1984 — Feb 4-5, Snow, sub-zero cold, wind, blizzard, esp. Upper Plains, esp. MN (16)–47-52
–47-52 Blanchard range.[1]
–41-52 Blanchard tally from State and locality (where noted) breakouts below.
—>47 United Press International. “Milder weather returns.” Key West Citizen.” 2-8-1984, p. 2.[2]
—>44 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
— 31 AP. “Snow, cold kill 31. Storm invades New England.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 2-6-1984, 1.
—>29 Assoc. Press. “Death toll rises from storm.” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 2-6-1984, p. 16.
—>28 UPI. “Storms Toll At Least 28.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD. 2-6-1984, p. 1.
—>27 AP. “27 deaths blamed on storm; South, East…seeing fury.” New Mexican, Santa Fe, 2-6-1984, A7.
— 23 National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984.
— 23 Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “Blizzard Kills 23 in Midwest.” 2-6-1984, p. 3.
—>22 AP. “22 dead as blizzard spreads…Midwest.” Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA 2-6-1984, 3A.
— 22 National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 9.
Summary of State Breakouts
Alabama (1-4)
Georgia ( 2)
Illinois ( 2)
Iowa ( 3)
Maine ( 2)
Minnesota ( 16)
Mississippi (0-1)
Missouri ( 2)
Nebraska ( 1)
New York (2-3)
North Carolina (0-1)
North Dakota (7-9)
Ohio ( 1)
Tennessee (2-3)
Wisconsin (0-3)
Total: 41-52
Breakout of Winter Weather Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):
Alabama (1-4)
–4 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–1 Traffic. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, 13.
Georgia ( 2)
–2 Traffic. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, 13.
Illinois ( 2)
–2 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–1 Chicago area, Feb 5. Car “skidded off an icy road…police said.” Young woman, 16.[3]
–1 Cook Co., SW, IL-7. Vehicular, attributable to storm; station wagon hit by van; female, 37.[4]
Iowa ( 3)
–3 State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–2 State. Feb 4-5. National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 12.
–1 State. Feb 4-5 National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 9.
Breakout of weather-related fatalities by county:
–1 Center Point, Feb 4. Car hits man changing tire on trailer, partly on road due to snowdrift.[5]
–1 Des Moines, Feb 4. Exposure/hypothermia; woman “wandered away from her residence.”[6]
–1 Jasper Co., Feb 5. Exposure; woman stranded in car attempts to walk to safety.[7] Snelson.[8]
Maine ( 2)
–2 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–2 “Icy roads, exposure or carbon monoxide poisoning killed two people in Maine…” UPI.[9]
Minnesota ( 16)
–16 State. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Famous Winter Storms. ©2018.
–16 State. Feb 4-5. National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 9.
–16 State. Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
Breakout of fatalities by locality where noted.
–6 Windom, Hwy-60, found Feb 5. Hypothermia; Mother, father, three children, grandmother.[10]
–2 Elderly couple after leaving snow-stranded car, seeking shelter.[11]
–2 2nd elderly couple dies after leaving snow-stranded car seeking shelter.[12]
–6 Separate incidents of snow-stranded motorists leaving their cars.[13]
Mississippi (0-1)
–1 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–? Looked at Laurel Leader Call paper for dates in question and did not find a weather death.
Missouri (0-2)
–2 Traffic. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, 13.
–? Have seen no MO press reporting on traffic accidents this timeframe; none noted weather as factor.
Nebraska ( 1)
–1 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–1 Bellevue, Feb 5. CO poisoning, loose chimney flue lets furnace exhaust into home.[14]
New York (2-3)
–3 Central. Feb 5. National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 16.
–2 Wilmington, Feb 5. Mother and daughter deaths noted “due to snow-covered roads.”[15]
North Carolina (0-1)
–1 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–? Tried unsuccessfully to find the fatality referenced in NC newspapers.
North Dakota (7-9)
–9 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–7 AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, p. 13.
–7 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–5 National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 9.
