1977 — Jan 26-Feb 1, Winter storms/Blizzards/Coldwave, esp. west NY, IN, OH, MI — 116
— 116 Blanchard tally based on State and local breakouts below.
— 75 Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2.
— >71 UPI. “Weather Now Easing in East.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 1.
— >54 Capital Times, Madison, WI. “At least 54 die in cold weather.” 1-31-1977, p. 1.
— 47 Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “8 die in Buffalo blizzard.” 1-31-1977, p. 1.[1]
— 45 AP. “45 Lives, 1.5 Million Jobs Claimed by Cold.” Syracuse Post-Standard, 1-31-1977, 2.
— >36 Lima News, OH. “At least 36 dead in storm; job losses feared; fuel…” 1-30-1977, p. 1.
— 29 Schwartz and Schmidlin 2002, “Climatology of Blizzards in the Conterminous US…”
Summary of Breakout of Fatalities by State
Georgia ( 4)
Illinois ( 6)
Indiana ( 21)
Michigan ( 17)
Minnesota ( 4)
New York ( 31)
Ohio ( 20)
Pennsylvania ( 3)
Wisconsin ( 10)
Total 116
Breakout of Fatalities by State and Localities (where we have seen reporting)
Georgia ( 4)
–4 By Jan 29. Drownings; people falling through thin ice. Associated Press.[2]
Illinois ( 6)
–1 Alton. Apparent heart attack trying to get stuck car free from the snow; Mathias Feltes, 71.[3]
–1 Joliet area, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded motorist; left car seeking shelter; Helen Tucker, 49.[4]
–1 Oakwood, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded; left car seeking shelter; Larry Williams, 35.[5]
–1 Rt. 78, so. of Rt. 88, Jan 26. Cars collide in “blizzard-like conditions.” Rhoda L. Wilson, 20.[6]
–1 Waukegan, Jan 30. Car overturns on slick and snow-covered road; Joseph D. Morrisey, 19.[7]
–1 Bethany area, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded, left car seeking shelter; Delores Courtney, 40.[8]
Indiana ( 21)
–21 State. Anderson Herald, IN. “Roadways a Bit Less Restricted.” 2-1-1977, p. 1.[9]
–21 State. Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2.
–14 State. Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
— 9 North IN, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded motorists who left cars; over-exertion/heart attacks.[10]
— 1 Anderson, Jan 29. Heart attack outside apartment in severe cold; Ellis Bell, 59.[11]
— 1 Fort Wayne, Jan 27-29. Suffocation; man falls into snowbank, unable to get out.[12]
— 2 Fowler, Benton Co. CO poisoning; couple in home; malfunctioning furnace or venting.[13]
— 1 Jasper County. Vehicular crash in snowstorm. Associated Press, 1-29-1977.[14]
Michigan ( 17)
–17 Blanchard tally based on locality/cause breakouts below.
— 9 Heart attacks related to shoveling snow.[15]
Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting.
–1 Bloomfield Hills, Jan 28. Man killed by snowplow. (NCC. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, p.5.)[16]
–1 Bloomingdale, Jan 28. Shed collapse; snow weight; man killed. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, 5.[17]
–1 Caledonia, Jan 26. Man hit by car during blizzard. (NCC. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, p. 5.)
–1 Detroit, Jan 28. Exposure; female mental patient found frozen on Detroit River ice.[18]
–1 Georgetown Township, Jan 26. Car crushed between two semi’s in “blinding snowstorm.”[19]
–1 Grand Rapids, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow; Maryammi Apsitis, 60.[20]
–1 Troy, I-75, Jan 30. Pontiac man (pedestrian) struck by car.[21]
–2 Location and date not noted. Teenagers killed in snowmobile accident.[22]
Minnesota ( 4)
–3 Fergus Falls area, Jan 27. Car-truck collision; three women from Albert Lea and Wells.[23]
–1 Jeffers, Jan 27. Two-car collision in “zero visibility” driving conditions; Eric James Tiegen, 18.[24]
New York ( 31)
–31 State. Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2.
–31 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–29 Grabianowski. “10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time. The Buffalo Blizzard of 1977.”[25]
–29 Western NY. Kolker, Ben (NWS, Buffalo Int. AP); in Rossi. White Death. 1978, p. 285.[26]
–29 Western NY. National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.
–29 National Weather Service, Buffalo, New York. “An Overview of the Blizzard [of ‘77].”
–29 USA Today. “Buffalo remembers infamous blizzard of ’77.” 6-1-2002.[27]
–26 Western NY. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo…” 2-7-1977, 2.
–23 Western NY. Bahr. The Blizzard. 1980, p. 181
–18 Erie County.
–11 Buffalo.
— 5 Surrounding areas.
–23 Western. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Buffalo named a disaster area.” 2-5-1977, p. 13.
–23 “ Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 modification.[28]
Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:
— 1 Bennington, Wyoming Co., Jan 30. Man, 23, trying to free car from snowbank hit by truck.[29]
–12 Buffalo. Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “Death toll rises in Buffalo.” 2-22-1977, p. 6.[30]
–13 “Buffalo, N.Y….At least 13 area deaths have been attributed to Western [NY]…”[31]
–11 Bahr 1980, p. 181; Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 modification.[32]
–10 “All were found frozen.”[33]
–10 Blanchard tally of breakouts below.[34]
— 9 Deaths in vehicles in Buffalo and western NY. NCC. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, 6.
