1950 — Nov 24-27, Coldwave/Snow/Storms, esp. IN, KY, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, WV-288-383

   –288-383  Blanchard range.[1]

 

—  383  NOAA. “NOAA’s Top U.S. Weather, Water and Climate Events of the  20^th Century.”[2]

–~383  Halverson. “In 1950…storm…Eastern U.S. at Thanksgiving.” Wash. Post, 11-22-2017.

—  353  Allsop, Harry. “Nemo: Top ten worst blizzards to hit the US.” Telegraph, UK, 2-8-2013.

—  310  High-end of range of Blanchard compilation from State breakouts below.

–>300  Kirch. Encyclopedia of Public Health. 2008, p. 270.

–~300  Associated Press.” Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, Nov 29, 1950.

–~300  Smith. “The Destructive Storm of November 25-27, 1950.” MWR, Nov 1950, 204-209.

—  300  Schwartz, Karr, Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. 2007, 328.

—  288  Low-end of range of Blanchard compilation from State breakouts below.

—  283  AP. “More Snow Hindering Cleanup.” Oil City Derrick, PA. 11-29-1950, p. 1.

—  281  AP. ”Snow-Buried East Struggles to Get Back…” Rhinelander Daily News, 11-28-1950.

—  280  UP. “Sudden Thaw Would Bring Big Flood to Ohio Valley.” Lowell Sun, 11-29-1950, 1.

—  279  Associated Press. “Deaths Now at 279.” Norwich Sun, NY, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

—  278  AP. “Storm-Swept Eastern States Battle to Get…” Warren Times, PA, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

—  268  UP. “Latest Survey Shows 268 Deaths…” Middlesboro News, 11-28-1950, p. 1.[3]

—>266  AP. “Thousands Work to Remove Snow…” Cumberland News, MD. 11-28-1950, 1.

—  256  “The number of deaths attributed to winds, blizzards and cold rose to 256 in 22 states.”[4]

—>250  INS. “Storm At a Glance.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

—  236  AP. “State Traffic Death Toll 6.” Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

—  229  In Northeast. (AP. “Storm’s Damage in N.E. is Placed at 100 Million.”)[5]

—>227  AP. “Record Storm Death Toll Hits 227.” Cumberland Evening Times, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

—>226  AP. “East Has 226 Dead in Icy Hurricane…” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-27-1950, 1.

–>220  Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “220 Die as Eight States Dig Out of Snow.” 11-27-1950, 1.

—  217  UP. “Storm Deaths are up to 217.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

—>214  AP. “Grief…in Wake of Paralyzing Storm…” Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN, 11-27-1950, 1.

—  212  United Press. “More than 200 Die in Storm…” Anniston Star, AL. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

—  200  Hall, Max. “The Nation Today.” Frederick News (MD), November 30, 1950, p. 15.

—  186  UP. “Storm Deaths Near 200 Mark Today. Daily Middletown News, Ky. 11-27-1950, 1.

–>183  UP. “Worst Storm in 37 Years…183…Killed.” Marshall…Chronicle, MI, 11-27-1950, 1.

—  160  History.com. “1950:  Storm of the Century.” The Daily Perspective, Nov 25, 2009.

—  160  History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, November 25, 1950.

—  >94  AP. “At Least 94 Die From Extreme Wintry Weather.” Florence Morning News, SC, 11-26-1950, 1.

—    90  AP. “Cold Stabs to Gulf,” Syracuse Herald Journal (NY), Nov 26, 1950, p. 7.

—  >72  AP. “72 Deaths as Snow, Winds Hit Nation.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA. 11-26-1950, p. 1.

 

Summary of State Breakouts below

 

1. Alabama                    (     13)                                   
2. Connecticut               (       6)                       
3. Delaware                    (       2)                                   
4. Georgia                      (       2)                       
5. Illinois                                    (       6)                       
6. Indiana                       (     18)                       
7. Kentucky                   (     17)                       
8. Maine                         (       4)           
9. Maryland                   (       4)
10. Massachusetts           (       2)                       
11. Michigan                    (16-22)                       
12. New Hampshire        (       1)           
13. New Jersey                 (     34)
14. New York                   (     36)
15. North Carolina          (    2-4)
16. Ohio                          (64-70)
17. Pennsylvania             (36-40)
18. South Carolina          (    2-4)           
19. Tennessee                   (    2-4)
20. Vermont                     (        1)
21. Virginia                      (        2)
22. West Virginia                        (      18)

 

Total                                 288-383

 

Breakout of Winter Weather and Related Deaths by State (and locality where noted)

Alabama                    (13)

–14  UP. “Storm Deaths are up to 217.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1.[6]

–13  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–13  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–13  AP. “13 Die in Fires in State; Temperatures are Rising.” Anniston Star, AL, 11-27-1950, 1.

–1  Birmingham. Tourist court (cabin) fire; Hattie Pearly Reach, 18.

–1  Birmingham. Home fire; Kinley Tyree, 11.

–1  Birmingham. Home fire; Jackqueline Blair Castleberry, 19-months.

–1  Boaz, route 4. Dress caught on fire from fireplace; Mrs. Jane Keener, 78.

–1  Cullman, Cullman Co. Home fire; Mr. Joe E. Shelton, after going back inside home.

–2  Eufaula. Home fire; two unidentified children.

–2  Gadsden. Home fire; Jerry Leath, 4, and sister Patricia Leath, 2.

–1  Millbrook. Home fire; Lott Orange.

–1  Millry. Home fire; Mrs. Sallie Strickland, 95, invalid.

–1  Mobile. Clothes catch fire from fireplace; Felix Lee McCrary, 74.

–1  Mobile. Home fire; George Mosely.

 

Connecticut               (  6)

–6  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–6  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

 

Delaware                    (  2)

–2  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

 

Georgia                      (  2)

–5  UP. “Storm Deaths are up to 217.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1.[7]

–2  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–1  Atlanta area. Unclear if exposure or CO poisoning. Man found dead in car in garage. INS.[8]

 

Illinois                                    (  6)

–6  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–5  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–4  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

Breakout of Illinois Winter Weather-Related Fatalities by Location (where noted):

–1  Flanagan. Miss Laura Dellenbach slipped on icy sidewalls, near home striking head.[9]

–1  Norris City, Nov 23. Exposure; duck hunting; Robert Dale Hesterly, 28.[10]

–1  Peoria area, Nov 26. Car overturns on icy road; Clement Gussin, 53.[11]

–1  Petersburg area. Fred E. Treat, 65, collapsed while walking home; died of exposure.[12]

 

Indiana                       (18)

–18  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–18  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below:

—  6  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

—  1  Anderson, Nov 26. Heart attack trying to get car out of snowdrift; male, 60.[13]

—  1  Ashley area, Nov 26. CO poisoning; snow-stranded car; Robert Strawser Jr., 2½.[14]

—  1  Auburn. Heart attack while working with city street department clearing away snow.[15]

—  1  Canaan area, Nov 26. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Willis Copeland, 76.[16]

—  1  Clayton area, Nov 25. Heart attack; car in snowdrift; woman, 60 walks for help.[17]

—  1  Columbia City area, IN-9, Nov 26. Man found dead about 1 mile from snowbound car.[18]

—  1  Danville area, Nov 26? CO poisoning after car stuck in snowdrift; male, 48, of Attica.[19]

—  1  Delphi, Nov 24. Car “skidded on…icy street against…engine of…freight train.”[20]

—  1  Dyer. Traffic accident attributed to weather conditions; Mrs. Lorraine Powell, 28.[21]

—  1  Elkhart, Nov 27. Exposure; had been found almost dead Nov 25 and taken to hospital.[22]

—  1  Indianapolis, Nov 26. Apparent exposure; male, 63, outside behind his home.[23]

—  1  Marion. Heart attack “while shoveling snow at his home.” Walter Nuss, 81.[24]

—  1  Muncie area. Heart attack “after walking home from a neighbor’s house.” Male, 69.[25]

—  1  Muncie area, Nov 26. “…collision on icy Ind. 67…skidded into a truck…” Female, 24.[26]

—  1  Muncie. Heart attack “a few minutes after helping push a stalled car.” Dean Meranda, 45.[27]

—  1  New Market, Nov 25. Exposure; Stanford Crunk, 40, found dead in a lane near home.[28]

—  1  Peru, Nov 27. Truck skids on icy road into car; Mrs. Dorothy S. Brown, 26.[29]

—  1  Portland, Nov 25. Apparent heart attack; car stalls; male, 60, tried to walk for help.[30]

 

Kentucky                   (17)

—  17  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

—>12  UP. “Rising Mercury Brings Relief From Cold Wave.” Middlesboro News. 11-28-1950, 1.

—  10  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

—    2  Georgetown area, Nov 27. Fire in tobacco barn; children 2 and 17-months.[31]

—    1  Shively, Nov 24. “A car thrown out of control by icy roads skidded into…side [of train].[32]

—    3  Williamstown, Nov 24. “…car skidded on an icy section of the Dixie Highway…crashed…”[33]

 

Maine                         (  4)

–4  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, MD. 29 Nov 1950.

 

Maryland                   (  4)

–4  AP. “Big Cleanup…the East After Storm.” Register-News, Mr. Vernon, IL, 11-29-1950, 5.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–2  Princess Anne area, Nov 24. Vehicles skid and collide during storm.”[34]

 

Massachusetts           (  2)

–2  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, MD. 11-29-1950.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

 

Michigan                    (16-22)

–22  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, MD, 11-29-1950.

–16  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–16  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–15  UP. “Storm Worst in 37 Years. Fifteen Die in Michigan.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI.[35]

—  9  AP. “Below-Zero Wave Smacks Michigan; More Due Tonight.” Escanaba Press, MI. 11-24-1950, 1.

Breakout of Michigan Winter Weather-Related Fatalities by Locality (where noted):

–3  “Storm-tossed” airplane crash. Benton Harbor, Nov 24. Pilot and two boys; snowstorm.[36]

–1  Exposure; [37] Keweenaw Peninsula. Deer hunter Frank Marzene, 55.[38]

–1  Fall.[39]

–1  Fire. Sault Ste. Marie area.[40]

–1  Heart attack while shoveling snow.[41]

–9  Vehicular incidents.[42]

–1  Muskegon area (north of).[43]

–1  Roscommon Co. Car went off snow-covered road; Clifford Carrethers, 21.[44]

 

New Hampshire        (    1)

–1  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, MD, 11-29-1950.

–1  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

 

New Jersey                 (   34)

–34  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, MD, 11-29-1950.

–32  Schwartz, Karr, Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. 2007, 328.

–30  UP. “Storm Deaths are up to 217.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

–28  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

—  1  Bloomfield, Nov 25. Tree falls on car during storm, killing the driver.[45]

—  4  Port Norris, Nov 25. Children in house swept into Delaware River.[46]

 

New York                   (   36)

–36  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 29 Nov 1950.

–31  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–28  Troy Record, NY. “69 Dead.” 11-27-1950, p. 10.

–21  AP. “Gales Lash Oneonta, Area Towns. 21 Die…in State.” Oneonta Star, NY, 11-27-1950, 1.

—  1  Deposit, Nov 26. Drowning; man whose car ran off a washed out bridge.[47]

—  1  NYC, Manhattan, 16^th and Broadway. Nov 25 or 26? Man killed by falling bldg. debris.[48]

—  1  New York City. Man hit by can; had chased his hat into the street during storm winds.[49]

—  1  Orwell, Nov 25. Heart attack in storm; farmer Charles Carpenter, 70 checking damage.[50]

 

North Carolina          (   2-4)

–4  Assoc. Press. “6 Carolinians Die From Cold.” Florence Morning News, 11-28-1950, p. 1.[51]

–2  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–1  Hamlet. Exposure; Scott Williams, 45, found frozen near his home.[52]

–1  Moravian Falls area. Car “skidded on icy pavement and overturned…” Male, 30.[53]

 

Ohio                           (64-70)

–70  Schmidlin and Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland…Weather Events in Ohio. 1996, 40.[54]

–64  AP. “Snowed-Under Ohio Getting Back to Normal.” Logan Daily News, OH, 11-29-1950, 1.[55]

–64  UP. “Emergency Over in Cleveland After Snowfall.” Norwalk Reflector-Herald, OH, 11-30-1950, 1.

–56  UP. “Ohio Struggling Back to Normal After Snowstorm.” Coshocton Tribune, OH. 11-28-1950, 1.

–55  Associated Press. ”Snow-Buried East Struggles…” Rhinelander Daily News, 11-28-1950.

–54  UP. “Emergency Over in Cleveland After Snowfall.” Norwalk Reflector-Herald, OH, 11-30-1950, 1.

–42  Heart attacks (we have identified 28 individual cases of death by heart attack).

—  6  Traffic mishaps

—  5  Fires

—  4  Carbon monoxide poisoning

—  2  Sledding accidents

—  4  Exposure/hypothermia (“Frozen to death”)

—  1  Fall injuries.

–54  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–53  AP. “Snow Storm Kills Hundreds…” Republican-Courier, Findlay, OH, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

–51  AP. “Snowstorm Takes 51 Lives in Ohio.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-28-1950, 1.

–48  AP. “Ohio’s Industry Reels Under Blizzard Impact.” Mansfield News-Journal, OH. 11-27-1950, 1.

–47  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–45  Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “New Snow Hits Eastern Ohio’s Stricken Area.” 11-27-1950, 1.

–25  UP. “Storm Deaths are up to 217.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

Breakout of Winter Weather Related Fatalities by Locality (where noted):

–1  Akron. Bronchitis; Sue Rowles, 14-months. (AP. “Ohio Blizzard…” 11-27-1950, p. 1.)

–1  Akron. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; James McAlonan, 57.[56]

–1  Akron. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; Willard McKenna, 53.[57]

–1  Beaver area. CO poisoning; car left running after car stuck in snowdrift; James B. Porter, 22.[58]

–1  Bedford. Heart attack while shoveling snow; William A. Heyman, 55.[59]

–1  Chardon, Nov 26/27. Joseph Moutvicka, 76, found frozen in snowdrift; out to feed chickens.[60]

–1  Cincinnati. Apparent heart attack while sweeping snow in his attic; Henry Dickman, 80.[61]

–1  Cleveland, Nov 26. Heart attack shoveling snow; Joe Baker, 40.[62]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack on street car after walking through snow; Julia Borchert, 51.[63]

–1  Cleveland. Heart attack “induced by cold and snow.” Thomas Dronin.[64]

–1  Cleveland. Pneumonia; Dennis Fiechuk, 8-months.[65]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack after walk to neighborhood store; Jack Harmon, 39.[66]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack; collapsed while shoveling snow; Charles Heller, 75.[67]

–1  Cleveland. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Frank Lukans, 70.[68]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack after pushing his car; John Matty, 48.[69]

–1  Cleveland, Nov 26. Found dead in snowdrift near his home Steve Panpovic, 55.[70]

–1  Cleveland. Pneumonia; Carl Roberts, 35.[71]

–1  Cleveland. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Thomas Smith, 55.[72]

–1  Cleveland. Cause not noted (hypothermia?). Found dead in bed; Frank Sykore, 72.[73]

–1  Cleveland. Pneumonia; Antoinette Sobony, 3-months.[74]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; Stanley Sopinski, 49.[75]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack; died in bed after returning from walk; Fred Weiss, 72.[76]

–1  Cleveland. Apparent heart attack; collapsed in snowbank near home; Chares Witherspoon, 51.[77]

–3  Columbus, Nov 25. Overheated furnace fire. William Terrell, 67, daughter, 8, grandson, 3.[78]

–1  Columbus. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow; Fioravanti Borhese, 63.

