2019 — Jan 28-Feb 2, Polar cold/snow/ice, esp. upper Mid-West, esp. IL/8, IA/NY/5 –30-31
-30-31 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below.[1]
— >27 AP. “More than two dozen weather-related deaths result from Polar Vortex.” Fox 17, 2-1-2019.
— >25 AP. “Death toll from polar plunge tops 25, including Chaska woman.” 2-1-2019.
— >24 AP. “More than 24 dead, hundreds hurt after polar vortex strikes.” Star Advertiser, 2-3-2019.
— 23 CNN. “A FedEx worker found dead at a delivery facility…one of 23 killed…” 2-1-2019.
— 22 CBS News. “Polar vortex blamed for at least 22 deaths in 8 States.” 2-1-2019.
— 21 BBC News. “Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.” 2-1-2019.
Summary of Winter Weather-Related Deaths by State (as described below):
Illinois ( 8)
Indiana ( 4)
Iowa (4-5)
Michigan ( 4)
Minnesota ( 1)
Nebraska ( ?)
New York ( 5)
Ohio ( 1)
Vermont ( 1)
Wisconsin ( 2)
Total 30-31
Breakout of Winter Weather Related Deaths by State (and locality, where noted):
Illinois ( 8)
–1 Chicago area; Man hit and killed by snow plow.[2]
–1 Chicago, Belmont Terrace, North Page Ave, Jan 30. Cold exposure; Barbara Sromek, 66.[3]
–1 Chicago, Edison Park section, Feb 1. Coronary disease; cold exposure contributing; Czech, 62.[4]
–1 Chicago, Portage Park, Jan 31. Cold exposure; Joanne O’Donnell, 73.[5]
–1 Chicago, South Side Brainerd area, Jan 31. Cold exposure contribution; Jimmie Flewellen, 92.[6]
–1 East Moline, Jan 31. FedEx worker found dead onsite; death blamed on cold;[7] William L. Murphy, 69.[8]
–1 Glenview. Lizette Lane (north of Chicago), Feb 1. Exposure; Adair Gerstein, 72.[9]
–1 Libertyville, Jan 28. Hit by snowplow at the end of his driveway; Donald Anderson, 75.[10]
–1 Marquette Heights, Jan 29. Exposure; male, 82, fell outside his home; found hours later.[11]
–1 Pekin, Jan 29. Died after found outside home suffering from hypothermia, later died, male, 82.[12]
Indiana ( 4)
–2 Cromwell area, Jan 28. SUV spins into path of another SUV on icy road; Ethan and Shawna Kiser.[13]
–1 Monrovia area, I-70, Feb 1. Car hits INDOT salt truck on roadside; Robert Lange, 59.[14]
–1 Muncie, Jan 29. Body of male, 59, found in his driveway; cold weather suspected.[15]
Iowa (4-5)
–4-5 Blanchard estimate.[16]
— 6 Traffic crashes. NYT (Smith et al.). “Extreme Cold Weather Spreads East.” 1-31-2019.[17]
Breakout of Iowa weather-related fatalities by locality:
–1? Avoca and Walnut area, I-81, Jan 28. Semi rear-ends car; state patrol noted icy roads.[18]
–1 Cass Co., I-80, Jan 27. Freezing rain/icy conditions; vehicle goes into ditch; J. Tavares.[19]
–1 Coralville, I-80, Jan 31. Multivehicle collision; ice and snow covered road; William Hicks, 72.[20]
–1 Des Moines, I-80, Jan 28. Car crash on icy interstate; Joshua Peterson,[21] 31.[22]
–1 Iowa City, University of Iowa, near Halsey Hall, Jan 30. Exposure; student Gerald Belz.[23]
Michigan ( 4)
–1 Detroit, Jan 30. Exposure, Male, 70, found frozen to death in his neighborhood; sub-zero°.[24]
–1 East Lansing, Jan 30. Exposure? Male, 60, found dead outdoors.[25]
–1 Ecorse, Jan 29-30. Exposure; found dead in front of his home; Gary Sammons, 70.[26]
–1 Three Rivers, Jan 30. Exposure after locking herself out of home; Ada Salna, 90.[27]
Minnesota ( 1)
–1 Carver Co., Parley Lake Rd., Jan 28. Police find car off road; body outside; Amy Debower, 46.[28]
Nebraska ( ?)
