2014 — Jan 1-7, Winter Storms and Polar Vortex Cold Wave –44-45
–44-45 Blanchard estimated range.[1]
— >36 MacEgan, Matthew. “Death toll rises from North American ‘polar vortex’.” 1-8-2014.[2]
— <23 Brumfield and Levs. “Goodbye, polar vortex: Warmer weather is arriving.” 1-8-2014.
— >21 FoxNews.com. “‘Polar vortex blamed for at least 21 deaths.” 1-8-2014.
— >21 Henry, Ray (AP). “Arctic Air Eases its Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
— >20 Bacon, John and Doyle Rice (USA Today). “Deep Freeze holds its grip.” 1-7-2014.
— >17 Johnson, M. Alex. “Some relief…after deadly polar vortex.” NBC News, 1-7-2014.
— >16 AP. “Winter Storm Hercules: At Least 16 Deaths Blamed on Extreme…” 1-6-2014.
— >16 DeMarche, Edmund (Fox News) and the AP. “‘Polar vortex’ set to bring…” 1-4-2014.
— 15 Smith/Levis. “‘It’s too…cold’: Historic freeze brings…warning.” CNN.com, 1-6-2014.
— >13 Castellano. “At Least 13 Died in Winter Storm that Dumped…” ABC News, 1-3-2014.
— >12 9News, Sidney, AU. “Arctic air brings record cold to US.” 1-7-2014.
— >11 New York Post. “Live coverage of Hercules: East Coast digs out…blizzard.” 1-2-2014.
— > 9 Goldstein and Brown. “Snow wallops Northeast: At least 9 deaths…” 1-2/3-2014.
— > 8 Cavaliere/O’Brien. “Record freeze extends to eastern [US]…eight dead.” 1-7-2014.
State Breakout Summary
Alabama ( 2)
Connecticut ( 1)
Georgia ( 1)
Illinois ( 6)[3]
Indiana ( 9)
Kentucky ( 2)[4]
Maryland ( 1)
Michigan ( 9)
Minnesota ( 1)
Missouri ( 2)
New York ( 3)
Ohio (5-6)[5]
Pennsylvania ( 1)
Wisconsin ( 1)
Total 44-45
Cause Breakout Summary
— 2 Accidents. (Not vehicular/road accidents — Crushing/asphyxiation and Fall)
— 1 Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.
–15-16 Exposure to cold/Hypothermia.[6]
— 15 Heart Attacks.[7]
— 13 Vehicular road/highway incidents.
–46-47 Total[8]
Dates of Deaths (or bodies found)
— 3 Jan 1
— 6 Jan 2
— 5 Jan 3
— 6 Jan 4
— 7 Jan 5
— 8-9 Jan 6 (If woman, 45, found frozen in snow in Athens, OH vicinity, is included no. is 9.)
— 7 Jan 7
— 2 Not noted[9]
–44-45 Total (2 not counted because not confirmed by a source noting a specific locality.[10])
Age Grouping Summary
1-9: ( 1)
10-19: ( 1)
20’s: ( 5)
30’s: ( 2)
40’s: ( 4) (Included woman, 45, found frozen in snow, Athens, OH vic.–unconfirmed.)
50’s: (10)
60’s: ( 9)
70’s: ( 7)
80’s: ( 1)
90’s: ( 1)
Not given: ( 4)
Total 45
Gender
Male (32)
Female (13) (Included woman, 45, found frozen in snow, Athens, OH vic.–unconfirmed.)
State-by-State Breakout
Alabama ( 2)
— 1 Phenix City, Jan 3. “Likely” exposure, elderly woman found outside.[11]
— 1 Tanner, Jan 4. Possible exposure. Lightly dressed woman, 59, found outside near home.[12]
Connecticut ( 1)
— 1 Torrington, Rt. 8, Jan 3. Out-of-control SUV hits parked truck; male driver, 22, dies.[13]
Georgia ( 1)
— 1 Columbus, Jan 6. Exposure; man, 51, found in empty lot after spending night outdoors.[14]
Illinois ( 6)
— 7 FoxNews.com. “‘Polar vortex blamed for at least 21 deaths.” 1-8-2014.
— 7 Henry, Ray (AP). “Arctic Air Eases its Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
— 6 Blanchard estimate. Only six of 7 reported deaths are specific as to cause, place, or date.
— 4 Chicago vicinity. “Four cold and storm-related deaths were reported around Chicago…”[15]
— 4 Chicago vicinity. “…authorities reported that four people died…shoveling snow.”[16]
Localities:
— 1 Alton, Jan 2. Heart attack after using a snow blower; 66-year-old Carl W. Walker.[17]
— 1 Bolingbrook, Will County, Jan 4. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; man, 57.[18]
— 1 Chicago, Jan 5. Heart attack, 48-year-old man, while shoveling snow.[19]
— 1 Joliet, Will County, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 62-year-old man.[20]
— 1 Joliet, Will County, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 63-year-old man.[21]
— 1 ~ Niantic, Macon Co., Jan 1. I-72 car crash blamed on snowy road, female passenger, 70.[22]
Indiana ( 9)
–9 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–6 FoxNews.com. “‘Polar vortex blamed for at least 21 deaths.” 1-8-2014.
–6 Henry, Ray (AP). “Arctic Air Eases its Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
Localities:
–1 Anderson, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack; collapse after shoveling snow; man, 66.[23]
–1 Anderson, Jan 7. Apparent exposure; man 23, “death is definitely weather-related.”[24]
–1 Dunreith vic., Jan 5. Car slides on snowy road past stop sign into pickup truck; male, 41.[25]
–1 Indianapolis, Marion Co., Jan 6. Apparent exposure; woman, 88, found on her back porch.[26]
–1 “ No date. Apparent exposure; woman, 75, found dead on her front porch.[27]
–1 “ No date. Apparent heart attack, 62-year-old man collapses shoveling snow.[28]
–1 “ Jan 6. Collapse, outside after working on car over hour; male, 64, medical problems.[29]
–1 Rolling Prairie, “slushy” Rt. 20, Jan 1. Male pickup driver, 36, killed in crash with bus.[30]
–1 Tipton County, late Jan 1. Vehicular, male, 19, loses control of SUV.[31]
Kentucky ( 2)
— 4 State. “Kentucky. Slick roads…weather-related accidents were blamed for four deaths.”[32]
— 2 State. Blanchard estimated range based on locality breakouts below.[33]
— 1 ~Barbourville, Knox Co., hwy. KY-11, Jan 2. Woman, 62,[34] hit / killed by sliding car.[35]
— 1 ~South Williamson, Jan 2, vehicular. 50-year-old woman lost control of car on icy road.[36]
Maryland ( 1)
— 1 Morningside. Apparent exposure; unnamed homeless man found outside Jan 7.[37]
Michigan ( 9)
–10 Snyder, Julie (C&G staff). “Snow, subzero temps shut down most of Macomb County.”[38]
— 9 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts noted below.[39]
— 8 CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found Frozen to Death in Driveway…” 1-8-2014.[40]
— 7 Webb, Robin, USA Today. “Death toll rises from harsh winter weather.” 1-7-2014.[41]
— 6 Hall, C. “After the snow comes the murderous cold…” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.
Localities
— 1 Barry Co., Baltimore Township, Jan 4, traffic accident. Car hits 50-year-old man.[42]
— 1 Genesee Co., Flint, Jan 7. Apparent heart attack; man, 75, collapsed shoveling snow.[43]
— 1 Huron Co., Brookfield twp.,[44] Jan 4, traffic accident. Branden Hewitt, 27, car crash.”[45]
— 1 Oakland Co., Lake Orion, Jan 5. Man, 67,[46] found dead in partially shoveled driveway.[47]
— 1 “ Milford, Jan 4. 57-year-old man.[48] Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow.[49]
— 1 “ Pontiac, Jan 4. Woman, 67.[50] Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow.[51]
— 1 “ White Lake Twp., ~Jan 7. Apparent heart attack, male, 72, shoveling snow.[52]
— 1 Otsego Co., [53]Chester Twp. Jan 6, out of control SUV slid into tanker, man, 80, killed.[54]
— 1 Wayne County, Detroit, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow, man, 36.[55]
Minnesota ( 1)
— 1 New Ulm, found Jan 2. Exposure-related; male, 79, falls in backyard, below-zero temp. [56]
Missouri ( 2)
— 1 St. Joseph vicinity, Jan 6. Car hits snow plow, 1-year-old boy (Kiber Williams) killed.[57]
— 1 St. Louis, I-44, Jan 6. Car slides on ice into path of tractor-trailer, 20-year-old woman.[58]
New York ( 3)
–3 Associated Press. “Winter Storm Hercules: At Least 16 Deaths Blamed on…” 1-6-2014.
