1960 — Feb 12-15, Snowstorms, Gulf States to Atlantic Coast/Northeast, esp. NY & PA–91-94

–91-94 Blanchard tally based upon State breakouts below.

— 54 AP. “Mississippi Valley Hit by Snow, Rain.” Hope Star, AR, Feb 16, 1960, p. 2.
— 43 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.
–>38 AP. “9 Die In State Over Weekend; Many Mishaps.” Gettysburg Times, PA. 2-15-1960, 1.
— 36 Kingsport Times, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” Feb 15, 1960, p. 1.

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Alabama ( 4)
Connecticut ( 5)
Kentucky ( 5)
Louisiana ( 1)
Massachusetts ( 1)
Mississippi ( 3)
New Jersey ( 7)
New York ( 17)
North Carolina ( 5)
Ohio ( 3)
Pennsylvania ( 15)
South Carolina (1-2)
Tennessee ( 11)
Texas (4-6)
Virginia ( 7)
West Virginia ( 2)
Total 91-94

Breakout of Winter Snowstorm Fatalities by State and Locality and Cause, where noted:

Alabama ( 4)
–1 Feb 12-13. Auto accident on hazardous road. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 2/2, Feb 1960, 10.
Breakout of Alabama winter storm related deaths by locality and cause of death when noted:
–1 Huntsville. Heart attack when car skidded on an icy street, crashed into a house; L.C. Allen.
–1 Jefferson County. Car skidded on icy road and overturned; Barney Thomas Salter, 42.
–1 Rice community. Exposure; Kenneth Byers of Albertville found about 55 yards from his car.
–1 St. Clair County. Car skidded on icy road and overturned; Henry Wood of Gadsden.

Connecticut ( 5)
–5 Feb 14 snowstorm. Auto accidents. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 2/2, Feb 1960, pp. 10-11.

Kentucky ( 5)
–5 Assoc. Press. “Mississippi Valley Hit by Snow, Rain.” Hope Star, AR, Feb 16, 1960, p. 2.
–3 Kingsport Times, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” 15Feb60.
–2 Glasgow. Exposure. Bodies of elderly brother/sister found in cabin; Dr. thought they froze to death.

Louisiana ( 1)
–1 (auto accident). Palladium-Times, Oswego, NY. “Crippling Storm Heads East…,” 2-13-1960.
–1 Krotz Springs area. Pickup skidded on sleet-covered highway, overturned; Robert Mayeuz, 55.

Massachusetts ( 1)
–1 Kingsport Times, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” 2-15-1960.
–1 Leominster, Feb 14. Snow sled hits car at end of home driveway; Paul C. Metivier, 6.

Mississippi ( 3)
–3 United Press International. “New Storm Building Up.” Lowell Sun, MA. 2-15-1960, p. 18.
–1 Natchez. Heart attack; died waiting in friend’s car 45-minutes to cross snow-covered bridge.
–1 Seminary area. Ennis Pippen, 74, killed when his car hit a truck on ice-covered road.
–1 Vicksburg area. Car skidded on slush covered bridge into a bread truck; Mrs. Ernest Rials.

New England ( 6) (We are basing our tally on individual State breakouts.)
–6 United Press International. “New Storm Building Up.” Lowell Sun, MA. 2-15-1960, p. 18.

New Jersey ( 7)
–7 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.
–7 Feb 13-14. Accidents on icy roads. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V2/N2, Feb 1960, p. 13.
–1 Absecon, Feb 13. Heart attack after sweeping snow from porch; Mrs. Ethel Nixon, 70.
–6 Localities not noted. “…there were six week0-end traffic deaths on the ice-coated roads.”

New York (17)
–17 Feb 14-15 snowstorm. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V2/N2, Feb 1960, p. 13.
–14 AP. “14 Die Shoveling and in Crashes. Statewide Storm…” Post Standard, Syracuse NY. 2-16-1960, 1.
–10 Heart attacks shoveling snow.
— 4 Vehicular “traffic accidents attributed to hazardous roads.”
–13 Blanchard tally of locality specific fatalities noted below.
— 8 Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. “Storm Claims 8 State Lives…” 2-15-1960, p. 1.
Breakout of New York snowstorm related fatalities by locality and cause of death, when noted.
— 1 Elmira. Two-car skidding collision; John Kobi, 7, of Harrisburg, PA.
— 1 Franklinville, Feb 14. Pickup & tractor-trailer collide “on an icy road.” Mrs. Robert Salmonson, 25.
— 1 Gates. Heart attack shoveling snow; Vincenzo Zito, 72.
— 1 Geneva. Heart attack trying to free car from a snowbank; Lawrence Nevins, 72.
— 1 Glenfield. Car skids on icy highway, crashes; Bryon G. Blair of Kingston, Ontario, Can.
— 1 Horsehead area. Cars collide “on a snow-covered highway…” James F. Doughty, 58.
— 1 Irondequoit. Heart attack shoveling snow; Edward Hohman, 69.
— 2 Rochester. Heart attacks shoveling snow; Mates Urbonas, 69, and Adolph Schwamle, 62.
— 1 Seneca County, Feb 14. Heart attack after shoveling snow at home; Sidney Kaney, 82.
— 1 Utica. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Frank Fleury, 86.
— 1 Waterloo. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Sidney Kuney, 82.
— 1 Watervliet. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Michael E. Fields, 59.