–1 Cass County, Jan 27. Vehicle on icy road lost traction and rolled into ditch.[29]
New York ( 5)
–2 Elba, Route 98, Feb 2. Collision; driver loses control of vehicle on snow-covered road; Nortons.[30]
–1 Hamburg, Buffalo area, Jan 31. Apparent heart attack “while using a snowblower…”[31]
–1 Tonawanda, Buffalo area, Jan 31. Apparent heart attack “after shoveling.”[32]
–1 Williamsville ~Buffalo, Jan 31. Froze to death in bus shelter; homeless man; Lawrence Bierl, 69.[33]
Ohio ( 1)
–1 Lorain, ~Jan 30. Likely hypothermia; woman, 60, found dead in abandoned house; sub-zero°.[34]
Vermont ( 1)
–1 Burlington, Feb 2 (body found in snow). Exposure? Univ. of VE student, Connor Gage, 19.[35]
Wisconsin ( 2)
–1 Milwaukee, Jan 29. Exposure; apparently collapsed after shoveling snow; Charley Lampley, 55.[36]
–1 Milwaukee, Jan 30. Hypothermia? Woman, 38, found frozen in unheated apt., broken thermostat.[37]
Narrative Information — General
Jan 28: Winter Storm Jayden[38] tore into the South and East Tuesday, closing schools and government offices, forcing the cancelation of more than 1,300 flights and triggering states of emergency in several states. The storm has been responsible for at least three deaths. Two people were killed in separate crashes along sections of Interstate 80 in western Iowa made icy by Winter Storm Jayden.
“One woman was killed and two other passengers were injured when a semi-trailer rear-ended a car between Avoca and Walnut Monday morning. The accident was reported about 8 a.m. and state patrol confirmed roads were icy at the time. Iowa State Patrol identified 50-year-old Antonieta Altamirano Serrano of Bountiful, Utah, as the woman killed in the crash.
“A 9-year-old boy was killed in a single car accident Sunday evening in when the vehicle he was in slid off the highway because of slick conditions and rolled into a ditch in Case County. Iowa State Patrol identified the boy as Joshua Tavares of Grand Island, Nebraska. Seven other people in the vehicle we also injured and taken to Cars County Memorial Hospital, according to an Iowa State Patrol crash report.
“A snowplow hit and killed a man Monday morning in Libertyville, a suburb north of Chicago, the Sun-Times reported. No other details about the victim were released.
“As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,300 flights had been canceled, according to Flight Aware. On Monday, the storm forced the cancelation of more than 2,500 flights….”
(The Weather Channel (Ron Brackett and Pan Wright). “Winter Storm Jayden: More Than 1,300 Flights Canceled, State Offices and Schools Closed in Midwest, South; 3 Dead,”)
Jan 28: “Back to back cold fronts will slice through the eastern two-thirds of the country to deliver one of the coldest arctic air intrusions in recent memory, especially from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, the National Weather Service warns. From Tuesday through Thursday, January 29 – 31, 2019 expect frigid temperatures and bitterly cold wind chills, likely leading to widespread record lows and low maximum temperatures.
“On Tuesday, very cold high pressure over West-Central Canada will move southeastward into Northern Plains by Wednesday morning. The high will bring very cold temperatures to the Upper Midwest with wind chills between -48 and -51 °C (-60 and -55 °F) over parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley, NWS forecaster Ziegenfelder notes.
“The worst of this impressive arctic airmass will affect the north-central U.S. with record-breaking temperatures and extreme wind chills on Thursday, January 31. However, it’s not expected to stick around for long as a moderating trend is expected immediately after.
“The frigid air unleashed by the polar vortex in the Midwest will expand into the Northeast this week, bringing the coldest air for the region thus far in 2019, AccuWeather meteorologist Courtney Spamer said. Temperatures will begin to plummet from the Ohio Valley to the interior Northeast on Tuesday and Tuesday night, then to coastal areas on Wednesday….” (Blašković, Teo. “NWS: One of the coldest Arctic air intrusions in recent memory, widespread record lows expected, U.S.” The Watchers, 1-28-2019.)
Jan 31: “Chicago — Midwesterners trudged ahead Thursday [Jan 31] into a familiar, grim reality: temperatures well below zero, schools and businesses closed, stern warnings to wear extra layers or, better yet, just stay indoors. The polar vortex that arrived earlier this week has for days disrupted life across an entire region. Deaths and injuries were reported. Decades-old records fell. And, for one more day, even stepping outside remained a painful, risky experience. But the forecast finally suggested relief ahead. By Thursday night, temperatures across much of the Midwest were expected to poke above zero. By the end of the weekend, meteorologists predicted as much as a 70- or 80-degree swing, with balmy-for-February readings in the 40s or 50s and rain instead of snow.