–1 Byron, Jan 2. Apparent exposure; female, Alzheimer’s, 71,[59] wanders off, frigid night.[60]
–1 ~North Babylon, Southern State Pkwy., LI, Jan 2. Car goes off icy road, woman, 25, dies.[61]
–1 Yonkers, Jan 3. Apparent CO poisoning, male 50s, found in car, exhaust covered by snow.[62]
Ohio (5-6)
–5-6 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.[63]
— 1 Akron, Jan 7. Cold weather contributing factor; man, 42, found dead in home driveway. [64]
— ? Athens vic., Jan 6. Possible exposure; woman, 45, found frozen in snow at trailer park.[65]
— 1 Bath Township, Allen County, ~Jan 7. Hypothermia; man, 75, in unheated “shack.”[66]
— 1 Cleveland, Jan 7. Apparent exposure and hypothermia; [67] male, 58, outside of home.[68]
— 1 Seneca Lake, Guernsey Co., Jan 6. Heart attack / hypothermia. Man, 55, on frozen lake.[69]
— 1 Wauseon, Jan 6. Exposure; 90-year-old woman found dead near her stranded car.[70]
Pennsylvania ( 1)
— 1 Bucks Co., Jan 3. Accident/asphyxiation; male, 51, buried, collapse of pile of road salt.[71]
Wisconsin ( 1)
— >1 Milwaukee, Jan 3. Hypothermia, male.[72]
Cause: (41-43)[73]
Accidents ( 2).
— 1 Philadelphia-area worker crushed/asphyxiated by collapse of pile of road salt.
— 1 New Ulm. Apparent fall in backyard and apparent exposure, male, 79; below zero temp.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (1)
— 1 Yonkers, NY, Jan 3. Apparent CO poisoning, male, 50s, car, exhaust covered by snow.[74]
Exposure/Hypothermia (15-16)
–15-16 Blanchard tally from reporting cited herein.[75]
— >3 No localities. “…several homeless died of exposure” (I translate several into 3).
Localities:
— 1 AL. Phenix City, Jan 3. “Likely” exposure, elderly woman found outside.
— 1 AL. Tanner, Jan 4. Possible exposure. Lightly dressed woman, 59, found outside ~home.
— 1 GA. Columbus, Jan 6. Exposure; man, 51, found in empty lot, spent night outdoors.
— 1 IN. Anderson, Jan 7. Apparent exposure; man 23, “death is definitely weather-related.”
— 1 IN. Indianapolis, Jan 6. Apparent exposure; woman, 88, found on her back porch.
— 1 IN. “ Apparent exposure; woman, 75, found dead on her front porch.
— 1 MD. Morningside. Apparent exposure; unnamed homeless man found outside Jan 7.
— 1 MN. New Ulm, Jan 2. Apparent backyard fall/apparent exposure, male, 79; below zero.
— 1 NY. Byron, Jan 2. Hypothermia; female (Alzheimer’s), 71, wanders off, frigid night.
— 1 OH. Akron, Jan 7. Apparent exposure; man, 42, found dead in driveway at his home.
— ? OH. Athens vic., Jan 6. Fall and possible exposure; woman, 45, found frozen in snow.
— 1 OH. Bath Township, Allen County, ~Jan 7. Hypothermia; man, 75, in unheated “shack.”
— 1 OH. Cleveland, Jan 7. Apparent exposure / hypothermia; male, 58, outside of home.
— 1 OH, Seneca Lake, Guernsey Co., Jan 6. Heart attack/hypothermia. Man, 55, on frozen lake.
— 1 OH. Wauseon, Jan 6. Apparent exposure. Woman, 90, found near her stranded car.
—>1 WI. Milwaukee, Jan 3. Hypothermia; male found outside his home.
Heart attacks (15)
–14 Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below. Most involved collapse after shoveling snow.
— 6 “ Henry, Ray. “Arctic Air Eases its Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
— 4 IL. Chicago vic. “…authorities reported that four people died…shoveling snow.”
Localities:
— 1 IL. Alton, Jan 2. Heart attack after using a snow blower; 66-year-old Carl W. Walker.
— 1 IL. Bolingbrook, Will County, Jan 4. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; man, 57.
— 1 IL. Chicago, Jan 5. Heart attack, 48-year-old man, while shoveling snow.
— 1 IL. Joliet, Will County, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 62-year-old man.
— 1 IL. Joliet, Will County, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 63-year-old man.
— 1 IN. Anderson, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack; collapse after shoveling snow; man, 66.
— 1 IN. Indianapolis. Apparent heart attack, 62-year-old man collapses shoveling snow.
— 1 MI. Detroit, Wayne County, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow, man, 36.
— 1 MI. Genesee Co., Flint, Jan 7. Apparent heart attack; man, 75, collapsed shoveling snow.
— 1 MI. Lake Orion, Oakland County, Jan 5. Man, 67, found in partially shoveled driveway.
— 1 MI. Milford, Oakland Co., Jan 4. Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow; male, 57.
— 1 MI. Pontiac, Oakland County. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; female, 67.
— 1 MI. White Lake Twp. Oakland Co., ~Jan 7. Apparent heart attack, male, 72, shoveling snow
— 1 OH, Seneca Lake, Guernsey Co., Jan 6. Heart attack/hypothermia. Man, 55, on frozen lake.
Vehicular (13) (Two KY deaths not found by locality are not listed, and two others are.)
— 13 Blanchard tally by location as noted below.
— 11 Smith/Levis. “‘It’s too…cold’: Historic freeze…warning.” CNN.com, 1-6-2014.
Locations:
— 1 CT. Torrington, Rt. 8, Jan 3. Out-of-control SUV hits DOT truck; male driver, 22, dies.
— 1 IL. Macon County, Jan 2. I-72 traffic accident blamed on snowy road.
— 1 IN ~Dunreith, Jan 5. Car slides on snowy road past stop sign into pickup truck; male, 41.
— 1 IN. Rolling Prairie, “slushy” route 20, Jan 1. Pickup truck driver killed in crash with bus.
— 1 IN. Tipton County, late Jan 1. Vehicular; 19-year-old male loses control of SUV.
— 1 KY ~Barbourville, hwy. KY-11, Jan 2. Woman, 62, hit and killed by sliding car.
— 1 KY ~South Williamson, Jan 2, car. 50-year-old woman lost control of car on icy road.
— 1 MI. Baltimore Township, Barry County, Jan 4, traffic accident. Car hits 50-year-old man.
— 1 MI. Huron Co., Brookfield twp., Jan 4, traffic accident. Branden Hewitt, 27, car crash.
— 1 MI. Otsego County. CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found…” 1-8-2014.
— 1 MO. St. Joseph vic., Jan 6. Car hits snow plow, 1-year-old boy (Kiber Williams) killed.
— 1 MO. St. Louis, I-44, Jan 6. Car slides on ice into tractor-trailer, woman, 20, killed.
— 1 NY. North Babylon, Southern State Pkwy., LI, Jan 2. Car goes off icy road, woman, 25.
Dates:
Jan 1: (3)
IL, Niantic vic., Macon Co., Jan 1. I-72 car crash blamed on snowy road, female passenger, 70.
IN, Rolling Prairie, “slushy” route 20, Jan 1. Pickup truck driver, 36, killed in crash with bus.
IN, Tipton County. Vehicular road accident; 19-year-old male loses control of SUV.
Jan 2: (6)
IL, Alton. Heart attack after using a snow blower; 66-year-old Carl W. Walker.
KY, near Barbourville, Knox Co., highway KY-11. Woman, 62, hit and killed by sliding car.
KY, near South Williamson. Vehicular/road; 50-year-old woman lost control of car on icy road.
MN, New Ulm. Apparent fall in backyard and apparent exposure, male, 79; below zero temp.
NY, Byron. Apparent hypothermia; female (Alzheimer’s), 71, wanders off, frigid night.
NY, North Babylon, Southern State Parkway., LI. Car goes off icy road, woman, 25, dies.
Jan 3: (5)
AL, Phenix City. Possible exposure, elderly woman found outside.
CT, Torrington, Rt. 8. Out-of-control SUV hits parked DOT truck; male driver, 22, dies.
NY, Yonkers. Apparent CO poisoning, male 50s, found in car, exhaust covered by snow.
PA, Bucks County. Accident/asphyxiation. Worker buried by collapse of pile of road salt.
