1940 — Jan 18-27, Snow and deep Coldwave, Midwest to East Coast and Southeast — 208
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 10-25-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–220 Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. “Weather Report.” 1-27-1940, p. 7. (Report is for the week.)
— 70 Exposure
–150 Fires and traffic accidents.
–208 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below.
–158 AP. “Florida Citrus Growers Facing a Terrific Loss.” Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. 1-29-1940, p.1.[1]
–116 The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Florida Crops Are Wiped Out.” 1-29-1940, p. 3.
–105 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1.[2]
— 96 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.[3]
— 92 AP. “Freeze Spreads Death In South.” Wilmington Morning Star, NC. 1-27-1940, p. 1.
— 17 NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly NJ area. “Historical Weather Facts…,” 10-17-2005.
Summary of State Breakouts Below
Alabama ( 6)
Arkansas (10)
District of Columbia ( 2)
Florida (11)
Georgia (10)
Illinois ( 6)
Indiana ( 5)
Kentucky ( 3)
Louisiana (22)
Maryland ( 1)
Massachusetts ( 2)
Mississippi (11)
New Jersey ( 1)
New York (10)
North Carolina (10)
North Dakota ( 2)
Ohio (19)
Oklahoma ( 5)
Pennsylvania (18)
South Carolina ( 6)
South Dakota ( 4)
Tennessee (17)
Texas ( 6)
Virginia (10)
West Virginia ( 7)
Wisconsin ( 4)
Total: 208
Breakout of Winter Weather Related Fatalities by State
Alabama ( 6)
–6 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.
Arkansas (10)
–10 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.
— 1 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p.1.
District of Columbia ( 2)
–2 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
–1 Exposure; James F. Rooney, 63, body found 800 block Crittenden street NW.[4]
Florida (11)
–11 AP. “Cold Levies On South’s Crops.” Miami Daily News-Records, OH. 1-30-1940, p. 6.[5]
— 6 AP. “Florida Citrus Growers Facing a Terrific Loss.” Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. 1-29-1940, p.1.
— 1 Panama City. Burns; 3-year-old killed helping another child build a fire.[6]
— 2 Sarasota. Carbon monoxide; two elderly tourists “while trying to keep warm.”[7]
Georgia (10)
–10 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.
— 4 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
Illinois ( 6)
–6 AP. “Warmer Weather (continued from p1).” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-27-1940, p. 6.
Indiana ( 5)
–5 Assoc. Press. “Warmer Weather (continued from p1).” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-27-1940, p. 6.
–1 Crawfordsville area, Jan 23. Auto/truck collision “in the blizzard.” Randolph C. Lietcke, 28.[8]
Kentucky ( 3)
–3 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
Louisiana (22)
–22 AP. “Cold Wavers. Much Warmer Weather Forecast.” Hattiesburg American, 1-29-1940, 1.
–17 AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7.
–11 AP. “4 to 12 Degrees Tonight.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-26-1940, pp. 1 & 11.
— 7 AP. “No relief from snow and cold expected until after Saturday…” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-24-1940, p1.
Breakout of Louisiana winter-weather related fatalities by locality when noted in press reports:
— 1 Algiers. Fire; clothing ignited before a grate fire; Henrietta Kelly, 79.[9]
— 3 Houma. Fire; fuel thrown on “grate fire in the cold wave.” Cunninghams.[10]
— 1 New Orleans. Exposure; Frank Doyle, about 55, found frozen in a shack.[11]
— 1 New Orleans. Exposure; woman “staggered half frozen into rooming house” and died.[12]
— 1 New Orleans. Fire; burning coal fell out of grate igniting invalid’s clothing; Robert Johnson, 50.[13]
Maryland ( 1)
–1 Frederick. Heart attack shoveling snow from sidewalk; Charles S. Blumenhauer, 44.[14]
Massachusetts ( 2)
–2 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
Mississippi (11)
–11 Blanchard number. Two additional deaths reported Jan 31 after Jan 30 report of 9 deaths.
— 9 Daily Herald, Gulfport and Biloxi, MS. “Ice Stll Blocks [MS] River.” 1-30-1940, p. 5.
— 8 AP. “Cold Wavers. Much Warmer Weather Forecast.” Hattiesburg American, 1-29-1940, 1.
— 6 AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7.
— 5 AP. “4 to 12 Degrees Tonight.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-26-1940, pp. 1 & 11.
Breakout of winter-weather-related fatalities by locality where noted.
–2 Canton area. Exposure; found frozen in small cabin; Andrew Robinson, 80 and wife.[15]
–1 Friars Point area. Truck skidded on ice; wrecked in ditch; Joe Otto Slayton, 38.[16]
–1 Jackson, Jan 27. Eugene Gray, 17 slipped in snow while hunting and shot himself.[17]
–1 Vicksburg. George Harris, 50 “slipped on an icy pavement and ruptured his spleen.”[18]
New Jersey ( 1)
–1 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
New York (10)
–10 AP. “Warmer Weather (continued from p1).” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-27-1940, p. 6.
— 1 Buffalo. Carbon monoxide poisoning from ill-vented heater; man.[19]
— 1 Buffalo area. Exposure; body of John Durns found on ice half mile off Lake Erie shore.[20]
— 2 Dunkirk. Train hits car; watchman did not see train through falling snow.[21]
— 3 Eagle Bridge, Jan 22. Car slid down icy pavement into path of train. Hoffmans and Robinson.[22]
— 1 Ithica. Fall on ice; Mrs. Camilla Hanson, 49.[23]
— 1 Salamanca area. Apparent exposure; farmer Joseph Mapes, 65; body found outside.[24]
— 1 Sherman area. Heart attack shoveling snow; Orris Wood, 65.[25]
North Carolina (10)
–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 8 AP. “Cold Wave Moves On, Leaving New Records in Wake.” Henderson Daily Dispatch, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
— 6 AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
Breakout of North Carolina winter weather related fatalities by locality.