— 8 Hypothermia or CO poisoning; men found stranded/trapped in cars and trucks.[35]
— 7 Jan 28. In cars in snowdrifts. Associated Press, 1-29-1977.[36]
— 1 Heart attack, Feb 1. Buffalo patrolman Carl Reese, 38; after delivering meds to homebound.[37]
— 1 Exposure; body found Feb 19 in snowdrift; James, Ivy, 51; last seen Jan 28.[38]
— 1 Clay, Onondaga Co., Rt. 481 near Rt. 31. 12-vehicle pileup; “blinding snow” icy road.[39]
— 1 Dexter, Jefferson Co., Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow; Stuart D. Christie, 64.[40]
— 7 Erie Co., other than Buffalo. Bahr 1980, 181; Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 mod.[41]
— 1 Cheektowaga. Woman, 42, hit by car during storm, died Feb 7.[42]
— 1 Fishers Landing, Jefferson County. Found Feb 9. Heart attack shoveling snow.[43]
— 1 Greece, Monroe Co. Exposure; William Dunning, 66, found dead Jan 30 in snowbank.[44]
— 1 Massena, St. Lawrence Co. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Clarence Earl Bandy, 62.[45]
— 1 Niagara Falls, Niagara County. Man found Feb 6 frozen in snowbank.[46]
— 2 Parma, Monroe Co. CO poisoning; snow-blower in garage; Gregory Parker, 32, Diana, 6.[47]
— 1 Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co.. Jan 28. Apparent heart attack after shoveling snow. (Sullivan).[48]
— 1 Rochester, Monroe Co. Exposure; body of Robert Lacey, 59, found Jan 30 in snowbank outside home.[49]
— 1 Syracuse, Onondaga Co. Heart attack; Public Works foreman Howard B. Coleman, 42.[50]
Ohio ( 20)
–20 Ohio Historical Society. Severe Weather in Ohio. “January 28, 1977: Statewide Blizzard.”
–20 State, Jan 28-29. Schmidlin and Schmidlin 1996, p. 59.
–13 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:
–1 Amherst, Jan 28. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Conrad Einwachter, 73.[51]
–5 Fostoria vic., Jan 28. Carbon monoxide poisoning in stranded car lost on rural road.[52]
–William P. Loeffier Jr., 18. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.
–Harold E. Newton, 45. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.
–Orville L. Chapman, 44. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.
–Paul R. Lemaster, 47. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.
–Larry D. Perkins, 20. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.
–1 Lisbon, Jan 29. Heart attack while shoveling snow; W. G. “Cappy” Lewis, 66.[53]
–1 Mercer Co., US 127 near Fort Recovery-Minster Rd. Woman, 47, hit by car.[54]
–1 Milan, Jan 28-29. “…woman froze to death…while trying to walk 3 miles to her home.”[55]
–1 Monroeville, Jan 28. Exposure; trying to walk home from work after car stuck in snow (Ramsey).[56]
–1 Pataskala. Jan 28-29. Exposure; sleep-walking out front door at home; Sally Shelton, 37.[57]
–1 Steubenville, Jan 31. Hypothermia; “…man…found frozen to death in his unheated home.”[58]
–1 Van Wert vic., Jan 27. Man, 72, crushed trying to free snow-stuck vehicle; hit by truck.[59]
Pennsylvania ( 3)
–1 Altoona, Jan 27. Heart attack shoveling snow; William G. Porta, 75.[60]
–1 Connellsville. Hypothermia; coal furnace fire goes out, temperature drops to freezing, woman, 83.[61]
–1 North Beaver Township, Jan 28. Man hit by car in high wind and zero visibility storm (Kulich).[62]
Wisconsin (10)
–1 Beloit, Jan 27. Heart attack plowing snow; Kenneth P. Howell, 62.[63]
–1 Brookfield, Jan 26. Exposure; woman found by motorist on the ground beside road.[64]
–1 Brookfield, Jan 26 or 27; Heart attack shoveling snow; Roland Scheer, 68.[65]
–1 Brookfield, Jan 26. Motorist drove his truck into side of moving train; blinding snow.[66]
–1 Dodge County, Jan 26 or 27. Weather-related traffic fatality; Gary L. Luebke, 29, of Mayville.[67]
–1 Green Bay, Jan 26 or 27. Exposure; body of man found on Jan 27 in snow bank.[68]
–1 Green Bay, Jan 28. Exposure; man, 61, apparently locked himself out of mobile home, subzero temp.[69]
–2 Milwaukee, Jan 28. CO poisoning; two women, two dogs in car, motor running.[70]
–1 St. Francis (Milwaukee suburb), Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow; Phillip Sikorski, 71.[71]
Narrative Information — General
Jan 27: “Washington (AP) — Distorted winds in the earth’s upper atmosphere are continuing a months-long pattern, pulling air south from the frozen Arctic. And the National Weather Service says there is no relief in sight for the frigid United States. About two-thirds of the nation and much of the rest of the world is experiencing the harshest winter in at least five years. The weather service says there appears to be no long-term warming trend in sight, forecasting lower than normal temperatures over much of the East for at least the next two weeks.
“The weather has caused shortages of heating fuels, which has closed businesses and schools in some areas, and President Carter has asked Congress for emergency authority to divert natural gas to hardest hit regions.
“Dr. Donald Gilman, head of the weather service’s Long Range Prediction Group, said Wednesday [Jan 26] that Arctic air is moving farther south than usual because of a sustained distortion in upper atmosphere wind patterns. Gilman said earlier that such upper wind distortions, with winds circulating hundreds of miles farther south than normal are not uncommon but that this distortion is different. ‘What is uncommon is that this distortion set in place in September and locked in place for four months,’ he said. Such a pattern allows cold fronts from the Arctic Circle to swing as far south as Texas and Florida….” (Associated Press. “Distorted Wind Pattern Blamed for Arctic Cold.” Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL, 1-27-1977, p. 1.)
District of Columbia
Jan 28, Storm Data: “Winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph blew large tree across two parked autos. Temperatures dropped 23 degrees in a two-hour period at Washington National Airport.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 4.)