–1  Columbus. CO poisoning? Asphyxiation in car; Alonzo R. Christian, 35.[79]

–1  Columbus. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; Claude E. Holmes, 46.[80]

–1  Columbus. Asphyxiation or heart attack while driving over snow-packed street. (Woehlert)[81]

–1  Conneaut area. Man found frozen in snow; believed to be John Koye of Lake Seaman.[82]

–1  Cuyahoga Falls, Nov 26/27. Found frozen; had gone out to shovel snow; William Taylor, 70.[83]

–1  Dayton. Heart attack while walking through deeps snow after car stuck in snow (Harter).[84]

–1  Hubbard, Nov 26/27. Fell from home roof while sweeping snow; Samuel Phillips, 70.[85]

–1  Lagrange, Nov 25/26. Exposure? “found frozen in snowdrift.” Hamilton Humphrey, 67.[86]

–1  Lockbourne. CO poisoning? Asphyxiated in car; Mrs. Rita Gleissner Gornflo, 18.[87]

–1  Lorain, Nov 25. Probable heart attack; found dead in snowdrift; James Millison, 60.[88]

–1  Marion, Nov 26-27. Heart attack while putting chains on car; Edward C. Thomas, 50.[89]

–1  Martin’s Ferry. Auto and snowplow collision; Henry Davidson, 67.[90]

–1  Massillon, Nov 25; Heart attack shoveling snow in front of garage; Earl T. Wilson, 45.[91]

–1  Minford, Nov 25/26. Tractor slips off snow-covered road; overturns into ditch. Kronk.[92]

–1  Nelsonville area, Nov 25. Vehicles collide; Howard G. Featherstone, 53, of Toledo.[93]

–1  Seabring. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Philip Schroeder, 50.[94]

–1  Springfield. Heard attack while walking in snow near his home; Elmer Borton, 63.[95]

–1  Springfield. Apparent heart attack; collapsed while walking in snow; Dora Douthit.[96]

–1  Springfield. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; James Taylor, 76.[97]

–1  Stovertown. Home fire; Daisy L. Oliver, 70.

–1  Strouds Run, Nov 25. Sledding; kicked by horse as he sled down hill; Danny Cain, 9.[98]

–1  Tiffin area, Nov 26/27. Crushed by snow plow; Kinza P. Beaston, 67, of Melmore.[99]

–1  Warrensville (Cleveland). Heart attack while supervising snowplow crew; John Kaminski.[100]

–1  West Logan, Nov 28? Apparent hypothermia; William Lewis, 86, found Nov 29 in shanty.[101]

–1  Youngstown, Nov 26/27. “found dead in snow bank near his…home.” Isaac Jarvis, 79.[102]

–1  Youngstown, Nov 27. Apparent heart attack “after shoveling snow all day.” Elmer Park, 55.[103]

–1  Zanesville. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow. Sherman C. Brooks, 60.[104]

 

Pennsylvania             (36-40)

–40  Schwartz, Karr and Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. 2007, p. 328.

–39  AP. “Big Cleanup on in the East After Storm.” Register-News, Mr. Vernon, IL, 11-29-1950, 5.

–37  Daily News, Huntingdon, PA. “Storm Causes 37 Deaths in State…” 11-28-1950, p. 1.

–36  Associated Press. ”Snow-Buried East Struggles…” Rhinelander Daily News, 11-28-1950.

–36  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–23  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–21  Syracuse Herald Journal (NY). “21 Dead–New Storm…Pittsburgh,” 11-26-1950.

Breakout of Pennsylvania Winter Weather Related Fatalities by Locality (where noted):

–16  Allegheny County, Pittsburgh metropolitan area.[105]

–1  Castle Shannon. Carbon monoxide poisoning; William Hamler, 38.[106]

–1  Crafton, Nov 26. Heart attack “attributed to the snow, wind and rain storms.”[107]

–1  Curtisville, Nov 25 or 26. Heart attack; Frank Daslov, 55.[108]

–1  McKeesport, Nov 25-26. Heart attack attributed to the storm; Thomas J. Carlos, 50.[109]

–1  Pittsburgh, Nov 25 or 26. Pregnant woman who walked through deep snow for help.[110]

–1  Pittsburgh, Nov 25-26. Heart attack attributed to the storm; James B. Gillian, 60.[111]

–1         “        Exposure; grounds of Mayview hospital; patient had wandered away.[112]

–1         “        Nov 25 or 26. Heart attack attributed to the storm; Edward Melvin, 38.[113]

–1         “        Nov 25 or 26. Heart attack attributed to the storm; Richard Owen, 60.[114]

–1         “        Nov 25. Heart attack attributed to the storm; Edward P. Wilhelm, 67.[115]

–1         “ Nov 25. Heart attack “attributed to unusual exertion in combating the snow.” (Wise).[116]

–4         “        Unidentified Pittsburgh metropolitan area storm-related deaths.[117]

–1  Wilkinsburg. Heart attack attributed to the storm; William A. Ewing, 60.[118]

—  1  Beaver County

–1  Beaver Falls, near Erie, Nov 24. Train hits pedestrian “in a heavy swirl of snow.”[119]

—  2  Bucks County

–2  Woodside area, ~Nov 27. Car CO poisoning; cousins Gerald Tate, Francis J. Tate.[120]

—  2  Butler County

–2  Prospect, Nov 25-26. Fire; firemen could not reach scene; 28 inches of snow; Miller.[121]

—  1  Clarion County

–1  Knox, Nov 27. Heart attack while shoveling heavy snow from home roof. G. S. Snowden.[122]

—  4  Fayette County

–1  Ralph, Nov 26. Heart attack or exposure; walking home from mine; Edward  Momeyre.[123]

–1  Searight. Nov 27. Hypothermia; found dead in heatless house; lived alone; Matt Drobick, 69.[124]

–2  Uniontown, Nov 27 (found). CO poisoning; Men, 23 and 25, snow-covered auto.[125]

—  1  Greene County

–1  Rices Landing, Nov 27. Apparent heart attack; collapsed after working in the snow.[126]

—  1  Indiana County

–1  Black Lick, Nov 24/25. Apparent exposure; body found frozen in snow; Wilda Williams, 55.[127]

—  1  Jefferson County

–1  Coolspring, Nov 27. Starvation; baby, 7 months, found dead in snow-bound mt. cabin.[128]

—  3  Philadelphia County/City

–1  Nov 25 or 26; Traffic accident on slippery street; Victor L. Brazcal, 30.[129]

–1  Nov 25 or 26; Traffic accident on slippery street; Evelyn Marr, 35.[130]

–1  Nov 25 or 26; Exposure; after 90 minutes in flooded highway. Dominic R. Polcino, 21.[131]

—  1  Tioga County

–1  Knoxville, Nov 25-26. Heart attack attributed to the storm; William Engelmeir, 54.[132]

—  1  Union County

–1  Winfield, Nov 25-26. Electrocution; attempt to repair downed high tension wire.[133]

—  1  Wyoming County

–1  Tunkhannock, Nov 25-26. Drowned; pinned in creek by tractor pulling free car; Kitchneske.[134]

—  1  Washington County

–1  Washington, PA, Route 40. Car collides with snowplow; Henry Davidson, 67.[135]

 

South Carolina          ( 2-4)

–4  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–2  Exposure. AP. “Snow Covers Many Areas in Carolinas.” Florence News, 11-26-1950, p. 1.

–1  Charleston, Nov 25. Exposure; Mary Toomer, “found frozen…near…waterfront.”[136]

–1  Columbia area, Nov 25. Exposure; Robert O. Busbee, 44, found frozen near Columbia.[137]

–1  Eau Claire, suburb of Columbia. Exposure, Male, 44, found dead of exposure in a ditch.[138]

[Blanchard note: These last two listed deaths could possibly be references to the same death.]

 

Tennessee                   (2-4)

–4  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–2  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

 

Vermont                     (    1)

–1  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–1  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

 

Virginia                      (    2)

–2  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–1  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

–1  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

–1  Cedar Bluff, Nov 26 (body found in snowdrift). Exposure; Charles Belew, 68.[139]

–1  Speedwell, Nov 26. Man “apparently froze to death while struggling through the snowstorm…”[140]

 

West Virginia                        ( 18)

—  18  AP. “Foresters…Snowdrifts…State…Toll Reaches 18.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-30-1950, 7.

—  15  Associated Press. “Death Toll From Storm Nearly 300.” Frederick News, 11-29-1950.

—  15  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

—  14  AP. “Four-Day Blizzard…Toll…14 in [WV].” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-28-1950, p.1.

—  11  Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. “[WV]…Eleven Dead From Record Blizzard.” 11-27-1950.

—  10  AP. “Death Toll in Storm is Listed by States.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, 1.

—>10  AP. “Ten Die in [WV] as Blizzard Hold Icy Grip.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

—    3  AP. “Three Dead in Blizzard. West Virginians Have Worst Storm.” 11-26-1950.[141]

Breakout of West Virginia Winter Weather-Related Deaths by Locality (where noted)”

—  1  Braxton County, Nov 29. Grader clearing snow overturns killing Price Snyder, 58.[142]

—  1  Buckhannon, Nov 25. Exposure; woman trying to walk mile home from snowbound car.[143]

—  1  Charleston, Nov 26? Heart attack while shoveling snow; C. C. Tucker, 39.[144]

—  1  Charleston (South), Nov 27. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Hobart B. Turley, 56.[145]

—  1  Charleston (5^th death), body found Nov 30. CO poisoning from gas stove fumes. (Lewis)[146]

—  1  Clarksburg, Nov 25 or 26. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Eric Ambrose Piehl, 46.[147]

—  1  Clarksburg, Nov 25 or 26. Heart attack while shoveling snow; William Woodell.[148]

—  1  Lick Branch, Clay County, Nov 27. Body of missing man found frozen in snow drift.[149]

—  1  Littleton, Nov 29? Apparent heart attack after walking home through deep snow drifts; man.[150]

—  1  Spread, Clay County, Nov 27. Body of missing man found frozen in snow drift.[151]

—  2  Locality not noted; carbon monoxide poisoning.[152]

—  1  Locality not noted; fire.[153]

—  2  Localities not noted; heart attacks shoveling snow. [Six are noted, have identified four.][154]

 

Narrative Information — General

 

History.com: “The “Storm of the Century” dropped several feet of snow on the northeastern United States today [Nov 25]. The storm, which brought winds in excess of 100 miles per hour, paralyzed trade and industry throughout the Appalachian region, causing millions of dollars in property damage and killing 160 people.

 

“Winds of hurricane force, deep snow and bitter cold lashed the eastern states Saturday night in what the Washington Weather Bureau called “the most severe storm of its kind on record,” reported the Long Beach Independent on November 26, 1950. “The Weather Bureau said the storm was worse and more widespread than the blizzard of 1913 which swept through the same general area.” The storm dropped more than 30 inches of snow in almost every area it touched and lasted for more than two days with recorded winds of up to 160 mph. West Virginia was hit the hardest, as the town of Coburn Creek recorded 62 inches of snow over the two-day period.

 

“NOTE: The blizzard of 1950 would remain the “Storm of the Century” until 1993 when a freak blizzard caused by the collision of an unnamed hurricane and a cold front created a deadly storm which impacted the entire East Coast of the U.S.” (History.com.  “1950:  Storm of the Century.” The Daily Perspective, Nov 25, 2009.

 

History.com: “The so-called ‘storm of the century’ hits the eastern part of the United States, killing hundreds and causing millions of dollars in damages, on this day [Nov 25] in 1950. Also known as the “Appalachian Storm,” it dumped record amounts of snow in parts of the Appalachian Mountains.

 

“Forming over North Carolina just before Thanksgiving, the storm quickly moved north, striking western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia. These areas were blanketed with several feet of snow for several days and travel was impossible for nearly a week in some places.

 

“An accompanying windstorm covered a far greater area. New York City recorded a 94 mile-per-hour wind gust. At Bear Mountain, just north of the city, a 140 mph gust was recorded. The winds throughout New England were of hurricane-like force. In addition, high tides and wind-driven surf battered the coastline. On the south edge of the storm, record low temperatures were recorded in Tennessee and North Carolina even without the wind chill. In Mount Mitchell, North Carolina, a temperature of 26 degrees below zero was recorded.

 

“The storm was unique, however, because it featured not only extremely strong winds and heavy snow, but both record high and low temperatures. In Pittsburgh, 30 inches of snow fell in a blinding snowstorm. Further north, Buffalo saw no snow, but experienced 50 mile-per-hour winds and 50-degree temperatures. Paul Kocin, a Weather Channel expert, has said that this storm “had the greatest contrast of weather elements in probably any storm, including the 1993 March Superstorm.”

 

“The extreme weather was deemed responsible for the loss of 160 lives over several days.”

(History.com This Day in History, Disaster, November 25, 1950, Storm of the Century…)

 

NOAA: “The Storm of the Century, Nov. 1950. The first storm ever forecasted using NWS numerical model programs, brought heavy snow and hurricane-force winds across 22 states. The storm killed 383 lives and caused $70 million in damages.” (NOAA. “NOAA’s Top U.S. Weather, Water and Climate Events of the  20^th Century.”)

 

Schwartz: “Great Thanksgiving Storm, Great Appalachian Wind Storm, Storm of the Century.  The blow of November 24-26, 1950, earned all those monikers.  Part blizzard, part hurricane, it left 300 people dead and turned the holiday weekend into a nightmare for millions.

 

“An explosion of the elements kicked off on Friday, November 24.  A large high pressure system became entrenched over eastern Canada.  It blocked a strong cold front approaching the western Appalachians.  Moist tropical air streamed along the East Coast.  A storm developed in North Carolina, then rapidly intensified over Virginia before meandering through western Pennsylvania and Ohio….” (Schwartz, Karr, Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. 2007, 328.)

 

Smith: “The most destructive effects of the storm were heavy snowfall and strong winds, however, several other effects are also equally worthy of note, e. g., crop damage and record minimum temperatures in the Southern States….  The minimum of 3 [degrees] F. at Atlanta, Ga., was lower than the previous record by 1l [degrees] F. while the average lowering of the records at the stations shown was 5.7 [degrees] F. Stations in the following States also reported new low temperatures for so early in the season: Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The minimum of -23 [degrees] F. at Pellston, Mich., on November 25 was a new November record low for the State. A number of stations reporting record high temperatures for certain days near the first of the month, reported the coldest average November temperature since 1936.

 

“South Carolina and Georgia suffered the most crop damage. Each had a period of several days that was colder than any November period on record but did not have a snow cover to protect the crops as was the case in northern Alabama and northern Mississippi. The extended freeze destroyed many harmful insects partially offsetting the loss of crops. Contrary to what would be expected, crops in Florida suffered relatively little damage. Low humidity plus a light wind prevented heavy frost formation and prevented damage to most of the citrus crop. Truck crops were killed in northern Florida, but less than 10 percent of those in the main Indian River area were damaged. The first warnings of the November 26 freeze in Florida were issued on November 22 giving ample time for protective measures.

 

“The area experiencing damaging winds included New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  Principally on November 25, but also on November 26 at some stations, the fastest mile of wind exceeded 50 m. p. h. from an easterly direction. At coastal stations such as Boston and Newark the fastest mile exceeded 80 m. p. h. peak gusts as high as 110 m. p. h. were reported at Concord, N. H. The strong on-shore winds caused excessively high tides and flooding in some cities in Connecticut and New Jersey. A comprehensive estimate of monetary damage is not available, but some areas reported more damage than resulted from the 1938 eastern Ohio….

 

“The 34.4 inches that fell at Parkersburg, W. Va., during the 5-day period exceeded not only

the record November amount but also the record monthly amount by 5.3 inches. The heavy snowfall plus drifting blocked the highways, railroads, and city streets in Ohio, West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and parts of Indiana. Business and transportation were brought to a standstill. Many of the heavy industries in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas were forced to close. According to press reports the storm caused approximately 300 deaths either directly or indirectly. The electric power transmission lines were very severely damaged in the area of heavy snow resulting in more than 1,000,000 homes being without power for many days….

 

“The heavy snow of the 1950 storm, remaining on the ground approximately a week, was melted during the first 4 days of December by above-normal temperatures.  Moderate flooding resulted in the Ohio River and tributaries.  At Pittsburgh, the river stage reached 28.5 feet on December 4, 4 ½ feet above flood stage, and at Cincinnati, 56 feet on December 11, 4 feet above flood stage.”

(Smith. “The Destructive Storm of November 25-27, 1950.” MWR, Nov 1950, pp. 208-209.)

 

Newspapers — Overview

 

Nov 22: “Chicago, Nov. 22.–(UP)–The National Safety Council warned of Winter driving hazards tonight as Americans prepared for the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow….Cold weather and snow was forecast for much of the central and western portions of the nation…” (United Press. “Warn of Holiday Driving Hazards.” Terre Haute Star, IN, 11-23-1950, p. 18.)