“Still, risks remained. A band of snow complicated travel on Thursday, and in the Northeast, officials warned of their own cold wave, with heavy snow in some places and subzero wind chills in others. At least 21 deaths are believed to be related to the bitter weather system, government officials say, including that of a University of Iowa student who was found behind an academic hall several hours before dawn on Wednesday.
“A weather observer in Mount Carroll, Ill., recorded a temperature of minus 38 on Thursday morning. If confirmed by state officials, that would become Illinois’s record low, supplanting the previous record of minus 36.
“The sustained cold taxed energy systems across the Midwest, leading to some power failures and urgent calls to customers to reduce the heat in their homes.
“Many schools, businesses and restaurants remained shuttered on Thursday, though some offices were reopening and many more were expected to reopen Friday.
“By Thursday evening, airlines had canceled more than 2,300 flights in the United States, according to FlightAware. On Wednesday, cancellations topped 2,700.
“The East Coast was feeling the bitter cold, too. Temperatures barely broke the double digits in New York City….
“Since Sunday [Jan 27], local authorities have said that at least 21 deaths appeared to be connected to the weather, though some were still being investigated and precise causes remained unknown. Among those who have perished, according to local police, fire officials, coroners and other officials: Four men — in Illinois, Wisconsin and two in Michigan — who were found frozen near their homes; six people who died in traffic crashes in Iowa; a pedestrian hit with a snowplow in Libertyville, Ill.; a man found dead between two FedEx trucks at a distribution center in East Moline, Ill.; and a woman found frozen to death inside a Milwaukee apartment after the thermostat malfunctioned.
“In the Buffalo area, one person died Thursday while using a snowblower and another was found dead after shoveling. Earlier in the week, a married couple in their 20s in Indiana died in a car crash, a man in Milwaukee was found dead in his garage after shoveling and a man died of hypothermia in Evanston, Ill.
“In Williamsville, N.Y., outside Buffalo, a homeless man was pronounced dead after being discovered inside a bus shelter on Thursday morning. Helen Tederous, a spokeswoman for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, which is investigating the death, said that the man, Lawrence Bierl, 69, had been a fixture in suburban Buffalo for years. “He was a real gentle soul,” she said. “He would talk to people a lot. People got to know him.” An official cause of death had not been determined, but Ms. Tederous and a county official said it appeared to be related to the cold.
“Officials told of harrowing rescues and perilous situations. Some people resorted to dangerous means to keep warm. In Wheeling, Ill., nine people, including a 2-month-old infant, were hospitalized for carbon monoxide exposure on Wednesday after a family used a charcoal grill to heat their home. Keith MacIsaac, the Wheeling fire chief, said in an email that the family’s furnace was working, but that they used the grill for additional warmth. All nine people were taken to hospitals and expected to survive. ‘If this had occurred at night when people are sleeping, this easily could have resulted in nine fatalities,’ Chief MacIsaac said….
“At least two cities in Illinois and one in Iowa reached record lows overnight, as a dangerously deep freeze kept its hold on the Midwest. In Rockford, Ill., temperatures dipped to minus 31, breaking a previous record of minus 27 from Jan. 10, 1982. Moline, Ill., on the border with Iowa, also broke a record, reaching minus 33 on Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, set a record of minus 30. Chicago did not reach a record low overnight — the previous record was minus 27, from Jan. 20, 1985. But the city was expected to be hit with one to three inches of snow on Thursday, beginning in the late afternoon and stretching into the evening….
“The cold was especially risky for those surrounded by water. The Coast Guard used air boats to rescue seven people stranded in an ice shanty off the coast of Sturgeon Bay, Wis. And on Mackinac Island, Mich., where the dangerous weather made plane travel impossible, another Coast Guard ship sliced through the ice to rescue a woman needing medical attention….
“In Minnesota, Xcel Energy asked customers to conserve power and reduce their thermostats to 63 degrees or 60 degrees, depending on their location. Xcel also paid for hotel rooms for customers who lost their gas supply in Princeton, Minn., where the temperature on Thursday morning was minus 35….
“The extremely low temperatures this week in parts of the United States stand in sharp contrast to the trend toward warmer winters. But they may also be a result of warming. Emerging research suggests that a warming Arctic is causing changes in the jet stream and pushing polar air down to latitudes that are unaccustomed to them and often unprepared. Hence this week’s atypical chill over large swaths of the Northeast and Midwest….” (New York Times/Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman, Monica Davey). “Extreme Cold Weather Spreads East.” 1-31-2019.)
