

NCDC Storm Data: “Haywood – Madison [counties] [Jan] 26-28…Winter Weather.

 

“The combination of abundant moisture, a low pressure system moving through the region, and cold air at the surface caused an ice storm to occur over Northwest Tennessee. Most of the precipitation fell in the form of freezing rain. Toward the end of the event, precipitation changed briefly to sleet and snow. Significant ice accumulations occurred with Lake and Obion Counties being the hardest hit. One to two inches of ice fell across Northwest Tennessee in addition to one inch of snow. A quarter of an inch of ice along with two inches of snow fell across counties stretching from Lauderdale to Carroll. Less than an inch of snow fell across the rest of West Tennessee. Numerous trees and power lines were knocked down from the ice storm. Some counties lost anywhere from seventy to one hundred percent of their power during the peak of the storm. This occurred mainly across extreme Northwest Tennessee. Roads were very hazardous to travel and many accidents occurred as a result. Two deaths occurred from the storm. One death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning while the other was from the inability to refill an oxygen tank due to the extensive power loss.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 157.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press, White Plains, KY. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/kentucky/corbin/corbin-times-tribune/2009/02-04/page-5?tag=jennifer+powell&rtserp=tags/?pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=27&pm=1&py=2009&pe=5&pem=2&pey=2009&pep=jennifer-powell

 

Associated Press (Joe Biesk). “Beshear Asks Obama to Speed Aid’ Ky. Deaths Hit 24.” 2-2-2009. Accessed at: http://www.kentucky.com/471/story/681075.html

 

Associated Press, Oklahoma City. “Five Killed as Ice Storm Hits Midwest, South.” New Castle News, PA. 1-27-2009, p. 9. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/new-castle/new-castle-news/2009/01-27/page-9?tag=arkansas+ice+storm+death+dead+kill+die&rtserp=tags/arkansas?pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=26&pm=1&py=2009&pe=11&pem=2&pey=2009&pep=ice-storm&plo=death-dead-kill-die&psb=dateasc&pr=30

 

Associated Press (Jeff Roberson). “KY. Asks Obama To Speed Federal Aid for Ice Storm.” 2-2-2009. Accessed at: http://www.southernledger.com/ap/228237/Ky_asks_Obama_to_speed_federal_aid_for_ice_storm

 

Associated Press. “KY Deploys Full Army Nat’l Guard for Storm Cleanup.” 1-31-2009.  At: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/01/31/storm_struck_ky_calls_up_entire_army_natl_guard/

 

Associated Press, Louisville. “Ky. Officials: January ice storm killed 33.” USA Today, 2-10-2009. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2009-02-10-kentucky-ice-storm-deaths_N.htm

 

Associated Press. “Many without Food, Water Rush to Shelters’ Warmth.” 1-30-2009. At:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013000341.html

 

Associated Press, Louisville, Ky. “Million powerless after storms.” Iola Register, KS, 1-29-2009, p. 2. Accessed 6-22-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/kansas/iola/iola-register/2009/01-29/page-2?tag=ark+storm+death&rtserp=tags/ark-storm-death?psb=date&page=4&ndt=bd&pd=26&pe=10&pem=2&py=2009&pm=1&pey=2009

 

Associated Press, Oklahoma City. “Oklahoma braces for wintry weather.” Orange Leader, TX, 1-27-2009, p. 6A. Accessed 6-22-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/orange/orange-leader/2009/01-27/page-6?tag=storm+death&rtserp=tags/storm-death?psi=94&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=26&pm=1&py=2009&pe=30&pem=1&pey=2009

 

Associated Press. “Power’s Return Could Take Weeks in Ky., Ark.,” 1-29-2009. Accessed at:  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hxyhhC1qV6qWnOdkwks6C1HpYtPAD9615D9O0

 

Associated Press, Charleston, WV. “Thousands Still Powerless in West Virginia.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg VA, 1-30-2009, p. B10. Accessed 6-22-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/virginia/harrisonburg/harrisonburg-daily-news-record/2009/01-30/page-16

 

Associated Press, Little Rock, Ark. “Winter blasts U.S.” Iola Register, KS, 1-27-2009, p. 1. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/kansas/iola/iola-register/2009/01-27?