 

Nov 23: “Chicago, Nov. 23. (AP)–The second cold wave of the week was whistling [unclear] out across the midwest today. Strong northerly winds had brought snow flurries into the northern plains states in advance of zero or near zero temperatures expected tonight. Temperatures already were below zero in parts of Montana, the Dakotas and Minnesota. Havre and Cutbank, Mont., had a frigid 20 below. The cold wave was expected to spread as far south as northern Texas and over all the upper Mississippi valley today….” (Associated Press. “New Cold Wave Hits Midwest.” Hamilton Daily News Journal, IN. 11-23-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 24: “By: The Associated Press. The midwest got a touch of mid-winter’s blustery elements today, icy cold, snow and strong winds. The blast of frigid air swept across the Prairie states and moved eastward. It also dipped into the South and put a chill over part of Dixie. The season’s coldest weather in the midwest brought record breaking low temperatures for the date in many cities….

 

“The Plains and Great Lakes region had a fresh blanket of snow and there were flurries as far south as Tennessee and Southern Arkansas. Some of the falls in the midwest measured more than nine inches.

 

“Not much relief from the biting cold was in prospect for the mid-west today but temperatures were moderating in the Rocky Mountain region. Chadron, Neb., early today, had one of the country’s lowest readings — 14 below zero. It was below zero over most of the mid-west. Chicago’s 1.8 was a record for the date and the coldest day of the season. The below freezing line extended into Tennessee and Texas and it was near the freezing mark in many other parts of the south. The early morning low at Augusta, Ga., was 34; 36 at Richmond, Va.; 37 at Birmingham and 23 at For Worth, Tex….” (Associated Press. “Midwest Gets Touch of Wintry Cold, Snow and Strong Winds.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA. 11-24-1950, p. 12.)

 

Nov 25: “Chicago, Nov. 25 (AP)–Forecaster Gordon Dunn says this is how the big snow storm was born:

 

“A cold front out of the northwest collided with some warm, moist air over the Carolinas yesterday. This precipitated not only rain and snow in places, but also violent winds. It was the interaction of the warm air with the cold air that got the snow ball rolling, Dunn said. The collision of warm and cold air masses resulted when they swirled into the storm center, a low pressure area. The storm is influencing the weather as far west as Lake Michigan and the Ohio valley. Dunn said a big storm sometimes moves out to sea and dies. But not this one. It was steered directly northward by a high pressure area moving out of the Canadian Maritime provinces.

 

“The prospect for the next 24 hours is for more snow. Michigan and parts of Ontario are in the storm’s path. It is plowing ahead in a northwesterly direction. Hardest hit are Erie, Pa., with 22 inches of snow, and Pittsburgh with 17. It will begin to subside in the eastern half of the U.S. tomorrow. It should wind up somewhere in Canada.” (Associated Press. “How the Big Snow Storm Was Born.” Lowell Sunday Sun, 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “Washington, Nov. 25. –(INS)–The U.S. weather bureau said today that the severe winter storm lashing the eastern section of the United States is the result of a cold wave moving out of Canada. Forecasters, attempting to give a layman’s explanation of the bone-chilling storm, offered this comment:

 

Cold air built up in western Canada, as it usually does when there is a heavy snow covr and there is practically no heat from the sun. This chill blast swept southward and pushed underneath the warm front moving up from the Gulf of Mexico.

 

(INS. “Present Cold Wave Started in West Canada.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “By United Press. Heavy snow, winds of hurricane force and record cold battered eastern states today, hit New York City and other great metropolitan areas and caused heavy damage and many deaths. At midday 29 persons were listed among the dead, most of them in New York Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The snow storm was described by the U.S. weather bureau as one of the worst on record. Cold or snow extended from Maine to Florida and from Ohio eastward across the Appalachians. A blanket of severe cold hung over the midwest. Atlantic City, N.J., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Charleston, W. Va., and Tallahassee, Fla., were among the cities hit.

 

“The storm, which piled snow as deep as 20 inches in Pittsburgh, disrupted travel and communications and the routine of millions of Americans….Crops were endangered by dropping temperatures in Florida, where the bitterest November cold on record was expected to whip into the state, dropping the temperature at Miami…to a record 26….” (United Press. “Bad Winter Storm Paralyzes East.” Daily Review, Hayward, CA, 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 26: “The great northeastern storm lost some of its smashing force Sunday [Nov 26] but continued to jam activities of millions with a snow deluge. The vast atmosphere disturbance was far from over, but it had earned a designation by Chief Meteorologist Ernest Christie of the U.S. Weather Bureau at New York as the most violent of its kind ever recorded in the northeaster quarter of the United States. It has done millions of dollars in property damage. It has caused more than 100 deaths. It has virtually smothered traffic in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus and dozens of smaller cities. It has cut off electricity for more than 800,000 persons. It has suspended commerce and industry in some areas. The American Red Cross said it has caused hardship for at least 2,000,000 people in a large part of the nation’s most populous area. IT has forced other millions of people to make changes in their normal activities.

 

“The storm had its beginnings Friday in development of a deep low pressure area — a large pocket where the air became less dense than usual — over the Carolinas. Air from regions of higher barometric pressure rushed toward and into this big semi-vacancy.” (Associated Press. “Big Storm Loses Some of Its Force.” Oneonta Star, NY, 11-27-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27: “Fresh snow fell in Pennsylvania today as millions of easterners fought food shortages, floods and power failures while trying to dig out from under the big week-end storm. A United Press survey showed 212 deaths attributed to the storm and cold weather in the U.S. and Canada, and there were indications the figure would mount considerably when communications are restored in isolated areas. It was the worst storm of its type in 37 years and in some areas exceeded the worst punches the weather had ever thrown before….

 

“The latest summary from the weather bureau said the storm ‘lost much of its strength in the last 12 hours, and while light snow continues over the Great Lakes region southward into the Ohio valley and eastward into the Appalachians, amounts are quite light and winds have diminished markedly.’ Some sections of West Virginia were smothered under 40 inches of snow….

 

“Most of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and part of New York state lay paralyzed under the drifts of snow which in some cities towered 15 feet above street level. Schools were closed. Industries shut down, idling uncounted millions of workers. Business was at a standstill….

 

“At Cleveland, where more than 30 cases of looting were reported, National Guardsmen patrolling the streets were ordered to ‘shoot to kill’ at any prowlers caught breaking into abandoned business houses….”(United Press. “Deaths Due to Snow, Cold Climb to 212.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 11-27-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 29: “Big industrial centers in the storm-lashed eastern states appeared moving toward near normal operations today. But a big cleanup job remained in many areas. It looked like a slow and tedious fight before resumption of normal activities in some of the hardest hit sections of the storm belt.

 

“The death toll mounted to nearly 300 from the savage weekend storms which whipped over areas in 22 eastern and midwest states. Damages continued to grow. Uncounted thousands suffered privations. Many still were without heat, electricity or telephones. The damage to property from the snow, winds, sleet and rain was estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars….

 

“Storm deaths reported by states included New York 36; New Jersey 34; Michigan 22; Indiana 18; Kentucky 17; W. Virginia 15; Alabama 13; Connecticut and Illinois, six each; Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee and Maine, four each; Massachusetts, Georgia, Delaware and North Carolina, two each, and New Hampshire, Vermont, and Virginia, one each.” (Associated Press. “Big Cleanup on in the East After Storm.” Register-News, Mr. Vernon, IL, 11-29-1950, p. 5.)

 

Alabama

 

Nov 27: “Birmingham. (AP)–Alabama’s toll of fire dead mounted to a ghastly 13 today while the coldest November weather in the state’s history waned. Most of the long string of deaths occurred in home fires resulting from overtaxed heating systems….

 

“Temperatures began rising late Saturday [Nov 25]…The cold wave had brought near-zero temperatures, heavy snow and sleet to North Alabama, and a hard freeze all the way to the coast….” (AP. “13 Die in Fires in State; Temperatures…” Anniston Star, AL, 11-27-1950, 1.)

 

Connecticut

 

Nov 25: “New Haven, Conn., Nov. 25 (AP) – Violent rain-laden winds and abnormally high tides reminiscent of the 1938 hurricane hit Connecticut with destructive force today. At least two persons died. Hundreds of families on the edge of Long Island Sound were forced to abandon their homes. City streets were littered with tree limbs. Seaside homes were flattened by wind or weakened by onrushing waters. From all sections of the state came reports of power failures.  Some of the state’s biggest cities were put on an emergency basis, with auxiliary police and fire units ordered out for disaster duty. At times, the winds blew a whole gale. The U.S. weather bureau at Hartford reported that one 850 mile-an-hour gust was recorded.” (Associated Press. “High Tides Battering Connecticut,” Lowell Sun, MA. 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “….At Milford, Conn., waves reportedly collapsed four coastal cottages.” (United Press. “Bad Winter Storm Paralyzes East.” Daily Review, Hayward, CA, 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 26: “….Police Chief John M. Gleason of Greenwich, Co.., said the storm was ‘worse than the 1938 hurricane.’ Officials in Stamford, Conn., on Long Island Sound, said damage in that city alone would exceed $500,000–and that it might go much higher. Some streets in Stamford were under four feet of water. One motorist there abandoned his marooned automobile and swam 500 feet to safety….The New Haven railroad stopped all service between Providence, R.I., and New Haven, Conn., because of flooded tracks there near Mystic, Conn….” (Lowell Sunday Sun, MA. “39 Die in Big Wind Storm.” 11-26-1950, p. 11.)

 

Florida

 

Nov 26: “Miami, Fla. (UP) – Tourists who fled the north for Florida sunshine were shortchanged yesterday as the bitterest November cold in state history threatened to drop temperatures to 12 degrees upstate and to a record low of 26 in Miami.  Temperatures fell steadily throughout the state today with a ‘severe freeze and killing frost’ forecast for early this morning.” (Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. “Tourists Hit By Cold Wave in Florida,” 11-26-1950, p. 7.)

 

Georgia

 

Nov 25: “Snow, icicles, bone-chilling winds and below-freezing temperatures pinched faces and reddened noses from one of Georgia to the other today. The extreme cold wave brought a report of 13-below weather at Burnt Mountain, a north Georgia peak, and shattered records in almost every part of the state. Atlanta had a 34 degree reading at 7:30 a.m. (EST), a record low for November. Zero readings were reported at Dalton and Jas. Blue Ridge had two above, Chamblee and Marietta had four above. Some streets and highways were ice-coated in spots, making automobile travel hazardous. Many cars froze up although they had been filled with anti-freeze preparations.

 

“In Atlanta, Georgia Power Co., crews worked all night repairing trolley wires and transit company employes were kept busy thawing out frozen brakes and repairing damage caused by freeze-ups in motor-operated vehicles.

 

“Griffin registered a low of three above Friday night, after light snow and sleet in the afternoon. At Valdosta icicles as long as seven inches hung from trees. The Valdosta low was 19 degrees this morning. Athens and LaGrange shivered in seven degree weather. New records were set when the mercury nosedived to 10 at Macon, 11 at Augusta and 16 at Savannah and Albany. Macon’s 10 degree weather was the coldest day for that middle Georgia city since January 6, 1924, when it dropped to seven. Tifton recorded an all-time low of 10 degrees….” (AP. “Snow, Icicles, Freezing Wind Covers State.” Thomasville Times-Enterprise, GA, 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Illinois

 

Nov 24: “Winter wrapped a frigid fist around Illinois today and kept temperatures down around the zero mark throughout the state. Sub-zero thermometer readings were commonplace last night, and the weatherman had little to offer in the way of a let-up. The Springfield Weather Bureau predicted a range of zero to give below again tonight in the northern half of the state and zero to ten above in the south. Snow, ice, and extreme cold combined to bring shivers to citizens from Rockford to Cairo and to cause at least two Thanksgiving deaths, in addition to the death and injury toll taken on the glassy highways.

 

“Icy sidewalks claimed the life of Miss Laura Dellenbach, Flanagan. She slipped and struck her head on a sidewalk a half-block from her home last night, suffering fatal injuries. Extreme cold was blamed for the death of Fred E. Trent, 66, Tice, Ill. Trent was found dead yesterday morning in a schoolyard near Petersburg, and Coroner Irving Newcomer said Trent evidently collapsed while walking home and died of exposure.

 

“Chicago, Springfield, Moline and Peoria registered record one-below zero mercury readings last night. But the coldest spot in the state was Rockford, where the temperature sank to six below. It was four below at Rantoul, three below at Effingham, two below at Joliet and zero at Quincy.”

(UP. “Weatherman Sees No Let-Up In Illinois.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. 11-24-1950, p1.)

 

Nov 24: “Worst November weather in this area [Harrisburg] in 21 years struck yesterday and today, causing numerous motor vehicle accidents on highways and reducing traffic to a minimum. A three-inch snow fell yesterday afternoon as the mercury dropped rapidly and at 6:30 a.m. today the official reading reported by Clyde Pittman, weather observer, was one degree above zero.

 

“This is the coldest November day in Harrisburg since Nov. 29, 1929, when the mercury dropped to an official three degrees below zero. And it is the coldest day here since Jan 28, 1948, when the official reading was five degrees below. Last year’s coldest day was six above zero on Jan. 30, 1949.

 

“First snow that fell melted on highways, streets and sidewalks and the water froze as the mercury tumbled. Later snow fell on the ice and packed into it, making all thoroughfares extremely slippery and hazardous….” (Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. “Icy Roads Cause Many Auto Accidents. Worst November Weather in 21 Years Hits Area.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 24: “Marion, Ill., Nov. 24.–(U.P.)–Many southern Illinois homes were without heat on the coldest day of the year following an explosion and fire at a natural gas pumping station here. The blast occurred at 6 a.m. in a pipe which feeds gas from the Big Inch pipeline to homes in about a dozen communities, including Marion, Herrin, Carbondale, Murphysboro, Carterville, Johnston City and Du Quoin.

 

“Officials of the Illinois Electric and Gas company said the pumping station was out of commission but service would probably be restored sometime today by a pumping arrangement to by-pass the damaged pipe.

 

“Dennis Stephens, the only attendant at the station, was unhurt by the explosion. He said it was above ground near a valve which regulated the flow of gas. The fire which followed destroyed the small building that housed the pumping station. Company officials said it was a total loss.

 

“The temperature was 10 degrees in Marion at the time. Illinois Electric and Gas made a record number of installations of gas heating in southern Illinois this year. Early in September, the company announced that so many applications for gas had been received that no more orders would be filled.” (UP. “Blast Leaves Many Towns Without Gas.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

Indiana

 

Nov 24: “Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 24. — The Indianapolis weather bureau said tonight would be colder than last night and temperatures for the next five days would average 10 to 15 degrees below normal. A cold wave which sent the temperature tumbling 34 degrees in 12 hours enveloped Logansport Friday, giving the city its first real touch of winter. The mercury dropped to a low mark ranging from 4 degrees above zero on the Pharos-Tribune thermometer at 6:30 a.m. Friday to zero and below on thermometers in some rural sections of Cass county. The cold wave hit the city Thursday afternoon, accompanied by snow flurries which made streets and highways slick.….

 

“The cold wave brought all kinds of troubles to motorists. Some were unable to start their cars, while others skidded off the slick highways into ditches, and wreckers were kept busy Thursday night and Friday morning….” (Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Mercury Drops Near Zero as Cold Wave Hits.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Kentucky

 

Nov 24: “Traffic all over the tri-state area was tied up today by a six to eight inch snow that blanketed the entire country-side. Greyhound busses from Pineville south to Knoxville were tied up when the vehicles failed to climb Log Mountain just south of Pineville. Greyhound authorities at Pineville said. ‘There probably won’t be any busses out today.’ Meantime bus service between Middlesboro and Knoxville was made impossible due the hazardous condition of Cumberland Mountain and other hilly sections on 25-E South of Middlesboro. Highway department officials here were uncertain as just how soon highways could be made safe for travel. State Police here advised motorists to travel only if absolutely necessary because of the dangerous condition of roads throughout the state. State Police officials said ice and snow covered most of the Kentucky highways and that cinder crews are working to make roads passable, but the Highway Department won’t even estimate how long it will take.