Illinois
Jan 27-30, Northern two-thirds of state: “Blizzard conditions were felt over much of the state during this period. A 1 to 3 inch snow was accompanied by very high winds causing snow drifts as high as 4-6 feet, closing many major highways. Numerous motorists were stranded for long periods of time. Three such motorists died of exposure as they left their cars to seek shelter. The strong winds blew down power lines, resulting in power outages. Many schools and businesses were forced to close.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.)
Jan 29, UPI: “Arctic winds, packing subzero temperatures, pushed a near blizzard across Illinois Friday [Jan 28], paralyzing travel and closing hundreds of schools….Wind-chill factors hit 80 below zero in Moline, 100 below in Freeport, 68 below in Rockford and Springfield and 62 below in Chicago….In De Kalb County, Sheriff Wilbur Scott ordered the arrest of anyone who tried to drive on roads that were closed….” (UPI. “Illinois Survives Blizzard.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 1-29-1977, p. 1.)
Indiana:
Jan 27-28: “Northern half of Indiana…9 [deaths]…Blizzard…2 to 4 inches of snow fell across norther Indiana late Thursday night [Jan 27] and early Friday morning. By 6 AM blizzard conditions had developed over the norther half with winds of 35-45 mph and gusts to 55 mph. Visibilities were frequently near zero, especially in open areas. Drifts quickly closed most roads. By late morning temperatures were 5 to 10 degrees below zero with wind chill readings 50-70 below. Most activity was at a standstill. Many travelers did not realize the severity of the storm and were stranded on Indiana highways. Conditions were extremely critical near and north of Lafayette. Several deaths resulted from exposure to cold. Other deaths were caused by over-exertion in dangerously cold weather. Some field damage may have occurred due to the strong winds stripping off the top soil. Schools were closed for several days following storm.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.)
Jan 29: “Indiana, already in a state of emergency, was virtually paralyzed Friday [Jan 28] by another arctic blast that closed schools and businesses, stranded thousands of motorists and complicated the ever-more serious natural gas shortage. John F. Coppes, director of the Indiana Employment Security Division, estimated that up to 45,000 persons had been laid off in the last two weeks because of the weather-related energy crisis, including 29,000 in the last two days. Officials said that estimate was made before the latest storm dealt Indiana what may be the harshest blow yet.
“Gov. Otis R. Brown urged all retail businessmen to curtail their hours and asked retail groceries to observe uniform hours, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in all but portions of southern Indiana. Northern Indiana Public Service Co., serving 30 northern Indiana counties, asked all nonresidential customers, except groceries and drug stores, to close until the emergency passes. The utility said that probably won’t be before Tuesday [Feb 2]. That’s when the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said dangerously cold temperatures are expected to leave the state. Temperatures Saturday morning were expected to dip as low as 25 below zero in northern Indiana and around 15 below in central and southern parts of the state.
“Winds, gusting up to 50 miles an hour, complicated Friday’s picture, whipping snow across roadways and reducing visibility to near zero at times. Windchill readings, reflecting how cold it feels instead of how cold it really is, went as low a 65 below zero at Fort Wayne.
“At least three weather-related deaths were reported, one in a traffic crash in snowbound Jasper County and a Fowler couple believed overcome by furnace fumes in their home.
“Gen. Alfred F. Ahner, adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard, said it ‘could potentially become’ the worst disaster in the state’s history, though he cautioned that the situation hasn’t reached that stage yet. ‘It could become real bad should there be a gas failure or an electrical failure,’ the general advised. He ordered open all 71 national guard armories around the state in an effort to set up ‘refugee points’ for stranded persons….” (Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1.)
Iowa:
Jan 27-28, Northern and Eastern Iowa: “Blizzard. Strong northwest winds gusting to 55 mph combined with sub-zero temperatures and one to two inches of snow to bring blizzard conditions. Visibilities were reduced to near zero in blowing snow. Travel halted as most roads and highways blocked with drifts to 6 feet or more. Wind chill factors of 60 to 90 below were common with many cases of frost bite reported. Numerous reports of frozen and broken water lines.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.)
Maryland
Jan 28, Western MD: “Afternoon & Evening…Blizzard. Two to four inch snowfall combined with rapidly-falling temperatures and 50-60 mph winds. Motorists, unable to see as visibilities dropped to zero, pulled autos to the side or abandoned them in the middle of roads. Hundreds of travelers were reported stranded for many hours. Temperature dropped from 40 degrees to 12 degrees in Garrett County between noon and 1 pm.” (National Climatic Center/NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 4.)
Michigan
Jan 26-31, Storm Data: “Blizzards. Winds of 30 to 60 MPH and wind chill of 30 to 50 below zero swept across the state. The worst conditions occurred on the 26th and 28th when visibilities were lowered to near zero over large areas for long periods of time causing many multi-car accidents and leaving thousands of abandoned vehicles littering the roads. One man was killed by a car in Caledonia on the 26th and another man was killed by a snowplow in Bloomfield Hills on the 28th. Both drivers were unable to see the men due to the low visibilities. A third man in Bloomingdale was crushed to death on the 28th when a shed collapsed on him under the weight of heavy snow. 41 other people were treated for frostbit. Factories and schools were closed for days. Some rural areas reported people snowbound in their homes from the 26th to the end of the month. Snow removal crews subcontracted extra people and equipment to remove 10-foot drifts from north-south roads. Some naturally formed drifts were 20-feet high. Hardest hit were Muskegon, Kent, Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Allegan & Monroe Counties.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.)