WI, Milwaukee. Hypothermia, male.
Jan 4: (6)
AL, Tanner. Possible exposure. Lightly dressed woman, 59, found outside near home.
IL, Bolingbrook, Will County. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; man, 57.
MI, Baltimore Township, Barry County. Traffic accident; car hits 50-year-old man.
MI, Brookfield township, Huron County. Vehicular; car hits snowbank then car. (Hewitt, 27)
MI, Milford, Oakland County. Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow; 57-year-old man.
MI, Pontiac. Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow; 67-year-old woman.
Jan 5: (7)
IL, Chicago, Cook County. Heart attack, 48-year-old man, while shoveling snow.
IL, Joliet, Will County. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 62-year-old man.
IL, Joliet, Will County. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 63-year-old man.
IN, Anderson. Apparent heart attack; collapse after shoveling snow; man, 66.
IN, Dunreith vicinity. Car slides on snowy road past stop sign into pickup truck; male, 41.
- Detroit, Wayne County. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 36.
MI, Lake Orion, Oakland County. Man found dead in partially shoveled driveway.
Jan 6: (8-9)
GA, Columbus. Exposure; homeless man, 51, found in empty lot, spent night outdoors.
IN, Indianapolis, Marion County. Apparent exposure; woman, 88, found on her back porch.
IN, Indianapolis. Collapse, outside after working on car over hour; male, 64, medical problems.
MI, Chester Township, Otsego County. Out of control car slides into truck, passenger killed.
MO, St. Joseph vicinity. Car hits snow plow, 1-year-old boy (Kiber Williams) killed.
MO, St. Louis, I-44. Car slides on ice into path of tractor-trailer, 20-year-old woman killed.
OH, Athens vic., Jan 6. Possible exposure; woman, 45, found frozen in snow at trailer park.[76]
OH, Seneca Lake, Guernsey Co. Heart attack and hypothermia. Man, 55, on frozen lake.
OH, Wauseon. Apparent exposure. 90-year-old woman found dead near her stranded car.
Jan 7: (7)
IN, Anderson. Apparent exposure; man 23, “death is definitely weather-related.”
MD, Morningside. Apparent exposure; unnamed homeless man found outside Jan 7.
MI, Genesee Co., Flint. Apparent heart attack; man, 75, collapsed shoveling snow.
MI, White Lake Twp., Oakland Co. ~Jan 7. Apparent heart attack, male, 72, shoveling snow.
OH, Akron, Jan 7. Apparent exposure; man, 42, found dead in driveway at his home.
OH, Bath Township, Allen County, ~Jan 7. Hypothermia; man, 75, in unheated “shack.”
OH, Cleveland, Jan 7. Apparent exposure and hypothermia; male, 58, outside of home.
Date not stated: (4)
- Two traffic accident deaths that have not been confirmed.
IN, Indianapolis. Apparent exposure; woman, 75, found dead on her front porch. (Jan 7 report.)
IN, Indianapolis. Apparent heart attack, 62-year-old man collapses shoveling snow. (Jan 7 rpt.)
Age:
1-9: (1)
— 1 ~St. Joseph, MO, Jan 6. Car hits snow plow, 1-year-old boy (Kiber Williams) killed.
10-19: (1)
–1 Tipton County, IN, late Jan 1. Vehicular; 19-year-old male loses control of SUV.
20’s: (5)
–1 Torrington, CT, Rt. 8, Jan 3. Out-of-control SUV hits parked truck; male driver, 22, dies.
–1 Anderson, IN, Jan 7. Apparent exposure; man 23, “death is definitely weather-related.”
–1 Brookfield township, Huron Co., MI, Jan 4. Traffic accident; Branden Hewitt, 27, car crash.
–1 St. Louis, MO, I-44, Jan 6. Car slides on ice into path of tractor-trailer, woman, 20, killed.
–1 ~North Babylon, Southern State Pkwy., LI, NY, Jan 2. Car goes off icy road, woman, 25.
30’s: ( 2)
–1 Rolling Prairie, IL. “slushy” route 20, Jan 1. Pickup truck driver, 36, killed in crash with bus.
–1 Wayne County, Detroit, MI, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow, man, 36.
40’s: (3-4)
— 1 Chicago, IL, Jan 5. Heart attack, 48-year-old man, while shoveling snow.
— 1 ~Dunreith, IN, Jan 5. Car slides on snowy road past stop sign into pickup truck; male, 41.
— 1 Akron, OH, Jan 7. Apparent exposure; man, 42, found dead in driveway at his home.
— ? Athens vic., OH. Jan 6. Possible exposure; woman, 45, found frozen in snow, trailer park.[77]
50’s: ( 10)
–1 Tanner, AL. Jan 4. Possible exposure. Lightly dressed woman, 59, found outside near home.
–1 Columbus, GA, Jan 6. Exposure; man, 51, found in empty lot after spending night outdoors.
–1 Bolingbrook, Will County, IL, Jan 4. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; man, 57.
–1 ~South Williamson, KY, Jan 2. Vehicular. 50-year-old woman lost control of car on icy road
–1 Baltimore Township, Barry County, MI, Jan 4. Traffic accident; car hits 50-year-old man.
–1 Milford, Oakland Co., MI, Jan 4. Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow, 57-year-old man.
–1 Yonkers, NY, Jan 3. Apparent CO poisoning, male 50s, in car, exhaust covered by snow.
–1 Cleveland, OH, Jan 7. Apparent exposure and hypothermia; male, 58, outside of home.
–1 Bucks Co., PA, Jan 3. Accident/asphyxiation, man, 51, buried, collapse of pile of road salt.
–1 Seneca Lake, Guernsey Co., OH. Jan 6. Heart attack/hypothermia. Man, 55, on frozen lake.[78]
60’s: ( 9)
–1 Alton, IL, Jan 2. Heart attack after using a snow blower; 66-year-old Carl W. Walker.
–1 Joliet, Will County, IL. Jan 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 62-year-old man.
–1 Joliet, Will County, IL. Jan 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; 63-year-old man.
–1 Anderson, IN, Jan 5. Apparent heart attack; collapse after shoveling snow; man, 66.
–1 Indianapolis, IN. Apparent heart attack, 62-year-old man collapses shoveling snow.
–1 Indianapolis, Jan 6. Collapse outside, working on car over hour; male, 64, med. problems.
–1 ~Barbourville, Knox Co., KY, hwy. KY-11, Jan 2. Woman, 62, hit and killed by sliding car.
–1 Lake Orion, Oakland Co., MI, Jan 5. Man, 67, found dead in partially shoveled driveway.
–1 Pontiac, Oakland Co., MI. Jan 4. 67-year-old woman. Apparent heart attack, shoveling snow.
70’s: ( 7)
–1 ~Niantic, Macon Co., IL., Jan 1. I-72 car crash blamed on snowy road, female passenger, 70.
–1 Indianapolis, IN. Apparent exposure; woman, 75, found dead on her front porch.
–1 Flint, Genesee Co., MI, Jan 7. Apparent heart attack; man, 75, collapsed shoveling snow.
–1 White Lake Twp., Oakland Co., MI, ~Jan 7. Apparent heart attack, male, 72, shoveling snow
–1 New Ulm, MN, found Jan 2. Exposure-related; male, 79, falls in backyard, below-zero temp.
–1 Byron, NY, Jan 2. Apparent exposure; female with Alzheimer’s, 71, wanders off, frigid night.
–1 Bath Township, Allen County, OH, ~Jan 7. Hypothermia; man, 75, in unheated “shack.”
80’s: ( 1)
— 1 Indianapolis, Marion Co., Jan 6. Apparent exposure; woman, 88, found on her back porch.
90’s: ( 1)
–1 Wauseon, OH, Jan 6. Apparent exposure; woman, 90, found dead near her stranded car.
Not given: ( 6)
— 1 AL, Phenix City, Jan 3. Possible exposure, elderly woman found outside.
— 2 KY weather-related traffic accidents.
— 1 MD, Morningside. Apparent exposure; unnamed homeless man found outside Jan 7.
— 1 MI, Otsego County, Chester Twp. Jan 6, out of control car slide into truck, passenger killed.
—>1 WI, Milwaukee, Jan 3. Hypothermia, male.
Narrative Information — Ohio
Teresa Goode: She apparently fell outside her Knollwood Trailer Park home off Rt. 50 and was found frozen on Jan 6…“No foul play is suspected…” noting their information came from the Athens County Sheriff. (Mary Beth Lane. “Woman’s body found frozen at Athens County mobile-home park.” Columbus Dispatch, OH, 1-7-2014.)