 

“There is no possibility of a thaw today, for the mercury isn’t expected to top 20 degrees today or 25 degrees tomorrow. No snow is forecast for Saturday, but there may be even more by Monday.

 

“Several fender-crunching incidents have been reported to Middlesboro Police around town today….

 

“No let-up in weather conditions is seen for the tri-state area with the mercury expected to go as low as five degrees above zero tonight. Five inches of snow and sub-freezing temperatures may be factors tomorrow….” (Daily Middlesboro News, KY. “Traffic Snarled in Tri-State Area by Sudden Snow.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27: “Williamstown, Ky., Nov 27–(UP)–The Southern Railway and Kentucky state police joined forces to rescue more than 500 stranded motorists between here and Cincinnati in operation ‘Snowlift’ yesterday. The operation was conceived by state police as hundreds of autos stalled in six to seven foot drifts on the Dixie Highway in freezing weather. Police flagged down a Southern passenger train here as it headed through the snow to Cincinnati and asked the engineer to make stops along the way to pick up the shivering motorists at points where the highway borders the railway. The engineer agreed and State police climbed aboard to direct the rescue operations. Two hundred and fifty persons were taken from stalled busses and 250 more persons were taken from stalled cars at numerous points along the 40-mile stretch to Cincinnati. Many of the autoists were dropped off at Ludlow to spend the night, while the train went to pick up other motorists stranded farther north. Everywhere cars were spotted along the highway the train ground to stop and the State police ploughed through the snow to lead the half-frozen passengers to the train and safety.

 

“Farm houses, motels, churches and schools along the way were jammed with motorists seeking shelter from the near-zero weather. Police said 75 persons slept on the floor of the Carlsbad Hotel at Dry Ridge and more than 100 stranded travelers slept in the Christian Church there.

 

“The 10-car train was not able to pick up all the snow-bound motorists and State police later commandeered another Southern train to make th same run to Cincinnati and rescue other autoists. They reported all the rescued were in good shape, but ‘plenty chilled.’ Hundreds of cars still are strung out along the 40-mile stretch of U.S. 25 and police said it may be days before they can recover their cars. It was still snowing in the area today.” (United Press. “Police Use Trains to Rescue Motorists Stranded on Route 25.” Daily Middlesboro News, KY. 11-27-1959, p. 1.)

 

Nov 28: “Rising temperatures in Kentucky today brought relief from a cold wave that has caused at least 12 deaths since it hit the state Thanksgiving night. The State Highway Department called the current snow-blocked situation on Kentucky highways the worst since the state took over maintenance of roads in 1920. Fifteen state-owned bulldozers worked last night to clear snow drifts of five to 10 feet from all sections of the state. In addition, 30 rented bulldozers are at work. Late yesterday the Highway Department announced it had succeeded in clearing all of the state’s main roads, at least in the central and eastern sections.

 

“The death of two small children near Georgetown brought the cold weather casualties to at least 12. The latest victims are two-year-old W. L. Hasely and his baby sister, Carolyn, 17-months-old. They perished in a fire which started in the stripping room of a tobacco barn. They were the children of W. D. Hasely….” (United Press. “Rising Mercury Brings Relief From Cold Wave.” Daily Middlesboro News, KY. 11-28-1950, p. 1.)

 

Maryland

 

Nov 24: “The Baltimore Weather Bureau in a special bulletin today, said the temperature will drop to a low of ten in the western part of the state tonight with colder weather and snow extending to the eastern section. The bulletin revised an earlier special warning. The new forecast limits cold wave conditions to extreme western Maryland. Lows elsewhere in Maryland tonight are to range between 15 and 30 degrees. The bulletin for Maryland said…. ‘Snow ending Saturday morning Central and Eastern Maryland and in Delaware with snow flurries continuing during Saturday in Western Maryland….” (Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Coldest of Year Forecast by Weather Bureau.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 28: “Traffic crawled cautiously over icy roads and streets Monday [Frederick] as thee temperature dropped to 11 above zero at the official weather station at the airport after a late Sunday [Nov 26] snowfall which ranged from three quarters of an inch to an inch. The forecaster indicated little more snow could be expected here — that probably in the form of flurries — and predicted a gradual moderation in temperature which might remove some of the ice pack by today.

 

“Despite the heavy rain, wind, sleet, snow and extremely low temperatures, city and county residents had reason for rejoicing. They apparently escaped the severity of one of the worst snowstorms in modern annals which blanketed many cities with falls ranging up to 32 inches.

 

“Twenty-three trucks and snowplows of the State Roads Commission and the County Roads Board were on the highways Monday to facilitate the movement of traffic. It was a cindering job with little necessity for moving the snow from the highway. All hills and curves had been covered on the main roads but traffic had to proceed with caution and chains were needed on some pikes. The snow, falling in sub-freezing temperatures late Sunday, froze to the roads and streets and it became very slippery Sunday night. Temperatures rose no higher than 26 degrees at the airport Sunday after falling to 14 early Sunday….

 

“At Brunswick, it was reported that the Potomac river had risen to 12½ feet, far above normal, at Harpers Ferry Sunday, causing some alarm, but had begun to drop overnight….

 

“The snow was the firs measurable fall during November in Frederick since 1936, when a big Thanksgiving Day snow piled up to 10 inches….” (Frederick Post, MD. “Traffic Here is Slowed by Icy Highways.” 11-28-1950, p. 12.)

 

Massachusetts

 

Nov 25: “Boston, Nov. 25 (AP)–The Boston weather bureau issued the following special bulletin at 5 1.m. (EST) today:

 

A severe storm centered in Virginia early today moving northward in combination with a strong high pressure area over Eastern Canada will cause increasing easterly winds over the New England area today.

 

Velocities up to 60 MPH are expected over land near the New England coast and velocities of 40 to 50 MPH are expected over most interior sections.

 

Northeast storm warnings are being displayed from Eastport, Me., to Block Island, R.I, and southeast storm warning are being displayed south of Block Island.

 

Extreme caution advised all interest concerned against these winds and abnormally high tides.”

 

(Associated Press. “Boston Storm Warning.” North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Michigan

 

Nov 24: “A bitter cold wave held Michigan in a near-zero grip today, glazed the state’s highways with ice and brought death to at least nine persons. Five were victims of automobile crashes. Three died in the wreck of a storm-tossed airplane. And one person burned to death in a fire near Sault Ste. Marie. As cold as it was today, the weather was expected to get even colder tonight. A correspondent at Olsen, Mich., five miles west of Midland reported her thermometer skidded to 13-below zero at 6:30 a.m. It was two degrees below zero as far south as Hillsdale overnight, and Adrian reported an even zero. It was nine above in Detroit. Snow cover ranged from traces in Detroit to an inch in Adrian and a foot or more upstate. A blinding snow storm north of Muskegon figured in one traffic fatality….” (Associated Press. “Below-Zero Wave Smacks Michigan; More Due Tonight.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI. 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

New Hampshire

 

Nov 24: “Mid-winter cold is due to hit the city [Nashua] tonight, with its icy grip expected to freeze around the area through the weekend, according to the Boston Weather Bureau’s forecast. Temperatures may even drop below the mark of 13 degrees hit on Thanksgiving eve at Pennichuck Pumping station….” (Nashua Telegraph, NH. “Cold Snap Due to Hit Tonight; Last Through Weekend.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “High winds, rain and snow were set to sweep through the city today as the result of a severe storm moving northward from Virginia in combination with a strong high pressure area over eastern Canada, the Weather Bureau said. Blustery east winds which began last night are expected to reach velocities of from 40 to 60 miles per hour today. And the rain which they say will blow in will turn to snow late tonight or early Sunday, it was predicted. The Boston Weather Bureau in a special bulletin at 5 am today advised ‘extreme caution…against these winds and abnormally high tides….Low temperature at Pennichuck Pumping station last night was 34 degrees. Forecasters, however, said the mercury will begin to drop tomorrow…” (Nashua Telegraph, NH. “High Wind, Rain Here Today, Snow Scheduled Late Tonight.” 11-25-1950, 1.)

 

Nov 27: “Concord, Nov 27 (AP)–Wind that reached a ground-level peak velocity of 110 miles an hour at the U.S. weather station here early yesterday, left a trail of destruction from border to border in New Hampshire. The work of digging out was still going on today, with many evidences of the worst storm since the 1938 hurricane still littering cit streets and country roads, many of which have been reported still impassable. And the treat of more rain was in the offing for two more days, according to the weather forecaster here this morning….” (Portsmouth Herald, NH. “State Staggered by Wild Storm; More Rain Due.” 11-27-1950. p. 1.)

 

New Jersey

 

Schwartz, Karr and Myatt: “Nature’s fury killed 32 people. No part of the state escaped hurricane-force gusts.  About 400.000 homes lost electricity….A. E. White, New Jersey section chief for the Weather Bureau wrote:

 

The great storm of November 25, 1950, will be long remembered by the people of New Jersey and adjacent areas.  While the winds of this storm did not reach hurricane force of 75 miles per hour except in gusts, it is believed to have equaled the 1944 hurricane in the amount of property damage done and far exceeded the damage from the 1938 hurricane in this state.  The loss of life in this storm was much greater than in either of those hurricanes.

 

…by 6 a.m. on the 25th, gale winds had developed over much of New Jersey, and kept gradually increasing until afternoon.  (Peak gusts included): Lakehurst Naval Air Station 85 mph; Fort Dix 84 mph; Long Branch 80 mph; Teterboro Airport 75 mph; and Newark Airport 108 mph….

 

…much of the damage in the Delaware Bay and lower Delaware River areas was due to the flooding of homes caused by heavy rains and wind-driven tides.

 

“The Raritan Bay in northern New Jersey had one of the highest tides of the 20^th Century.  Devastation rivaled the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944.

 

“The Maurice River in southern New Jersey rampaged, wrecking the villages of South Port Norris, Bivalve and Mauricetown.  More than a dozen duck hunters marooned in marches died from drowning or exposure.

 

“Fishing villages along the Delaware Bay hadn’t seen such devastation since the hurricane of October 1878.  The sea propelled by steady winds of 60-70 mph, scoured the shoreline.  Few homes remained on their foundations.  Every available craft in the area assisted in the removal of about 3,000 residents, the largest evacuation in the history of the Delaware Bay region.”

(Schwartz, Karr and Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. 2007, 328-329.)

 

New York

 

Nov 25: “New York, Nov. 25 (AP)— A southeaster smashed at New York City today with rain and hurricane winds, killing two persons, causing heavy flood damage and disrupting transport and communications. Mayo r Vincent Impellitari alerted emergency branches of all city departments and the civil defense network for emergency work.  Gusts of more than 90 miles an hour swept through the metropolitan area, damaging buildings and blowing down trees, telephone and power lines….Many thousands were evacuated from homes flooded when mountainous waves and a flood tide swept as much as a mile inland.  Seaside homes on Staten Island crumbled before the high tide, sending hundreds fleeing for shelter.” (Associated Press.  “Southeaster Smashes at New York,” Lowell Sun, MA. 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “….New York police, wading hip-deep through high tidewater and rain floods in beach sections of Queens, called on the Army to supply ‘ducks,’ amphibious vehicles to help in rescues. Some Rye, NY, families were evacuated by rowboat from their homes.

 

“Flooded tracks forced the Hudson and Manhattan tubes to suspend train service between Newark and Jersey City. Collapse of a derrick on a trestle halted Pennsylvania railroad service between New York and Long Branch, N.J….” (United Press. “Bad Winter Storm Paralyzes East.” Daily Review, Hayward, CA, 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 26: “Atop the Empire State Building, New York (UP) – Hurricane winds up to 100 miles an hour rocked New York City yesterday…Subway tunnels were flooded.  Electric lights went out in 407,000 homes….Eight persons were reported killed in the Metropolitan area and New Jersey.  At least 35 were injured.” (United Press. “100-Mile Hurricane Whips New York City,” Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. Nov 26, 1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27: “Albany (AP)–The death toll stood at 21 yesterday [Nov 26] as New York toiled to clear away the debris of a two-day multi-million dollar storm. The hurricane-force winds, drenching rains and snow squalls left thousands of homes without light, heat and phone service. The weather outlook was for snow and colder. Air, train and bus travel was coming back to normal. Public Works crews had most roads clear. Radio stations were back on the air, come with improvised power systems. Falling trees and contact with power lines accounted for many of the deaths.

 

“In New York City, emergency crews worked through the night mending utility lines and returning transportation routes to normal. The Consolidated Edison said it expected to restore service by last night to all of the 407,000 consumers whose electricity was cut off in the metropolitan area. The city’s subway system was back to normal.

 

“Streets and basements were flooded in many communities in the New York area when strong tides and rain sent rivers and bays out of their banks.

 

“The Niagara Mohawk Corporation said 100,000 customers upstate were without service. The New York Telephone Company said more than 57,000 telephones were out in the area outside of New York City….

 

“On the Adirondack Division, trains were delayed 10 hours by trees across the track near Tupper Lake.

 

“Fulton, Rome, Oswego and Oneida–blacked out by power failures last night–had partial service today. In norther New York, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Tupper Lake still were without power.” (Associated Press. “Gales Lash Oneonta, Area Towns. 21 Die, Millions Lost in State.” Oneonta Star, NY, 11-27-1950, 1.)

 

North Carolina

 

Nov 24: “Asheville, Nov. 24. — (AP_–The weather bureau today predicted temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees for Asheville accompanied by snow. Even lower temperatures were forecast for tonight in the outlying sections of the mountain region. The November record low is 4 degrees set in 1929. At 11:30 a.m., the weather bureau said it was snowing at Hot Springs, about 45 miles west of Asheville.” (AP. “Cold Weather Strikes South.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “For most North Carolinians today was a splendid day to sit by the fireside and dream of a white Christmas, but…Bitter cold air spread eastward across the state during the night and passed off the coast early today. Asheville reported a temperature of only three degrees above zero. As the cold front passed, snow swirled down. West Jefferson reported seven inches of snow last night. By dawn, Winston-Salem had two inches of snow. A few hours later, snow was falling east of Raleigh and Lumberton.

 

“A storm developed over western parts of the Carolinas yesterday. That storm grew worse as it moved northeastward. At 7:30 a.m. it was over Washington. The weather bureau said clearing could be expected in North Carolina during the afternoon if that storm continues northward….The temperature in North Carolina will stay below freezing throughout the day, the weatherman said….The state highway patrol reported at 10:30 a.m. that snow was hampering traffic all over the state. Roads west of Shelby, Blowing Rock and Sparta, the patrol said, were impassable. Highways just west of Greensboro were passable the patrol said, but were icy and dangerous. Bus service was discontinued at Mr. Airy. Some communication wires were reported down in the Hendersonville area.

 

“Temperatures tonight will range from 6 to 14 in the western part of the state and from 14 to 20 in the east, the weather bureau predicted….” (United Press. “Storm Hits State, Leaves Freezing Weather in Wake.” Statesville Daily Record, NC. 11-25-1950, p. 1.

 

Nov 25: “Iredell county citizens had a good imitation of what the boys in Korea are going through with today’s weather. The mercury dropped to a record 12 degrees, lowest on November 25 since records have been kept at Piedmont Experiment station. What may also be a record is the sudden drop in temperature, a total of 40 degrees in far less than 24 hours. Yesterday’s high temperature was 62 degrees, 40 above today’s low. On top of that a healthy six tenths of an inch rain fell, before the earth was whitened with three and a half inches of snow….Frozen water pipes, frozen radiators, and frost-bitten ears and noses were the order of the early morning hours….” (Statesville Daily Record, NC. “Cold and Snow Put Wide Area in Winter Grip.” 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “….Atop lofty Mount Mitchell, the temperature dropped to 19 degrees below zero. At Asheville, low reading of 1.4 degrees was recorded, lowest in history for a November day. The previous low there was 4 degrees, set in 1929….” (Associated Press. “Cold Moves Across N.C.” Rocky Mount Sunday Telegram, NC. 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27: “The year’s worst cold spell relaxed its frigid grip on the Carolinas slightly today but the wintry weather, which claimed at least four lives in the two states, was still severe….A slight break in the sub-freezing temperatures that dipped as low as 15 degrees at Coastal points during the week-end was seen in this morning’s low readings. Charleston and Cape Hatteras, both warmed by the Gulf stream, had minimum readings in the high thirties. But elsewhere the bitter cold still prevailed. Western North Carolina, covered with snow and ice in many areas, noted readings near the 15-degree mark and Piedmont cities were generally less than 10 degrees warmer.