Feb 1: “At least 21 people have died in one of the worst cold snaps to hit the US Midwest in decades. Ninety million people — a third of the US — have seen temperatures of -17C (0F) or below. Some 250 million Americans overall have experienced the ‘polar vortex’ conditions. Hospitals have been treating patients reporting frostbite as parts of the country ground to a halt. Temperatures are expected to swing to above average over the weekend. Homeless people have been particularly at risk, with warming shelters set up across cities….” (BBC News. “Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.” 2-1-2019.)
Feb 2: “Chicago (AP) — The dangerous cold and heavy snow that hobbled the northern U.S. this week has retreated, but not before exacting a human toll: more than two dozen weather-related deaths in eight states and hundreds of injuries, including frostbite, broken bones, heart attacks and carbon monoxide poisoning.
“In Illinois alone, hospitals reported more than 220 cases of frostbite and hypothermia since Tuesday, when the polar vortex moved in and overnight temperatures plunged to minus 30 (minus 34 Celsius) or lower — with wind chills of minus 50 (minus 45 Celsius) or worse in some areas.
“Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis normally sees around 30 frostbite patients in an entire winter. It admitted 18 in the past week, spokeswoman Christine Hill said Friday. ‘I definitely saw more frostbite than I’ve ever seen in my entire career just in the last three days,’ said Dr. Andrea Rowland-Fischer, an emergency department physician at Hennepin Healthcare. Most of those patients, she said, had underlying problems that made it difficult for them to take care of themselves: the developmentally delayed, the mentally ill, the very young and the very old. They also included people with injuries related to drugs and alcohol — people who passed out or did not realize they were cold or injured. ‘It’s heartbreaking when there are people who can’t take care of themselves and get exposed, just because they either escape from the care that they’re being given or because they’re not being supervised.’
“Others got frostbite on their way to work after being exposed to the cold for a short time, often on their hands, feet, ears and face. That included people whose cars would not start or who got stuck outside for other reasons, as well as those who just did not think they could get frostbitten so quickly and went outside without gloves or other protective gear. Several required “maximal treatment,” admission to the hospital’s burn unit for therapies that include drugs to restore circulation to try to avoid amputations. Some of them will probably still require amputations, a decision usually made by burn doctors four to 10 days after the injury….
“Another danger was from carbon monoxide. A family of nine in Wheeling, Illinois, about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, was taken to local hospitals after heating their home with a charcoal grill. In Rockford, Illinois, four people were treated because they had warmed up cars in a closed garage or because a furnace vent became blocked by ice and snow.
“The snow that accompanied the cold also caused problems. In Raymond, New Hampshire, the driver of a state Department of Transportation vehicle was struck in the head Thursday after ice and snow flew off a truck ahead and broke through the windshield. The driver was hospitalized with a laceration to the head and other possible injuries.
“In just a two-day period, Tuesday and Wednesday, Mercyhealth in Rockford treated 15 people for broken bones from falling on the ice, 10 people who were in car crashes caused by snow and eight people who complained of chest pain or shortness of breath from shoveling snow, hospital officials said. Rockford set a new record low of minus 31 degrees Thursday….
“By Friday, the deep freeze had mostly abated, with temperatures climbing as high as the low 20s (minus 5 or 6 Celsius) in Minneapolis and Chicago. In western North Dakota, the temperature in Dickinson climbed above freezing (0 Celsius) by mid-morning — a jump of nearly 60 degrees compared with Tuesday’s low of minus 17 degrees (minus 27 Celsius).
“The weather was thought to be a factor in at least 27 deaths, including a 90-year-old Michigan woman who died of hypothermia after locking herself out of her home while feeding birds — one of at least nine people who were found outdoors. A motorist also died during a snowstorm Friday after striking a salt truck that had pulled off the side of Interstate 70 in central Indiana. Others died after freezing outdoors or in unheated homes or while shoveling snow.” (Associated Press. “January’s extreme cold caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries nationwide.” WQAD 8, Moline, IL. 2-2-2019.)
District of Columbia Area
Jan 31: “7:20 a.m. – Subzero wind chills and single digit temperatures in coldest morning of the winter. t 7 a.m., temperatures ranged from 5 degrees at Dulles to 6 degrees at BWI Marshall to 10 degrees at Reagan National, but wind chills were between minus-3 and minus-5. The overnight lows at the airport ranged from 10 at National to 6 at BWI to minus-2 at Dulles. None of these were cold enough to be records but are the coldest of the winter so far….” (Washington Post/David Streit. “D.C.-area forecast: Bitter arctic air today with snow showers possible tomorrow.” 1-331-2019.)