Woman was later identified as Teresa Goode. (Parkersburg News and Sentinel, WV. “Woman found dead after fall,” 1-8-2014.)
We have not yet seen a final determination on cause of death and thus do not include as one of the confirmed weather-related deaths.
See, also: Kantele Franko/AP. “At Least 3 Ohio Deaths Linked to Freezing Weather.” Daily Record, Wooster, OH, 1-9-2014.
Sources
9News, Sidney, AU. “Arctic air brings record cold to US.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/2014/01/07/04/25/polar-vortex-slams-us-with-cold-weather
ABC7 Eyewitness News, Chicago and Sun-Times Media Wire. “At least 4 snow shoveling deaths reported in Chicago, Will County,” 1-6-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9383311
Almond, Mary Beth (C & G staff). “Snow shoveling blamed for five Oakland County deaths.” Candgnews.com, 1-14-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.candgnews.com/news/snow-shoveling-blamed-five-oakland-county-deaths
Associated Press. “Arctic air eases its grip on much of the US.” Washington Post, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/polar-air-brings-single-digit-cold-to-east-south/2014/01/07/0304e67e-77fa-11e3-a647-a19deaf575b3_story.html
Associated Press. “Casino bus crash with pickup kills truck driver, injures 15.” ABC7 Eyewitness News, WLS-TV, Chicago, IL, 1-2-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?id=9379151
Associated Press. “Conn. man dies after hitting state highway truck.” Boston.com, 1-3-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2014/01/03/conn-man-dies-after-hitting-state-highway-truck/XDyCdXz8EXZsUmH23iGuxH/story.html
Associated Press. “Exposure to elements suspected in 2 Ala. deaths,” Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA. 1-5-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/01/05/2885960/exposure-to-elements-suspected.html
Associated Press. “Most Dangerous Temps in Decades Push Across US.” 1-6-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=260041181
Associated Press. “New Ulm man, 79, found dead in backyard, frigid cold contributed to death,” 1-3-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.startribune.com/local/238647641.html
Associated Press. “Officials link 6 Indiana deaths to winter storm. “ Evansville Courier & Press, IN. 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2014/jan/07/officials-link-6-indiana-deaths-winter-storm/
Associated Press. “Winter Storm Hercules: At Least 16 Deaths Blamed on Extreme Winter Weather in Northeast, Midwest.” 1-6-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014 at: http://www.weather.com/news/weather-winter/winter-storm-hercules-state-state-impacts-20140101
Bacon, John and Doyle Rice (USA Today). “Deep Freeze holds its grip.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20140108/NEWS05/301080020/Deep-freeze-holds-its-grip
Bennett, Ashley. “Deep Freeze 2014: Cleveland, OH – Battered city gradually returns to normal.” Government Security News, 1-10-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/39906?c=disaster_preparedness_emergency_response
Boyle, Louise, Alex Ward, Michael Zennie and James Nye. “Get ready for it to feel as cold as Minus Sixty! Nation braces for the coldest temperatures in 40 years as ‘polar vortex’ crosses US.” Associated Newspapers Ltd., 1-3-2014, updated 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2533458/Flood-Hercules-grip-Northeast-Canada-records-temperatures-cold-MARS.html
Brumfield, Ben and Josh Levs (CNN). “Goodbye, polar vortex: Warmer weather is arriving.” 1-8-2014 update. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/08/us/winter-weather/
Carey, Nick and Kim Palmer. “Polar freeze grips United States, disrupting travel, business.” Reuters (Chicago/Cleveland, OH), 1-6-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/06/us-usa-weather-idUSBREA000JC20140106
Cassler, Bill. “Man freezes to death on Seneca Lake.” YourRadioPlace.com, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014: http://www.yourradioplace.com/news/top-local-news/item/3599-man-freezes-to-death-on-seneca-lake.html
Castellano, Anthony (Good Morning America). “At Least 13 Died in Winter Storm that Dumped More Than 2 Feet of Snow Over Northeast.” ABC News, 1-3-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/11-died-winter-storm-dumped-feet-snow-northeast/story?id=21407724
Castellano, Anthony (Good Morning America). “Frigid Polar Vortex Cripples US for Second Straight Day.” ABC News, 1-7-2014. Accessed at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/frigid-polar-vortex-cripples-us-straight-day/story?id=21444355
Cavaliere, Victoria and Brendon O’Brien. “Record freeze extends to eastern United States, at least eight dead.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://news.yahoo.com/polar-freeze-grips-united-states-disrupting-travel-business-010126288–sector.html
CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found Frozen to Death in Driveway, Shovel in Hand.” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/01/08/metro-detroit-man-found-frozen-to-death-in-driveway/
Cleveland.com. “Arctic cold settles over Northeast Ohio. Sub-zero temperatures…” 1-7-2014, updated 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.cleveland.com/weather/blog/index.ssf/2014/01/arctic_cold_settles_over_north.html
Cusma, Kathryn, Aaron Feis, Bruce Golding. “4 deaths linked to winter snowstorm.” New York Post, 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014: http://nypost.com/2014/01/04/4-deaths-linked-to-winter-snowstorm/
Dabrowski, Jessica and Dave Nethers. “Body Found in Akron Driveway Identified.” Fox 8, Cleveland, OH, 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://fox8.com/2014/01/08/body-found-in-akron-driveway-identified/
Daily Mail Reporter, UK. “The big thaw begins: Frozen Bodies found in snow as temperatures begin to rise after brutal ‘polar vortex’ leaves 21 dead and 11,000 flights grounded,” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2535695/So-cold-Hell-frozen-Small-Michigan-town-country-plunged-freezing-temperatures-polar-vortex-things-warming-day-two.html
Deam, Jillian. “Fatal Accident on I-72.” Illinoishomepage.net. 1-2-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/fatal-accident-on-i-72/d/story/nCWYpagBnk-6_KOaYgpVsQ
DeMarche, Edmund (Fox News) and the Associated Press. “‘Polar vortex’ set to bring dangerous, record-breaking cold to much of US.” 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/01/04/polar-vortex-to-blast-frigid-air-over-much-us/
Examiner.com. “Man dies in Flint, Michigan shoveling snow,” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.examiner.com/article/man-dies-flint-michigan-shoveling-snow-read-safe-shoveling-tips
FoxNews.com. “‘Polar vortex blamed for at least 21 deaths.” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/01/08/polar-vortex-blamed-for-at-least-21-deaths/
FoxNews.com. “‘Polar vortex’ set to bring dangerous, record-breaking cold to much of US.” 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/01/04/polar-vortex-to-blast-frigid-air-over-much-us/
Franko, Kantele (Associated Press). “At Least 3 Ohio Deaths Linked to Freezing Weather.” The Daily Record, Wooster, OH, 1-9-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.the-daily-record.com/ap%20general%20news/2014/01/09/at-least-3-ohio-deaths-linked-to-freezing-weather
GA Daily News. “From record lows to record highs: Pacific jet stream to ease icy grip of polar vortex with temperatures set to rise to mid-50s in frigid Northeast.” 1-9-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014: http://www.gadailynews.com/news/regional/204680-from-record-lows-to-record-highs-pacific-jet-stream-to-ease-icy-grip-of-polar-vortex-with-temperatures-set-to-rise-to-mid-50s-in-frigid-northeast.html
Gantdaily.com. “Six Indiana Deaths Linked to Subzero Weather, Temperature Slowly Rises,” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://gantdaily.com/2014/01/08/six-indiana-deaths-linked-to-subzero-weather-temperature-slowly-rises/
Gaylord Herald Times, MI. “Names released in fatal tanker crash.” 1-6-2014; updated 1-9-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/news/local/atlanta-man-killed-wife-injured-in-crash-with-propane-tanker/article_8f61b9c2-770e-11e3-b184-0019bb30f31a.html
Goldstein, Sasha and Stephen Rex Brown. “Snow wallops Northeast: At least 9 deaths blamed on ‘Hercules’ as thousands of flights are canceled, roadways shut down.” New York Daily News, 1-2-2014, updated 1-3-2014 at: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/northeast-prepares-slammed-snow-article-1.1564124
Gonzalez, Erika. “Man Found Frozen to Death in Maryland.” NBC4 Washington, 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Snow-Possible-Later-This-Week-238225261.html
Hall, Christina. “After the snow comes the murderous cold, then up to 30s this weekend.” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.freep.com/article/20140106/NEWS05/301060107/After-snow-comes-murderous-cold-then-up-30s-weekend
Hart, Cassie (KSTP.com). “New Ulm Man 1 of 16 Deaths Across US From Cold Temps, Historic Freeze Could Break Midwest Records.” 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3268961.shtml
Henry, Ray (AP). “Arctic Air Eases its Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/south-east-brace-polar-temps-wind-chills-21445698