Minnesota
Jan 26-29, Storm Data: “Four day windstorm began evening of Jan 25 with low pressure center over Western Ontario, and Canadian cold front approaching northern North Dakota border. By midnight front had already moved to South Dakota with strong pressure gradient and winds gusting to the 60s. Strong winds continued thru Wednesday the 26th. A new cold front moved into and over State Thursday, 27th followed again by very strong gradient thru the 28th and 29th, winds gradually diminishing the 30th and 31st. Most roads in Minnesota closed Thursday due to blowing and drifting snow — numerous traffic accidents — winds combined with subzero temps produced wind chills of 60-80 degrees below zero — Three killed in car-truck collision near Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County — Austin man died in 2-car collision near Windom, Cottonwood County — 3 others hospitalized — Friday, Jan 28 more than 260 schools remained closed due to high winds and low temps…St. Paul water utility crews worked 16 hour shifts to thaw frozen water pipes.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.)
New York
Grabianowski: “A modest snowfall and brutal winds averaging 45 mph (72.4 kph), with gusts of 75 mph (120.7 kph) would’ve made for a nasty storm at any time, but an unusually cold and snowy winter had left several feet of packed snow already on the ground. As if that weren’t bad enough, snow covered much of the frozen surface of nearby Lake Erie, giving the wind even more snow to drift and blow. The result was zero visibility and roads blocked by snow. The storm brought intense cold (the temperature dropped more than 20 degrees in just a few hours) and stranded people at work or, worse, in their cars… The conditions led to 29 deaths in Western New York and Southern Ontario. Storm effects were felt into Canada and as far east as Watertown, N.Y.
“Although the city of Buffalo generally gets less snow than other nearby cities and has warmer winter temperatures than many northern regions, this one storm cemented Buffalo’s reputation as the blizzard capital of the United States. In fact, 1977 still holds Buffalo’s record for the most snow in one season — 199.4 inches (5.06 m).” (Grabianowski, Ed. “10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time. #2 The Buffalo Blizzard of 1977.” Howstuffworks.com.)
NCC/NOAA on Jan 28-Feb 1 in Jefferson, Oswego, Lewis & St. Lawrence Counties: “Blizzard. A winter storm began about 3:30 PM Friday, January 28th as a strong cold front moved through the Counties of Lewis, Jefferson, Oswego, and St. Lawrence and became a five-day blizzard which literally buried these counties. Winds were gusting from 50 to 65 MPH and over five feet of snow was reported to have fallen during the five day period in the vicinity of Watertown. Roads were blocked by drifts ranging from 15 to 30 feet and more than 1000 motorists were stranded. Schools and businesses closed and the National Guard, as well as any available volunteers were delivering food, fuel, and supplies to residents as well as the stranded. Three men died of heart attacks while shoveling snow and another suffered a heart attack in his automobile and died. Snow removal costs were estimated to exceed two million. Four dairy barns…collapsed with at least $350,000 worth of damage and in addition, many dairy farmers had to dump approximately $350,000 worth of milk which could not be delivered.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.)
NCC/NOAA on Jan 26-27 Western NY: “Strong winds and snow. Strong winds gusting to 54 mph early on the 27th produced extremely poor visibilities and drifting, blowing snow. Roads and highways were closed. Schools, factories and the Airport closed due to the poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions. 4 inches of snow fell overnight at the Buffalo Airport. (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.)
NCC/NOAA on Jan 28-Feb 1, Western NY: “All Counties. Hardest hit were: Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus…29 [killed]…Blizzard…
“A rapidly developing low pressure system, moving eastward just north of the Lower Lakes Region, moved into Quebec, decelerated and turned northward, keeping Western New York in a very strong flow of cold Arctic air. As the associated cold front moved across the area, blizzard conditions arrived suddenly and completely paralyzed the area. Visibility dropped from three-quarters of a mile at 11:20 a.m. to zero at 11:38 a.m. Officially the visibility stayed at zero until 12:50 a.m. on the 29th, when it increased to three- eighths of a mile. The rapid drop in visibility trapped Airport snow removal crews in their plows, while they were working on runway snow removal at Buffalo. 5 plows were abandoned as the crews got into one plow and slowly worked their way back to the garage. An airline mechanic, emerged from a plane parked on the ramp and got lost on his way to the terminal; he wandered onto the runway and into one of the abandoned plows. Thousands of motorists experienced the same fate and abandoned their vehicles and took any nearby shelter. Churches, fire halls, police stations, restaurants, and private homes became emergency shelters.
“The wind gusted to 69 mph on the 28th and gusts over 50 mph were recorded each day of the storm. Snowdrifts over 25 feet high were reported with buildings and thousands of cars being buried. Many roads and highways remained closed over a week later, as drifts were too high and the snow packed too tightly for plow removal, so front loaders and other earth moving equipment was utilized. Four wheel drive vehicles and snowmobiles were the only reliable vehicles operating. The Mayor of the City of Buffalo and a few other communities issued bans on vehicle operation, with only emergency and essential personnel able to travel.
“Wind chill temperature remained at minus 50 degrees or lower much of the time. Losses in excess of 250 million dollars were estimated to have occurred, in storm damage, snow removal costs, lost wages, recovery assistance such as food stamps and lost production. The Counties of Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus were declared Major Disaster areas gy President Carter. The Federal Disaster Assistance Agency, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard, Army Engineers from Fort Bragg, N.C., and heavy equipment operators assisted local crews in snow removal. The City of New York sent snow blowers and the City of Toronto, Canada sent two large snow melters to help out.
“Weather records showed this to be the most severe blizzard on record. At the Buffalo Airport 12.2 inches of snow fell during the period. The excessively high drifts resulted from the snow pack of 33 inches that had been accumulating since late November, with little thawing and freezing to provide an ice crust. Communities adjacent to Lake Erie were buried as the snow blew onshore off the ice covered Lake. Twenty-nine persons lost their lives in storm related incidents. At least 9 of these were found in snow buried automobiles. The cold temperatures coupled with a heating gas shortage resulted in numerous factories, all schools, many public buildings, and commercial establishments closing or curtailing hours of operation.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.)