North Carolina (5)
— 5 UPI. “Thaw Slips Over State After Snow.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 2-16-1960, 1.
–4 Traffic accident deaths.
–1 Exposure
— 3 Feb 13-14 snowstorm. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V2/N2, Feb 1960, p. 14.
— 1 Booneville area. Car crash during snowstorm; Weldon Ross Hinshaw, 53, of Boonville.
— 2 Charlotte area, US 27. Tractor-trailer and car skid/crash; car occupants washed into creek.
— 1 Pamlico River, down from Blounts Creek landing; Clarence Fuller; shock and exposure.
— 1 Yadkinville.; Tractor-trailer skidded and overturned killing Grady Miron Duke Jr., 38.

Ohio ( 3)
–3 Kingsport Times, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” 2-15-1960.
–0 Feb 13-14 heavy snowfall. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V2/N2, Feb 1960, p. 14.
–3 Cincinnati. Pushing snow-bound cars or shoveling snow; men in their 60s.

Pennsylvania (15)
–15 Associated Press. “Mississippi Valley Hit by Snow, Rain.” Hope Star, AR, 2-16-1960, p. 2.
–15 Blanchard tally from locality and cause of death breakouts below.
–13 UPI. “State Digging Out…Winter’s Worst…,” Bedford Gazette, PA. 2-16-1960 p. 1.
–6 Highway mishaps.
–7 Heart attacks while shoveling snow.
— 9 AP. “Snow-Whitened Pa. Both Paradise and Nightmare.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 2-15-1960, 1.
–4 Highway deaths.
–5 “Heart attacks…blamed on the weather.”
— 8 United Press International. “New Storm Building Up.” Lowell Sun, MA. 2-15-1960, p. 18.
— 2 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.
— 2 Eastern PA, Feb 13 snow. Auto accidents attributed to snow. Storm Data, 2/2, Feb 1960, p15.
Breakout of Pennsylvania snowstorm related fatalities by locality and cause of death where noted:
— 1 Braddock. Heart attack shoveling snow; Walter L. Skurcenski, 74.
— 1 Collegeville, Feb 14. Snow sled goes under a moving car; John W. Hanlon, 9.
— 1 Danville. “Killed in…skidding accident…” Emma Kesler, 63; passenger in car that hit tree.
— 1 Glassport. Heart attack shoveling snow; Joseph Robbins, 66.
— 1 Herminie. Fall on icy concrete pad leading to cellar at home, hitting head; Olgard E. Kaiser, 50.
— 1 Imperial, Pittsburgh area. Heart attack shoveling snow; Herman Raddinger, 69.
— 1 Mount Lebanon. Heart attack shoveling snow; Louis L. Hill, 63.
— 1 Conshohocken. “Killed in…skidding accident…” Car-truck collision; G. Earle Raum, 40.
— 1 Philadelphia. Snow sled crashes into stone house; boy, 7.
— 1 Philadelphia. “Killed in…skidding accident…” Hit by a skidding car; Stanley Tonik, 32.
— 1 Uniontown, Feb 14. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home: Gerald Spellman, 58.
— 2 Locales not noted. Heart attacks shoveling snow (seven reported; we show locales for 5.)
— 2 Locales not noted. “Highway mishaps.” (six reported; we show locales for four.)

South Carolina (1-2)
–2 United Press International. “New Storm Building Up.” Lowell Sun, MA. 2-15-1960, p. 18.
–1 Inman area. Two-cars collide; “ice and snow storm…accounted for…traffic fatality…”

Tennessee (11)
–13 Kingsport Times, TN. “Mercury Dips To 3 Above. Area Shivers in Record Cold.” 2-15-1960, 1.
–11 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts (though no explanation of weather relation to Martin 6.)
— 9 United Press International. “New Storm Building Up.” Lowell Sun, MA. 2-15-1960, p. 18.
— 3 Kingsport Times, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” 2-15-1960.
— 2 Chattanooga, Feb 13-14. Exposure, men. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 2/2, Feb 1960, p.15.
Breakout of Tennessee snowstorm and cold deaths by locality and cause of death when noted.
–2 Chattanooga. Fire started in vacant house for warmth; house slated for demolition; man and woman.
–6 Martin. Fire; six children killed in home. (Does not explain how fire was storm related.)
–1 Nashville, Feb 13. Car Skidded on a snow-slick Nashville road; William Hugh Wallace, 22.
–1 Soddy, Chattanooga suburb. Exposure, Wallace Mills, 43, found dead in the snow.
–1 Suck Creek Mt. Exposure; found on sleet-covered steps of neighbor’s house; Claude Conner, 39.