Herald Bulletin, Anderson, IN. “Cold a factor in death of Anderson man.” 1-5-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.heraldbulletin.com/bigstory/x1186909768/Winter-storm-lashing-Madison-County
Johnson, M. Alex. “Some relief (not much) on the way after deadly polar vortex.” NBC News, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/07/22212027-some-relief-not-much-on-the-way-after-deadly-polar-vortex?lite
Kazek, Kelly. “Sheriff: Woman whose body found near roadside in Tanner may have died of exposure,” AL.com, 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://blog.al.com/breaking/2014/01/sheriff_woman_whose_body_found.html#incart_river
Knight, Ben. “States of emergency declared in New York, New Jersey as storm hits eastern US,” ABC News, AU, 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-04/state-of-emergency-declared-in-ny2c-nj-as-us-storm-hits/5184496
Lane. Mary Beth. “Woman’s body found frozen at Athens County mobile-home park.” Columbus Dispatch, OH, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/01/06/Athens-County-woman-frozen.html
Lane, Mary Beth (Columbus Dispatch, OH). “Woman’s body found frozen at mobile-home park.” Norwalkreflector.com, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-16-2014 at: http://www.norwalkreflector.com/article/4003191
Lima News, OH. “Editorial: We let a man freeze to death.” 1-12-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://limaohio.com/news/editorials-opinion/665676/We-let-a-man-freeze-to-death&source=RSS
MacEgan, Matthew. “Death toll rises from North American ‘polar vortex’.” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2014/01/08/cold-j08.html
NBC10.com / Associated Press. “Worker Killed by Road Salt Was Father of 2.” 1-4-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Worker-Killed-by-Road-Salt-Pile-Was-Father-of-2-238714651.html
New York Post. “Live coverage of Hercules: East Coast digs out after blizzard.” 1-2-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014 at: http://nypost.com/2014/01/02/live-updates-on-winter-storm-hercules/
Newsnet5.com. “Cold is suspected as factor in man’s death.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at:
http://www.today.com/id/54003320/ns/local_news-cleveland_oh/#.UtW9dfulrOs
Paden, Capt. Jeffery D. “Man found deceased on frozen Lake Seneca.” Guernsey County [OH] Sheriff’s Office, General Information, Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office Announcements. 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-15-2014 at: http://www.guernseysheriff.com/announcements/
Pal-item.com (Gannett Co.). “Richmond man killed, Dublin woman hurt in crash.” 1-5-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.pal-item.com/viewart/20140105/NEWS01/301050015/
Parkersburg News and Sentinel, WV. “Woman found dead after fall,” 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-16-2014: http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/581992/Woman-found-dead-after-fall.html?nav=5066
Sanchez, Raf. “Michelle Obama in Hawaii ahead of 50th as US shivers.” The Telegraph, UK. 1-5-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/hawaii/10552117/Michelle-Obama-in-Hawaii-ahead-of-50th-as-US-shivers.html
Smith, Matt, and Josh Levis. “‘It’s too darn cold’: Historic freeze brings rare danger warning.” CNN.com, 1-6-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014 at: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/06/us/winter-weather/
Snyder, Julie (C&G staff). “Snow, subzero temps shut down most of Macomb County.” Candgnews.com (Warren, MI), 1-9-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: https://www.candgnews.com/news/snow-subzero-temps-shut-down-most-macomb-county
Sparkman, Angela. “One dead from icy roads in Knox County.” WYMT TV57, 1-2-2014, 6:20 PM. Accessed 1-13-2014: http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Icy-roads–238443851.html
Stevens, Tiffany. “Homeless man dies due to cold exposure.” Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA. 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2014/01/07/2888382/homeless-man-dies-due-to-cold.html
Turk, John and Lara Mossa. “Elderly man found dead in snow; more health problems abound,” Oakland Press News, MI, 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20140108/elderly-man-found-dead-in-snow-more-health-problems-abound
USA Today. “Freezing, bitter cold scrambles travel and prompts danger warnings.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-8-2014: http://www.wtsp.com/weather/article/351443/3/Dangerous-deep-freeze-sweeps-east
WAND TV17, Decatur, IL. “Snow covered roads cause fatal crash.” 1-2-2014. Also: Deam, Jillian. “Fatal Accident on I-72.” Illinoishomepage.net. 1-2-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.wandtv.com/story/24347545/snow-covered-roads-cause-fatal-crash
Ward, Mike. “Dead Body Identified, Not Dressed For Cold.” AkronNewsNow.com, 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-16-2014 at: http://akronnewsnow.com/news/local/item/148490-dead-body-identified-not-dressed-for-cold
Weather Channel and Associated Press. “Winter Storm Ion: State-By-State Impacts.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.weather.com/news/weather-winter/winter-storm-ion-state-state-impacts-20140106
Weatherfanatics.blogspot.com. “Winter Storm Hercules State-by-State Impacts: 2014’s First Big Storm Bears Down on Northeast.” 1-2-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014 at: http://weatherfanatics.blogspot.com/2014/01/winter-storm-hercules-state-by-state.html
Webb, Robin, USA Today. “Death toll rises from harsh winter weather.” Thetimesherald.com, 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-9-2014 at: http://www.thetimesherald.com/usatoday/article/4355329
WGN Chicago. “1 killed, 15 injured in Indiana crash involving bus.” 1-2-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014 at: http://news.yahoo.com/video/1-killed-15-injured-indiana-122059105.html
WISH TV8, Indianapolis. “Several deaths attributed to weather.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-13-2014 at: http://www.wishtv.com/news/indiana/several-deaths-attributed-to-weather
Woods, Jim. “Hypothermia a factor in Guernsey County man’s death.” Columbus Dispatch, OH. 1-8-2014. Accessed 1-16-2014 at: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/01/08/hypothermia-a-factor-in-death.html
WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014. Accessed 1-11-2014: http://www.wthr.com/story/24385785/2014/01/07/officials-link-six-indiana-deaths-to-winter-storm
Yan, Ellen. “Motorist who died in North Babylon crash identified,” Long Island Newsday, NY, 1-3-2014. Accessed 1-14-2014 at: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/motorist-who-died-in-north-babylon-crash-identified-1.6728165
[1] The low end of the range of 44-47 is from the State breakout where localities are identified. We have not located locality descriptions for two of four reported weather-related traffic deaths in Kentucky, and thus do not count.
[2] Blanchard combination of two statistics: (1) “This [polar] vortex is already the second major storm system to pummel the United States’ Midwest and Northeast since the beginning of the New Year. The first caused at least 19 deaths…” (2) “The polar vortex has been responsible for at least 17 known deaths in the United States so far.”
[3] A number of media reports note seven weather-related fatalities in Illinois. We have locality information on six.
[4] While we have seen a report of four road/vehicular accidents, we have found but two specific events.
[5] We have not yet seen a final determination on cause of death on Athens woman found Jan 6, frozen in snow at the trailer park where she lived, and thus do not include as one of the confirmed weather-related deaths.
[6] Based on locality breakouts noted below. Two deaths are cross-listed in heart attack and in exposure/hypothermia. The range of one person is explained by uncertainty concerning death of Athens, OH woman. Awaiting final determination on cause of death. Though we have seen a number of reports of “several” homeless deaths due to cold exposure, we are counting only the two explicitly identified as homeless.
[7] Most due to snow removal activity. One came during a long walk on a frozen lake in frigid weather, with hyperthermia contributing to cause of death.
[8] Will add to more deaths than State-by-State breakout in that several of the deaths are cross-listed by cause.
[9] Both in Indianapolis, IN – one an apparent heart attack linked to snow removal, and the other to cold exposure.
[10] Two of these are in KY where we have confirmed localities for just two of four weather-related traffic accidents.
[11] “Authorities in Phenix City…say an elderly woman there also [Tanner death] likely died because of exposure to the elements. Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. told the Ledger-Enquirer of Columbus…that a woman was found outside on Friday morning and was later pronounced dead….Forecasters have issued several winter weather warnings ahead of a severe weather system moving into the region.” Associated Press. “Exposure to elements suspected in 2 Ala. deaths,” Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA. 1-5-2014.