Breakout of fatalities by locality:
–4 Fargo Airport area, Feb 4/5. CO poisoning in car after collision; car kept running for heat.[16]
–1 Fredonia, Feb 4/5. Exposure; man left snow-stranded truck seeking shelter; became lost.[17]
–2 Sanborn area, Feb 4/5. Occupants of car hit from behind by semi; icy road; zero visibility.[18]
Ohio ( 1)
–1 Xenia area, Feb 5. “…pileup of 30 to 40 vehicles…on ice-glazed Interstate 71…”[19]
Tennessee (2-3)
–3 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–2 AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, p. 13.
–1 Traffic
–1 Exposure
Wisconsin (0-3)
–3 United Press Int. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2.
–? Could not locate report of weather-related deaths in WI newspapers for this timeframe.
Fatalities by Cause of Death (where noted):
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ( 5)
–1 NE, Bellevue, Feb 5. CO poisoning, loose chimney flue lets furnace exhaust into home.
–4 ND, Fargo AP area, Feb 4/5. CO poisoning in car after collision; car kept running for heat.
Exposure/Hypothermia (20)
–1 IA, Des Moines, Feb 4. Exposure/hypothermia; woman “wandered away from her residence.”
–1 IA, Jasper Co., Feb 5. Exposure; woman stranded in car attempts to walk to safety. Snelson.
–6 MN, Windom, Hwy-60, found Feb 5. Hypothermia; Mother, father, 3 children, grandmother.
–2 MN. Elderly couple after leaving snow-stranded car, seeking shelter.
–2 MN. 2nd elderly couple dies after leaving snow-stranded car seeking shelter.
–6 MN. Separate incidents of snow-stranded motorists leaving their cars.
–1 ND, Fredonia, Feb 4/5. Exposure; man left snow-stranded truck seeking shelter; became lost.
–1 TN. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, p. 13.
Vehicular (16)
–1 AL. Traffic. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, 13.
–2 GA. Traffic. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, 13.
–1 IL, Chicago area, Feb 5. Car “skidded off an icy road…police said.” Young woman, 16.
–1 IL, Cook Co., SW, IL-7. Vehicular, attributable to storm; station wagon hit by van; female, 37.
–1 IA, Center Point, Feb 4. Car hits man changing tire on trailer, partly on road due to snowdrift.
–2 ME. “Icy roads, exposure or carbon monoxide poisoning killed two people in Maine…”
–2 MO. Traffic. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, 13.
–2 NY, Wilmington, Feb 5. Mother and daughter deaths noted “due to snow-covered roads.”
–2 ND, Sanborn area, Feb 4/5. Occupants of car hit from behind by semi; icy road; zero visibility.
–1 OH, Xenia area, Feb 5. “…pileup of 30 to 40 vehicles…on ice-glazed Interstate 71…”
–1 TN. AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, p. 13.
Narrative Information (General)
Feb 6: “Blowing snow and a new surge of arctic air immobilized much of the Plains Sunday [Feb 5] with blizzard conditions that killed at least 22 people and stranded thousands more. Hundreds of motorists were rescued by the National Guard.
“The latest installment of this winter’s big chill drove temperatures below zero and trapped cars along highways as winds gusting to 60 mph created near-whiteouts. The cold air was forecast to reach as far south as Texas, with snow spreading from the Great Lakes.
“An estimated 800 motorists, caught by surprise, were stranded Saturday night in motels, restaurants, schools and armories in a 50-mile stretch along Interstate 90 from Sioux Falls, S.D., to Worthington, Minn. The mercury in both states plunged to 16 below overnight….” (Associated Press. “22 dead as blizzard spreads across much of the Midwest.” The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA 2-6-1984, 3A.)
Narrative Information (Alphabetical by State)
Alabama
NCDC: “North and Central Alabama. [Feb[ 5 AFTN…Wind/snow….Some, mostly minor, wind damage occurred as strong northwest winds spread much colder air over the area. In Franklin County, falling trees downed some power-lines and sheet metal roofing was torn off one building. Winds gusted to 45 mph at the NWS office on the Huntsville/Madison County airport at 1414CST and to 42 mph at the NWS office in Birmingham around 1545CST. Most of the snow occurring in the colder air was blown off the roads. However, some icing did develop during the night, especially over the higher elevations of northeast Alabama. Scottsboro, in Jackson County, reported 3 inches of snow on the ground at 0500 CST on the 6th.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 10.