 

Baxter Bulletin (Armando Rios), AR. “Officials: Carbon monoxide kills Gassville man.” 2-3-2009. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20090203/NEWS01/902030330

 

Baytown Sun, TX. “Texas Weather.” 1-29-2009, p. 2. Accessed 6-22-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/texas/baytown/baytown-sun/2009/01-29/page-2?tag=storm+death&rtserp=tags/storm-death?page=2&psi=94&pci=7&ndt=bd&pd=26&pe=30&pem=1&py=2009&pm=1&pey=2009

 

CBS Evening News. “Kentucky Power Outages.”  2-2-2009.

 

CNHI News Service (Ronnie Ellis). “Beshear Asks Obama for More Federal Assistance.”  2-2-2009. At: http://www.news-tribune.net/statenews/kentuckystatehouse_story_033190009.html

 

CNN. “Winter Blast Blamed for Damage, Deaths.” 1-29-2009. Accessed at:  http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/weather/01/29/winter.weather/

 

Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. “Storm Turns Va. Roads Deadly.” 1-28-2009, p. 1. Accessed 6-22-2015 at http://www.newspaperarchives.com

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA HQ Operations Briefing, 2-6-2009.

 

FindLaw. “Reichwein v. Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation.” Decided September 21, 2012. Accessed 6-20-2015 at: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/ky-court-of-appeals/1612417.html

 

Icyroadsafety.com. “January 2009 Archives.” Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://icyroadsafety.com/jan2009blog.shtml

 

Kansas City Star, MO. “37,000 in Missouri Still Without Power A Week after Ice Storm.…,” 2-3-2009. Accessed at: http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1013425.html

 

Kentucky Public Service Commission. Ike and Ice. The Kentucky Public Service Commission Report on the September 2008 Wind Storm and the January 2009 Ice Storm. 11-19-2009. Accessed 1-26-2014 at: http://psc.ky.gov/IkeIce/Report.pdf

 

KSPR News, Springfield, MO. “Ice Storm Overview.” 1-31-2009. Accessed at:  http://www.kspr.com/news/local/38763882.html

 

Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009. Accessed at: http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/682578.html

 

Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “More than 607,000 without Power…” 1-30-2009. Accessed at: http://www.kentucky.com/787/story/675914.html

 

Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “State Releases New Ice Storm Numbers.” 2-20-2009. Accessed at: http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/701766.html

 

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National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Ice Storm Arkansas. Clay. Jan 26-28, 2009. NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=148727

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Ice Storm. Arkansas. Craighead. Jan 26-28, 2009. NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=148731

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Ice Storm. Arkansas. Poinsett. Jan 26-28, 2009. NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=148735

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Little Rock, AR. Ice Storm on January 26-28, 2009 (Pg. 1). 5-14-2013 modification. Accessed 6-21-2015 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/?n=win0109ayr.htm

 

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[1] “As many as eighteen fatalities were reported across the state. Most of these were due to hypothermia, post-event hazards (i.e. downed trees/power lines) or traffic related.”

[2] Three direct deaths and “More than a dozen indirect deaths…”

[3] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 4.

[4] Baxter Bulletin (Armando Rios), AR. “Officials: Carbon monoxide kills Gassville man.” 2-3-2009.

[5] NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 4.

[6] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Ice Storm Arkansas. Clay. Jan 26-28, 2009.

[7] NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, Jan 2009, p. 4.

[8] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Ice Storm Arkansas. Craighead. Jan 26-28, 2009.

[9] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 4.

[10] NCDC. Storm Events Database. Event Details. Ice Storm Arkansas. Poinsett. Jan 26-28, 2009.

[11] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 4.

[12] Our number based on “The improper use of generators and heaters would account for about a third of the 36 deaths attributable to the ice storm in Kentucky.”

[13] Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), 4 Feb 2009.

[14] AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009.

[15] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 72.

[16] Lexington Herald-Leader, Feb 4, 2009.

[17] AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009.

[18] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[19] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[20] Lexington Herald-Leader, Feb 4, 2009.

[21] “…the result of a generator being operated in a utility room.” KY Public Service Commission, p. 30.

[22] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[23] AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009.

[24] “…after running a gasoline-powered portable generator in their basement..” KY Public Service Commission, 30.

[25] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[26] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 72. Identified as Thomas Lacy in: AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009.

[27] A generator was being used in the garage. KY Public Service Com., p. 30.

[28] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[29] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009; KY Public Svc. Commission.

[30] “…a charcoal grill was being used to provide heat.” KY Public Ser. Com., p. 30.