[12] “Tanner, Ala.–A woman whose body was discovered…in Tanner today may have died of exposure, Limestone County Sheriff…said. The body of 59-year-old Sonya Todd was discovered about a quarter of a mile from her Stewart Road home. She was not bundled up for the weather, the sheriff said, but was dressed in a light sweater and sweat pants. Her body was sent for an autopsy but Blakely said “there is no reason to suspect foul play.’” Kazek, Kelly. “Sheriff: Woman whose body found near roadside in Tanner may have died of exposure,” AL.com, 1-4-2014.
[13] “Torrington, Conn. (AP) – Connecticut State police say a 22-year-old Litchfield man has died after his SUV struck a parked state Department of Transportation truck on a snowy roadway in Torrington. Police said Christopher Watts lost control of the Jeep Liberty Friday morning on Route 8 northbound and slammed into the rear of the boom truck, which wasn’t occupied. He was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead…” Associated Press. “Conn. man dies after hitting state highway truck.” Boston.com, 1-3-2014. Also, Associated Press. “Winter Storm Hercules: At Least 16 Deaths Blamed on Extreme Winter Weather in Northeast, Midwest” 1-6-2014.
[14] Cavaliere, Victoria and Brendon O’Brien. “Record freeze extends to eastern [US], at least eight dead.” 1-7-2014. Tiffany Stevens, Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, GA: “Monday night’s bitter weather claimed the life of…Muscogee County homeless man, according to the Coroner’s Office [which] said Paul Garner, 51, was found dead in a vacant lot near the intersection of Third Avenue and 15th Street.” (“Homeless man dies due to cold exposure,” 1-7-2014.)
[15] Victoria Cavaliere/Brendon O’Brien. “Record freeze extends to eastern [US], at least eight dead.” 1-7-2014.
[16] Castellano, Anthony (GMA). “Frigid Polar Vortex Cripples US for Second Straight Day.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
[17] Weatherfanatics.blogspot.com. “Winter Storm Hercules State-by-State Impacts: 2014’s First Big Storm Bears Down on Northeast.” 1-2-2014.
[18] ABC7/Sun-Times Media Wire. “At least 4 snow shoveling deaths reported in Chicago, Will County,” 1-6-2014.
[19] “A 48-year-old man…died while shoveling snow Sunday night in Chicago’s West Side Humboldt Park neighborhood, police said. The man was shoveling snow in the 1400 block of North Washtenaw Avenue about 10:20 p.m. and started having chest pains, police…said. He was pronounced dead on the scene by the fire department…The man had suffered from heart-related issues in the past…” ABC7/Sun-Times Media Wire. “At least 4 snow shoveling deaths reported in Chicago, Will County,” 1-6-2014. See, also: Carey, Nick and Kim Palmer. “Polar freeze grips United States, disrupting travel, business.” Reuters, 1-6-2014.
[20] ABC7/Sun-Times Media Wire. “At least 4 snow shoveling deaths reported in Chicago, Will County,” 1-6-2014.
[21] ABC7/Sun-Times Media Wire. “At least 4 snow shoveling deaths reported in Chicago, Will County,” 1-6-2014.
[22] “Niantic – The snow caused a fatal crash in Macon County. State police say it happened on I-72 in Niantic, just before 9 Wednesday evening. The driver lost control of the car on the snow covered road, ran off the road several feet down an embankment and flipped. Linda Walser, 70, the front seat passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, at 10:30 P.M.” “A man was killed in car accident in Macon County. The crash happened just before 9:00 Wednesday night on I-72 Eastbound near Niantic. Police say the driver lost control on the snowy road. The car veered off the road and hit a culvert causing the car to flip. One of the passengers died on the scene.” WAND TV17, Decatur, IL. “Snow covered roads cause fatal crash.” 1-2-2014. Also: Deam, Jillian. “Fatal Accident on I-72.” Illinoishomepage.net. 1-2-2014. And: Weatherfanatics.blogspot.com. “Winter Storm Hercules State-by-State Impacts: 2014’s First Big Storm Bears Down on Northeast.” 1-2-2014.
[23] “Madison County Coroner… tells The Herald Bulletin a 66-year-old Anderson man collapsed and died of heart troubles while shoveling snow Sunday.” (WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014.) Also: The Herald Bulletin. “Cold a factor in death of Anderson man.” 1-5-2014; gives the name as David Garrett.
[24] “Madison County Coroner…said a 23-year-old Anderson man was found in the snow about 3 p.m. Tuesday. An autopsy is pending, but Dunnichay says the man had been exposed to the elements for 30 or more hours and the death is definitely weather-related.” (WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014.) Another account writes that the victim “went outside to shovel snow.” (Gantdaily.com. “Six Indiana Deaths Linked to Subzero Weather, Temperature Slowly Rises,” 1-8-2014.)
[25] “A Richmond man was killed in a two-vehicle crash in southern Henry County late Sunday afternoon. The crash was reported about 5:40 p.m. at Indiana 3 and U.S. 40 near Dunreith, according to Henry County Sheriff…[who] said a car was northbound on Ind. 3 and slid into the path of a truck traveling eastbound on U.S. 40, causing a T-bone collision. Christopher M. Hutchings, 41, of Richmond was pronounced dead at the scene by the Henry County coroner….Indiana State Police say a preliminary investigation indicates the Camry was going too fast for the snow-covered road conditions.” Pal-item.com (Gannett Co.). “Richmond man killed, Dublin woman hurt in crash.” 1-5-2014. Also, Weather Channel and Associated Press. “Winter Storm Ion: State-By-State Impacts.” 1-7-2014.
[26] WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014.
[27] WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014. Another report writes “a 75-year-old woman with medical issues died when she went out to walk her dog and got locked outside the home.” (WISH TV8, Indianapolis. “Several deaths attributed to weather.” 1-7-2014.)
[28] WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014.
[29] WTHR.com. “Officials link six Indiana deaths to winter storm.” 1-7-2014. The date comes from an apparent reference to this death in Associated Press report picked up in Evansville Courier & Press, IN. “Officials link 6 Indiana deaths to winter storm. “ 1-7-2014.
[30] Rolling Prairie is in Kankakee Township, LaPorte County, Indiana. For data see: Sasha Goldstein and Stephen Rex Brown. “Snow wallops Northeast: At least 9 deaths blamed on ‘Hercules’ as thousands of flights are canceled…” New York Daily News, 1-2-2014, updated 1-3-2014; WGN Chicago. “1 killed, 15 injured in Indiana crash involving bus.” 1-2-2014; Assoc. Press. “Casino bus crash with pickup kills truck driver, injures 15.” ABC7 Eyewitness News, WLS-TV, Chicago, IL, 1-2-2014. This last source identifies the fatality as John Kallok of Griffith.
[31] The fatality was William Lamoreaux of Plant City, FL. (Weatherfanatics.blogspot.com. “Winter Storm Hercules State-by-State Impacts: 2014’s First Big Storm Bears Down on Northeast.” 1-2-2014.)
[32] AP. “Winter Storm Hercules: At Least 16 Deaths Blamed on Extreme Winter Weather in [NE]….” 1-6-2014.
[33] While we have seen a report of four road/vehicular accidents, we have found only two specific events.
[34] Sparkman, Angela. “One dead from icy roads in Knox County.” WYMT TV57, 1-2-2014, 6:20 PM.
[35] “Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Claude Hudson was quoted by the Lexington Herald-Leader as saying that Ruby Miles was hit and killed by a vehicle unable to stop on icy Kentucky 11 south of Barboursville as she walked up the road after her vehicle slid into a guardrail Thursday. Hudson says five cars eventually piled up there, and three other people were taken to the hospital for treatment.” (Weatherfanatics.blogspot.com. “Winter Storm Hercules State-by-State Impacts: 2014’s First Big Storm Bears Down on Northeast.” 1-2-2014.)
[36] Cited are the Kentucky State Police (Boyle, Louise, Alex Ward, Michael Zennie and James Nye. “Get ready for it to feel as cold as Minus Sixty! Nation braces for the coldest temperatures in 40 years as ‘polar vortex’ crosses US.” Associated Newspapers Ltd., 1-3-2014 publication; updated 1-4-2014.