–1 Alliance, Jan 24. Exposure? Fall? Heart: Andy Shiga, 58, found frozen in front of his home.[26]
–2 Ashville. Snow-sled hits car; Mrs. Mary Roach Mallonee, 30, and Allen Luther Jr., 18.[27]
–1 Boone area, Jan 23. Vehicular accident in “near blizzard.” Man.[28]
–1 Catawba County. Exposure; man found frozen to death.[29]
–1 Fletcher. Exposure; sanitarium patient Rev. W. Miller wandered away at night.[30]
–1 Greenville; Fire; clothes catch fire from stove; Annie Elizabeth Thomas, 7.[31]
–1 Greenville. Car skidded on ice coated road; hit tree; William Gordham, 25.[32]
–1 Holts Lake near Smithfield. Drowning; ice breaks; Sam T. Honeycutt, Jr., about 24.[33]
–1 High Point. Fire; clothing caught fire; Mrs. Florence Neal, 72.[34]
–1 Rutherford. Car skidded and overturned; Noah Ford, 17.[35]
North Dakota ( 2)
–2 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
Ohio (19)
–19 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p 1.
–10 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts noted below.
Breakout of Ohio winter weather related fatalities by locality where noted in the press:
–1 Alliance, Jan 25. Apparent exposure; frozen body found in front of home; Andrew Jiga, 53.[36]
–1 Bellevue, Jan 23. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; John Edward Reitz, 69.[37]
–1 Cass Town area, Jan 25. Heart attack shoveling auto out of snow drift; Jessie R. Stone, 51.[38]
–1 Cleveland, Jan 21. Exposure; found frozen at apartment entrance; Theola Jackson, 52.[39]
–1 Dayton, Jan 24. Exposure or heart attack?; body found in snow next to car; Charles Wygand, 55.[40]
–2 Dayton. Clothing catches fire at open grates; Mrs. Amanda Maffett, 89, Mrs. Pearl McDaniel, 24.[41]
–1 Gomer area, Rt. 30N, Jan 22. Car skids on slippery road; Paulette Downard, 18.[42]
–1 Newark area, North Fork riverbank, Jan 23. Exposure; William Hunnicutt, 28.[43]
–1 Piqua, Jan 21. Snow-sled runs in front of car; Palmer Belcher, 10.[44]
Oklahoma ( 5)
–5 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
–1 Altus, Jan 23. Exposure; death after frozen feet and hands; M. C. Hyde, 87.[45]
–1 Blair, Jan 25. Exposure; M.C. Hyde, 87, became ill, fell to floor, couldn’t get up.[46]
Pennsylvania (18)
–15 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of Pennsylvania winter weather related fatalities by locality when found in the press.
–1 Boswell. Exposure; hitch-hiker John Lindsay Lynch, 52, found down embankment off hwy.[47]
–1 Hunlock Creek. “…attack brought about by the freezing weather…” John Murhah.[48]
–1 Millerstown, Perry County, Jan 18; Exposure in cab of truck (sleeping?) Lester C. Fuller.[49]
–1 Monongahela. Exposure; collapsed after getting out of bed to stoke; Charles McKinley, 55.[50]
–1 Norristown. Snow-sled hit by auto; George Hoffner, 11.
–1 North Scranton. Exposure? Heart attack? Slip on ice? Frank Golden, 60, found on ice of creek.[51]
–1 Philadelphia. Exposure; “died of the cold in her room.” Mrs. Becky Levinthal, 70.[52]
–1 Philadelphia. “…heart attack caused by the cold,” found lying on street; Frank Varollo, 60.[53]
–1 Pittsburgh area. Apparent exposure. Body found in shanty; Andy Kish or Nagy, about 55.[54]
–1 Scott Township, Allegheny County, Jan 20-21. Exposure; John Gamman, 60.[55]
–3 Seek, ~Coaldale. CO² poisoning in home; Benjamin Jones, 78, son Thomas, 42, daughter Bertha, 32.[56]
–1 Smicksburg, Indiana County. Snow-sled hits automobile near home; Paul Eugene Beck, 16.[57]
–2 Uniontown. “Heart attacks induced by the cold.” Thomas Powell, 70,[58] and Mrs. Fannie Wolf, 46.[59]
–1 Willock. Snow sled hits truck; James Gusteashow, 10.[60]
–1 Yeadon, suburb of Philadelphia, Jan 19-20. Exposure; recluse Samuel Croadale, 71.[61]
South Carolina ( 6)
–6 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.
–5 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1.
–4 AP. “Warmer Weather (continued from p1).” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-27-1940, p. 6.
South Dakota ( 4)
–4 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
–3 Chamberlain, Jan 22. Asphyxiation; frozen bodies found in parked car, ignition on, gas empty.[62]
Tennessee (17)
–17 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.
— 4 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p1
Texas ( 6)
–6 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p.1.
–1 Laredo, Jan 26. Exposure; body found in small shack; Bernardino Aleman, 80.[63]
–1 Roch community farm home. Jan 21. Exposure; on side road near home; Riley Foley, 50.[64]
–1 Weslaco, Jan 23. Exposure; found dead in empty unoccupied house; Lee Braithwait, 70.[65]
Virginia (10)
–10 AP. “Relief From Bitter Cold Is Promised.” The Bee, Danville, VA. 1-29-1940, p. 8.[66]
–1 Burns from attempting to thaw frozen water pipes
–4 Exposure
–5 Traffic accidents blamed on icy highways.
— 4 AP. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6.
— 3 The Evening Star, Washington DC. “Weather (continued from p.1.).” 1-27-2024, p. 10.
–1 Blackstone area. Apparent exposure; Arkley Stokes found on Blackstone-Municipal Lake Rd.
–1 Harrisonburg. Fire; overheated flue; invalid Newton Webster, 82.[67]
–1 Off Yorktown. Exposure; frozen body found in skill; J. Eddie Oliver.
West Virginia ( 7)
–7 Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “State Remains Under Blanket.” 1-27-1940, p. 1.[68]
–2 Automobile accidents
–1 Explosion of lamp oil
–2 Exposure
–2 Fires
–5 Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Snowfall Puts Section Under 8-Inch Blanket.” 1-24-1940, p1.