Sources
Associated Press. “Authorities: 2 dead in weather-related crash in Indiana.” ABC 57 News, South Bend, IN, 1-29-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://www.abc57.com/news/authorities-2-dead-in-weather-related-crash-in-indiana
Associated Press. “Death toll from polar plunge tops 25, including Chaska woman.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/01/death-toll-from-polar-plunge-tops-25-including-chaska-woman/
Associated Press. “January’s extreme cold caused dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries nationwide.” WQAD 8, Moline, IL. 2-2-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://wqad.com/2019/02/02/januarys-extreme-cold-caused-dozens-of-deaths-and-hundreds-of-injuries-nationwide/
Associated Press, Chicago. “More than 24 dead, hundreds hurt after polar vortex strikes.” Star Advertiser, HI, 2-3-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/02/03/breaking-news/more-than-24-dead-hundreds-hurt-after-polar-vortex-strikes/
Associated Press, Chicago. “More than two dozen weather-related deaths result from Polar Vortex.” Fox 17 News, West Michigan, 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://fox17online.com/2019/02/01/human-toll-of-cold-more-than-2-dozen-dead-hundreds-hurt/
BBC News. “Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47088684
Blašković, Teo. “NWS: One of the coldest Arctic air intrusions in recent memory, widespread record lows expected, U.S.” The Watchers, 1-28-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://watchers.news/2019/01/28/extreme-cold-united-states-january-2019/
Buffalo News (Maki Becker, Keith McShea, Sandra Tan, T.J. Pignataro). “Snowstorm claims three lives as officials look toward warmup, possible flooding.” 1-31-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://buffalonews.com/2019/01/31/on-day-two-of-the-storm-route-400-closed-buffalo-driving-ban-lifted/
CBS News. “Polar vortex blamed for at least 22 deaths in 8 States.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: http://newsvideo.su/video/10215998
Chicago Sun Times (Thomas Czaja). “4th Chicago death attributed to bitter cold snap.” 2-2-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2-cold-deaths-reported-cook-county-upping-total-to-25-since-start-season/
Chicago Sun Times (Tm Schuba). “Brutal cold contributed to 3 deaths in Chicago during polar vortex.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/brutal-cold-contributed-to-3-deaths-in-chicago-during-polar-vortex/
Chicago Sun Times (Luke Wilusz). “Man fatally struck by snowplow in Libertyville.” 1-29-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/man-fatally-struck-by-snowplow-in-libertyville/
Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH (Carissa Woytach). “Coroner says woman found dead in Lorain home likely died of hypothermia.” 1-31-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2019/01/31/Coroner-says-woman-found-dead-in-Lorain-home-likely-died-of-hypothermia.html
CNN. “A FedEx worker found dead at a delivery facility was one of 23 killed in the extreme weather.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/01/us/winter-weather-deaths/index.html?cid=web-alerts&nsid=41950584
Fox 2, Detroit. “Former Ecorse City Councilman found frozen to death outside his home.” 1-30-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: http://www.fox2detroit.com/news/local-news/ecorse-man-found-frozen-to-death-outside-his-home-police
Fox 59, Indianapolis. “IPS teacher killed after crashing into INDOT alt truck in Hendricks County.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://fox59.com/2019/02/01/person-killed-in-crash-involving-indot-salt-truck-passenger-vehicle-on-eb-i-70/
Fox News (Travis Fedschun). “University of Vermont student found dead in snow after taking apparent shortcut, police say.” 2-3-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://www.foxnews.com/us/university-of-vermont-student-found-dead-in-snow-after-taking-apparent-shortcut-police-say
Heart of Illinois ABC. “Elderly man from Marquette Heights dies due to cold exposure.” 1-29-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://hoiabc.com/news/2019/01/29/elderly-man-found-dead-in-peoria-due-to-cold-exposure/
Iowa City Press-Citizen (Aimee Breaux and Hillary Ojeda). “University of Iowa student dies after being found unresponsive during polar vortex.” 1-30-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/education/university-of-iowa/2019/01/30/university-iowa-student-believed-have-died-due-extreme-weather/2723808002/
NBC News. “Deaths of an Indiana man, 59, and woman, 87, investigated as possibly weather-related.” 1-30-2019. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/card/indiana-police-investigate-deaths-man-59-woman-87-possibly-weather-n964701