[37] “…several homeless people, including a man in Morningside, Maryland, froze to death…The unnamed Maryland victim was found behind a business on Tuesday morning. ‘He was frozen solid,’ a witness told News4….A number of employees said they knew the victim and had been regularly checking on him, but had last seen him outside a business on Monday. His body was found the next day between a wall and a fence.” (GA Daily News. “From record lows to record highs: Pacific jet stream to ease icy grip of polar vortex with temperatures set to rise to mid-50s in frigid Northeast.” 1-9-2014.) Another account: “Record-breaking temperatures and wind chills claimed the life of one Marland man Tuesday. An arctic blast brought record-breaking temperatures and wind chills near minus 20 degrees to the area late Monday evening and into Tuesday….In Morningside, Md., the body of a possibly homeless Maryland man was found behind a business in the 4700 block of Allentown Road around 10 a.m. Tuesday….Those who work in the area say the man had been in the area for about a year….” (Gonzalez, Erika. “Man Found Frozen to Death in Maryland.” NBC4 Washington, 1-8-2014.)
[38] Cited in this C & G Newspapers report, dated 1-9-2014, are Michigan State Police.
[39] We did not include the Jan 6 deaths noted in the Snyder article of two men who died in a plane crash at the Boyne City Municipal Airport.
[40] “Barett’s death [White Lake Township] is likely the eighth fatality in Michigan during the snowstorm and deep freeze that followed, which were caused by a so-called polar vortex — counterclockwise-rotating pool of cold, dense air. Authorities say three people were killed in traffic crashes related to the storm, in Otsego, Huron and Barry counties. Four other people – in Flint, Detroit, Milford and Pontiac – collapsed and died while shoveling snow….”
[41] Three in vehicle/road accidents, three apparent heart attacks (shoveling snow), one “unspecified health issues.
[42] “State police say a 16-year-old driver hit a 50-year-old man…walking Saturday [Jan 4] in Barry County’s Baltimore Township, about 30 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. Police said road conditions were slippery, visibility was poor and the pedestrian wore dark clothing.” (Hall, Christina. “After the…” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.)
[43] “A 75-year-old man died Tuesday, Jan. 7, while shoveling snow, according to Flint Police Chief James Tolbert. The man was trying to dig his car out of his driveway around noon at his home on West Gracelawn near King Avenue when he collapsed….He apparently died of a heart attack, said Flint Police Capt. T. P. Johnson.” Examiner.com. “Man dies in Flint, Michigan shoveling snow,” 1-8-2014. See, also, CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found Frozen to Death in Driveway, Shovel in Hand.” 1-8-2014.
[44] “The Huron Daily Tribune reported that a 27-year-old man was killed when he hit a snowdrift and struck another vehicle Saturday in Huron County’s Brookfield Township.” (Christina Hall. “After the snow comes the murderous cold, then up to 30s this weekend.” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.)
[45] Webb, Robin, USA Today. “Death toll rises from harsh winter weather.” Thetimesherald.com, 1-7-2014. Another account notes: “The Huron Daily Tribune reported that a 27-year-old man was killed when he hit a snowdrift and struck another vehicle Saturday in Huron County’s Brookfield Township.
[46] “According to Robert Gerds, administrator for the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office…a 67-year-old Lake Orion man…collapsed and died while shoveling snow.” Almond, Mary Beth (C & G staff). “Snow shoveling blamed for five Oakland County deaths.” Candgnews.com, 1-14-2014.
[47] Cited is Robert Gerds, administrator, Oakland Co. Med. Exam. Office, to effect that “his shovel was leaning up against his vehicle.” (Hall, Christina. “After the snow comes the murderous cold…” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.)
[48] Hall, Christina. “After the snow comes the murderous cold…” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.
[49] CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found Frozen to Death in Driveway, Shovel in Hand.” 1-8-2014.
[50] Hall, Christina. “After the snow comes the murderous cold…” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.
[51] CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found Frozen to Death in Driveway, Shovel in Hand.” 1-8-2014.
[52] “In White Lake Township, a 72-year-old was found dead with a shovel in his hand in his backyard…apparently trying to dig a tractor out of a snow bank.” (Daily Mail Reporter, UK. “The big thaw begins: Frozen Bodies found in snow as temperatures begin to rise after brutal ‘polar vortex’ leaves 21 dead…” 1-8-2014.) See also: John Turk and Lara Mossa. “Elderly man found dead in snow; more health problems abound,” Oakland Press News, MI, 1-8-2014. Also: White Lake TWP…Police say a 72-year-old man was found frozen to death in the driveway of his home days after a major winter storm dumped about a foot of snow on metro Detroit. The body of Alton Barett was found Tuesday [Jan 7] outside of his home…in White Lake Township. Officials say Barett was found with a shovel in his hand next to his tractor, which many have stalled out or gotten stuck in the snow. It wasn’t immediately clear if Barett’s death was caused by the extreme weather conditions or natural causes. Temperatures in metro Detroit over “the last few days have been hovering around zero, with wind chills making it actually feel much, much colder. One theory is that Barett might have suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow, but authorities are awaiting autopsy results to confirm an exact cause of death…Officials say Barett was last heard from on January 4, which means his body could have been out in the freezing cold for as many as three days…” Cassie Hart, KSTP.com. “New Ulm Man 1 of 16 Deaths Across US From Cold Temps, Historic Freeze Could Break Midwest Records.” 1-4-2014.
[53] CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man…” 1-8-2014.
[54] “The weather is blamed for at least six deaths across the state [MI]. A car went out of control and slid in front of an oncoming propane tanker Monday afternoon in Otsego County’s Chester Township in the northern Lower Peninsula, state police said. The car’s driver was critically injured and its passenger killed…” (Weather Channel. “Winter Storm Ion: State-By-State Impacts.” 1-7-2014.) A later report identified the passenger fatality as Clyde Richard McKelvey, 80, husband of the injured driver, Nancy Lynn McKelvey (both of Atlanta). According to this report “The state police determined weather was a factor in the crash, citing 3-degree temperatures and 20 mph winds that created whiteout conditions.” [photos show snow-covered vicinity] (Gaylord Herald Times, MI. “Names released in fatal tanker crash.” 1-6-2014; updated 1-9-2014.)
[55] CBS Detroit. “Metro Detroit Man Found Frozen to Death in Driveway, Shovel in Hand.” 1-8-2014. See also: Christina Hall. “After the snow comes the murderous cold, then up to 30s…” Detroit Free Press, 1-6-2014.
[56] “New Ulm, Minn. – Authorities say the frigid cold contributed to the death of a 79-year-old man in south-central Minnesota. Police say William Harry Lee of New Ulm was found unresponsive in his backyard Thursday night. Police say lee apparently fell and died from the accident and the fold. KTOE-AM…reports the temperature was 18 below zero…..” (Associated Press. “New Ulm man, 79, found dead in backyard, frigid cold contributed to death,” 1-3-2014.) Also: “Police said the cold contributed to the death of a 79-year-old man who fell outside his home in New Ulm, Minn., where temperatures dropped down to -18 degrees.” (Hart, Cassie (KSTP.com). “New Ulm Man 1 of 16 Deaths Across US From Cold Temps, Historic Freeze Could Break Midwest Records.” 1-4-2014.)
[57] “The Missouri State highway Patrol said a 1-year-old Easton boy, Kiber Williams, died after the car he was in crashed head-on with a snowplow near St. Joseph on Monday.” Weather Channel and AP. “Winter Storm Ion: State-By-State Impacts.” 1-7-2014. Also, Ray Henry. “Arctic Air Eases…Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
[58] “In St. Louis, a driver was killed when…her car apparently slid on ice on Interstate 44 and collided with a tractor trailer.” Weather Channel and Assoc. Press. “Winter Storm Ion: State-By-State Impacts.” 1-7-2014. Age and gender were identified in: Ray Henry (AP). “Arctic Air Eases its Grip on Much of the US.” ABC News, 1-7-2014.
[59] “Police recovered the body of a 71-year-old woman who had wandered out in the rural western New York State town of Byron on Thursday night, improperly dressed for the single-digit temperatures, according to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.” (Ben Knight. “States of emergency declared in New York, New Jersey as storm hits eastern US,” ABC News, AU, 1-4-2014.)
[60] “…an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease who wandered away from her home in New York state was found dead in the snowy woods about 100 yards away, authorities there said.” (Matt Smith and Josh Levis. “‘It’s too darn cold’: Historic freeze brings rare danger warning.” CNN.com, 1-6-2014.)
[61] “The motorist who died in a fiery crash in North Babylon during Thursday’s storm has been identified as a Smithtown woman, State Police said Friday. Colette Epple, 25, was driving west on the Southern State Parkway near Exit 39/Route 231 when she veered off the icy road and struck a tree at about 7:19 p.m., ….police said it appears Epple was driving faster than conditions allowed…” (Ellen Yan. “Motorist who died in North Babylon crash identified,” Long Island Newsday, NY, 1-3-2014.)