NWS on Buffalo: “….On the 27th of January, low pressure crossed Lake Erie and moved to James Bay in Canada. During the 5 days that followed, this huge storm system became stalled east of James Bay then actually moved back west over James Bay before finally moving east to the Canadian Maritimes.
“The storm began on the 28th of January as snow started falling at 5 am. As winds freshened from the south ahead of a strong cold front, about two inches of new powder had accumulated on top of the 33 inch snowpack and drifts from previous storms dating back before Christmas! During the morning, the temperature rose rapidly from five degrees at midnight to 26 degrees at 11 am. At 11:35 am however, the storm hit with a ferocity that many in this snow-savvy city had never before seen. As the cold front passed through Buffalo, the visibility dropped from 3/4 mile to zero and the wind shifted and increased to southwest at 29 mph with gusts to 49 mph. The temperature fell 26 degrees to zero in just over four hours!
“The blizzard reached its worst severity during the late afternoon as winds at the Buffalo airport averaged 46 mph and gusted to 69 mph. Gusts of 75 mph were recorded at the Niagara Falls airport, about 20 miles north of Buffalo. Wind chills reached 50 to 60 degrees below zero. Thousands were stranded in office buildings, schools, police stations, fire halls, and factories. Cars were stalled everywhere and roads became impassable.
“When a fire broke out on Whitney Place in the heart of the city, fire fighting equipment was initially unable to get through. Six homes were completely destroyed and fifty people were left homeless. Nearly all transportation in and out of Buffalo stopped.
“In addition to Erie county [NY], states of emergency were declared in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties.[72] All roads were closed in Wyoming and Livingston counties as well. Blizzard or near blizzard conditions prevailed on and off for the next three days, ending around midday on February 1st. Daily peak Gusts of 51, 52, 58, and 46 mph were recorded from the 29th through the 1st.
“On Saturday the 29th, while blizzard conditions prevailed the Buffalo Courier Express could not publish it’s morning paper for the first time in 143 years. The federal government issued a declaration of Emergency which allowed their agencies to come in and provide whatever was needed to restore normalcy to the region. By the 30th, Federal officials had taken over snow removal operations and before the end of the storm over 500 national guardsmen were helping in the disaster. Offers for aid and relief came from as far away as mainland Europe as the news spread worldwide.
“It was estimated that snow removal costs alone exceeded 20 million dollars. Snowmobilers and those with four wheel drive became invaluable as they delivered emergency food and medical supplies.
“Sadly, 29 deaths Were blamed on the storm, many found frozen in their half buried cars during the four day ordeal. In addition, looting of businesses and stranded cars also took place beginning on the 29th with nearly one hundred arrested.
“When the sun finally came out for good on the 1st of February, its cold light revealed a scene of incredible desolation in Buffalo and over the seven western county area. The city as well as most other communities banned traffic for several days. The army was called in from Fort Bragg, NC to augment the national guardsmen. Some of the eastern suburbs of Buffalo, particularly Lancaster, were buried to the roofs of homes in some cases.
“The storms toll was felt by all. Factories and industries were closed for over a week. Retailers reported millions in lost sales as stores remained closed. At the Buffalo Zoo, over 20 animals perished in the storm and damage was estimated at nearly a half a million dollars….
“President Carter declared seven western counties federal disaster areas, the first time ever for a snowstorm in the United States. Ironically, the snow at Buffalo totaled only about 12 inches from January 28th to February 1st. However, most of the snow was believed to be from existing snow lying on the frozen surface of Lake Erie that was blown across Buffalo and the surrounding areas and redeposited.
“Buffalo was not the only area in the Eastern Great Lakes Region to feel the brunt of this epic storm. Immediately to the west, across the Niagara Peninsula in southern Ontario, Canada, conditions were just as bad. Well to the east of Buffalo across the northern New York counties of Lewis and Jefferson, which includes the city of Watertown the tremendous winds were accompanied by very heavy lake effect snows.” (National Weather Service, Buffalo, New York. “An Overview of the Blizzard [of ‘77].”)
Feb 2: “Buffalo, N.Y….Police say looting has become a problem….with looters who were hitting abandoned cars and stores.” (Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Blizzards bury Buffalo.” 2-2-1977, p. 3.)
Feb 3: “Buffalo, N.Y. (AP)….The city was just beginning to dig out from the storm, which left thousands laid off from jobs, at least seven persons frozen to death in their cars, and 59 persons arraigned on charges of looting stores….” (Herald-Star, Steubenville, OH. “Buffalo Blizzard Strands Ohioans.” 2-3-1977, p. 14.)
Feb 22: “Buffalo (AP) — The city’s death toll from the Jan. 28 blizzard rose to 12 after another victim was found frozen in a snowbank. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office said on Sunday that James Ivy, 51, of Buffalo, died from “exposure to cold.” Authorities said his body was found in a kneeling position on Saturday by two boys playing in the snow near his home. Ivy, known as “Cramps” around the apartment complex where he lived, was last seen when he left his apartment during the blizzard for a trip to a liquor store.” (Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “Death toll rises in Buffalo.” 2-22-1977, p. 6.)
Ohio
NCC Storm Data, Jan 28-29: “Blizzard and Unusual Cold. A blizzard with winds to 60 mph moved into Ohio in the early morning of the 28th and continued until early a.m. the 29th. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 inches to over a foot. The temperature fell to 10 to 20 below zero in the night of Friday the 28th. Five men froze to death in a stranded car near Fostoria in Seneca County. A woman froze to death in Milan while trying to walk 3 miles to her home. Another woman was found frozen to death on the morning of the 29th outside her home in Pataskala in Licking County. She had apparently been sleep walking. Many people were treated for frostbite and there was considerable freeze damage around the state.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.)