NECN.com (Sophie Reardon and Kaitlin McKinley Becker). “Police Identify 19-Year-Old Vermont Student Found in Snow.” 2-2-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/19-Year-Old-Student-in-Snow-505253732.html
New York Times (Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman, Monica Davey). “Extreme Cold Weather Spreads East.” 1-31-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/us/weather-polar-vortex.html
News.com.au. “Polar Vortex: Death toll rises as people found frozen to death.” 2-3-2019. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/polar-vortex-death-toll-rises-as-people-found-frozen-to-death/news-story/36e5fd2f697a03b0150cbb982367f1e9
Patch Media (Jessica Strachan), Detroit. “70-year-old Man Found Dead in Michigan’s Subzero Temps.” 1-30-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://patch.com/michigan/detroit/70-year-old-man-found-dead-michigan-s-freezing-temps
Reuters/Jonathan Allen. “Over 20 dead in U.S. polar vortex, frostbite amputations feared.” 1-31-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-weather/u-s-polar-vortex-blamed-for-at-least-21-deaths-idUSKCN1PP13Q
Star Press/Douglas Walker, Muncie, IN. “Two possible weather-related deaths in Delaware County investigated.” 1-30-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2019/01/30/two-possible-weather-related-deaths-delaware-county-investigated/2718901002/
The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “One killed, another hurt after 11-vehicle collision on Interstate 80.” 1-31-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/crash-i-80-west-winter-weather-detour-driving-cold-polar-vortex-iowa-accident-dot-i80-coralville-near-380-20190131
The Weather Channel (Ron Brackett and Drew MacFarlane). “Extreme Cold Blamed for 16 Deaths in Midwest, Northeast; Frostbite Injuries Quickly Adding Up in Chicago.” 2-1-2019. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://weather.com/news/news/2019-01-30-cold-polar-vortex-midwest
The Weather Channel (Ron Brackett and Pan Wright). “Winter Storm Jayden: More Than 1,300 Flights Canceled, State Offices and Schools Closed in Midwest, South; 3 Dead,” 1-28-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://weather.com/news/news/2019-01-28-winter-storm-jayden-impacts-preps
U.S. News & World Report (Alexa Lardieri). “Extreme Cold From Polar Vortex Kills 3 in Wisconsin, Michigan.” 1-30-2010. Accessed 2-1-2019 at: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2019-01-30/extreme-cold-from-polar-vortex-kills-3-in-wisconsin-michigan
Washington Post (David Streit). “D.C.-area forecast: Bitter arctic air today with snow showers possible tomorrow.” 1-331-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/01/31/dc-area-forecast-bitter-arctic-air-today-with-snow-showers-possible-tomorrow/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e0b5ea817f41
Week.com (25 News, Peoria). “Elderly man from Marquette Heights dies due to cold exposure.” 1-29-2019. Accessed 2-2-2019 at: https://week.com/news/2019/01/29/elderly-man-from-marquette-heights-dies-due-to-cold-exposure/
WHO TV (Kelly Maricle), Des Moines, IA. “Icy Roads, Speed Blamed in Fatal Crash on I-80, 1-28-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://whotv.com/2019/01/28/icy-roads-speed-blamed-in-fatal-crash-on-i-80/
WKBW, Buffalo. “Two killed in fatal crash on Route 98 in Genesee County.” 2-2-2019. Accessed 2-3-2019 at: https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/two-killed-in-fatal-crash-on-route-98-in-genesee-county
WKBW 7, Buffalo, NY. “Winter storm blamed for three deaths in Erie County,” 1-31-2019.
Additional Reading
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The science behind the polar vortex. 1-29-2019. Accessed 2-4-2019 at: https://www.noaa.gov/multimedia/infographic/science-behind-polar-vortex
[1] The range has to do with uncertainty whether I-81 semi and car collision on Jan 28 was weather related or not (see footnote for “Avoca and Walnut area” listing). Compiled by B. Wayne Blanchard Jan-Feb 2019 for: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com
[2] BBC News. “Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.” 2-1-2019. Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally. Reporting is of a Chicago area death, which we have not been able to verify. However, we have seen reporting of a snowplow killing a Libertyville man, which is north of Chicago.
[3] Chicago Sun Times (Thomas Czaja). “4th Chicago death attributed to bitter cold snap.” 2-2-2019. Cardiovascular disease and hypothermia noted as contributing factors to environmental cold exposure.
[4] Linda Czech. Chicago Sun Times. “Brutal cold contributed to 3 deaths in Chicago during polar vortex.” 2-1-2019.
[5] Chicago Sun Times. “Brutal cold contributed to 3 deaths in Chicago during polar vortex.” 2-1-2019.
[6] Chicago Sun Times. “Brutal cold contributed to 3 deaths in Chicago during polar vortex.” 2-1-2019.