–1 Huntington, Jan 23. Pedestrian hit and killed by car “during the storm while pushing…cart.”[69]
–1 Wheeling, Jan 23. Exposure; complicated by inebriation; body found in parked car.[70]
Wisconsin ( 4)
–4 AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p.1.
–2 Bayfield, Jan 25. Sled coasted in front of car; Franklin Shelley, 6, James Arseneau, 7.[71]
–1 Milwaukee, Jan 22. Exposure; Mrs. Clara Loewe, 74, found in her unheated cottage.[72]
–1 Portage. WPA worker hit by truck while shoveling snow; Russell D. Ashley, 65.[73]
Narrative Information
National Weather Service Forecast Office, Philadelphia/Mount Holly: “1940…(Jan 23-24) MS-AL-GA-Carolinas-TN-VA-DC-MD-NJ. Snowfall in NJ 13″ at Cape May, 10″ Belleplain; 9″ ACY; and 8″ Bridgeton. 17+ dead. (LS6211).” (NWS FO, Philadelphia/Mount Holly. “Historical Weather Facts…,” Oct 17, 2005.)
Newspapers
Jan 19, Lebanon Daily News, PA: “Lebanonians were given a taste of old fashioned weather Thursday night [18th] as Old Man Winter buried the county between a four and a half inch snowfall and pulled the temperature to a new record low of two degrees above zero. Associated Press reports revealed minus readings in many parts of the state, resulting in the death of two persons, as the bitter cold which swept in from the Canadian Northwest earlier in the week and gripped the Middle West in its most frigid spell in three years, moved eastward into the Central Atlantic area.
“In Lebanon, the quicksilver’s drastic drop during the night established a mark one degree lower than the previous seasonal minimum of January the first, when the temperature was three degrees above zero. The low point was reached at approximately five o’clock this morning, and according to weather bureau officials, remained at the two-point mark until the eight o’clock reading. The snowfall was preceded Thursday afternoon with occasional flurries, but it wasn’t until early evening that the snow began to fall heavily, large flakes swept across the city, entirely covering streets and sidewalks alike by seven o’clock. Without any signs of abatement the snow continued to fall until well past midnight….” (Lebanon Daily News, PA. “New Low For Season Accompanies Four and a Half Inches of Snow.” 1-19-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 20, Somerset Daily American, PA: “Weather observers offered little hope for a break in January’s first real cold ‘snap’ which plummeted the official thermometer as low as 12 below and gave indication of diving even lower this morning. While an inch and a half of light snow filtered down, Old Man Winter puffed his cheeks and clenched his fists and unofficial thermometers at Sipesville were reported to have recorded as low as 22 below zero shortly after daybreak Friday….” (Somerset Daily American, PA. “No Relief From Cold In Roof Garden.” 1-20-1940, 1.)
Jan 20, AP: “Ther were icicles in Alabama Friday [19th] as the coldest weather in four years left the Middle West and moved deeper into the East and South….Weather records, some of many years standing, were shattered from New York to Texas by the sub-zero temperatures. A reading of ten degrees below zero at Jamestown, N.Y., was the lowest in ten years. Memphis, Tenn. thermometers registered three below, the coldest weather the city has experience since 1918. Near Huntsville, Ala., the natives shivered in a temperature of eight below, while the rest of the southland was colder than it has been since 1936. Cleveland’s reading of 11 below yesterday was the coldest Jan. 19 there in weather bureau history. The bitter cold wave penetrated as far south as the Gulf of Mexico, driving the temperature along the Texas coast to 13 above, which was lower than it has been since 1930.
“The eastern invasion was accompanied by a raging snowstorm in western New York. Schools were closed and traffic blocked in many areas. Pennsylvania temperatures dipped to lows of 10 below near Williamsport and six below at Pittsburgh. Off Maryland, the Chesapeake bay was freezing fast and ice breakers reported difficulty in opening shipping lanes.
“The weather was moderating in the Middle West, although earmuffs were still in fashion. Thirty-seven hours of sub-zero temperature in Chicago ended when the mercury climbed slowly u to five above last night.
“Severest cold of recent years had taken at least four lives in Pennsylvania Friday night as temperatures plummeted near or below zero across the entire state. Blasting eastward from the Plains states where readings as low as 30 below zero were reported, the icy wave brought snow to eastern counties and record lows to the high plateau sections of northwestern Pennsylvania. The state’s coldest spot was Nickleville, Venango county, with 20 below zero. Kane, usually the state’s icebox, reported 16 below. The Weather Bureau forecast indicated little if any relief would be felt within the next two days. For western Pennsylvania snow flurries in the extreme north and only a slight rise in temperatures were expected. No letup from the cold was in sight for eastern counties.”
(AP. “Frigid Wave Moves Deeper Into East and South.” Titusville Herald, PA. 1-20-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 22, AP on PA: “By The Associated Press. Pennsylvanians enjoyed a slight respite today from a week-long cold wave that left 13 dead, ice-locked rivers and booming coal sales. Continuance of temperatures which rose as high as 29 yesterday was forecast for most of the state. Light snow was promised for western and northeastern Pennsylvania and moderating temperatures for the western part of the state. At least three deaths were attributed to the cold and 10 others were indirectly caused by the near-zero weather….