Texas (4-6)
–6 AP. “Crippling Snowstorm Swirls Eastward Across the South.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 2-13-1960, p. 1.
–4 (auto accidents). Palladium-Times, Oswego, NY. “Crippling Storm…,” 2-13-1960, p. 1.
–3 AP. “Sneak Snow Closes Roads in Southland.” Amarillo Daily News, TX. 2-13-1960, p. 1.
–1 Del Rio area. “…traffic accident on a rain-slick highway…” Male.
–2 LaGrange area. Small plane crash during snowstorm.
–1 Orange Grove, Feb 12. Car skids on snow-slushy road, wrecks, Det. Sgt. Frank Emmett Dolan, 53.

Virginia ( 7)
–7 Blanchard tally from locality and cause of death breakouts below.
–7 Kingsport Times, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” 2-15-1960.
–6 Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. “Farm Roads in Foul Shape.” 2-15-1960, p. 1.
–6 Statewide, Feb 13 heavy snow. Weather Bureau. Storm Data, V2/N2, Feb 1960, p. 15.
–4 Traffic accidents.
–2 Heart attacks while shoveling snow.
–4 United Press International. “New Storm Building Up.” Lowell Sun, MA. 2-15-1960, p. 18.
–2 Exposure. Brothers partially buried in drifts found Feb 20; went missing Feb 12-15 storm.
–3 (auto accidents). Progress-Index, Petersburg VA. “Heavy, Late-Winter Snow…,” 2-14-1960.
Breakout of Virginia snowstorm related fatalities by locality and cause of death where noted:
–1 Claytor Lake Dam. Heart attack walking through snow; Power Co. work4r Frank E. Rouse.
–1 Falls Church. Snow sled runs into parked car; Enoch Steers, 13.
–1 Hamilton area, VA Rt. 704. Exposure after apparently being hit by car; Henry Johnson, 37.
–1 Martinsville. Heart attack “while struggling up a snow-covered street.” Robert May.
–1 Powhatan area, US 60. Two-truck collision of icy/snowy road; John Henry Rose Jr., 30.
–1 Richmond area, US 250. Two-cars collide on icy/snowy road; Mrs. Mozelle Ora Carrington, 38.
–1 Suffolk area. Cars collide on snow-covered US 460; Mrs. Mary T. Crisler, 31, of Gales NC.

West Virginia ( 2)
–2 Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. “Schools Reopen (continued from p.1).” 2-16-1960, p. 2.
–1 Beckley, Feb 15. Heart attack after shoveling snow; John William Hall, 75.
–1 Huttonsville area, US 219. Car spins on icy road into path of truck; Robert Jack Swecker, 16.

Narrative Information

NWS: “1960…(Feb 12-15) LA-MS-AL-GA-TN-NC-VA-DC-MD-WV-OH-PA-NY-NJ-New England. Snowfall quite generally 6″ to over 1′. Buildings collapsed from weight of snow and considerable damage to utility lines. 43 dead from accidents, overexertion and exposure, 7 in NJ and 2 in PA. (LS6211).” (NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.)

Sources

Alice Daily Echo, TX. “CC [Corpus Christi] Detective Dies in 2-Car Accident Near Orange Grove.” 2-14-1960, p1. Accessed 11-26-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/alice-daily-echo-feb-14-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “3 Deaths Blamed on Va. Storm.” Kingsport Times-News, TN. 2-14, 1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-feb-14-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “9 Die In State Over Weekend; Many Mishaps.” Gettysburg Times, PA. 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/gettysburg-times-feb-15-1960-p-2/

Associated Press. “14 Die Shoveling and in Crashes. Statewide Storm…” Post Standard, Syracuse, NY. 2-16-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-feb-16-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Cary Woman Killed in Collision at Vicksburg Friday.” Delta Democrat-Times, Greenville, MS. 2-14-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-feb-14-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Crippling Snowstorm Swirls Eastward Across the South.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 2-13-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-feb-13-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Fifteen Die in Weekend Accidents.” The Norwich Sun, NY. 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwich-sun-feb-15-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Found Dead Under 4 Inches of Snow Near Cellar Step.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 2-16-1960, p. 7. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-feb-16-1960-p-7/