[7] CNN. “A FedEx worker found dead at a delivery facility was one of 23 killed in the extreme weather.” 2-1-2019.
[8] Name from: News.com.au. “Polar Vortex: Death toll rises as people found frozen to death.” 2-3-2019. Notes East Moline “hit a record low of -36 Celsius.”
[9] Chicago Sun Times (Thomas Czaja). “4th Chicago death attributed to bitter cold snap.” 2-2-2019. Died of “complications of hypothermia and cold exposure. Cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and pulmonary disease were also contributing.”
[10] NBC News. “Deaths of an Indiana man, 59, and woman, 87, investigated as possibly weather-related.” 1-30-2019. Identification of victim is from: Chicago Sun Times (Luke Wilusz). “Man fatally struck by snowplow in Libertyville.” 1-29-2019. NBC News noted the victim was hit at the end of his driveway. Chicago Sun Times notes he “lived nearby.”
[11] Week.com (25 News, Peoria). “Elderly man from Marquette Heights dies due to cold exposure.” 1-29-2019.
[12] NBC News. “Deaths of an Indiana man, 59, and woman, 87, investigated as possibly weather-related.” 1-30-2019. Highlighted in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally. From later reporting it appears that the unidentified man, had been at a car dealership the morning of Jan 29, and then “drove himself home where he apparently fell trying to get inside the house.” Home was identified as in Marquette Heights. (Heart of Illinois ABC. “Elderly man from Marquette Heights dies due to cold exposure.” 1-29-2019.)
[13] Associated Press. “Authorities: 2 dead in weather-related crash in Indiana.” ABC 57 News, South Bend, IN, 1-29-2019. Notes that “The crash happened after snow hit the area…”
[14] Fox 59, Indianapolis. “IPS teacher killed after crashing into INDOT alt truck in Hendricks County.” 2-1-2019.
[15] NBC News. “Deaths of an Indiana man, 59, and woman, 87, investigated as possibly weather-related.” 1-30-2019. Another source notes “About 7:30 a.m. Tuesday [Jan 29] family members found the body of a 59-year-old man in the driveway of his home, along Division Road [Muncie, Delaware County] not far from the Madison County line.” Quotes the coroner as stating that “We assume it was cold-related,” adding that it appeared the man fell outside his home. (Star Press/Douglas Walker, Muncie, IN. “Two possible weather-related deaths in Delaware County investigated.” 1-30-2019.)
[16] Have seen reporting on 3-4 traffic fatalities (one not clear to us weather related), and one exposure; a total of 4-5.
[17] Perhaps accurate, though we can not locate reporting on individual fatalities that support six traffic deaths.
[18] Victim identified as Antonieta Altamirano Serrano, 50, of Bountiful, Utah. (The Weather Channel/ Ron Brackett and Pan Wright. “Winter Storm Jayden: More Than 1,300 Flights Canceled, State Offices and Schools Closed in Midwest, South; 3 Dead,” 1-28-2019.) We place a question mark (indicating our uncertainty as to winter weather relatedness) in that the article includes URL for Iowa State Patrol “Minimal Crash Report,” which only notes that the semi hit a car “traveling slowly in the right lane for unknown reasons.” The Weather Channel article includes the note that the “state patrol confirmed roads were icy at the time.”
[19] Killed was 9-year-old Joshua Tavares of Grand Island, NE, when the vehicle he was traveling in as a passenger “lost traction due to freezing rain icy conditions entered ditch rolled onto passenger side.” (Iowa State Patrol “Minimal Crash Report 2019002823, dated 1-27-2019.) The State Patrol report was accessed via an embedded URL in: The Weather Channel (Ron Brackett and Pan Wright). “Winter Storm Jayden: More Than 1,300 Flights Canceled, State Offices and Schools Closed in Midwest, South; 3 Dead,” 1-28-2019.
[20] “Seven passenger vehicles and four semi trailers were involved in the crash around 3:30 p.m in the westbound laves of I-80 just east of the First Avenue exit in Coralville, according to an Iowa State Patrol crash report. Ice and snow covered the road at the time of the crash, the patrol report said. Heavy snowfall began in the area in the early afternoon into the evening, creating near white-out conditions at times and limiting visibility. William Hicks, 72, of Coralville, was killed in the crash…he was a passenger…” (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA. “One killed, another hurt after 11-vehicle collision on Interstate 80.” 1-31-2019.)