Feb 6 reports: “….Accumulations ranging from 2 to 6 inches [snow] closed roads and schools in Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina.” (UPI. “Storms Toll At Least 28.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD. 2-6-1984, p. 1.)
“….Sheets of ice closed some highways in Alabama and Georgia.” (Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “Blizzard Kills 23 in Midwest.” 2-6-1984, p. 3.)
“….Record lows were reported in Louisiana and Alabama.” (AP. “Snow, cold kill 31. Storm invades New England.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 2-6-1984, p. 1, City Edition.)
Feb 7 report: “….Alabama…got 4 inches of snow in the north, closing highways….” (AP. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, p. 13.)
Arkansas
NCDC: “Arkansas. Statewide [Feb] 5…0800CST-1600CST…Wind….A strong arctic cold front pushed into northern Arkansas early in the morning and progressed through the remainder of the State during the day. Winds behind the front were strong and northerly with many gusts over 40 mph. Top gusts of 49 mph were recorded at Blytheville and Harrison. The gradient winds knocked down trees, signs, utility poles, and broke plate glass windows. Other structures that sustained wind damage were poultry houses and buildings with sheet metal roofing.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 10.)
Georgia
Feb 6 report: “….Temperatures tumbled into the teens overnight in northern Georgia and up to four inches of snow was reported today in Jasper, with an inch on the ground in Athens and Atlanta. State police warned against all but essential travel in the northern third of the state….” (AP. “27 deaths blamed on storm; South, East now seeing fury.” New Mexican, Santa Fe, 2-6-1984, A7.)
Iowa
NCDC: “Iowa…Polk County…[Feb] 4…1 [killed]…Cold and Wind…A woman in Des Moines apparently died of exposure and hypothermia after wandering away from her residence. She had been living at a halfway house for the mentally disabled, and was discovered to be missing about 5 p.m. on the 4th. She was not found until the 10th…in a deep, brush ravine near the county hospital…” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 12.)
NCDC: “Iowa…Statewide…[Feb] 4 Evening – 5 Afternoon…1 [killed]…Blizzard…Very high winds combined with a brief period of heavy snow brought blizzard or near-blizzard conditions to most of Iowa over the first weekend of the month. A cold front moving down from the north Saturday evening was accompanied by a short initial ‘burst of snow, leaving about an inch in only 15-30 minutes in many areas. Another 2 to 3 inches fell before the event was over. High winds with and behind the front and temperatures at or below zero produced hazardous conditions; the cold, winds and snow created poor visibility and bitter wind chill. Many motorists were stranded by the blizzard and more than a few had to abandon their vehicles and seek better shelter. At least three people suffered frostbite. Unexpected overnight guests were to be found in restaurants and truck-stops, homes, schools and even churches, especially in Northwest Iowa. Winds accelerated to 30-45 miles an hour in a short time, and a gust of 62 mph recorded at the Des Moines airport in the early morning hours was not unusual in this storm.
“A person in Jasper County died early Sunday morning [5th] as a result of the storm. One woman, after sustaining minor injuries in driving her car off the road and into a ditch, walked three quarters of a mile to a farmhouse. No one was home, and the woman was apparently unable to get in. She was found just off the porch near the door, and the cause of death was reported as exposure by the county medical examiner.” (NCDC. Storm Data, V. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 12.)
Iowa Newspaper
Feb 4-5: “The best place to be late Saturday night and Sunday morning was home in bed. Those stuck outside had a rough time of it. A fast-moving blizzard with high winds and snow surprised Iowans and turned many a drive home into a treacherous trip. Less than an inch of snow was reported at Ottumwa airport, but that tiny amount was whipped into dangerous drifts by wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour. The high winds also left much of Albia in the dark Sunday morning. About 70 percent of the Monroe County city’s homes were without electricity from 1:45 to 6:45 a.m….” (Ottumwa Courier, IA. “Surprise blizzard closes roads.” 2-6-1984, p. 1.)