Associated Press. “Ice, Snow Cause Death of Child.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 2-15-1960, p. 3. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/high-point-enterprise-feb-15-1960-p-3/

Associated Press. “Many Ohio Schools Shut By Heavy Weekend Snow. Foot of White Stuff Piles Up in Some Areas.” Circleville Herald, OH. 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/circleville-herald-feb-15-1960-p-2/

Associated Press. “Mississippi Valley Hit by Snow, Rain.” Hope Star, Ark., 2-16-1960, p. 2. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=121746616

Associated Press. “New Storm Coming; Light Snow Predicted.” Martinsville Bulletin, VA. 2-16-1960, p.1. Accessed 11-26-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/martinsville-bulletin-feb-16-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “One Killed As State Hit By Snow.” Monroe Morning World, LA. 2-13-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monroe-morning-world-feb-13-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Sneak Snow Closes Roads in Southland.” Amarillo Daily News, TX. 2-13-1960, p1. Accessed 11-26-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/amarillo-daily-news-feb-13-1960-p-20/

Associated Press. “Snow-Whitened Pa. Both Paradise and Nightmare.” Lebanon Daily News, PA. 2-15-1960, p1. Accessed 11-25-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-feb-15-1960-p-2/

Associated Press. “Storm Toll Mounting; Many Hurt.” The Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD. 2-16-1960, p1. Accessed 11-25-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/hagerstown-daily-mail-feb-16-1960-p-1/

Associated Press. “Winter Comes South.” The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lumberton-robesonian-feb-15-1960-p-17/

Daily Independent, Monessen, PA. “Worst Snow since 1950 (continued from p.1).” 2-15-1960, p. 2. Accessed 11-25-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/monessen-daily-independent-feb-15-1960-p-3/

Daily Record, Stroudsburg, PA. “Winds Whip Snowfall In County.” 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/stroudsburg-daily-record-feb-15-1960-p-1/

Evening Observer, Dunkirk-Fredonia, NY. “State Struggles (continued from p1).” 2-15-1960, p. 4. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-feb-15-1960-p-4/

Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. “Sled Collides With Auto. Leominster Boy…Killed on 6th Birthday.” 2-15-1960, p1. Accessed 11-25-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/fitchburg-sentinel-feb-15-1960-p-1/

Greenville Delta Democrat Times, MS. “South (continued from p. 1).” 2-14-1960, p. 2. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-delta-democrat-times-feb-14-1960-p-2/

Kingsport Times, TN. “Heavy Snowstorm Cripples State. Blame Storm for 3 Deaths.” 2-14-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-feb-14-1960-p-1/

Kingsport Times, TN. “Mercury Dips To 3 Above. Area Shivers in Record Cold.” 2-15-1960, 1. Accessed 11-26-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-feb-15-1960-p-1/

Kingsport Times-News, TN. “Violent Storms Stagger East; 36 Persons Die,” Feb 15, 1960, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=58091318

Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. “Storm Claims 8 State Lives…” 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-feb-15-1960-p-1/

Kingston Daily Freeman, NY. “Storm Claims (continued from p.1).” 2-15-1960, p. 18. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-daily-freeman-feb-15-1960-p-18/

Monroe Morning World, LA. “Heavy Snow Blankets Area Slowing Traffic…” 2-13-1960, p1-2. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monroe-morning-world-feb-13-1960-p-1/

Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “Local Man, 58, Heart Victim.” 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-morning-herald-feb-15-1960-p-1/

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts for the Philadelphia/Mt. Holly, NJ Forecast Area.” Mount Holly, NJ: NWS FO, Oct 17, 2005 update. Accessed 1-4-2018 at: https://www.weather.gov/phi/hist_phi

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Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. “Farm Roads in Foul Shape.” 2-15-1960, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-feb-15-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “Mother Dies In Attempt To Get Food.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 2-21-1960, p.1. Accessed 11-23-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-feb-21-1960-p-1

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United Press International. “Snow Shoveling Fatal to Four.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 2-16-1960, p1. Accessed 11-25-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-feb-16-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “State Digging Out…Winter’s Worst…,” Bedford Gazette, PA. 2-16-1960, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com

United Press International. “Thaw Slips Over State After Snow.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 2-16-1960, 1. Accessed 11-25-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-feb-16-1960-p-1/

United Press International. “Winter Weather Hits Alabama Strong Slap.” Kingsport Times-News, TN. 2-14-1960, p. 10-C. Accessed 11-26-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-feb-14-1960-p-28/

Washington Daily News, NC. “1 of 2 Men Caught in Storm on River Dies of Exposure.” 2-15-1960, p1. Accessed 11-25-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-daily-news-feb-15-1960-p-1/

Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 2, No. 2, February 1960. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 11-24-2022 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html?_finish=0.5454345772935225