 

“The snow and ice disrupted normal activity throughout both states. Many schools did not open for classes in mountain sections today and week-end traffic was slowed by the ice and heavy winds. Highway officials cautioned motorists not to travel some eastern North Carolina mountain roads.

 

“The heavy winds, which were cradled in the Carolinas late Friday and which roared northward to sweep the mid-Atlantic and New England states, died down early yesterday, easing the bitter cold somewhat….” (Associated Press. “Cold Blasts Ease Hold on Carolina.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 11-27-1950, p. 1.)

 

Ohio

 

CWRU: “The 5-day 1950 Thanksgiving blizzard began when an arctic air mass lowered temperatures to 7 degrees. The next day, 24 Nov., low pressure from Virginia moved into Ohio, causing a blizzard with high winds and heavy snow which closed the airport. [The] Mayor… called for the National Guard and mobilized snow removal equipment to clear the 22.1″ of snow brought by the storm; however, snow drifts and over 10,000 abandoned cars blocked the effort. Burke declared a state of emergency, banned unnecessary travel, and later asked downtown businesses to stagger hours to reduce transit burdens. Nonessential cars were banned downtown. The storm weakened on Monday, but most area schools closed. The storm ended, and all guardsmen were dismissed by Wednesday, but Cleveland schools remained closed all week to keep children off transit lines. The auto ban lasted until the last CTS line reopened on Saturday; while parking problems remained, police no longer monitored traffic. Normal conditions returned as the temperature hit 53 degrees. The storm had paralyzed the area for a week and cost over $1 million and 23 lives.” (CWRU. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, “Blizzards.”)

 

OH Historical Society: “The Thanksgiving snowstorm of 1950 was the deepest in Ohio’s history. Nearly the entire state had over 10 inches and most communities in the eastern half of Ohio measured 20 to 30 inches of snow during this storm. As the storm strengthened, winds increased to over 40 mph and a severe cold wave swept the state early on Friday November 24 th dropping temperatures to near zero. The worst storm conditions occurred on Saturday November 25 th as near-blizzard conditions prevailed throughout Ohio. By late in the day, snow depths reached 20 inches in eastern Ohio and drifts were 25 feet deep….

 

“The storm continued through Sunday and by Monday morning, snow depths reached 33 inches at Steubenville, 30 inches in Geneva, and 29 inches at Youngstown. Bulldozers were used to clear roads so that ambulances could reach those in need. The Ohio National Guard used Jeeps to transport people to hospitals and to deliver food to rural homes. Wires and trees were blown down by winds as high as 60 mph. Many buildings collapsed under the weight of 2 to 3 feet of snow and much deeper drifts.” (Ohio Historical Society. “November 23-27, 1950: Great Thanksgiving Storm.”  Ohio History.)

 

Nov 24: “One of the worst November cold waves on record clamped its icy fingers on the Mansfield area and most of the northern half of the nation today. Many Ohio communities reported today as the coldest Nov. 24 in the records of their weather bureaus. The temperature dropped to five above zero in Mansfield this morning and weathermen said it will go to zero or below tonight. The cold is expected to ease a little Sunday. The mercury remained at five above at the Mansfield airport at noon today.

 

“The cold struck with lightning suddenness early last night. After a comparatively warm Thanksgiving day, the mercury started skidding late in the afternoon from a high of 36 to the freezing mark by early evening. By mid-night it was 21 above and at 3:30 a.m. the mercury had dropped to 10. Light rain changed to sleet and snow, glazing streets and highways so quickly that crews of workmen had trouble keeping ahead of it. Cinders froze into the ice and were of little help to motorists. While less than an inch of snow fell in Mansfield, other Ohio cities reported comparatively heavy falls. Canton had five inches; Lancaster, four and a half inches; Cleveland and Massillon, four inches; Newark, three inches, and Athens, three inches. There were light falls in Columbus and Marion.

 

“The cold wave blew out of the Canadian north country, and today the frigid area formed a huge loop from the Hudson Bay regions south into the heart of the United States. Only the far west and southwest, where residents sweltered in a Thanksgiving heat wave and the east coast escaped the cold today. Forecasters said, however, the biting cold would spread over the East by nightfall.

 

“All over Ohio the mercury hovered near zero today. Cincinnati’s eight degrees late in the morning set a record there. Toledo’s three above was a record for Nov. 24 in that city. Cleveland had eight above to break the Nov. 24 record of 10 set in 1880….” (Mansfield News-Journal, OH. “Sub-Zero Forecast Tonight.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “Cleveland, Nov. 25–(AP)– The worst blizzard in modern times paralyzed Northern Ohio today and still the snow drove down. Transportation, industry, business-all were stopped dead in the large industrial cities of Cleveland, where a state of emergency was declared. The snowfall measured upwards of 18 inches. The U.S. weather bureau said it might reach 30 inches in a non-stop onslaught that began yesterday morning before daylight.

 

“Cities were isolated by the six-foot drifts over the network of highways; workers found it impossible to get to work; newspapers suspended publication for the first time in history in Cleveland, Youngstown, Akron, Warren and other smaller cities.

 

“Both cross-state and city bus services were slowed to a stop in most areas of Northeastern Ohio –but the sudden blizzard gave northwest Ohio a better deal, at least temporarily and allowed some semblance of normal life. So paralyzing was the snow that no flood of the usual traffic accidents followed in its wake. There wasn’t enough traffic and it couldn’t move fast enough. One death came in Massillon, Earl T. Wilson, 45, died of a heart attack while he shoveled snow in front of his garage.

 

“Central Ohio shared some of the blizzard’s blow. Snow–whipped by the same driving wind that drifted the heavier snowfall to the northeast–pelted down on the state capital….

 

“Southeast Ohio, too, had its share of difficulties. Marietta, for instance, had 14 inches by early morning and the snow came on. Fortunately, the mercury stood well above the estimated 15 degrees forecast Friday….” (Associated Press. “Blizzard Paralyzes 5 Ohio Cities. Emergency Declared at Cleveland.” Lima News, OH. 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “Near zero temperature was recorded throughout the Maumee Valley for the second successive 24-hour period today, as Defiance remained near the center of a bitter cold wave moving slowly eastward from the midwest. Defiance water works thermometer sank to 1 above Friday night, while Cincinnati was coldest in Ohio with an even zero. No relief was promised by the weather man, who predicted a cold and windy week-end, with possibly six inches of snow in northwestern Ohio, 12 to 18 inches farther east….

 

“…Mayor Thomas A Burke…[has] proclaimed a state of emergency as the cold wave and mounting snow drifts paralyzed Cleveland. Other eastern Ohio cities also put street department crews on ‘round-the-clock’ schedule trying to dig out of one of the heaviest pre-Christmas snowfalls in history…” (Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “Cold and Snow Due to Remain for Week-end.” 11-25-1950, pp 1 and 3.)

 

Nov 27: “More snow fell on paralyzed Ohio today, aggravating an already critical condition and hampering snow-removal crews. New records for total snowfall toppled as additional inches of white in eastern Ohio piled up on a blanket of snow that reached as high as 36 inches in rural sections of Trumbull county.

 

“The blizzard was blamed for death of at least 45 persons, and the total is expected to mount as cities dig out of the snow blanket.

 

“States of emergency were declared in Cleveland and Youngstown, with National Guardsmen on duty to prevent looting. But similarly crippling conditions existed in nearly all cities, with the extreme southwestern part of the state missing the brunt of the storm which hit Ohio over the week-end. In Cleveland, partial restoration of public transportation brought hope for an early resumption of near-normal conditions, but most plants, sores and office buildings remained closed. Public and parochial schools and most colleges were closed. A total of 20.5 inches of snow smothered Cleveland with today’s fall expected to break the previous record set in 1913, when 22.5 inches dropped. The snow cost the city more than 10 million dollars in lost production, sales and wages.

 

“Nearly a half-million residents in Columbus were snow-bound by that city’s worst blizzard in 37 years.

 

“Gov. Frank J. Lausche declared the day a ‘permissive holiday’ to allow financial institutions to stay closed in order to avoid ‘legal complications that might result.’ He said he might extend the holiday to include Tuesday.

 

“The supreme court and most other courts throughout the state canceled their dockets for the day.

 

“The weatherman forecast continued cold and more snow flurries for the next 24 to 36 hours, but said the snow would amount to an ‘insignificant accumulation.’ He said there would be little change in temperatures and that highs today would hover near the 30-degree mark and fall to lows around 18 tonight.

 

“National Guardsmen patrolled Cleveland business districts with orders to ‘shoot to kill’ any looters. The order went out after more than a score of lootings were reported Saturday night [Nov 25].

 

“Weary highway crews managed to clear most primary and secondary highways in the state to at least one way traffic….

 

“High winds and a record 15-inch snow fall idled more than 100,000 Akron workers and the city and surrounding suburbs of Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and Portage lakes were without mass transportation for the third day.

 

“Six inches of snow was measured in the Toledo area where all streets were clear.

 

“In Sandusky traffic moved over streets piled high with 14 inches of snow.

 

“Only food stores remained open in Lorain where officials ordered all other stores, taverns and theaters closed.

 

“Mayor Arnold W. Devon of East Liverpool appealed to Gov. Lausche for additional National Guard units to cope with the snow that closed all highways into the city.

 

“In Canton, the state highway patrol kept emergency lanes open on all main highways, following a traffic jam on route 30, west of Massillon, in which more than 250 vehicles were stranded. Routes 30 and 40 were reported open but hazardous. Six Franklin county snow plows had to be dug out Sunday and two of those put back into action were damaged.

 

“Some 50 children from the Nightingale Cottage southeast of Columbus[155] were successfully evacuated Sunday by county work crews.

 

“Fifty-four Boy Scouts and three Scoutmasters were rescued in two Arctic-like expeditions from reservations near Medina and Cleveland.

 

“Snow drifts up to 10 feet high forced Portsmouth and its suburbs to close all schools today until further notice.

 

“Thirty-one persons were stranded today at Wittenberg College in Springfield by the snow storm, including delegates to the Luther League convention.[156]

 

“Mild and food was delivered to snowbound farms near Chardon by a ski patrol and two boy scout troops when 28 inches of snow blanketed Geauga County.

 

“Besides the 45 deaths attributed to the blizzard, Ohio had five persons killed in other traffic accidents. Some of the dead ere victims of asphyxiation either in cars or by smoke fumes in fires. Many others were frozen to death while even more were cut down by heart attacks brought on by over-exertion….

 

“Forty-five hundred dogged and weary highway workers, operating 1,900 pieces of equipment, managed today to clear most major Ohio highways to at least one-way traffic. Governor Lausche said the crews, working in the wake of Ohio’s worst blizzard in 37 years, had managed to clear primary and some secondary roads in 82 of the 88 counties. Still impassable, Lausche said at noon, were roads in Highland, Adams and Brown counties, as well as ‘some roads’ in Pike, Ross and Scioto….Lausche reported that, in addition to the highway department’s own 1,900 pieces of equipment, the department is using machinery from Lockbourne air base near Columbus and other Army installations at Columbus and Dayton. In addition, it is renting 60 or 70 pieces of private equipment from contractors.

 

“National Guard trucks and drivers were made available in all larger cities to move doctors, food and medical supplies when necessary. Crews of penitentiary trusties worked under guard to clear snow drifts from around state buildings in Columbus. All primary roads were reported passable in both Toledo and Lima divisions of the state highway department. Approximately 1,000 heavy trucks were stranded along Route 20 near Conneaut by 22 inches of snow.

 

“U.S. coast guard officials reported that winds up to 22 miles an hour are expected over Lake Erie but added that all storm warnings have been taken down….Many eastern Ohio communities were virtually without bread, newspapers and bus service…..” (Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “New Snow Hits Eastern Ohio’s Stricken Area.” 11-27-1950, pp. 1 and 10.)

 

Nov 28: “Cleveland, O.–(UP)–Smoke poured from the stacks of Ohio’s important industrial plants today [Tuesday] for the first time since a week-end blizzard lashed the state, burying it under up to 30 inches of snow and bringing death to 56 persons.

 

“Highways, roads and streets were opened once again, but authorities warned motorists against thinking normal driving conditions existed. Those whose trips were not essential were urged to remain off the roads and streets.

 

“With traffic arteries again passable, thousands of workers streamed back to their jobs at the steel mills, manufacturing plants, and office buildings. Public transportation systems, out of operation since the storm struck, were taxed to capacity by the job-bound.

 

“The state highway department said 42 road points in Portage, Trumbull, Mahoning and Ashtabula counties were still impassable. There still was no main route open all the way between Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

 

“More snow fell in many sections of the state last night and early today, but the weather bureau said the big storm apparently was over. A few snow flurries were predicted, but the temperature — which had hovered around the 15-20 degree mark since Thanksgiving night — rose to the 30-20 mark. Clear skies were forecast for some sections of the state tonight with the lowest temperature reading expected to be about 20 degrees.

 

“With the clearing of roads and streets, milk and bread deliveries  resumed….” (United Press. “Ohio Struggling Back to Normal After Snowstorm.” Coshocton Tribune, OH. 11-28-1950, p.1.)

 

Nov 29: “Columbus, O., Nov. 29–(AP)–Ohio’s municipalities were digging down in their respective financial pockets today to pay for digging out from under the weekend’s heavy snowfall. Many of the state’s metropolitan areas were well on their way back to normal. But lack of snow removal equipment, manpower and funds were hampering some smaller communities’ efforts to clear away the snow. States of emergency existed in Springfield and Lima. Mayor Stanley A. Welker of Lima issued the emergency proclamation last night and turned over the job of getting the snow cleared away to the civil defense organization.

 

“Ohio’s death toll in the storm had mounted to 64 today. Most deaths were attributed to heart attacks caused by over-exertion in clearing away snow….

 

“Last night…[an] estimated 75 percent of the state’s 18,000 miles of highways are now open. The remainder are secondary roads on which employes still are working.

 

“The situation in Athens was serious with an additional snowfall of about three inches yesterday complicating snow removal work. President John C. Baker of Ohio University last night appealed to university students not to return to Athens before Saturday [Dec 2] at the earliest because of weather conditions. There will be no classes at the university until 8 A.M. Monday….

 

“Gov. Frank J. Lausche banned all except emergency traffic from entering Pennsylvania through Ohio because of the traffic jam in the Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania turnpike areas. He ordered the state highway patrol to take ‘disciplinary action’ against anyone who ignores the ban. Pennsylvania, the governor said, is not accepting any traffic in that area….” (Associated Press. “Snowed-Under Ohio Getting Back to Normal.” Logan Daily News, OH, 11-29-1950, 1.)

 

Pennsylvania

 

Schwartz: “L.F. Conover, Pennsylvania section chief for the Weather Bureau, wrote:

 

The ‘elements’ on November 24 and 25, 1950, affected more people in more diverse and violent ways than at any previous time in Pennsylvania history.  Blood-chilling cold, traffic-crippling snow, violent hurricane-force winds, tree-stripping ice, flood-producing rains and abnormally high tides all combined in less than 48 hours to destroy uncounted millions of dollars in property, causing the loss of many more millions in business and the tragic deaths of at least forty persons.

 

On the morning of the 24^th, a large Arctic air mass began spreading eastward into extreme western Pennsylvania.  This Arctic air plunged the mercury from the forties to well below 20 degrees by early afternoon east to the Allegheny Ridge.  It also started the greatest snowstorm of record over the western counties.  During the next 18 hours this cold front moved only about 150 miles eastward, so that the western counties remained in the snow area of this storm.  There was a temperature difference of 40 degrees or more in as many miles.