Kentucky
NCDC: “Western, South-Central, and Eastern Kentucky…[Feb] 5 1500CST…Snowstorm…A 5-9 inch snowfall fell over South-Central, Eastern and Western Kentucky. Snow coupled with winds up to 40 miles an hour forced visibility to near zero and caused considerable blowing and drifting. Police and motorists in Western Kentucky endured what they described as whiteout conditions. Bitter cold temperatures during the storm plunged windchill indices down to 15 degrees below zero. The storm wreaked havoc on Interstate 65 causing a 15 mile backup at one point, north of Smith’s Grove. A few injury accidents were reported. Dozens of motorists were stranded when their autos slid off the road into ditches. Many school districts were closed. The Lake Cumberland area (Clinton County) recorded the heaviest snowfall amounts ranging 8 to 9 inches with drifts to 15 inches.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 13.)
Minnesota
NCDC: “West…[Feb] 4/5 Afternoon through Morning…16 [killed]…Blizzard…Blizzard conditions began in the extreme northwest corner of Minnesota around 1400 CST on February 4th. Blizzard conditions spread south at approximately 50 miles an hour reaching the Iowa border between 2000 CST and 2100 CST. Strong winds were channeled and therefore blizzard conditions enhanced through the Red River Valley into the Minnesota River Valley and along Buffalo Ridge in the southwest corner of the state. The onset of the blizzard was sudden and caught many off guard. Snowfall was light and accumulations reached only an inch or two but the wind increased instantaneously to 50 miles per hour with gusts to 80 miles per hour, the effect of which was described as a wall of white. Visibility was reduced to nothing and the wind chill index dropped to 70 below. The blizzard left everything immobilized in its path. Newspaper articles accounted for over 380 individuals that were stranded in cars, fish houses and in the open until the following day. Drifts reached heights of 10 feet in Watonwan and Cottonwood counties. Although the National Guard was able to rescue about 80 people with the use of a crawler type vehicle, most rescue attempts had to be delayed due to the severe cold and lack of visibility. In some cases people became lost or disoriented on snowmobiles and near their cars. It took 6 to 8 hours for conditions to improve enough to permit rescue attempts in the northwest and as much as 12 to 14 hours in the southwest. Some were stranded in cars up to 17 hours. Rescue operations continued around Butterfield until 1500 CST on February 5th. Sixteen people died after becoming stuck or stalled in their automobiles in west central and southwest Minnesota. In separate cases two elderly couples died after leaving their cars. In one case the couple became separated and disoriented and in the other case the couple became lost near their farm. A family of six became stranded on Highway 60 east of Windom around 2000 CST of February 4t6h. A rescue team got the family to a hospital late the following morning but all eventually died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ice had formed around their car’s exhaust. Five other deaths were attributed to individuals abandoned their automobiles and another elderly man died from weather related causes near his car. There were numerous cases of frostbite, some of which required hospitalization.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 15.)
New York
NCDC: “New York, Central….Eastern New York…[Feb] 5 PM…3 [killed]…Snowstorm…A severe snowstorm hit Eastern New York on the afternoon of the 5th. The Mid-Hudson Valley around the Orange/Ulster County line was hard hit. Over 6 inches of snow fell in the area, causing several car accidents and power line failures. 7 persons were injured at New Paltz (Ulster County) when their bus slid off a snow-covered road. A mother and her daughter were also killed in Wilmington, Essex County due to snow-covered roads. In Poestenkill, Rensselaer County, 1,300 homes were without power due to heavy snow. And over 10,000 were without power in the Mid-Hudson Valley.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 16.)
North Dakota
NCDC: “North Dakota…East…[Feb] 4 Afternoon…5 [killed]…Blizzard…A blizzard with extremely strong winds (gusts to 59 mph at Fargo in Cass County; 56 mph at Grand Forks in Grand Forks County and 52 mph at Jamestown in Stutsman County) and light snowfall of about one inch paralyzed Eastern North Dakota. During the blizzard, temperatures dropped to 20 to 20 below zero and wind chill temperatures were around 70 below zero. Numerous roads, including I-94 east of Jamestown and I-29 south of Hillsboro (Traill County), were drifted shut.