“Ice gorges such as contributed to the 1936 St. Patrick’s Day flood blocked rivers in western Pennsylvania and the Schuylkill and smaller streams in the eastern part of the state. There were bad gorges on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers while the Ohio was closed for 31 miles from Pittsburgh downstream to the Montgomery dam….The Delaware River, its upper branches frozen from shore to shore, carried miniature icebergs into its navigable parts and slowed river traffic at Philadelphia….” (Associated Press. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 23, Decatur Daily, AL: “Snow, six inches deep, the fifth fall in 23 days, covered Decatur and this North Alabama section Tuesday, adding another chapter to the worst winter the city has known in four years, paralyzing many activities….The latest snow that began falling about 11 o’clock Monday night [22nd], and continued 12 hours, stopped awhile, then began falling again, was ushered in by warmer weather, the minimum last night being 29, and the maximum during the 24 hours that ended at 7 o’clock Tuesday morning….” (Decatur Daily, AL. “6 Inch Snow Falls Here.” 1-23-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 23, Hattiesburg American MS: “Except in the coastal regions Louisiana and Mississippi were mantled in the heaviest snow in years, measuring from one to 12 inches. The severe snow storm, accompanied by sub-freezing temperature, sleet and rain, all whipped by a strong wind, caused great inconvenience and inestimable damage to vegetation….Colder weather was forecast for most of Louisiana and Mississippi tonight, ranging from predictions of 7 to 14 degrees in the sugar and trucking regions and 10 to 18 degrees in north Mississippi to 15 to 20 in the south portion. Snowplows, seldom used in the deep south were needed today to open highways through almost unprecedented drifts in this section….Highway traffic was at a standstill through three-fourths of Mississippi and much of Louisiana. Only the southeast portion of Louisiana, New Orleans area and the coastal section of Mississippi escaped snow and sleet in the heavy storm which was continuing in some areas….” (Hattiesburg American, MS. “15-20 Degrees Tonight…Continued Cold…”1-23-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 24, AP: “Chicago, Jan. 24 (AP) – Winter scourged most of the nation today, driving temperatures far below zero in the middle-west, piling up deep snowdrifts in the south and east and warning of more severe conditions to come. While a new cold wave moved eastward across the middle-west with temperatures as low as 25 below zero in North Dakota, a widespread storm menaced the Atlantic City area. Highway officials warned southern Maryland roads would be blocked by 8-foot snowdrifts by night. Ice gorges extended 30 miles up the Ohio river from Madison, Ind., but no immediate flood danger was forecast.: (Associated Press. “No Relief from Snow and Cold Expected Until After Saturday, Bureau Says.” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-24-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 24, Hope Star, AR: “By the Associated Press. Predicting the mercury in Arkansas would slide down to minimum readings from 2 to 12 degrees Wednesday night, the Little Rock Weather Bureau offered no respite Wednesday from the bitter cold….” (AP. “Bitter Cold Night Again in Prospect for All Arkansas.” Hope Star, AR. 1-24-2024, p. 1.)
Jan 24, Hattiesburg American MS: “Continued cold and a forecast for tonight of 8 to 15 degrees and no real relief until Saturday [27th] was predicted today by the weath4r bureau while South Mississippians watched their biggest snow in 10 years fade before a bright sun. Once more the weath4rman hit it right on the nose with a forecast for Tuesday night of 15 to 20 degrees. The low reading here for the 24 hours prior to 8 a.m. today was 16. Public schools and the State Teachers college will reopen Thursday morning.
“By Associated Press. Continuance of excessively low temperatures was forecast for Louisiana and Mississippi after another frigid night with no relief before the end of the week. Several inches of snow and ice remained on the ground in upper sections of the two states although a bright sun Wednesday caused a temporary rise in the mercury.
“Forecasters of the New Orleans weather bureau said the 8 and 10 inch snow which reached nearly to the coast would cause no appreciable rise in streams unless there was coincidence of very heavy rains at the thaw….” (Hattiesburg American, MS: “8 to 15 Degrees Tonight.” 1-24-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 24, The Bee, Danville, VA: “Danville struggled this afternoon to free itself from the icy grasp of the worst snowstorm since December 17, 1930 with the whole community life more or less disjointed. The official depth of the snow, that is to say an average taken from three measurements on even ground by H. M. Watkins, weather observer, was given as 21.7 inches. In December, 1930 Danville had a 22 inch snow. The howling gale, which gave to the eighteen hour snow storm which at times assumed blizzard proportions, drove most people to quarters last night and created several emergencies but there were no personal injuries, and the worst mishap was the collapse of part of the roof of the Sears-Roebuck storage behind the Main street store….” (The Bee, Danville, VA. “City Paralyzed in 21-Inch Snow.” 1-24-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 25, Hattiesburg American MS: “Cold-toughened by a week of sub-freezing weather, South Mississippians faced another day or two of low temperatures today when the official forecast of 10 to 16 degrees for tonight was presented by the U.S. bureau in New Orleans. The mercury took another dive early this morning, after climbing Wednesday afternoon to 33, one degree above freezing. At 7 a.m. today the temperature here was 18 degrees, lowest for the preceding 24 hours….” (Hattiesburg American, MS: “Colder Tonight. Ten to 16 Forecast. More Snow Reported.” 1-25-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 26, Hattiesburg American MS: “Cold weather – probably the most severe of the present freezing spell – was forecast for night by the New Orleans weather bureau today. The official prediction was 4 to 12 degrees in the Hattiesburg territory. The mercury declined to 12 degrees during the 24 hours preceding 8 o’clock this morning…
“(By Associated Press) Thermometers plunged well below zero early Friday in the north Mississippi for the first time in the present bitter cold wave. Near zero had been predicted but the drop was lower than expected, causing suffering through fuel shortages and in snow-bound towns and villages. Tupelo reported the lowest, six degrees below zero. West Point had 4 below, Vicksburg in Central Mississippi, 3 below, and Greenwood zero. Reports from Clarksdale, Miss., said widespread suffering was caused by this longest and most severe cold spell in decades in the Mississippi delta….Rural families were shut in by snow drifts and ice packs which have made the roads impassable for a week. Clarksdale residents were digging out of the snow at 7 degrees above zero, with a bright sun shining…..
“For Mississippi the forecast called for near zero in the north…12 degrees in the south interior and about 16 degrees on the coast….It was one degree above zero at Jackson, Miss., the lowest there since 1899. The sun was out and by 10 a.m. the temperature had risen to 9 degrees. The forecast for Friday night called for 6 degrees. Gulfport had a minimum of 15 degrees. Greenville, Miss. reported 8 degrees above zero and an increase in ice floes in the Mississippi river which were drifting downstream to the Natchez area, ton on top of ton, headed for New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. Ice floes for the first time were reported passing Greenwood, Miss., down the Yazoo river to add to the pack at the junction of the Yazoo and the Mississippi. Greenwood reports said floes the ‘size of an acre’ passed there, piling up fragments of ice along the banks and against piers of bridges. Ice floes had been noted in the Yazoo river only twice before, in 1899 and 1917.