 

Early on the 25^th a coastal disturbance, which had formed rapidly off the Carolinas during the late hours of the 24^th, was centered over eastern Maryland.  It had become a very active system with strong gale force southeast and east winds, bringing a continuous flow of warm, moist air into Pennsylvania.  During this memorable 25^th day of November, winds rose to hurricane force over many eastern counties, and heavy to excessive rains sent streams to above flood state in southeastern counties.  Extremely low barometric pressure, combined with high onshore winds, produced record high tides, which inundated tidal areas.  The gales caused damage as far inland as Clinton, Centre, Huntingdon and Franklin counties….

 

The glaze storm was exceptionally severe from Fulton to Clearfield Counties with tremendous damage to forested mountainsides, power and telephone lines.  Altoona lost all power as a result of breakage of ice-coated power lines and fallen ice-coated tree limbs.  In some areas, the countryside was laid bare of trees.

 

“Western Pennsylvania was buried under 15-30 inches of snow, a blanket contorted into massive drifts.  Wind chill temperatures plunged below zero.  More than a million people shivered in darkened homes.

 

“Eastern Pennsylvania grappled with rain and wind.  Hurricane-strength winds howled for hours.  Peak gusts included Allentown 88 mph, Reading 85 mph, Stroudsburg 76 mph, Philadelphia International Airport 74 mph….” (Schwartz, Karr and Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. 2007, p. 329.)

 

Nov 25: “Pittsburgh, Nov 25 (AP) – The heaviest continuous snowfall in Pittsburgh’s history brought transportation and business to a near standstill in this industrial metropolis today. At least five deaths resulted. City streets and suburban areas were buried under 22 inches of snow.  It was much deeper in drifts.” (Associated Press. “Heaviest Continuous Snowfall in History of Pittsburgh,” Lowell Sun, MA. 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “A furious storm raged across Pennsylvania today, burying Pittsburgh and the western end of the State in the greatest continuous snowfall on record there. In East and Central Pennsylvania pouring rain and winds ranging upwards of 60 miles an hour caused heavy damage.

 

“The Steel City was smothered under 16 inches of snow that fell overnight. And the Weather Bureau said another 10 to 15 inches more was on the way before the storm has a chance to blow itself out. Essential services in the city slowed to a trickle. State and city highway department crews found a losing battle in their efforts to push open a lane for autos on the main highways. Side streets and roads were blocked entirely, with many cars abandoned by their drivers adding more problems to the tie-up. Trolleys and buses stalled in their tracks.

 

“Preliminary reports from the storm area listed seven deaths, five of them men who collapsed and died of heart attacks while struggling to clear away snowdrifts.

 

“In the eastern third of the state howling winds and pouring rain carried into the day the storm that wrought widespread damage throughout the night. Some communities reported wind gusts reached 65 miles an hour. Houses were unroofed in many places, fires broke out, and more often than not were extinguished by the downpour before firemen arrived. Big plate glass windows of business firs shattered and broke in a dozen cities.

 

“Many rural roads were blocked by storm-felled trees and utility poles. Near Tamaqua, 35-year-old William Kunkel, driving home from work, was severely injured beneath a falling tree that wrecked his auto….

“Washington, Pa., had 27 inches of snow. Butler had 19 inches and Meadville 23 inches. Many towns in Western Pennsylvania apparently will be snowed in completely….

 

“Harrisburg got a sample of the winds early last night. Gusts up to 60 miles an hour cracked the trunk of a 30-foot Christmas tree newly placed in the center of town square….More than an inch of rain fell during the night at Harrisburg with gusts of winds estimated by the Weather Bureau at 60 miles an hour.

 

“Southward, Waynesboro was inundated by 4.6 inches of rain which flooded cellars where leave-clogged storm sewers failed to carry off torrents of water flowing through the streets. High winds blew off roofs in Waynesboro and in other sections of Franklin County. More than 200 homes were without telephone service with 18 long-distance lines knocked down by fallen trees.

 

“The Weather Bureau said Reading had gusts of winds which approximated 85 miles an hour.

 

“The snowstorm, swinging across Pennsylvania from the West, turned into freezing rains in the Altoona-Philipsburg area. The Bureau said eastern and central Pennsylvania were buffeted by offshoots of the snow, rain and windstorms, the center of which veered south from Pittsburgh into West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia….” (AP. “Snow Blankets Western Penna. As Wind, Rain, Sleet Sweep East.” Indiana Evening Gazette, Indiana, PA. 11-25-1950, pp. 1 and 2.)

 

Nov 25: “New Castle and Lawrence county are snowbound today, and that is no exaggeration. By noon, approximately 30 inches of snow had fallen, since Friday morning [Nov 24], and the forecast by the various weather bureaus in the area was that it might continue throughout the rest of the day. Very little traffic moved, and even the state highway and city’s snow plows were stalled, unable to get enough traction to get through. At 10 o’clock this morning, however, one highway department plow in front of a big dual wheel truck battled its way down Wilmington avenue and Jefferson street, travelling south. How far it got was not known. Only a few stores were open in the downtown district, and these were mostly restaurants, drug stores, and food establishments. Report was made to the city fire department that a roof at the plant of the New Castle Duntile Co. had caved in, and the roof on an old resident at 18 East Division street also fell through with the weight of the heavy snow. No injuries were reported.

 

“Bulldozers were being put to good use throughout the day, to clear streets, and were about the only vehicles which seemed able to buck the heavy snow.

 

“There was very little train service, in fact trains due here hours before were battling their way along the lines trying to get through. There was no bus service, either inside the city, or out of town. The railroads were ordering in high power snow plows from areas which have this kind of equipment.

 

“It might be said that the district did not have the kind of equipment to cope with the situation. Nothing like it had ever been experienced before, either on the 25^th day of November or any other day in winter. It was a freak storm which descended on the lower Great Lakes region, moving in from the middle west, and it stayed longer than it was supposed to. It was an unpredictable event, never before witnessed by local residents in this section, and may never bwe seen again.

 

“There was no mail service. The hardy souls who man the windows got there and had the various windows open on time, but the postmaster himself, was snowed in at his Highland Heights home. At 10 o’clock the windows all closed, because there was not enough business to warrant keeping them open. There was no delivery service city or rural….” (New Castle News, PA. “New Castle and Lawrence Co. Battle Storm.” 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 26: “At least 21 persons died as a result of the unprecedented storm and one was missing…. Ten persons died of heart attacks induced by shoveling snow or pushing through drifts; a Navy flier was killed when his plane crashed in the storm; two persons died in traffic accidents on snowy roads; four children burned to death while trying to warm themselves at a stove; a power company lineman was electrocuted, and one man died of carbon monoxide poisoning when the exhaust pipe of his car clogged with snow.” (Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. “21 Dead — New Storm Sweeps Over Pittsburgh,” Nov 26, 1950, 1.)

 

Nov 28, AP: “….The entire Pennsylvania state police force of 1,775 men was on 24-hour call for service….Pennsylvania listed 36 deaths, 15 in Pittsburgh.  Coal mining in the state was limited because many miners could not get to the pits over snow-jammed roads.  Milk shortages were reported in many areas.”  (AP. ”Snow-Buried East Struggles to Get Back…” Rhinelander Daily News, WI, 11-28-1950.)

 

Nov 29: “Pittsburgh, Nov. 29 (AP) — Mid-town department stores opened for business today for the first time since a record-breaking snowfall paralyzed this city. Limited transportation facilities in the mighty industrial metropolitan area of 1,500,000 were taxed beyond capacity. The Pittsburgh Railways Company estimates only one-third of its bus and trolley routes are open. The department stores had been closed since Saturday [Nov 25]. So had steel mills and other industries which also gave return-to-work orders today. However, schools and colleges are remaining closed. Mayor David L. Lawrence has asked that every possible effort be made to provide transportation for workers whose services are needed most.

 

“There’s still a monumental snow removal problem in Pittsburgh and other sections slowly recovering from the storm which lashed the state with rain, sleet and snow. Pittsburgh’s snowfall which began last Friday now is listed at 29.1 inches. The previous record for one storm was 26.2 inches in 1925.

 

“Moderate temperatures, ranging from 32 to 37 degrees are predicted today. There were a few snow flurries last night.

 

“The storm death toll in the state is 39. Sixteen of the dead ere in Pittsburgh’s metropolitan area.

 

“The latest reported victim is a seven-month-old baby. A rescue party found Lindy Ann Shumick dead in the snowbound cabin of her family near Uniontown. The mother said the food supply had been exhausted and that the baby became ill a few hours before the rescue party battled its way through towering drifts.

 

“The storm damage in Pittsburgh and the remainder of the state can only be estimated in the millions.

 

“Altoona, a city of 84,000, probably suffered the worst blow. Most of the city still is without electricity. Six transmission lines of the Pennsylvania Electric Company were knocked out by heavy sleet last Saturday. In addition, hundreds of lines in the residential areas were torn down. A crew of 500 is working around the clock to restore power. Only one big transmission line is in service. An emergency hookup is providing electricity for three hospitals, including a new 300-bed Veterans Administration facility.

“In Pittsburgh the mid-town section is pretty well cleared of snow. Now the more than 2,000 workers are concentrating on the outlying sections. The snow removal in metropolitan Pittsburgh alone is costing upwards of $500,000.

 

“Most highways in Western Pennsylvania are open for at least one-way traffic Buses have resumed service but are running late.  The Pennsylvania Railroad began full service today, including trains for commuters.

 

“Some milk was shipped into Pittsburgh by train from as far away as Chicago. Pittsburgh usually gets its milk by truck from the rich dairy-lands of Western Pennsylvania.” (Associated Press. “Stores Reopen in Pittsburgh.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 11-29-1950, p. 15.)

 

South Carolina

 

Nov 26: “Icy winds, accompanied by snow, and sleet, swung a haymaker at the Carolinas yesterday. There were two deaths from exposure. Screaming over the mountains, the gusts blew to the coast during the day. Record temperatures were shattered. Some highways were ice-coated….Columbia, with 15 degrees…had a new low, as did Charleston with 16. At Caesar’s Head near Greenville it was 1 below zero. The mercury flirted with low figures again last night but was expected to rise with clearing skies today. Despite ample warning, many car and truck owners had frozen radiators. There were home fires and traffic accidents. But no shortage of fuel…..Snow fell almost all of yesterday in some sections, with more last night. For the most part, the temperature stayed under freezing.” (Associated Press. “Snow Covers Many Areas in Carolinas.” Florence Morning News, 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Tennessee

 

Nov 24: “A brisk snowstorm swept Tennessee today and the weather bureau sent out a special warning of a cold wave expected to hit Eastern Tennessee this afternoon. By noon today snow blanketed Kingsport to a depth of three inches — a record fall for this area for the past two years.

 

“Snow has already blanketed Southwest Virginia to depths ranging from three to four inches. Highways are slick, traffic heavy with quite a few cars off the road. Buses were still running from Kingsport to Gate City but behind schedule. Tennessee Highway patrolmen said Highway 11-W has been blocked in several places because of traffic jams. No fatal accidents were reported.

 

“The weather bureau warned temperatures in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia will drop to 15 or 20 degrees by Saturday morning.

 

“By noon in Kingsport the mercury had dropped to 29 degrees — but Kingsport was still the warmest area in the state. In Memphis the mercury plunged to 14 degrees.

 

“Highways over the state are covered with ice and slush on the eve of the day the state highway patrol expects Tennessee highways to be ‘crowded as they have never been before with football enthusiasts.’

 

“The weather bureau forecast subfreezing weather for tomorrow’s Kentucky-Tennessee football game in Knoxville….

 

“Sleet complicated the traffic problem in Knoxville. The snow blanket was reported deepest in the middle and eastern areas of the state….” (Kingsport Times, TN. “Snow, Cold Wave Hits Region.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 25: “Continued cold weather today is expected to keep intact a heavy snow fall that blanketed all of East Tennessee and South-west Virginia Friday and slowed highway traffic to a snail’s pace. The mercury, which sank to 12 degrees at the city filter plant at midnight Friday, is not expected to rise above 25 at any time today. Friday’s Kingsport high was 49. The early morning low had been 20. Average measurements placed the snow fall in Kingsport and vicinity at approximately six inches. It was the first real snow Kingsport had had in nearly two years. Flakes ceased sifting down in mid-evening in Kingsport and vicinity but some flurries were expected to continue in Virginia….A foot of snow also was reported from Pennington Gap and Big Stone Gap. Ten inches fell at Norton and in the Grundy area. In Bristol the fall was six inches by 7 p.m.” (Kingsport News, TN. “Traffic Bogs as Region Hit by Snow.” 11-25-1950, 1.)

 

Nov 26: “A blast of icy air which numbed upper East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Saturday remained frozen in place over the region early today with no sign of releasing its paralyzing grip any time soon. Snow, browned and churned by countless tires, still covered streets and highways. Buses ran far behind schedule or not at all. There appeared to be a reduction in road blocks, however, as traffic thinned to vehicles equipped with chains. The Weather Bureau at Tri-City Airport[157] forecast a low of between zero and five above this morning and a high of around 20 today. Highest temperature recorded there Saturday was nine degrees, and the mercury didn’t get above eight during daylight hours.

 

“It was a little warmer in Kingsport, but not much. The city filter plant reported a low of 6 and a high of 21 for the day…” (Kingsport Times, TN. “Area Frozen in Grip of Real Winter.” 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27: “As East Tennessee continued to feel the fury of a winter storm that threatened to block highways over the entire state, snow and ice still retained its icy grip over the nation Sunday. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported highway 25-W and the road from Middlesboro north is impassable. They also said the highway from Jonesboro to Greeneville allowed only one-way traffic. The THP also stated that trucks and cars were reported in ditches from Kingsport to Knoxville and at various points between Johnson City and Elizabethton. They said Chestnut Ridge on Highway 11-W could be made only if vehicles kept moving….

 

“The highest temperature recorded for Kingsport Sunday was 26, while the low dropped to eight above. The temperature about midnight Sunday was 26 degrees. The snowfall now measures seven inches. Snow flurries were forecast for Kingsport and vicinity Monday with the high to reach to lower 40s. Tuesday was forecast as fair with little change in temperature….” (Kingsport News, TN. “Winter Storm Still Sweeps East Tennessee.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.)

 

Virginia

 

Nov 25: “Danville’s first snow of the winter fell last night just four hours after a freak electrical storm. Thus the weather ran the gamut from a pleasant afternoon to a bitterly cold morning, and even colder weather is in prospect. The official low this morning was 18 degrees — the lowest of the season — according to P. H. Harbour, the observer. After reaching a high of 61 degrees at the CAA station yesterday afternoon, there was a heavy rain — more than half an inch before midnight. The big drop in the temperature came between 9:30 and 10:30 when the mercury dipped 10.4 degrees to a chilling 39. That was immediately after a thunder storm caused by the cold air moving in on the warm atmosphere. At midnight the temperature was 33 and sleet soon was falling. Most of the snow fell between 2 and 4 a.m. and the tube continued on down to 18 degrees at 9 o’clock. There was little chance for the tube to go  above freezing today and the forecast indicates it may be even colder again tonight….” (Danville Bee, VA. “First Snowfall Bringing More Cold Weather.” 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 26: “A wind lashed storm pelted snow on Virginia last night as all the Old Dominion felt the grip of wintery blasts which unleashed their fury throughout the nation. After a comparatively mild night which saw all of western Virginia covered with a snowfall that ranged in depth to as much as 16 inches, eastern Virginia late yesterday caught the brunt of the storm. Snow began falling heavily shortly after noon in the Richmond and northern Virginia areas and flurries were reported throughout all of eastern Virginia. Temperatures which stood in the high 50’s early yesterday tumbled past the freezing mark by noon.

 

“All of southwest Virginia remained buried under a blanket of snow ranging in depth from ten inches to a foot. The deepest snowfall — 16 inches — was reported from Bland county. Sharp electrical storms moved ahead of the wintry advance in many places. Thunder and lightning were reported from Lynchburg, Richmond and Harrisonburg. The rain turned to sleet in the Shenandoah valley early yesterday, however, and later in the day had changed to snow. The depth was reported at four inches in Harrisonburg and 12 to 14 inches on Shenandoah mountain….State highway department crews worked on 24-hour shifts in most of the Old Dominion in an effort to keep roads clear enough for travel…” (Associated Press. “Storm Pelts Whole State With Heavy Snow, Sleet.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA, 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

West Virginia

 

Nov 25: “Winter laid a heavy hand on the Bluefield area yesterday, bringing from 11 to seven inches of snow in a 50 mile radius and delaying transportation for many hours. Little respite from the winter weather in the next few days is anticipated by forecasters. Accompanied by sharp temperature drops, the heavy snowfall came into the area from the west yesterday afternoon, hitting Bluefield at about 4 o’clock and leaving about 12 inches of snow here late last night. Over 10 inches of snow were reported in the Grundy, Va., area….