“Several thousand persons became stranded in cars, shopping centers, schools, churches and motels. Four persons died near the Fargo airport from carbon monoxide poisoning after their car struck another vehicle and the driver kept the engine running to use the heater. A man died of exposure near Fredonia (Logan County) when he left his stranded truck and became lost in the storm. Two people died near Sanborn (Barnes County) when their car was hit from behind by a semi-trailer on an icy highway during zero visibility. Several people suffered frostbite injuries, numerous accidents occurred due to icy roads and poor visibilities, plane flights were cancelled, bus service suspended, the metal roofing was ripped from a bank in Grand Forks, and a small plane was flipped over at Larimore (Grand Forks County).” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 17.)
South Dakota
NCDC: “South Dakota…Northeast & East Central…[Feb] 4 1700-[Feb] 5 1200 CST…Blizzard …A fast moving blizzard pounded the northeast and east central with light snow and raging winds. Snow amounts were generally less than two inches region-wide. As the storm progressed, temperatures dropped thirty degrees in three hours and winds gusted to 70 mph. Fierce winds struck quickly, plummeting visibilities to zero and making travel difficult in a matter of minutes. No travel was advised in Roberts, eastern Marshall, eastern Day Counties. Hundreds of travelers became marooned in the white-out and the highway crews were pulled off roads to wait for abating winds. Andover (Day County) had a 4-5 hour power outage as a result of the strong winds.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 19.)
Sources
Associated Press. “22 dead as blizzard spreads across much of the Midwest.” The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA 2-6-1984, 3A. Accessed 12-6-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-feb-06-1984-p-6/
Associated Press. “27 deaths blamed on storm; South, East now seeing fury.” New Mexican, Santa Fe, 2-6-1984, A7. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-fe-new-mexican-feb-06-1984-p-23/
Associated Press. “Body of .M. woman found.” The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, 2-12-1984, 6A. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-feb-12-1984-p-12/
Associated Press. “Cold follows killer storm.” Ottumwa Courier, IA. 2-6-1984, p. 1. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-courier-feb-06-1984-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold wave eases, citrus crop spared.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 2-7-1984, p. 13. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/franklin-news-herald-feb-07-1984-p-13/
Associated Press. “Death toll rises from storm.” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 2-6-1984, p. 16. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/roswell-daily-record-feb-06-1984-p-16/
Associated Press. “Snow, cold kill 31. Storm invades New England.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 2-6-1984, p. 1, City Edition. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-feb-06-1984-p-142/
Daily Republican Register, IL and Associated Press. “Sunday snowstorm creates ‘rinks’.” 2-6-1984, p. 1. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-carmel-daily-republican-register-feb-06-1984-p-1/
Evening Telegram, Herkimer, NY. “Around the State. Empire State Weather,” 2-6-1984, p. 2. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/herkimer-evening-telegram-feb-06-1984-p-2/
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Famous Winter Storms. ©2018. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/summaries_and_publications/winter_storms.html
National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984. Asheville, NC: NCDC, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accessed 12-6-2018 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html
Ottumwa Courier, IA. “Surprise blizzard closes roads.” 2-6-1984, p. 1. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-courier-feb-06-1984-p-1/
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “Drunk driving charge filed after fatal accident in Linn.” 2-6-1984, p. 3-A. Accessed 12-6-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-feb-06-1984-p-6/
Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “Blizzard Kills 23 in Midwest.” 2-6-1984, p. 3. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tyrone-daily-herald-feb-06-1984-p-3/
United Press International. “Cold hits citrus crops.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 2-7-1984, p. 2. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-feb-07-1984-p-2/
United Press International (John C. Shelton). “National Guard troops dug out hundreds of stranded motorists…” 2-5-1984. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/02/05/National-Guard-troops-dug-out-hundreds-of-stranded-motorists/2303444805200/
United Press International. “Milder weather returns.” Key West Citizen.” 2-8-1984, p. 2. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/key-west-citizen-feb-08-1984-p-2/
United Press International. “Nightmarish blizzard blamed for 23 deaths. Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. 2-6-1984, p. 1. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago-feb-06-1984-p-1/
United Press International. “Storms Toll At Least 28.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD. 2-6-1984, p. 1. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-feb-06-1984-p-1/
West Fargo Pioneer/Emily Driscoll. “In a 1984 blizzard, 4 trapped motorists died on this Fargo road. City officials haven’t forgotten.” 1-12-2018. Accessed 12-7-2018 at: https://www.westfargopioneer.com/news/weather/4386905-1984-blizzard-4-trapped-motorists-died-fargo-road-city-officials-havent
[1] We have independently been able to fairly confidently confirm forty-one fatalities. We do not doubt the reports by the UPI of at least 47 deaths, but we have not been able to locate specific reporting on each one. If one adds death tolls reported by State one derives fifty-two. Thus we set a range of 47-52.