NCC Storm Data, Jan 31: A cold airmass moved into the state dropping temperatures below zero. A man was found frozen to death in his unheated home in Steubenville. There were many cases of frostbite treated and there was considerable freeze damage done around the state.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.)
OH Historical Society: “National Weather Service forecasters called for a blizzard warning across Ohio early on Friday, January 28, 1977. The cold wave and high winds swept across the state at dawn. Temperatures fell from 20 degrees to 5 to 10 degrees below zero during the day. High winds and blowing snow accompanied the cold wave. Winds of 35 to 45 mph, gusting to 60, blew new snow and snow already on the ground into huge drifts and obscured visibility.
“Ohio was shut down by the blizzard Friday afternoon with no improvement into Saturday. Schools were closed across the state Friday, as were most of the major airports. Drifts blocked many state highways and some counties were entirely isolated. Stores, factories, and government offices not already closed by natural gas shortages were shut down by the blizzard. Heroic actions performed by the Ohio National Guard, police and fire crews, and hundreds of ordinary citizens saved dozens of lives and gave comfort to hundreds more. These actions kept the death toll to 20 in the blizzard. Kidney dialysis patients and stroke victims were flown to hospitals in National Guard helicopters. Hundreds of stranded Fayette County residents were airlifted to shelter. By Sunday, most roads were opened and most stores and businesses opened Monday morning.” (Ohio Historical Society. Severe Weather in Ohio. “January 28, 1977: Statewide Blizzard.”)
Schmidlin and Schmidlin: “Severe winter weather in Ohio during January 1977 culminated with a statewide blizzard on Friday, 28 January….Temperatures at Toledo fell from 20 to -2 degrees in just ninety minutes and settled to -7 degrees at noon…The other element of a blizzard, high winds and blowing snow, came with the frigid air Friday morning and continued into Saturday. Only two to four inches of new snow came with the storm, but previous snow-falls had left six to twelve inches of snow over all of Ohio as the blizzard began. Winds of thirty-five to forty-five miles an hour, gusting to sixty, lifted the snow into the air, obscuring visibility and creating huge drifts….Ohio was shut down by Friday afternoon, and little improvement came until late Saturday….
“Governor James Rhodes called on the Ohio National Guard with their heavy vehicles and helicopters to rescue stranded persons, provide medical evacuations, and clear roads. Kidney dialysis patients and stroke victims were flown to hospitals in National Guard helicopters. Two National Guard trucks carried ninety-eight schoolchildren home from snowbound Lake County schools. Hundreds of stranded Fayette County residents were airlifted to shelter by National Guard helicopters….
“Efforts of rescue and comfort held the death toll to twenty in the blizzard, according to the Toledo Blade. In the most dramatic tragedy, five Springfield men died of carbon monoxide in their car stuck along Buckley Road near Fostoria. They were found by snowmobilers Friday evening, the exhaust pipe of their car blocked by a snowdrift.” (Schmidlin, Thomas W. and Jeanne Appelhans Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland: A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio. Kent State University Press, 1996, p. 59.)
Pennsylvania
NCC Storm Data, Jan 28: “A strong cold front moved across the state accompanied by strong winds, snow squalls and plunging temperatures. Wind gusts reached 60 mph over much of the area and combined with snow squalls to bring near blizzard conditions. This resulted in many traffic accidents and many stalled automobiles as snow already on the ground drifted out onto roads. The high winds downed power and telephone lines….Some of the wind gusts reported were: Lancaster and Allentown, 67 MPH; Philadelphia, Pottstown and Schuylkill County, 60 MPH; Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, 59 MPH; Reading 58 MPH; Montgomery County, 50 MPH. The winds flipped over and damaged 3 airplanes at Reading Airport. Temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s ahead of the front dropped as much as 15 to 20 degrees in one hour, 25 to 30 degrees in two hours and up to 40 degrees in five hours.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.)
Wisconsin
NCC, Jan 26: “A strong Arctic cold front swept across Wisconsin January 26 and caused very strong winds, plunging temperatures and blinding visibilities in snow and blowing snow. Although snowfall amounts were generally light, winds gusting to around 50 mph whipped the fallen and previous snow on the ground and reduced visibilities to near zero in many areas. Considerable drifting of the snow occurred and many rural roads became impassable for a time. A motorist drove his truck into a side of a moving locomotive. Apparently blowing snow reduced the visibility so that the driver could not see the flashers at the crossing nor the train. A Brookfield woman in Waukesha county died of apparent exposure. She was found knelling along a roadside by a passing motorist. When the motorist went up to aid her she collapsed and died.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 9.)
Jan 28: “Today’s blistering cold weather, a minus 11 degrees in Janesville at 11 a.m., may seem like a real heat-wave before the weekend is over. The latest cold spell, which has everyone talking about the weather and none of it complimentary, is being caused by a frigid arctic air mass making its way, slowly, across the upper Midwest. The National Weather Service predicts Wisconsin temperatures will plunge to between 20 and 30 degrees below zero tonight in the northwest and between 10 and 20 below in the southeast.
“Another light snow fell in Janesville Thursday night and the outside temperature actually warmed up before midnight. The Wisconsin Power and Light Co. substation reports the mercury climbed to 14 degrees above zero about 10 p.m. and then quickly plummeted to an overnight low of minus 18 degrees. The cold temperatures were coupled with winds of 20 miles per hour which resulted in a wind chill factor of minus 60 degrees or lower early this morning.
“Schools throughout Rock and area counties were closed today [Friday] and very few adults could be seen walking anywhere early today.