 

“In Bluefield, the heavy snow yesterday afternoon threw city traffic into the worst tie-up in many years, particularly along Bluefield and Princeton avenues, blocked for their entire lengths during the late afternoon rush hours.

 

“Little hope for today is seen in the weather bureau forecast for the next five days which predicts temperatures through Tuesday will average 10 to 15 degrees below the normal of 43 degrees in the southern part of West Virginia. The bureau also predicted snow flurries today with more snow Monday night and Tuesday following some moderation of temperatures Sunday night and Monday. The cold is expected to last through today and tonight with the high in the low twenties.

 

“West Virginia state road commission officials at Princeton said all roads were impassable to vehicles not equipped with chains. They blamed many highway tie-ups and difficulties to motorists attempting to drive without chains. No area highways were reported as impassable because of deep snow….Cinder crews and snowplows were busy all night in the immediate Virginia-West Virginia area as well as in Bluefield.. Here city crews were out in full force most of the night….In Bluefield, the traffic jams paralyzed movement on Bluefield and Princeton avenues and Bland and Federal streets, particularly at the intersections….” (Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Traffic Jams, Icy Highways Stall Busses,” 11-25-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 26: “The death toll in West Virginia’s worst snowstorm in history, swirling through its second day, climbed to three yesterday but one other man reported missing was safe….” (Charleston Gazette, WV. “State’s Worst Storm Toll Stands at Three.” 11-26-1950, p. 1.)

 

Nov 27: “Charleston, W.Va., Nov. 27, (AP)–The death toll of West Virginia’s four-day blizzard rose to 14 tonight. Frozen bodies of two men missing from their homes in Clay county, 40 miles northeast of Charleston, were found in snow drifts during the day.

 

“Snow continued falling in many areas with all indications the snowbound mountain state would continue to feel the full deadening impact of the storm tomorrow.

 

“West Virginia university for the third time delayed resuming classes after the Thanksgiving holiday, this time until Thursday morning, November 30. Marshall college at Huntington made plans to reopen Tuesday but announced it would accept excuses of snowbound students. Among state colleges only Shepherd in the eastern panhandle was open for classes today. Virtually all public schools were closed until at least Wednesday [Nov 29].

 

“State police Cpl. T. E. Myers said the bodies of Tommy Dawson, 48, of Spread, and Coy Gibson, 50 of Lick Branch, both missing from their homes, were found in snowbanks this afternoon by searchers. They apparently had frozen while en route home from work. A road commission worker was reported missing in Preston county in the northern end of the state.

 

“Thirteen coal miners were marooned near Morgantown, at the mine where they are employed, but Monongalia county Sheriff Mike McGil said they had ample food supply and were in no immediate danger.

 

“A force of 5,000 workers waged the fight to keep the state’s main highways open, but some were still blocked and only one-way traffic was possible on others. Some of the equipment the road crews were using became lost in the snowdrifts and was abandoned.

 

“Roof cave-ins were reported at Clarksburg, Wheeling and Morgantown. An emergency supply of medicine and milk was dispatched from Clarksburg to the city hospital of Grafton, which was virtually isolated by the storm. Three-foot depths of snow were common in central and northern counties of West Virginia.

 

“Temperatures rose in Charleston to the low 30’s today but there was only a slight thaw. Large numbers of city street cleaners succeeded in clearing most downtown streets, but even so, some of Charleston’s retail stores were closed today.

 

“….A bare handful of West Virginia’s coal mines, which sent to market about one-fourth of the nation’s soft coal supply, were operating today because of the heavy snow….

 

“Most of the storm’s casualties have been hear victims who were overcome while shoveling the vast accumulation of snow from their premises….” (AP. “Four-Day Blizzard Death Toll at 14 in W. Virginia.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-28-1950, pp. 1 and 3.)

 

Sources

 

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Associated Press. “Stores Reopen in Pittsburgh.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 11-29-1950, p. 15. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-nov-29-1950-p-14/

 

Associated Press. “Storm Pelts Whole State With Heavy Snow, Sleet.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA, 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Storm-Swept Eastern States Battle to Get…” Warren Times-Mirror, PA, 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/warren-times-mirror-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Storm’s Damage in N.E. is Placed at 100 Million…229 Deaths in Northeast.” North Adams Transcript, MA. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/north-adams-transcript-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Ten Die in West Virginia as Blizzard Hold Icy Grip.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Thousands Labor to Remove Snow in Storm Sectors.” Bradford Era, PA, 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Thousands Work to Remove Snow in Storm Areas.” Cumberland News, MD. 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-news-nov-28-1950-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Three Dead in Blizzard. West Virginians Have Worst Storm.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. 11-26-1950, p. 2. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-nov-26-1950-p-2/

 

Associated Press, Erie. “Train Hits Man in Blinding Snow.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 11-25-1950, 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Two Dead of Carbon Monoxide in Auto.” Warren Times-Mirror, PA, 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/warren-times-mirror-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Two Negro Sailors Killed in Accident During Shore Storm.” Rocky Mount Evening Telegram, NC. 11-26-1950, p. 2. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rocky-mount-evening-telegram-nov-26-1950-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Winds of Near Hurricane Force Strikes N.Y. and Eastern Seaboard.” The Bee, Danville, VA, 11-25-1950, 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Wintry Weather Forces Some Virginia Schools to Close.” The Bee, Danville, VA, 11-27-1950, p. 11. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-nov-27-1950-p-11/

 

Associated Press. “Woman Dies in Snowstorm.” Kingsport Times-News, 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA. 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-nov-26-1950-p-60/

 

Beckley Post-Herald, WV. “Snow Closes State’s Roads, Schools.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/beckley-post-herald-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Deaths and Funerals,” 11-29-1950, p. 6. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-nov-29-1950-p-6/

 

Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Traffic Jams, Icy Highways Stall Busses,” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-nov-25-1950-p-2/

 

Case Western Reserve University. Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, “Blizzards.” Accessed 7-2-2009 at: http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=B14

 

Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Deaths and Funerals.” 11-28-1950, p. 19. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-daily-mail-nov-28-1950-p-19/

 

Charleston Gazette, WV. “State’s Worst Storm Toll Stands at Three.” 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/charleston-gazette-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

Cumberland Evening Times, MD. “Coldest of Year Forecast by Weather Bureau.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-nov-24-1950-p-17/

 

Daily Middlesboro News, KY. “Overheated Furnace Sets Fire Fatal to Three Persons.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Daily Middlesboro News, KY. “Traffic Snarled in Tri-State Area by Sudden Snow.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Daily News, Huntingdon, PA. “Storm Causes 37 Deaths in State During Four Days.” 11-28-1950, 1. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huntingdon-daily-news-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. “Icy Roads Cause Many Auto Accidents. Worst November Weather in 21 Years Hits Area.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. “Norris City Man Freezes to Death While Hunting.” 9-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-nov-27-1950-p-13/

 

Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “220 Die as Eight States Dig Out of Snow.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “Cold and Snow Due to Remain for Week-end.” 11-25-1950, pp 1 and 3. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “New Snow Hits Eastern Ohio’s Stricken Area.” 11-27-1950, 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Highway, Lake Traffic Slowed by Snowy Gale; Hunter Frozen to Death.” 11-27-1950, p. 2. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-nov-27-1950-p-2/

 

Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. “Clark County Digs Out of Snow Left by One of Worst Blizzards.” 11-27-1950, 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jeffersonville-evening-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. “To Hold Inquest in Crunk Death.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jeffersonville-evening-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “Four Deaths Due to Storm,” 11-28-1950, pp. 1 and 3. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-evening-standard-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

Frederick Post, MD. “Traffic Here is Slowed by Icy Highways.” 11-28-1950, p. 12. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/frederick-news-post-nov-28-1950-p-12/

 

Hall, Max. “The Nation Today.” Frederick News, MD, 11-30-1950, p. 15. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=14407088

 

Halverson, Jeff. “In 1950, an iconic storm blasted through the Easter U.S. at Thanksgiving.” Washington Post, 11-22-2017. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/11/22/in-1950-an-iconic-storm-blasted-through-the-eastern-u-s-at-thanksgiving/?utm_term=.01f6392a060b

 

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, November 25, 1950. “Storm of the Century Hits Eastern U.S.” Accessed 11-25-2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Landing&displayDate=11/25&categoryId=disaster

 

Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Find Black Lick Woman Frozen Beneath Snow.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-evening-gazette-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

International News Service. “Cold Wave Hits South.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

International News Service. “Greatest Continuous Snow in Pittsburgh’s History.” New Castle News, PA, 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

International News Service. “Present Cold Wave Started in West Canada.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

International News Service. “Storm at a Glance.” Defiance Crescent-News, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Kingsport News, TN. “Traffic Bogs as Region Hit by Snow.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-news-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Kingsport News, TN. “Winter Storm Still Sweeps East Tennessee.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Kingsport Times, TN. “Area Frozen in Grip of Real Winter.” 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-news-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

Kingsport Times, TN. “Snow, Cold Wave Hits Region.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Kirch, Wilhelm (ed.).  Encyclopedia of Public Health. Springer. 2008.

 

Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-nov-27-1950-p-17/

 

Lima News, OH. “9 Die as Snows Sweep Ohio.” 11-26-1950, p. 2-A. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-nov-26-1950-p-2/

 

Lima News, OH. “Conditions Improve. Here’s Snow Situation in Ohio’s Cities.” 11-28-1950, p. 2. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-nov-28-1950-p-2/

 

Logan Daily News, OH. “First Death Due to Blizzard Reported.” 11-29-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logan-daily-news-nov-29-1950-p-1/

 

Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Delphi Youth is Killed at Crossing.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Mercury Drops Near Zero as Cold Wave Hits.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-nov-24-1950-p-1/

                                                           

Lowell Sunday Sun, MA. “39 Die in Big Wind Storm.” 11-26-1950, p. 11. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-nov-26-1950-p-64/

 

Mansfield News-Journal, OH. “Sub-Zero Forecast Tonight.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mansfield-news-journal-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “County Miner Found Dead; Aid Marooned.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-morning-herald-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-morning-herald-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Nashua Telegraph, NH. “Cold Snap Due to Hit Tonight; Last Through Weekend.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Nashua Telegraph, NH. “High Wind, Rain Here Today, Snow Scheduled Late Tonight.” 11-25-1950, 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “NOAA’s Top U.S. Weather, Water and Climate Events of the  20^th Century.” NOAA News, 12-13-1999. Accessed 11-15-2017 at: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s334c.htm

 

New Castle News, PA. “New Castle and Lawrence Co. Battle Storm.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

New Castle News, PA. “Storm Death Toll in Allegheny Co. Has Reached 16.” 11-29-1950, p. 10. Accessed 9-26-20189 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-nov-29-1950-p-10/

 

News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Airport Crash Kills 3.” 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-news-palladium-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

Ohio Historical Society. “November 23-27, 1950: Great Thanksgiving Storm.” Ohio History.  At: http://www.ohiohistory.org/etcetera/exhibits/swio/pages/content/1950_thanksgivingStorm.htm

 

Oneonta Star, NY. “Margaretville Area Losses Set at $1 Million.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/oneonta-star-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Portsmouth Herald, NH. “State Staggered by Wild Storm; More Rain Due.” 11-27-1950. p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-herald-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Schmidlin, Thomas W. and Jeanne Appelhans Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland: A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio. Kent State University Press, 1996, 362 pages.

 

Schwartz, Rick, Al Karr, Kevin Myatt. Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. Blue Diamond Books, September 2007.  Partially digitized by Google at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=t5U1CYKwQxcC&dq=September+13,+Hurricane,+USS+Warrington+Sinks&source=gbs_navlinks_s

 

Smith, Clarence D. Jr. “The Destructive Storm of November 25-27, 1950.” Monthly Weather Review, Nov 1950, pp. 204-209. At: http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/078/mwr-078-11-0204.pdf

 

Somerset Daily American, PA. “High Winds Bring Death to N.Y.” 11-29-1950, p. 3. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-nov-29-1950-p-3/

 

Somerset Daily American, PA. “Pittsburgh Death Toll 16.” 11-29-1950, p. 3. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-nov-29-1950-p-3/

 

Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA. “West Virginia Has Eleven Dead From Record Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Statesville Daily Record, NC. “Cold and Snow Put Wide Area in Winter Grip.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/statesville-daily-record-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “21 Dead — New Storm Sweeps Over Pittsburgh,” 11-26-1950, 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22763271

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Tourists Hit By Cold Wave in Florida,” 11-26-1950, p. 7. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22763271

 

Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Heart Attack Fatal to Orwell Farmer.” 11-27-1950, p. 10. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-nov-27-1950-p-19/

 

The Bee, Danville, VA. “First Snowfall Bringing More Cold Weather.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

Titusville Herald, PA. “Brevities.” 11-29-1950, p. 5. Accessed 9-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-nov-29-1950-p-5/

 

Troy Record, NY. “69 Dead.” 11-27-1950, p. 10. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/troy-record-nov-27-1950-p-5/

 

United Press. “3 Children Drown in  Part of House.” Anniston Star, AL, 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anniston-star-nov-26-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “3 Persons Killed When Car Skids on Icy Road Into Truck.” Daily Middlesboro News, KY, 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “100-Mile Hurricane Whips New York City,” Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. 11-26-1950, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22763271

 

United Press. “Bad Winter Storm Paralyzes East.” Daily Review, Hayward, CA, 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-review-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Blast Leaves Many Towns Without Gas.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Deaths Due to Snow, Cold Climb to 212.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-nov-27-1950-p-13/

 

United Press. “Eight State Roads Still Snow Blocked.” Logansport Pharos-Tribune, 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-nov-28-1950-p-19/

 

United Press. “Emergency Over in Cleveland After Snowfall.” Norwalk Reflector-Herald, OH, 11-30-1950, 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwalk-reflector-herald-nov-30-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Latest Survey Shows 268 Deaths Caused by Storm and Cold.” Middlesboro Daily News, 11-28-1950, 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “More than 200 Die in Storm…” Anniston Star, AL. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anniston-star-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Ohio Struggling Back to Normal After Snowstorm.” Coshocton Tribune, OH. 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/coshocton-tribune-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Old Man Winter Opens His Ice Box Door on Michigan…” South Haven Daily Tribune, 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Police Use Trains to Rescue Motorists Stranded on Route 25.” Daily Middlesboro News, KY. 11-27-1959, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Rising Mercury Brings Relief From Cold Wave.” Daily Middlesboro News. 11-28-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-28-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Storm Deaths are up to 217.” South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Storm Deaths Near 200 Mark Today. Daily Middletown News, Ky. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middlesboro-daily-news-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Storm Hits State, Leaves Freezing Weather in Wake.” Statesville Daily Record, NC. 11-25-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/statesville-daily-record-nov-25-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Storm Worst in 37 Years. Fifteen Die in Michigan.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/traverse-city-record-eagle-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Sudden Thaw Would Bring Big Flood to Ohio Valley.” Lowell Sun, 11-29-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-nov-29-1950-p-32/

 

United Press. “Warn of Holiday Driving Hazards.” Terre Haute Star, IN, 11-23-1950, p. 18. Accessed 9-22-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/terre-haute-star-nov-23-1950-p-18/

 

United Press. “Weatherman Sees No Let-Up in Illinois.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 11-24-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-21-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-nov-24-1950-p-1/

 

United Press. “Worst Storm in 37 Years Hits Nation; 183 Persons Killed.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-nov-27-1950-p-1/

 

Additional Reading

 

Hanrahan, Ryan. “The Great Southeaster — November 25, 1950.” Way Too Much Weather (blog). 11-24-2012. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: http://www.ryanhanrahan.com/tag/great-appalachian-storm/

 

WeatherNation. “A Look Back at the Great Appalachian Storm of November 1950.” 2017. Accessed 9-24-2018 at: http://www.weathernationtv.com/news/look-back-great-appalachian-storm-november-1950/

 

Wikipedia. “Great Appalachian Storm of 1950.” 3-4-2018 update. Accessed 9-23-2018 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Appalachian_Storm_of_1950

 

[1] We use as the low-end of the range the low end of the State breakout compilation. We use as the high-end the range 383 in that this is the number used by NOAA in the document cited below.