“Schools generally remained closed in Louisiana and Mississippi above the New Orleans and coastal areas, livestock was seriously threatened, losses of many head being reported and construction work came to a halt.
“Deaths attributed to the cold remained at 11 in Louisiana and 5 in Mississippi.
“Much trouble was experienced from frozen gas meters on the Mississippi coast and conservation measures were taken to insure water supplies in the cities due to waste from broken pipes….”
(Associated Press. “4 to 12 Degrees Tonight.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-26-1940, pp. 1, 11.)
Jan 27, Fitchburg Sentinel, MA: “…Houston, Tex., had its first snow in 10 years. Miami schools, which have no heating systems, were closed. Towns in upper New York were snowbound. Crop damage was reported as far south as the Rio Grande valley. Seventy persons died of exposure, and traffic accidents and fires killed 150 more.” (Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. “Weather Report.” 1-27-1940, p. 7.)
Jan 27, Hattiesburg American MS: “The coldest weather ever recorded officially in this section was reported today by the local bureau which listed 9 degrees above zero at the government gauge. The high for the 24 hours preceding 8 a.m. today was 31, one degree below freezing….Warmer temperatures for Sunday and Monday [28th-29th] were predicted by the New Orleans weather bureau which said, however, that tonight will be another cold one with the mercury ranging between 5 in north Mississippi to 15 on the coast. The cold wave apparently is moving southward toward the gulf because states north of Mississippi reported a slight rise in temperature with warmer weather ahead tomorrow and Monday.
More Records
New Orleans, Jan. 27 – (AP) Weather records toppled today under the sub-zero wave which brought arctic temperatures to the deep south and left widespread suffering among those used to a warm sun. An official 14 degrees below zero early today at Tupelo….Nearby West Point, Miss. had 13 degrees below. Ice floes had descended the Mississippi river to Baton Rouge 100 miles above New Orleans, for the first time since February, 1899. Columbus, Miss. had 7 below zero, the coldest since 1899. The Tombigbee river there was frozen over for the first time since that year. Jackson, in central Mississippi had 5 below zero, the lowest ever recorded there….” (Hattiesburg American MS: “8 Degrees New Low. Cold Wave Moves South. 1-27-1940, p. 1.)
Jan 27, AP: “New Orleans, Jan. 27 (AP) – Shivering southerners, gaily greeting a record snowstorm but weary of it all after four days costly to business and crops, were cheered today by promises of slowly moderating weather in a cotton country unaccustomed and unprepared for severe cold waves. Hampered further by ice-glazed streets and highways, the sun-loving south struggled back toward normalcy with its losses running into millions of dollars….
“The nation, whipped by frigid blasts from the Rockies to the Atlantic coast, counted its two-week death toll at 366, including 105 this week, as attributable to the weather.
“Sub-zero and freezing weather continued deep in the southland, keeping many thousands of school children at home, but forecasts were for slightly warmer weather tomorrow. Traffic was hazardous and many rural sections were isolated….The Red Cross and regular relief agencies carried fuel and food to thousands of homes.
“Veteran river men said they had never seen anything like the ice floes which have blocked the Mississippi traffic from Vicksburg, Miss., northward and some expected the ice to go intact all the way to the Gulf of Mexico….” (AP. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p.1.)
Jan 28, AP: “New Orleans, Jan. 28 0 (AP) – Deep south Florida reeled under a deadly, multi-million-dollar blow today while sunshine slowly broke winter’s ten-day siege of blighting cold across the south and middle west. The bitterest weather of 24 years drove sub-freezing temperatures to the southernmost tip of peninsular Florida to wipe out truck crops roughly valued at $15,000,000 in only two counties, with reports still lacking from other rich farm areas. First estimates from Miami were that nine hours of sub-freezing weather, with an unofficial low of 24, caused virtual 100 per cent loss in Dade county vegetable crops valued at from $7,000,000 to $10,000,000. Slightly to the north in Fort Lauderdale, indications were that Broward county lost beans and other truck crops with a possible value of $5,000,000. Plans already were shaping to ask U.S. funds for replanting.
“Florida contributed to the list of weather-connected deaths which reached 116 for the current cold offensive and neared the 400 mark for the past three weeks.
“Two elderly tourists from Pennsylvania – R. G. Kaufman, 60, and J.B. Harnish, 76, of East Petersburg, Pa. – were found dead in their room at Sarasota, Fla., and officers said they were killed by gas while trying to keep warm. A three-year-old child was fatally burned near Panama City while helping another child build a fire, and several persons were burned seriously while attempting to heat homes with emergency facilities….
“Florida’s minimum temperatures ranged from 10 above at upstate Deland to 42 at Key West, southernmost U.S. city, which lies at the tip of a long string of islands a scant 90 miles north of tropical Cuba….” (AP. “Florida Hit By 24 Year Record Cold.” Somerset American. 1-29-1940, 1.)
Jan 29, AP: “Miami, Fla., Jan. 29 – (AP) – Florida’s coldest weather in a quarter of a century left the state’s citrus and vegetable growers facing a multi-million dollar loss today as sunshine lifted winter’s bitter 10-day siege across the southland and middle west….A cold wave was climaxed Sunday when temperatures ranged from 10 above zero at Deland, 17 degrees in uncultivated portions of the Everglades, to 42 degrees at Key West. Florida contributed at least six deaths t the nation’s total of 158 attributed to the current cold wave. Weather connected deaths neared the 400 mark for the past three weeks. Elsewhere in the south and mid-west, temperatures rose slowly and forecasters said the worst of the cold was over. At the lower edge of the southern snow belt, especially in Louisiana and Arkansas, the white blanket disappeared slowly yesterday in 40-degree weather….” (AP. “Florida Citrus Growers Facing a Terrific Loss.” Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. 1-29-1940, p.1.)