“For the second day in a row the wind-blown snow created many problems for highway crews and those hardy souls that attempted to travel out of town. Rock County Highway Department personnel described the road conditions in the county as ‘lousy.’ Durlin Harnack, highway commissioner, said the north-south roads are ‘terrible’ and unsafe to drive. He said the roads have bad visibility and most of them are plugged with drifts of snow. On top of the bad road conditions the highway department is experiencing a lot of mechanical breakdown trouble. ‘Our equipment is having iron fatigue, trucks are breaking down faster than we can fix them,’ Harnack said. He added that a few cars have been fund stranded on county roads, but most people are getting the idea not to travel. Harnack said he expects all north-south roads in the county to be blocked and in bad driving conditions all day. East-west roads and I-90 are reported to be in fair shape today. Inside the city limits city street crews are having trouble keeping some outlying streets open due to the heavy drifting. Plows are busy trying to keep S. Oakhill, N. Crosby and some areas along Milton Avenue open.
“The weekend outlook is even worst. The weather service predicts some parts of Wisconsin will have temperatures dropping to 40 to 50 degrees below zero and the previous record low for the state of 60 degrees below may be in jeopardy.
“The Rock County Sheriff’s Department reported many cars stuck in snow drifted ditches Thursday night. ‘Snow drifts and cars are all over,’ a deputy said…
“The deaths of two women Thursday night from apparent asphyxiation by uto exhaust fumes were blamed on the severe weather….” (Janesville Gazette, WI. “Cold Hangs On.” 1-28-1977, p. 1.)
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[1] “At least 47 weather-related deaths were reported since the most recent cold weather hit late last week. Some of the deaths, however, were attributed to malfunctioning home heaters which caused suffocations or house fires…”
[2] Associated Press. “Fuel Situation Said Better.” Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[3] Alton Telegraph, IL. “Man dies in what may be first weather death in area.” 1-31-1977, A2.
[4] UPI. “Great Deep Freeze of ’76 continues across Illinois.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 1-30-1977, p. 36. Victim lived in Bethany.
[5] Associated Press. “Subzero cold still plaguing most of state.” Alton Telegraph, IL. 1-31-1977, B8.
[6] Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL. “Mt. Carroll Woman Dies in Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1.
[7] Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. “Joseph Morrisey Dies in Accident.” 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[8] UPI. “Great Deep Freeze of ’76 continues across Illinois.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 1-30-1977, p. 36.
[9] “The latest blizzard and sub-zero temperatures reportedly resulted in the deaths of 21 persons in Indiana, state police officials announced Monday [Jan 31].”
[10] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.
[11] Anderson Sunday Herald, IN. “No Relief in Sight. Hundreds Stranded Here.” 1-30-1977, p. 1.
[12] Associated Press. “Fuel Situation Said Better.” Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[13] Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[14] Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[15] “The series of…storms, starting Wednesday [Jan 27], claimed the lives of at least nine persons who suffered fatal heart attacks while trying to shovel snow…State Police reported several traffic deaths in crashes blamed on the weather.” (AP. “7 Counties in State Still Under Road Emergencies.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 5.)
[16] Victim was Lawrence David, 75. (UPI. “Arctic Cold Grips Michigan.” Holland…Sentinel, MI, 1-29-1977, p. 1.)
[17] Newspaper report noted that, according to a Medical Examiner, James William Henry, 66, died from exposure and multiple injuries received when a small building collapsed on top of him. (South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. “Area Death Attributed to Snow.” 1-29-1977, p. 1.)
[18] UPI. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[19] Mrs. Joan Vannette, 44, on I-196. Holland City News, MI. “Joan Vannette Dies in Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1.
[20] UPI. “Arctic Cold Grips Michigan.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI, 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[21] United Press International. “Toll.” Ludington Daily News, MI. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[22] United Press International. “Toll.” Ludington Daily News, MI. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[23] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Three Local Women Die in Fergus Falls Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1. Killed were Mrs. Warren Behrends, 52, of rural Albert Lea, Mrs. Ruby Kuechenenmeister, 67 of Wells, her daughter, Diane Kuechenmeister, 42, of Wells. Notes collision was in I-94 just north of junction with US-59, and notes: “The Minnesota Patrol said visibility was near zero at the crash scene, as high winds whipped snow. Troopers said a semi trailer truck and the car collided…” See also: NCC/NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.
[24] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Three Local Women Die in Fergus Falls Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1. See also: NCC/NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.
[25] Western NY and Southern Ontario, Canada.
[26] Article focuses on Buffalo with some coverage of Western NY. States “There were twenty-nine people who died in some way and most of them died from being trapped in their cars. It was either monoxide poisoning or exposure that killed them If you stayed out very long in those conditions you were dealing with wind chill factors down to forty and fifty degrees below zero and if you were exposed to that cold for very long, you were finished.”
[27] In that the story focuses on Buffalo, the inference is that the 29 reported deaths were in Buffalo vicinity. This does not appear to be the case, though it may be the case for western NY.
[28] Cites. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Snow Go 1977. USACE Buffalo District, p. 38.
[29] Rossi. White Death. 1999, p. 344. Truck hit Alexander Barron’s [23] car which then ran over him. (AP. “Fierce winds slash Buffalo as death toll climbs to 12.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.)
[30] Another source writes: “Buffalo (AP) — With the death toll at 12, Buffalo Mayor Stanley Makowski declared his city in a state of emergency today from the worst storm of the worst winter in the history of his city.” (AP, “Emergency declared in Buffalo. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 2-1-1977, p. 1.)
[31] United Press International. “Buffalo still battling weather.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 2-1-1977, p. 1. (We are unsure of the distribution of fatalities between Buffalo and other “western” areas.
[32] Cites. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Snow Go 1977. USACE Buffalo District, p. 38.
[33] UPI. “Disaster declared; death toll mounts.” Sunday Record, Middletown, NY. 1-30-1977, 4.