[21] Name of victim from: WHO TV (Kelly Maricle), Des Moines, IA. “Icy Roads, Speed Blamed in Fatal Crash on I-80, 1-28-2019. Cites Iowa State Patrol for noting that Mr. Peterson “was traveling too fast for the road conditions [and] lost control [of his vehicle…and hit a light pole.” Occurred “just before 1:00 am., on westbound I-80 at Merle Hay Road.” “Weather conditions and speed are believed to have been significant factors in the crash.”
[22] NBC News. “Deaths of an Indiana man, 59, and woman, 87, investigated as possibly weather-related.” 1-30-2019.
[23] Iowa City Press-Citizen (Aimee Breaux and Hillary Ojeda). “University of Iowa student dies after being found unresponsive during polar vortex.” 1-30-2019. Another source, citing the National Weather Service, writes: “The wind chill at the time officers found Belz was minus 51 F…” (Reuters/Jonathan Allen. “Over 20 dead in U.S. polar vortex, frostbite amputations feared.” 1-31-2019.)
[24] Patch Media (J. Strachan), Detroit. “70-year-old Man Found Dead in Michigan’s Subzero Temps.” 1-30-2019.
[25] Weather Channel. “Extreme Cold Blamed for 16 Deaths in Midwest, Northeast…” 2-1-2019.
[26] Fox 2, Detroit. “Former Ecorse City Councilman found frozen to death outside his home.” 1-30-2019
[27] Weather Channel. “Extreme Cold Blamed for 16 Deaths in Midwest, Northeast…” 2-1-2019.
[28] “Amy Debower, 46, of Chaska was found dead outside th vehicle. Carver County Sheriff Jason Kamerud said a preliminary investigation suggests the extreme weather may have been a factor in Debower’s death.” (Associated Press. “Death toll from polar plunge tops 25, including Chaska woman.” 2-1-2019.)
[29] NBC News. “Deaths of an Indiana man, 59, and woman, 87, investigated as possibly weather-related.” 1-30-2019. Yellow highlighting denotes we do not include in our tally. We are of the opinion that this is mistaken for the Cass County, IA, death of Joshua Tavares, age 9, in I-80 accident on Jan 27.
[30] Killed were Teresa M. Norton, 53, and Thomas M. Norton, 22, both of Albion. (WKBW, Buffalo. “Two killed in fatal crash on Route 98 in Genesee County.” 2-2-2019.)
[31] New York Times (Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman, Monica Davey). “Extreme Cold Weather Spreads East.” 1-31-2019. See, also: Buffalo News (Maki Becker, Keith McShea, Sandra Tan, T.J. Pignataro). “Snowstorm claims three lives as officials look toward warmup, possible flooding.” 1-31-2019. Notes snowblower still running when body found. Identification of Hamburg as locality is from: WKBW 7, Buffalo, NY. “Winter storm blamed for three deaths in Erie County,” 1-31-2019.
[32] New York Times (Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman, Monica Davey). “Extreme Cold Weather Spreads East.” 1-31-2019. Tonawanda as locality from: WKBW, Buffalo. “Winter storm blamed for three deaths in Erie County,” 1-31-2019.
[33] New York Times (Mitch Smith, Julie Bosman, Monica Davey). “Extreme Cold Weather Spreads East.” 1-31-2019.
[34] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH (Carissa Woytach). “Coroner says woman found dead in Lorain home likely died of hypothermia.” 1-31-2019.
[35] NECN.com (Sophie Reardon and Kaitlin McKinley Becker). “Police Identify 19-Year-Old Vermont Student Found in Snow.” 2-2-2019. “Police say Gage was found unresponsive in the snow just before 11 a.m. Saturday behind a business on North Winooski Avenue in Burlington….Officials say Gage was apparently cutting through the business parking lot early Saturday morning when he was stopped by a fence. Temperatures were below zero and the victim was not wearing clothes that were adequate for the weather. Police said Sunday they believe exposure to cold seems to have been a cause or significant contributing factor in Gage’s death…”
[36] BBC News. “Polar vortex death toll rises to 21 as US cold snap continues.” 2-1-2019. Name of victims is from U.S. News & World Report (Alexa Lardieri). “Extreme Cold From Polar Vortex Kills 3 in Wisconsin, Michigan.” 1-30-2010. The article notes the victim may have lain in his garage overnight, thus freezing. While not stated, it could be that the victim suffered a heart attack during or after shoveling snow. Cites the National Weather Service as noting “the city has experienced wind chills as cold as minus-42 degrees.”
[37] Weather Channel. “Extreme Cold Blamed for 16 Deaths in Midwest, Northeast…” 2-1-2019.
[38] The Weather Channel names winter storms. The National Weather Service does not.