Jan 30, Mansfield News-Journal, OH: “Normal weather returned to the Mansfield area today after a month of repeated cold waves that made January the city’s coldest month in many years. With the return of moderate temperatures, snowfall ranging up to three inches plagued northern and central Ohio, coating highways and streets with thin ice. About a half inch of snow fell in Mansfield.
“As the mercury climbed past 20 degrees today, Otto Sprunger, government weather observer for the city, went through his records and found it was the coldest January in the 15-year history of the local weather station and the monthly average was below the lowest state average for this month at least as far back as 1883, a period of 57 years. Average temperature for the month was only 12.7 degrees, Sprunger said, and that is 2.2 degrees under the state average for January, 1918, one of the coldest months on record. The normal January temperature, compiled from a 15-year average, is 27.6 degrees.
“The observer’s records showed that there were 12 days when the temperature was zero or below and twice it went to 15 below. Highest temperature for the month was 46 above on the 14th.
“State highway patrolmen reported that driving was treacherous today in most of the state following the snow last night and this morning.
“Fair and colder weather was forecast for tonight but the temperature is not expected to fall to the low marks of the past several days. It will be warmer tomorrow afternoon and Thursday, the forecast said.
“Temperatures rose in all parts of the nation as the sub-normal cold released its grip.” (Mansfield News-Journal, OH. “Normal Winter Marks End of Coldest Month.” 1-30-1940, p. 1.)
Sources
Associated Press. “2 Dead of Cold in Fayette County.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-22-1940-p-2/
Associated Press. “4 to 12 Degrees Tonight.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-26-1940, p. 1 & 11. Accessed 10-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-26-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waynesboro-record-herald-jan-22-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “361 Deaths Caused by Bitter Cold Weather.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 1-27-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/thomasville-times-enterprise-jan-27-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Auto Accidents Lead in State’s Week-end Toll. Cold Weather Yields First Place as Accidental Death Cause.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 1-29-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-jan-29-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Bitter Cold Night Again in Prospect for All Arkansas.” Hope Star, AR. 1-24-2024, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hope-star-jan-24-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Wave May Break Here Today.” Sunday Star-News, Wilmington, NC. 1-28-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilmington-morning-star-jan-28-1940-p-2/
Associated Press. “Cold Wave Moves On, Leaving New Records in Wake.” Henderson Daily Dispatch, NC. 1-29-1940, p.1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/henderson-daily-dispatch-jan-29-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Wavers. Much Warmer Weather Forecast.” Hattiesburg American, 1-29-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-29-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Dies Shoveling Snow.” The Marion Star, OH. 1-25-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marion-star-jan-25-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Dixie Shaking Off Cold Wave.” Miami Daily News-Record, OK. 1-29-1940, p. 6. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/miami-daily-news-record-jan-29-1940-p-6/
Associated Press. “Fire Causes Three Deaths.” Somerset Daily American. 1-29-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-29-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Florida Citrus Growers Facing a Terrific Loss.” Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. 1-29-1940, p1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seymour-daily-tribune-jan-29-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Florida Hit By 24 Year Record Cold.” Somerset American. 1-29-1940, 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-29-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Freeze Spreads Death In South.” Wilmington Morning Star, NC. 1-27-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilmington-morning-star-jan-27-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Frigid Wave Moves Deeper Into East and South.” The Titusville Herald, PA. 1-20-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-jan-20-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Hitch-Hiker Found Dead.” Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-30-1940, p. 7. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/waynesboro-record-herald-jan-30-1940-p-7/
Associated Press. “Negroes Freeze to Death Near Canton.” Daily Herald, Gulfport and Biloxi, MS. 1-31-1940, 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-jan-31-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, p1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at:
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Associated Press. “No Relief from Snow and Cold Expected Until After Saturday, Bureau Says.” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-24-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-evening-daily-republican-jan-24-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “No Relief Seen For Pennsylvania.” Somerset American, PA. 1-23-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-23-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Relief From Bitter Cold Is Promised.” The Bee, Danville, VA. 1-29-1940, p. 8. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-jan-29-1940-p-8/
Associated Press. “Three Found Dead in Car Thought Gassed.” Bismarck Tribune, ND. 1-23-1940, p. 3. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bismarck-tribune-jan-23-1940-p-3/
Associated Press. “Warmer Weather (continued from p1).” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-27-1940, p. 6. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-evening-daily-republican-jan-27-1940-p-6/
Associated Press. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7. Accessed 10-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-27-1940-p-1/
Associated Press. “Worst Storm Of Winter In Carolinas.” Henderson Daily Dispatch, NC. 1-24-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/henderson-daily-dispatch-jan-24-1940-p-1/
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Dies of Exposure.” 1-25-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-25-1940-p-2/
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Snowfall Puts Section Under 8-Inch Blanket.” 1-24-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-24-1940-p-1/
Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “State Remains Under Blanket.” 1-27-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-27-1940-p-1/
Comanche Chief, TX. “Body of Man is Found Near Roch Sunday.” 1-26-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/comanche-chief-jan-26-1940-p-1/
Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Oklahoma Briefs.” 1-24-1940, p. 3. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ardmore-daily-ardmoreite-jan-24-1940-p-3/
Daily Herald, Gulfport and Biloxi, MS. “Ice Stll Blocks [MS] River.” 1-30-1940, p. 5. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biloxi-daily-herald-jan-30-1940-p-5/