[2] We include this number in that it has reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal governmental organization. We do not know, however, how this figure was derived nor from what sources. We not that it is considerably higher than the number of fatalities reported in the press at the time. We speculate that some fire and vehicular deaths, which might not have been conclusively caused by the weather, have been included.

[3] U.S. and Canada.

[4] Associated Press. “Thousands Labor to Remove Snow in Storm Sectors.” Bradford Era, PA, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

[5] North Adams Transcript, MA, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[6] Not used in that all other sources seen, several noted herein, have the death toll at 13.

[7] “…due to freezing and fires.” Not used, however, in that later reporting, matches earlier reporting of two deaths.

[8] International News Service. “Cold Wave Hits South.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 11-26-1950, p. 1.

[9] United Press. “Weatherman Sees No Let-Up in Illinois.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 11-24-1950, p. 1.

[10] Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL. “Norris City Man Freezes to Death While Hunting.” 9-27-1950, p. 1.

[11] Associated Press. “State Traffic Death Toll 6.” Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[12] United Press. “Weatherman Sees No Let-Up in Illinois.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 11-24-1950, p. 1.

[13] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Herman Boze.

[14] Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. “Clark County Digs Out of Snow…One of Worst Blizzards.” 11-27-1950, 1.

[15] Terre Haute Star, IN. “Indiana’s Traffic Hazards Easing.” 11-29-1950, pp. 1 and 3

[16] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17.

[17] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Mrs. Katharina Strauss.

[18] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Earl E. Gripe, 54.

[19] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as John Beason.

[20] Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. “Delphi Youth is Killed at Crossing.” 11-24-1950, p. 1.

[21] Terre Haute Star, IN. “Indiana’s Traffic Hazards Easing.” 11-29-1950, 1 and 3. Cars “collided on icy pavement.”

[22] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Paul Henry Etson, 45.

[23] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Morgan Schobe.

[24] Terre Haute Star, IN. “Indiana’s Traffic Hazards Easing.” 11-29-1950, pp. 1 and 3.

[25] Terre Haute Star, IN. “Indiana’s Traffic Hazards Easing.” 11-29-1950, pp. 1 and 3. Identified as John B. Mosier.

[26] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Mrs. Dorothy Schitter.

[27] Terre Haute Star, IN. “Indiana’s Traffic Hazards Easing.” 11-29-1950, pp. 1 and 3

[28] Evening News, Jeffersonville, IN. “To Hold Inquest in Crunk Death.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[29] United Press. “Eight State Roads Still Snow Blocked.” Logansport Pharos-Tribune, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

[30] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Weekend Blizzard.” 11-27-1950, p. 17. Victim identified as Edward Loper.

[31] United Press. “Rising Mercury Brings Relief From Cold Wave.” Daily Middlesboro News. 11-28-1950, p. 1.

[32] Associated Press. “Car Skids into Train, 1 Dead, Another Hurt,” Terre Haute Star, IN, 11-25-1950, p.1.

[33] UP. “3 Persons Killed When Car Skids on Icy Road Into Truck.” Daily Middlesboro News, KY, 11-25-1950, p. 1.

[34] AP. “Two…Sailors Killed in Accident During Shore Storm.” Rocky Mount Evening Telegram, NC. 11-26-1950, p. 2. Victims identified as Thomas Martin, 34, and Eugene Farlow, 22, stationed at Little Creek, VA Naval Station.

[35] 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[36] “A young Niles Pilot and two passengers were killed about 12:35 p.m. today [Nov 24] when the light plane in which they were flying from Dowagiac to Benton Harbor crashed in a blinding snowstorm at the twin city [Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, MI] airport.” (News-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Airport Crash Kills 3.” 11-24-1950, 1.)

[37] UP. “Storm Worst in 37 Years. Fifteen Die in Michigan.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[38] Escanaba Daily Press, MI. “Highway, Lake Traffic Slowed by Snowy Gale; Hunter Frozen…” 11-27-1950, p. 2.

[39] UP. “Storm Worst in 37 Years. Fifteen Die in Michigan.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[40] AP. “Below-Zero Wave Smacks Michigan; More Due Tonight.” Escanaba Press, MI. 11-24-1950, 1.

[41] UP. “Storm Worst in 37 Years. Fifteen Die in Michigan.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[42] UP. “Storm Worst in 37 Years. Fifteen Die in Michigan.” Traverse City Record-Eagle, MI, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[43] AP. “Below-Zero Wave Smacks Michigan; More Due Tonight.” Escanaba Press, MI. 11-24-1950, 1.

[44] UP. “Old Man Winter Opens His Ice Box Door on Michigan…” South Haven Daily Tribune, 11-24-1950, 1.

[45] AP. “Winds of Near Hurricane Force Strikes N.Y. and Eastern Seaboard.” The Bee, Danville, VA, 11-25-1950, 1.

[46] United Press. “3 Children Drown in  Part of House.” Anniston Star, AL, 11-26-1950, p. 1. “Three children drowned and a fourth disappeared in the swirling Delaware River yesterday when a small summer cottage was washed from its foundation in a driving rainstorm. The dead, children of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Owens, Glassboro, N.J. were Clarence, Jr., two; Jerry, six, and Arthur, seven. The missing child…was an 11-year-old daughter, Betty Mae. She is believed to have drowned….The small cottage was split in two by winds of near hurricane force and torn from its foundation. One section, with the children in it, drifted into the Delaware.”

[47] Oneonta Star, NY. “Margaretville Area Losses Set at $1 Million.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Victim identified as Ernest Bunsvield, 45 of Gulf Summit, four miles west of Deposit.

[48] Somerset American, PA. “High Winds Bring Death to N.Y.” 11-29-1950, p. 3.

[49] AP. “Winds of Near Hurricane Force Strikes N.Y. and Eastern Seaboard.” The Bee, Danville, VA, 11-25-1950, 1.

[50] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Heart Attack Fatal to Orwell Farmer.” 11-27-1950, p. 10.

[51] Notes 6 deaths in the Carolinas, two of which were in South Carolina.

[52] AP. “Cold Blasts Ease Hold on Carolina.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[53] AP. “Cold Blasts…Carolina.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Victim id’s as James Andrew Elmore.

[54] “The press reported up to seventy…killed in Ohio by the storm, mostly from overexertion and heart attacks.”

[55] “Most deaths were attributed to heart attacks caused by over-exertion in clearing away snow.”

[56] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[57] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[58] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[59] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[60] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[61] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[62] Assoc. Press, Cleveland. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA, 11-26-1950, p.1.

[63] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1 & 2

[64] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[65] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[66] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[67] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[68] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[69] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[70] Assoc. Press, Cleveland. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA, 11-26-1950, p.1.

[71] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[72] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[73] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[74] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[75] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[76] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[77] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[78] Daily Middlesboro News, KY. “Overheated Furnace Sets Fire Fatal to Three Persons.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Another source notes name of adopted daughter as Marilyn and the grandson as Keith Logan. (Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.)

[79] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[80] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[81] AP. “Ohio Blizzard…Toll…51.” Van Wert Times, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Victim id’d as Richard Woehlert, 46.

[82] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[83] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[84] AP. “Ohio Blizzard…Toll…51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1. Victim id’d as H. R. Harter.

[85] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[86] Lima News, OH. “9 Die as Snows Sweep Ohio.” 11-26-1950, p. 2-A.

[87] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[88] Assoc. Press, Cleveland. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA, 11-26-1950, p.1. Another source has last name as “Mollison.” (Lima News, OH. “9 Die as Snows Sweep Ohio.” 11-26-1950, p. 2-A.) Cites family as noting he “had heart trouble.”

[89] Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “220 Die as Eight States Dig Out of Snow.” 11-27-1950, p. 10.

[90] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[91] Assoc. Press, Cleveland. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA, 11-26-1950, p.1.

[92] Lima News, OH. “9 Die as Snows Sweep Ohio.” 11-26-1950, p. 2-A. Victim identified as Ray Kronk, 19.

[93] Assoc. Press, Cleveland. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA, 11-26-1950, p.1.

[94] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[95] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[96] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[97] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[98] Assoc. Press, Cleveland. “Worst Blizzard in 37 Years Hits Ohio Hard.” Lowell Sunday Sun, MA, 11-26-1950, p.1.

[99] Defiance Crescent-News, OH. “220 Die as Eight States Dig Out of Snow.” 11-27-1950, p. 10.

[100] AP. “Ohio Blizzard…Toll…51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[101] Lived in back road earth-floor shanty. Neighbor noted it appeared Mr. Lewis had been attempting to build a fire in a coal stove. (Logan Daily News, OH. “First Death Due to Blizzard Reported.” 11-29-1950, p. 1.)

[102] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[103] Lima News, OH. “Conditions Improve. Here’s Snow Situation in Ohio’s Cities.” 11-28-1950, p. 2.

[104] Associated Press. “Ohio Blizzard Death Toll Climbs to 51.” Van Wert Times-Bulletin, OH. 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[105] Since we cannot identify all of what was meat by “Pittsburgh metropolitan area” we substitute all Allegheny Co.

[106] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[107] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Victim was Ernest Lytle.

[108] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[109] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[110] “Added to this city’s list [of 16 storm deaths] was the name of Mrs. Grace Brennan, 35-year-old mother of four. She walked four blocks down steep Aiken avenue through almost impassable snow to reach a police patrol wagon which took her to a hospital at the height of the big snow. Death came as she gave birth to her fifth child.” (Somerset Daily American, PA. “Pittsburgh Death Toll 16.” 11-29-1950, p. 3.)

[111] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[112] New Castle News, PA. “Storm Death Toll in Allegheny Co. Has Reached 16.” 11-29-1950, p. 10.

[113] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[114] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[115] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[116] INS. “Greatest Continuous Snow in Pittsburgh’s History.” New Castle News, PA, 11-25-1950, p. 1.

[117] Sixteen deaths were reported for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, which is in Allegheny County. In that we do not know the limits of what was meant by the “metropolitan area,” we assume all Allegheny County deaths as comprising the sixteen. We have identified 12 Pittsburgh and Allegheny county specific deaths above.

[118] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[119] Associated Press, Erie. “Train Hits Man in Blinding Snow.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA, 11-25-1950, 1.

[120] Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “Four Deaths Due to Storm,” 11-28-1950, p. 3. Gerald Tate was 21 and from Collier, PA. Francis J. Tate was 23 and lived in Haydentown (Fayette County), PA. Article notes the bodies “were found in their snow-bound car on an isolated county road about 12 miles south of Uniontown….The ignition key was still on, but the supply of gasoline exhausted. The men were covered with blankets.”

[121] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 3. Victims identified as Frank Miller, 76, and his grand-daughter, 20 months.

[122] Titusville Herald, PA. “Brevities.” 11-29-1950, p. 5. George W. Snowden was 60.

[123] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “County Miner Found Dead…” 11-27-1950, p. 1. Victim was 21.

[124] Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “Four Deaths Due to Storm,” 11-28-1950, p. 3.

[125] Victims identified as Francis Tate, 23 and Gerald Tate, 25; cousins and miners. (Associated Press. “Two Dead of Carbon Monoxide in Auto.” Warren Times-Mirror, PA, 11-28-1950, p. 1.)

[126] Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “Four Deaths Due to Storm,” 11-28-1950, pp. 1 and 3. Victim identified as Samuel Braden, 75. Notes he had “plowed through deep drifts to feed his dog and has spent some time shoveling snow, before suffering the fatal attack.”

[127] Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. “Find Black Lick Woman Frozen Beneath Snow.” 11-25-1950, p. 1. Black Lick is in Burrell Township, Indiana County, western central PA.

[128] Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA. “Four Deaths Due to Storm,” 11-28-1950, p. 1. “A rescue party in an Army truck broke through to a snow-bound one-room mountain cabin far back in a hollow near Coolspring [Jefferson County], where seven-months-old Lindy Ann Shumick was found dead, believed to be a victim of starvation.” Article also notes she was “thinly clad” and her only sustenance had been some juice from crushed apples.

[129] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 3. Same accident as Marr.

[130] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[131] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 3.

[132] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[133] Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of…Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 3. Victim id’d as Roy S. Hess, 27.

[134] “Charles Kitchneske, 21…drowned when pinned on creek bottom by tractor which upset when he was trying to pull his car from creek.” (Morning Herald, Uniontown, PA. “List Casualties of State Storm.” 11-27-1950, p. 3.)

[135] AP. “Snow Blankets Western Penn…Wind, Rain, Sleet Sweep East.” Indiana Evening Gazette, PA. 11-25-1950, 2.

[136] AP. “Cold Blasts Ease Hold on Carolina.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 11-27-1950, p. 1. The date of death is from: Associated Press. “6 Carolinians Die From Cold.” Florence Morning News, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

[137] AP. “Cold Blasts Ease Hold on Carolina.” High Point Enterprise, NC. 11-27-1950, p. 1. The date of death is from: Associated Press. “6 Carolinians Die From Cold.” Florence Morning News, 11-28-1950, p. 1.

[138] International News Service. “Cold Wave Hits South.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 11-26-1950, p. 1.

[139] Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV. “Deaths and Funerals,” 11-29-1950, p. 6.

[140] Victim identified as Lester Marvin Parks, 54, who was found dead near his home, which he was trying to reach. (Assoc. Press. “Wintry Weather Forces Some Virginia Schools to Close.” The Bee, Danville, VA, 11-27-1950, 11.)

[141] In: Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA.

[142] AP. “Foresters Battling Through Snowdrifts to Rescue Marooned Hunters as State Death Toll Reaches 18.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-30-1950, p. 7.

[143] Associated Press. “Woman Dies in Snowstorm.” Kingsport Times-News, 11-26-1950, p. 1. Victim identified as Mrs. Dorothy Powers, 35. Another source notes the location as Brushy Fork, WV. (AP. “Three Dead in Blizzard. West Virginians Have Worst Storm.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA, 11-26-1950, p. 2.)

[144] AP. “Ten Die in West Virginia as Blizzard Hold Icy Grip.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[145] Charleston Daily Mail, WV. “Deaths and Funerals.” 11-28-1950, p. 19.

[146] AP. “Foresters Battling Through Snowdrifts to Rescue Marooned Hunters as State Death Toll Reaches 18.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-30-1950, p. 7. Victim identified as C. B. Lewis, 68; in unventilated room.

[147] AP. “Three Dead in Blizzard. West Virginians Have Worst Storm.” Southwest Times, Pulaski VA. 11-26-1950, 2.

[148] AP. “Three Dead in Blizzard. West Virginians Have Worst Storm.” Southwest Times, Pulaski VA. 11-26-1950, 2.

[149] AP. “Four-Day Blizzard Death Toll at 14 in W. Virginia.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-28-1950, p. 1. Victim identified as Coy Gibson, 50.

[150] AP. “Foresters Battling Through Snowdrifts to Rescue Marooned Hunters as State Death Toll Reaches 18.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-30-1950, p. 7. Victim identified as Glenn Arnold Duncan, 54.

[151] AP. “Four-Day Blizzard Death Toll at 14 in W. Virginia.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 11-28-1950, p. 1. Victim identified as Tommy Dawson, 48.

[152] Beckley Post-Herald, WV. “Snow Closes State’s Roads, Schools.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[153] Beckley Post-Herald, WV. “Snow Closes State’s Roads, Schools.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[154] Beckley Post-Herald, WV. “Snow Closes State’s Roads, Schools.” 11-27-1950, p. 1.

[155] Owned and operated by the Columbus Tuberculosis Society. Columbus Tuberculosis Society. The Story of Nightingale Cottage. 13 pages.

[156] A Lutheran religious association for young people in the U.S. (Wikipedia. “Luther League.”)

[157] Blountville TN, centrally located between Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City, TN. (Triflight.com. “About the Airport.” Accessed 9-27-2018.