[31] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[32] Cites Justice and Public Safety Cabinet spokeswoman Jennifer Brislin who stated that the deaths had been confirmed as hypothermia by medical officials.

[33] Cited is KY State Emergency Management spokesman Buddy Rogers. AP. “Ky. Officials: January Ice Storm Killed 33.” USA Today, 2-10-2009.

[34] “Andrew Reichwein, a Minnesota resident and a Connexus employee, was sent to Kentucky to assist JPEC [Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation]. On February 10, 2009, Andrew was climbing a JPEC electric pole when it snapped causing a transformer to crush his head resulting in his death.” (FindLaw. “Reichwein v. Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation.” Decided September 21, 2012.)

[35] Lexington Herald-Leader, Feb 4, 2009.

[36] Our inference based on: “…man was found dead in a home in which a propane heater was in use.” KY Public Service Commission, p. 30.

[37] Lexington Herald-Leader, KY. “Elderly are the Most Susceptible.” 2-4-2009.

[38] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 72.

[39] AP. “A Trail of Grief in the wake of the storm the death toll rises to 25.” Times-Tribune, Corbin, KY, 2-4-2009.

[40] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 72.

[41] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 72.

[42] “…died because an ambulance could not reach the victim.” NCDC. Storm Data, V51, N1, Jan 2009, p. 72.

[43] Lexington Herald-Leader, Feb 4, 2009.

[44] USA Today/AP. “Cold, dark nights ahead in wake of deadly ice storm.” 1-30-2009.

[45] “…apparent carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas-powered generator in the garage.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 97.)

[46] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 97.

[47] Icyroadsafety.com. “January 26-29 storm claims at least 36 lives.” (1-30-2009 update)

[48] “The winter storm produced hazardous road conditions late on the 27th and on the 28th in Sussex County. A fatal crash occurred on a snow-covered Route 206 early on the 28th as a 50-year-old man was killed when his vehicle went off the roadway.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 114.)

[49] Semi “skidded off an icy stretch of Turner Turnpike near Chandler.” AP, Oklahoma City. “Oklahoma braces for wintry weather.” Orange Leader, TX, 1-27-2009, p. 6A.

[50] Kansas City Star, MO. “37,000 in Missouri Still Without Power A Week after Ice Storm.…,” 2-3-2009.

[51] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2009, p. 157.

[52] “A far-reaching winter storm covering most Plains, midwestern and northeastern US states is the second deadliest winter storm this season for icy road fatalities, with 36 confirmed deaths recorded during the storm’s 4-day transit across the county. Hardest hit during the storm were the states of Texas and Virginia, with 7 deaths each – with Texas’ incidents fall due to freezing rain.” (1-30-2009 update.)

[53] “Dallas – a man fell from a bridge into the Trinity River bottoms to his death and authorities were investigating whether treacherous icy roads were a factor, officials said. Five people lost their lives in Texas traffic accidents Tuesday [Jan 27] bringing to a total of six the number of weather-related deaths in the state since the winter storm moved into Texas Monday.” (Baytown Sun, TX. “Texas Weather.” 1-29-2009, p. 2.)

[54] Another source cites the Vernon TX Fire Chief (north TX), to the effect that on Jan 26 one person died after a vehicle hit an ambulance stopped at the scene of an unrelated wreck and that the accident was caused by ice n a nearby overpass. (AP. “Five Killed as Ice Storm Hits Midwest, South.” New Castle News, PA. 1-27-2009, p. 9.)

[55] “State police said icy road conditions were likely to blame in both crashes [other was Chimora].” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. “Storm Turns Va. Roads Deadly.” 1-28-2009, p. 1.

[56] Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. “Storm Turns Va. Roads Deadly.” 1-28-2009, p. 1.

[57] AP. “Thousands Still Powerless in West Virginia.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg VA, 1-30-2009, p. B10.

[58] AP. “Thousands Still Powerless in West Virginia.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg VA, 1-30-2009, p. B10.

[59] “State police said icy road conditions were likely to blame in both crashes [other was Chimora].” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. “Storm Turns Va. Roads Deadly.” 1-28-2009, p. 1.

[60] Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. “Storm Turns Va. Roads Deadly.” 1-28-2009, p. 1.

[61] AP. “Thousands Still Powerless in West Virginia.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg VA, 1-30-2009, p. B10.

[62] AP. “Thousands Still Powerless in West Virginia.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg VA, 1-30-2009, p. B10.