Decatur Daily, AL. “6 Inch Snow Falls Here.” 1-23-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jan-23-1940-p-1/
Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “Sub-Zero Grips Ohio; Five Dead.” 1-26-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-26-1940-p-1/
Endicott Daily Bulletin, NY. “Storm Blamed For 3 Deaths.” 1-26-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/endicott-daily-bulletin-jan-26-1940-p-1/
Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. “Weather Report.” 1-27-1940, p. 7. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fitchburg-sentinel-jan-27-1940-p-7/
Granville Times, OH. “Frozen To Death.” 1-25-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/granville-times-jan-25-1940-p-1/
Hattiesburg American MS: “8 Degrees New Low. Cold Wave Moves South. 1-27-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-27-1940-p-1/
Hattiesburg American, MS: “8 to 15 Degrees Tonight.” 1-24-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-24-1940-p-1/
Hattiesburg American, MS. “15-20 Degrees Tonight. Fair, Continued Cold Forecast.”1-23-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-23-1940-p-1/
Hattiesburg American, MS: “Colder Tonight. Ten to 16 Forecast. More Snow Reported.” 1-25-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-21-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-25-1940-p-1/
Hattiesburg American, MS. “Death.” 1-27-1940, p. 7. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hattiesburg-american-jan-27-1940-p-7/
International News Service. “Snow Falls on Alabama; Moves Into Pennsylvania.” New Castle News, PA. 1-24-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-jan-24-1940-p-1/
INS. “Sub-Zero Grips Ohio; Five Dead.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 1-26-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-26-1940-p-1/
La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, WI. “Exposure, Exhaustion Blamed For Deaths.” 1-23-1940, p. 10. Accessed 10-24-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/la-crosse-tribune-and-leader-press-jan-23-1940-p-10/
Lebanon Daily News, PA. “New Low For Season Accompanies Four and a Half Inches of Snow.” 1-19-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/lebanon-daily-news-jan-19-1940-p-1/
Lima News, OH. “Continuation of Cold Wave is Predicted.” 1-21-1940, p. 3. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-lima-news-jan-21-1940-p-3/
Lima News, OH. “Girl, 18, Auto Crash Victim…Slippery Roads, Low Temperatures Blamed…” 1-22-1940, p.1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/the-lima-news-jan-22-1940-p-1/
Mansfield News-Journal, OH. “Normal Winter Marks End of Coldest Month.” 1-30-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mansfield-news-journal-jan-30-1940-p-1/
McAllen Daily Press, TX. “Valley Man Frozen To Death.” 1-23-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mcallen-daily-press-jan-23-1940-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
Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. “Flood Dangers Mount as Ice Holds Back Streams.” 1-22-1940, p. 8. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beckley-raleigh-register-jan-22-1940-p-8/
Salem News, OH. “New Cold Wave Drops Mercury; Man is Frozen.” 1-25-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salem-news-jan-25-1940-p-1/
San Antonio Express, TX. “Exposure Fatal to Aged Laredo Man.” 1-28-1940, p. 11. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-jan-28-1940-p-11/
Sandusky Register, OH. “Neighboring Deaths, Funerals” 1-25-1940, p. 7. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-25-1940-p-7/
Somerset Daily American, PA. “Fire-Auto Wrecks and Drifted Roads (continued from p.1),” 1-22-1940, p. 2. Accessed 10-25-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-22-1940-p-2/
Somerset Daily American, PA. “No Relief From Cold In Roof Garden.” 1-20-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-25-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-jan-20-1940-p-1/
Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-26-1940, p. 1. col. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jan-26-1940-p-1/
The Bee, Danville, VA. “City Paralyzed in 21-Inch Snow.” 1-24-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-jan-24-1940-p-1/
The Evening Star, Washington, DC. “8 Above Tonight in Record Cold, Costing One Life.” 1-25-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star-jan-25-1940-p-1/
The Evening Star, Washington, DC. “Mercury Will Drop To 8 Here Tonight; Warmer Sunday.” 1-26-1940, p. 1. Accessed 10-22-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star-jan-26-1940-p-1/
The Evening Star, Washington DC. “Weather (continued from p.1.).” 1-27-2024, p. 10. Accessed 10-22-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-dc-washington-evening-star-jan-27-1940-p-10/
The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Florida Crops Are Wiped Out.” 1-29-1940, p. 3. Accessed 10-23-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/statesville-landmark-jan-29-1940-p-3/
United Press. “Man Frozen To Death In Front of Own Home.” Daily Times-Bulletin, Van Wert, OH. 1-25-1940, p.2. Accessed 10-23-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/van-wert-times-bulletin-jan-25-1940-p-2/
United Press. “Salamanca Man’s Frozen Body Found Near His Farmhouse.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 1-24-1940, p.4. Accessed 10-23-2024 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/dunkirk-evening-observer-jan-24-1940-p-4/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Father of 11 Dies Under Truck Wheels.” 1-26-1940, p. 11. Accessed 10-24-2024: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-26-1940-p-22/
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Young Coasters Killed in Crash.” 1-26-1040, p. 11. Accessed 10-24-2024 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-26-1940-p-22/
[1] May have been referring to “10-day siege,” whereas there had been reportedly about 400 deaths the past 3 weeks.
[2] Number 361 refers to two week period “including 105 this week…attributable to the weather.”
[3] Article does not state 96 deaths. We tabulated numbers of deaths noted by State.
[4] The Evening Star, DC. “8 Above Tonight in Record Cold, Costing One Life.” 1-25-1940, 1. Notes he had been walking home from work in bitter cold.
[5] “Lakeland, Fla., Jan. 30. – (AP) – Retreating winter left a heavy toll in Florida today…Deaths ascribed to the cold mounted to 11…”
[6] The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Florida Crops Are Wiped Out.” 1-29-1940, p. 3.
[7] The Landmark, Statesville, NC. “Florida Crops Are Wiped Out.” 1-29-1940, p. 3.
[8] AP. “No Relief from Snow and Cold Expected Until After Saturday…” Rushville Republican, IN. 1-24-1940, p.1.
[9] AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7.
[10] AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7. Victims: Mrs. Alex Cunningham, 25, her children, A. J. Cunningham, Jr., 3, and Rene, 1. Mr. Cunningham was seriously injured.
[11] AP. “4 to 12 Degrees Tonight.” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-26-1940, p. 11.
[12] AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7.
[13] AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7.
[14] The Evening Star, Washington, DC. “Mercury Will Drop To 8 Here Tonight; Warmer Sunday.” 1-26-1940, p. 1.
[15] Assoc. Press. “Negroes Freeze to Death Near Canton.” Daily Herald, Gulfport and Biloxi, MS. 1-31-1940, p. 1.
[16] Daily Herald, Gulfport and Biloxi, MS. “Ice Stll Blocks [MS] River.” 1-30-1940, p. 5.