[34] We count eight deaths of men found dead in vehicles (though there are reports of nine or ten, one or more of these could have been outside of Buffalo, but still within Erie County). We also note Feb 1 heart attack victim and exposure victim found Feb 18 in snowdrift.
[35] United Press International. “Buffalo still battling weather.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 2-1-1977, p. 1.
[36] Associated Press. “Seven found dead in Buffalo blizzard.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[37] AP. “U.S. Sends $3 Million to Aid Embattled Buffalo.” Palladium-Times, Oswego, NY. 2-2-1977, p. 1. Notes that this death brought “the death tool since the storm began Friday…to 13.” However, it is not clear if Buffalo and Erie County, other than Buffalo, fatalities, are being combined.
[38] Associated Press. “Death toll rises in Buffalo,” Daily Star, NY, 2-22-1977, p. 6. Noted as 12th Buffalo death.
[39] Victim identified as Delores H. Mitchell, 28 of Clay. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Woman killed in pile-up.” 2-1-1977, p. 1. Wind was blowing snowdrift across the road.
[40] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Emergencies in NNY.” 1-31-1977, p. 31 of 32.
[41] Cites. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Snow Go 1977. USACE Buffalo District, p. 38.
[42] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo begins return to normalcy.” 2-7-1977, p. 2.
[43] Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Deaths. Robert D. Brady.” 2-11-1977, p. 7N
[44] UPI. “Blizzard continuing in Western NYS after taking 10 lives, closing traffic.” Adirondack Daily Enterprise, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[45] Syracuse Herald-American, NY. “Blizzard exertion fatal to C. E. Bandy.” 1-30-1977, p. 59.
[46] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo begins return to normalcy.” 2-7-1977, p. 2.
[47] AP. “Fierce winds slash Buffalo as death toll climbs to 12.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[48] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Carl W. Sullivan Services Are Today.” 1-31-1977, 7A.
[49] UPI. “Blizzard continuing in Western NYS after taking 10 lives, closing traffic.” Adirondack Daily Enterprise, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.
[50] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Emergencies in NNY.” 1-31-1977, p. 31 of 32.
[51] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Deaths.” 1-29-1977, p. 12.
[52] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “‘Little Lady, I need help—I’m cold; voice pleaded.” 2-1-1977, 3. Another source notes the men had a CB radio they used to try to get help, but they didn’t know their location. When found dead it was discovered that they were 10 feet from a mailbox that would have provided a location. (The Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Cold sticks to Midwest, East; 2 million jobless.” 1-31-1977, p. 3.)
[53] Salem News, OH. “Heart Attack Claims Lisbon Auto Dealer. While Shoveling Snow.” 1-31-1977, p. 8.
[54] “…Shirley Werling, of Coldwater…was struck by a car as she was exiting from the driver’s side of her car, apparently to aid other motorists who had skidded into a ditch. Investigation…has been hampered because witnesses were forced to leave the scene because of severe weather conditions…” Lima News, OH. “2 killed after leaving cars in storm.” 1-28-1977, 1.
[55] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7. Victim identified as Bessie Ransey, 34, who was said to have been found outside her home after trying to return from neighbor’s house. (AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.)
[56] Coroner ruled cause of death of Bessie Ramsey, 34, as freezing, secondary to exposure. (Sandusky Register, OH. “Monroeville Woman Freezes to Death.” 1-31-1977, p. 5.) Notes windchill factor was “about 40 below…”
[57] Victim was Sally Shelton, 37. Journal News, Hamilton, OH. “Dear Lord…`give us heat…’.”1-30-1977, p.1.
[58] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.
[59] Otis L. Denney-during “blizzard conditions.” Lima News, OH. “2 killed after leaving cars in storm.” 1-28-1977, 1.
[60] Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “News From Around Here.” 1-28-1977, p. 1.
[61] UPI. “Weather Now Easing in East.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 1. Victim was identified as Edna Lamont who was found Feb 1 by visiting minister on hallway floor bundled in several sweaters. Was 28 degrees in the house when she was found. It is written she had “refused to leave her sparsely heated home for an emergency shelter over the weekend.” (AP. “Elderly Woman is Found Dead.” Gettysburg Times, PA, 2-2-1977, p. 2.)
[62] Michael B. Kulich, 66, was driving car; became stuck in snow; got out, went to back of car, was hit by another car in “zero visibility” driving conditions. (New Castle News, PA. “Snow creates road havoc, 1 dead.” 1-29-1977, p. 1.)
[63] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Southern Wisconsin Obituaries.” 1-28-1977, p. 2.
[64] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 9.
[65] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Weather Is All Bad.” 1-27-1977, p. 2.
[66] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 9. Victim identified as Raymond A. Brouilette, 26 of Newburg. (Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Deep Freeze returns to Wisconsin.” 1-27-1977, p. 55 of 58.)
[67] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Deep Freeze returns to Wisconsin.” 1-27-1977, p. 55 of 58.
[68] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Weather Is All Bad.” 1-27-1977, p. 2.
[69] UPI. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[70] UPI. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1. Victims identified as Debra Viljevac, 25, and Sharon Klemme, 30. (AP. “Travel not recommended in Wisconsin.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI, 1-28-1977, p. 2,) Writes: “Police said the car was stopped with its motor running and with signal lights flashing, and officers said wind apparently forced exhaust fumes into the vehicle through a rust home in a spare tire compartment.”
[71] Assoc. Press. “Subzero Weather Remains.” Herald-Times-Reporter, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, WI. 1-29-1977, p. 1.
[72] “President Carter has declared seven snow-battered western New York counties and two in northern New York as a major disaster area….He identified the counties as Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Orleans, Wyoming and Genesee, all in western New York, and Jefferson and Lewis in the north country.” (Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “7 state counties put on disaster list.” 2-5-1977, p. 1.)