[2] “At least 47 people from North Dakota to Alabama died in the ensuing snow, ice and cold…”
[3] AP. “22 dead as blizzard spreads across much of the Midwest.” The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA 2-6-1984, 3A. Another source notes the young woman was 16 and was from suburban Chicago. (Associated Press. “27 deaths blamed on storm; South, East now seeing fury.” New Mexican, Santa Fe, 2-6-1984, A7.)
[4] Victim identified as Beth A. Jones, 37, of Waukesha, WI. One son was critically injured and husband and another son hurt. (AP and Daily Republican Register, IL. “Sunday snowstorm creates ‘rinks’.” 2-6-1984, p. 1.)
[5] The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “Drunk driving charge filed after fatal accident in Linn.” 2-6-1984, p. 3-A.
[6] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 12. The residence was “a halfway house for the mentally disabled.” Body was not located until Feb 10. Victim identified as Barbara Snyder, 48, whose body was found about two miles from the halfway house. (AP. “Body of .M. woman found.” The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA, 2-12-1984, 6A.)
[7] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 12.
[8] Victim identified as Cindy Jo Snelson, 19, whose body was found ¾ of mile from her storm-stranded car. The same source notes that overnight temperatures in several named locations ranged from 7 below to 15 below zero. (Associated Press. “Cold follows killer storm.” Ottumwa Courier, IA. 2-6-1984, p. 1.)
[9] United Press International. “Storms Toll Art Least 28.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-6-1984, p. 1.
[10] United Press Int. (John C. Shelton). “National Guard troops dug out hundreds of stranded motorists…” 2-5-1984.
[11] United Press Int. (John C. Shelton). “National Guard troops dug out hundreds of stranded motorists…” 2-5-1984.
[12] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 15.
[13] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 15.
[14] Victim was 9-year-old child; four family members hospitalized. (UPI. “Storms Toll At Least 28.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 2-6-1984, p. 1.)
[15] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 16. Newspaper notes the daughter was 2. (Evening Telegram, Herkimer, NY. “Around the State. Empire State Weather,” 2-6-1984, p. 2.)
[16] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 17. Victims identified as Robert Hughes, 50, Bradley Hughes, 13, Dean Stansfield, 14, and Charles Royce, 13. (West Fargo Pioneer/Emily Driscoll. “In a 1984 blizzard, 4 trapped motorists died on this Fargo road. City officials haven’t forgotten.” 1-12-2018.) Notes “Six-foot drifts moved in as they waited out the storm, blocking the car’s muffler and causing carbon monoxide poisoning in all of them.”
[17] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 17.
[18] National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 26, No. 2, Feb 1984, p. 17. This could be reference to report of a father and son “killed in crash on snow-slick roads.” (UPI. “Nightmarish blizzard blamed for 23 deaths. Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. 2-6-1984, p. 1.)
[19] AP. “22 dead as blizzard spreads across much of the Midwest.” The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA 2-6-1984, 3A.