[17] Hattiesburg American, MS. “Death.” 1-27-1940, p. 7.
[18] AP. “Weather (Continued from page one).” Hattiesburg American, MS. 1-27-1940, p. 7.
[19] Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. “Ontario Remains Free from Storm Hitting Upstate.” 1-23-1940, 1.
[20] Endicott Daily Bulletin, NY. “Storm Blamed For 3 Deaths.” 1-26-1940, p. 1.
[21] Killed were Stanley Niskow and John Melezks of Dunkirk. (Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. “Ontario Remains Free from Storm Hitting Upstate.” 1-23-1940, 1.)
[22] Killed were Harvey Hoffman, 20, his siter Ellen, 16 and Woodrow Robinson, 18. (Raleigh Register, Beckley, WV. “Flood Dangers Mount as Ice Holds Back Streams.” 1-22-1940, p. 8.)
[23] Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. “Ontario Remains Free from Storm Hitting Upstate.” 1-23-1940, 1.
[24] UP. “Salamanca Man’s Frozen Body Found Near His Farmhouse.” Dunkirk Evening Observer, NY. 1-24-1940, 4.
[25] Daily Messenger, Canandaigua, NY. “Ontario Remains Free from Storm Hitting Upstate.” 1-23-1940, 1.
[26] Salem News, OH. “New Cold Wave Drops Mercury; Man is Frozen.” 1-25-1940, p. 1.
[27] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[28] AP. “Worst Storm Of Winter In Carolinas.” Henderson Daily Dispatch, NC. 1-24-1940, p. 1.
[29] AP. “Cold Wave May Break Here Today.” Sunday Star-News, Wilmington, NC. 1-28-1940, p. 2.
[30] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[31] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[32] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[33] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[34] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[35] AP. “New Records Set As Cold Begins Move Eastward.” Wahington Daily News, NC. 1-29-1940, 1.
[36] Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “Sub-Zero Grips Ohio; Five Dead.” 1-26-1940, p. 1.
[37] Sandusky Register, OH. “Neighboring Deaths, Funerals” 1-25-1940, p. 7.
[38] Associated Press. “Dies Shoveling Snow.” The Marion Star, OH. 1-25-1940, p. 1.
[39] Lima News, OH. “Continuation of Cold Wave is Predicted.” 1-21-1940, p. 3.
[40] UP. “Man Frozen To Death In Front of Own Home.” Daily Times-Bulletin, Van Wert, OH. 1-25-1940, p.2.
[41] INS. “Sub-Zero Grips Ohio; Five Dead.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 1-26-1940, p. 1.
[42] Lima News, OH. “Girl, 18, Auto Crash Victim…Slippery Roads, Low Temperatures Blamed…” 1-22-1940, p.1.
[43] Granville Times, OH. “Frozen To Death.” 1-25-1940, p. 1.
[44] Lima News, OH. “Girl, 18, Auto Crash Victim…Slippery Roads, Low Temperatures Blamed…” 1-22-1940, p.4.
[45] Daily Ardmoreite, OK. “Oklahoma Briefs.” 1-24-1940, p. 3.
[46] Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 1-26-1940, p. 1. col. 1.
[47] “Coroner F. E. Sass reported exposure and a cerebral hemorrhage caused the death…said the man, apparently hitch-hiking, must have left the highway to seek shelter from the cold, was stricken and died.” (Associated Press. “Hitch-Hiker Found Dead.” Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-30-1940, p. 7.)
[48] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[49] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[50] Associated Press. “4 Lives Toll of Cold Wave in State.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-20-1940, p. 1.
[51] Associated Press. “No Relief Seen For Pennsylvania.” Somerset American, PA. 1-23-1940, p. 1.
[52] INS. “Snow Falls on Alabama; Moves Into Pennsylvania.” New Castle News, PA. 1-24-1940, p. 1.
[53] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[54] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[55] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[56] Somerset American, PA. “Fire-Auto Wrecks and Drifted Roads (continued from p1),” 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[57] AP. “Auto Accidents Lead in State’s Week-end Toll. Cold Weather Yields First Place as Accidental Death Cause.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 1-29-1940, p. 1.
[58] Died in hospital Jan 21 “where he was rushed after registering at a hotel and complaining of the cold. The coroner’s office said death was caused by a heart attack induced by exposure.” (Associated Press. “2 Dead of Cold in Fayette County.” Somerset Daily American, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 2.)
[59] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[60] Associated Press. “Fire Causes Three Deaths.” Somerset Daily American. 1-29-1940, p. 1.
[61] AP. “13 Dead Over Weekend; Cold Takes 3 Lives.” The Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA. 1-22-1940, p. 1.
[62] Associated Press. “Three Found Dead in Car Thought Gassed.” Bismarck Tribune, ND. 1-23-1940, p. 3.
[63] San Antonio Express, TX. “Exposure Fatal to Aged Laredo Man.” 1-28-1940, p. 11.
[64] Comanche Chief, TX. “Body of Man is Found Near Roch Sunday.” 1-26-1940, p. 1.
[65] McAllen Daily Press, TX. “Valley Man Frozen To Death.” 1-23-1940, p. 1.
[66] “Richmond, Va., Jan. 29. – (AP) – Virginia’s worst siege of bitter weather in years showed signs of breaking as temperatures began mounting today…Ten deaths have been attributed to the weather…”
[67] Article notes that “Firemen were handicapped by a 5-below-zero temperature.”
[68] “West Virginia, listing seven fire, highway and exposure deaths in five days as attributable to subfreezing cold…”
[69] Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Snowfall Puts Section Under 8-Inch Blanket.” 1-24-1940, p. 1. John E. Sartin.
[70] Victim identified as Carl Bradford. (Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Dies of Exposure.” 1-25-1940, p. 2.)
[71] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Young Coasters Killed in Crash.” 1-26-1040, p. 11.
[72] La Crosse Tribune and Leader-Press, WI. “Exposure, Exhaustion Blamed For Deaths.” 1-23-1940, p. 10.
[73] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Father of 11 Dies Under Truck Wheels.” 1-26-1940, p. 11.