[62] Kathryn Cusma, Aaron Feis, Bruce Golding. “4 deaths linked to winter snowstorm.” New York Post, 1-4-2014.
[63] The Kantele Franko (AP) report, noted below, cites the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Jan 8) confirming that at least three of six reported winter weather-related deaths in the State were indeed winter weather-related – the Bath Township/Allen Co. hypothermia death of a man, 75; the Wauseon exposure death of a 90-year-old woman; and the Cleveland 58-year-old man’s death due to exposure. Article notes that cold was also a factor in the Akron 42-year-old man’s death, as well as an Athens woman’s death and a Guernsey County man’s death, though confirmations that these deaths were weather-related had not yet been received. A later report on Seneca Lake, Guernsey County death noted coroner’s determination of heart attack followed by hypothermia. Thus we include this death of one of four confirmed weather-related deaths. A later determination was also later made that weather was a contributing cause of death in the lightly dressed Akron man’s death.
[64] “Plain Dealer reporter Ron Rutti has confirmed with Akron Police the death of a man, about 42 years old, on Blackstone Avenue that is suspected to be weather-related. A mail carrier found the man around noon Tuesday. The Summit County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy Wednesday.” (Cleveland.com. “Arctic cold settles over Northeast Ohio. Sub-zero temperatures…” 1-7-2014, updated 1-8-2014.) A later report: “Akron…The man found dead in his driveway…has been identified. According to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, the man is David Jones, 42, of Blackstone Avenue. An official cause of death will not be determined until toxicology results are available, but the medical examiner’s office said cold temperatures contributed to the cause of death…. Investigators at the scene told Fox 8 Jones appeared to have been exposed to the elements for a considerable amount of time before he was found. Foul play was not immediately suspected.” (Jessica Dabrowski and Dave Nethers. “Body Found in Akron Driveway Identified.” Fox 8, Cleveland, OH, 1-8-2014.) Another report quotes Gary Gunther with the Summit County Medical Examiner’s office to the effect that “Weather related definitely played a part in his death. It will contribute to a cause of death.” Added was that Jones was lightly dressed and, in the words of the reporter, “wasn’t dressed for the frigid weather on Tuesday.” (Ward, Mike. “Dead Body Identified, Not Dressed For Cold.” AkronNewsNow.com, 1-8-2014.)
[65] Kantele Franko/AP. “At Least 3 Ohio Deaths Linked to Freezing Weather.” Daily Record, Wooster, OH, 1-9-2014. Another source writes that she apparently fell outside her Knollwood Trailer Park home off Rt. 50 and was found frozen on Jan 6. Article states that “No foul play is suspected…” noting their information came from the Athens County Sheriff. (Mary Beth Lane. “Woman’s body found frozen at Athens County mobile-home park.” Columbus Dispatch, OH, 1-7-2014.) Woman was later identified as Teresa Goode. (Parkersburg News and Sentinel, WV. “Woman found dead after fall,” 1-8-2014.) We have not yet seen a final determination on cause of death and thus do not include as one of the confirmed weather-related deaths.
[66] “Our community failed William Shaw. The 75-year-old man was found frozen to death last week in his Bath Township home on North Cool Road…This was not a home. Not a house. Not even a dwelling. It wasn’t even a sound enough structure to be called a shack. It was four walls. The roof had a hole in it. There was no running water for months and only a space heater for warmth. Yet, that is where William Shaw tried to ride out temperatures that flirted with minus-20 degrees below zero….how could someone who regularly drives down North Cool Road – citizens, firefighters, law enforcement officers, delivery route drivers – not notice someone was living in such deplorable conditions in such weather….” (Lima News, OH. “Editorial: We let a man freeze to death.” 1-12-2014.)
[67] “…hypothermia was a contributing factor in the death of a patient at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, hospital spokesman George Stamatis told CNN.” (Smith, Matt, and Josh Levis. “‘It’s too darn cold’: Historic freeze brings rare danger warning.” CNN.com, 1-6-2014.) Another report: “…there was a reported death of someone who died due to hypothermia after sleeping outside of a home in Cleveland.” (Bennett, Ashley. “Deep Freeze 2014: Cleveland, OH – Battered city gradually returns to normal.” Government Security News, 1-10-2014.)
[68] “The Cleveland EMS Commissioner is urging residents to take extra precautions as emergency responders deal with one cold-related death and several cold-related afflictions over the past 20 hours. One man, 58-year-old Ray Campbell, was found outside his WE. 68th Street home at 8:42 this morning. The Medical Examiner has said that they also suspect cold as a factor in his death.—EMS responders offer a preliminary diagnosis as cold exposure.” (Newsnet5.com. “Cold is suspected as factor in man’s death.” 1-7-2014.) Another report writes that this man was found “…near an abandoned Cleveland home…” (Kantele Franko (AP). “At Least 3 Ohio Deaths Linked to Freezing Weather.” The Daily Record, Wooster, OH, 1-9-2014.)
[69] “In eastern Ohio, the Guernsey County sheriff’s office said a 55-year-old man found unresponsive on a frozen lake apparently died of hypothermia after he set out on Monday evening walk in the extremely cold weather.” (Kantele Franko (AP). “At Least 3 Ohio Deaths Linked to Freezing Weather.” Daily Record, Wooster, OH, 1-9-14.) Another report notes: “Senecaville, Ohio – A man has died on Seneca Lake. According to reports from the Guernsey Co. Sheriff’s Office, 55 year-old Lawrence Finnegan Jr. went out for a walk around 6 p.m. and perished on the surface of the frozen lake sometime last night. Finnegan was located by his younger brother out on the surface of the lake just after 11 p.m. The Guernsey County Coroner examined Finnegan’s body early on Tuesday and investigators say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death….At least two other weather-related deaths were reported yesterday, one in Cleveland, the other in Toledo.” (Cassler, Bill. “Man freezes to death on Seneca Lake.” YourRadioPlace.com, 1-7-2014.) The Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office website, “General Information, Announcements” section, notes: “Based on the investigation it is believed that the man died as a result of hypothermia.” (Paden, Capt. Jeffery D. “Man found deceased on frozen Lake Seneca.”) A later account writes that the Country Coroner has ruled that death was “heart attack followed by hypothermia.” (Woods, Jim. “Hypothermia a factor in Guernsey County man’s death.” Columbus Dispatch, OH. 1-8-2014.)
[70] “Ohio. Police in Wauseon say a 90-year-old woman was found dead in the snow near her stranded car Monday morning. Her car was stuck in the snow and she was trying to get home.” (Weather Channel and Associated Press. “Winter Storm Ion: State-By-State Impacts.” 1-7-2014.) See, also, Johnson, M. Alex. “Some relief (not much) on the way after deadly polar vortex.” NBC News, 1-7-2014. Woman later identified as Virginia McFeters of Wauseon Senior Villas in Glenwood Avenue. (Lane, Mary Beth (Columbus Dispatch, OH). “Woman’s body found frozen at mobile-home park.” Norwalkreflector.com, 1-7-2014.)
[71] NBC10.com/AP. “Worker Killed by Road Salt Was Father of 2.” 1-4-2014. Age of Gustav Propper of Mount Laurel noted in: NBC 10, Philadelphia. “Worker Killed by Road Salt Pile Was Father of 2.” 1-4-2014.
[72] “A man found on a sidewalk outside his Milwaukee home Friday died of hypothermia resulting from bitterly cold temperatures. The man’s core body temperature was 45 degrees, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.” (AP. “Winter Storm Hercules: At Least 16 Deaths Blamed on…Weather…” 1-6-2014.)
[73] One cause is double-listed in Accidents (apparent fall) and in apparent exposure (New Ulm, MN, man).
[74] Cusma, Kathryn, Aaron Feis, Bruce Golding. “4 deaths linked to winter snowstorm.” New York Post, 1-4-2014.
[75] Based on locality breakouts noted herein. Two deaths are cross-listed in heart attack and in exposure/hypothermia. The range of one person is explained by uncertainty concerning death of Athens, OH woman. Awaiting final determination on cause of death. Though we have seen a number of reports of “several” homeless deaths due to cold exposure, we are counting only the two explicitly identified as homeless.
[76] Not confirmed as weather-related. Fall could have led to death, and fall could have been unrelated to weather.
[77] Have not seen an official determination on cause of death.
[78] The Country Coroner determined that death was “heart attack followed by hypothermia.” (Woods, Jim. “Hypothermia a factor in Guernsey County man’s death.” Columbus Dispatch, OH. 1-8-2014.)