1970 — Jan 6-12, Cold Wave/snow/ice, esp. east of Rockies & South, esp. IN, SC, TN –79-81
–79-81 Blanchard tally from State and local breakouts below.[1]
— 25 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970.
— 24 Six Southeastern states. Decatur Daily, AL. “Cold Spell Ending.” 1-11-1970, p. 1.
— 19 Avalanche-Journal, Lubbock, TX. “Cold Wave Death Count Hits 19.” 1-10-1970, p. 1.
— >12 Florence Morning News, SC. “Bitter Cold Chills State Areas; Mercury May Dive…Tonight.” 1-9-1970, 1.
Summary of Cold Wave and Winter Weather State Breakouts Below:
Alabama ( 2)
Arkansas ( 5)
Delaware ( 1)
Florida ( 2)
Georgia ( 3)
Illinois ( 1)
Indiana ( 13)
Iowa ( 2)
Kentucky ( 3)
Michigan ( 1)
New York ( 1)
North Carolina ( 3)
Ohio ( 1)
Oklahoma ( 1)
Pennsylvania ( 5)
South Carolina ( 10)
Tennessee (13-15)
Texas ( 1)
Virginia ( 7)
West Virginia ( 1)
Wisconsin ( 3)
Total (79-81)
Breakout of Fatalities by Cause of Death (where noted):
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (10)
Exposure to Cold/Hypothermia (39)
Fires/Burns ( 8)
Heart attacks ( 3) (seeking help, snowbound vehicle; shoveling snow)
Vehicular (14)
Other ( 4) (sledding; falling though ice; falling on slippery road)
Breakout of Cold Wave and Winter Weather-Related Fatalities By State and Locality
Alabama ( 2)
–1 Gadsden, Jan 8/9 (overnight). Exposure to extreme cold. Edward Massengill, 53; temps. 5°.[2]
–1 Locale not noted, Jan 11. State police reported one icy-road related vehicular death.[3]
Arkansas ( 5)
–5 Pleasure Heights, Jan 7th-10th. Carbon monoxide poisoning; unvented gas heater.[4]
Delaware ( 1)
–1 Wilmington area, Jan 9. Exposure. Man found frozen to death. (Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, 2.)
Florida ( 2)
–1 Miami, Jan 10? Fire started by candle apparently used for heat; woman.[5]
–1 Tampa, Jan 10. Exposure; found frozen to death in neighbor’s front yard; Ethel Highsmith.[6]
Georgia ( 3)
–1 Atlanta, Jan 11-12. Vehicular; truck slid on icy road, pinning man against a pole.[7]
–2 Savannah, Jan 8-10. Exposure in unheated houses. (Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, 2.)
Illinois ( 1)
–1 Chicago. Jan 8. Exposure; woman sought refuge in back of enclosed truck.[8]
Indiana (13) (Jan 8-12)
–13 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 9 Assoc. Press. “Return of Chill is Slated.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-12-1970, p. 1.[9]
— 7 UPI. “Killer Cold Wave Shows…Signs of Easing.” Greensburg Daily News, IN. 1-10-1970, 1.
— 5 Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Bol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 3.
Breakout of winter weather-related fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:
–1 Clay County, I-70 near IN-59. Auto-truck collision or “extremely hazardous” icy road.[10]
–1 Connersville, Jan 9. Extreme cold; in un-heated house trailer; Albert Woods, 84.[11]
–1 Dresser, Jan 8. Exposure to cold in home; no fire in heating stove; Emma Gray, 88.[12]
–1 Elkhart, Jan 9. Seizure and exposure to cold in car on main street; Emory Gross, 54.[13]
–1 Gaston area, Jan 9. Extreme cold; found frozen in farm home driveway; Helen Rehme.[14]
–2 Michigan City area. Cars collide on “icy U.S. 12”; Jerome Biederstadt, 24/Robert Zezula, 29.[15]
–1 Porter, Jan 11. Sledding accident; sled slides into path of car; Karen Coslet, 13.[16]
–1 South Bend, Jan 8. Heart attack & exposure; found on street near home; Alex Gramnaits, 66.[17]
–1 Terre Haute area, IN-46, Jan 12. Car skids out of control on icy road into another; Terrence Kruse, 20.[18]
–1 Tetersburg area, Jan 8. Heart attack while seeking help after vehicle became stuck in snow.[19]
–1 Tipton, Jan 8. Exposure in home; heating oil exhausted; Asher Ernest Balser, 80.[20]
Iowa ( 2)
–1 Council Bluffs, Jan 8. Exposure after fall outside; thinly clad Mrs. Edith Holeton, 63; -17°.[21]
–1 Stockton, Jan 7. Carbon monoxide poisoning from space heater; Floyd Laurence McKee, 62.[22]
Kentucky ( 3)
–1 Louisville, Jan 9; Burns; clothing caught fire while attempting to thaw frozen water pipes.[23]
–2 Queen community, Quick’s Run, Lewis Co., Jan 10. Exposure; Omer and Inez Cadwallader.[24]
Michigan ( 1)
–1 Calumet area, Jan 8. Exposure to cold/asphyxiation; car stuck in snowbank on 7th.[25]
New York ( 1)
–1 Cheektowaga, Jan 9/10. Heart attack/exposure; body found under 3-ft of snow in driveway.[26]
North Carolina ( 3)
–1 Cherryville, Jan 8. Exposure; found dead in field outside her home; Maude Jackson, 70.[27]
–1 Harnett County, Jan 11. Exposure to cold, man. Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 5.
–1 Rocky Mount, Jan 11. Possible exposure; found frozen in neighbor’s driveway.[28]
Ohio ( 1)
–1 Hamler, Jan 8. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Otto F. Tietje, 67.[29]
Oklahoma ( 1)
–1 Mountain View, Jan 9. Exposure to cold; man found dead in stalled pickup truck.[30]
Pennsylvania ( 5)
–3 Eastern PA, Jan 6-7. Traffic “accidents attributed to icy, snow-packed roads…”[31]
–2 North Versailles Twp., Jan 11/12. CO poisoning in home; John Brown, 34, Barbara Thomas, 23.[32]
South Carolina (10) (Jan 8-11)
–10 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts noted below.
Breakout of SC winter weather related deaths by locality where we have noted reporting.
–1 Eutawville, Jan 8-9. Exposure; middle-aged woman found dead in her home.[33]
–1 Georgetown, Jan 8-9. Exposure; found dead in small home. Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 6.
–1 Greenville, Jan 8-9. Automobile accident; car skidded on icy street into another car.[34]
–1 Greenville, Jan 11. Vehicular; car skidded on icy pavement; Mrs. Bertha Bibb, 76.[35]
–1 Honea Path, Jan 8-9. Drowning; small boy palls through pond ice. Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p.6.
–1 John’s Island, Jan 8. Exposure; man found outdoors near his home.[36] Edward Bonapart, 56.[37]
–1 Lynwood, Jan 8-9. Drowning; small boy falls through pond ice. Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, 6.[38]
–1 Oconee Co., Jan 8-9. Exposure; man found dead in saw mill tool shed;[39] Willie Cleveland, 51.[40]
–2 Spartanburg, Jan 8-9. Exposure; middle-aged and elderly females in unheated home.[41]
Tennessee (13-15) (Jan 8-11)
–15 AP. “New Cold Plagues Midlands, 2 Storms Hit East…West.” Chicago Tribune, IL, 1-12-1970, 16.
–14 UPI. “Cold Lingers in Nation.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL, 1-10-1970, p. 1.[42]
–13 Kingsport News, TN. “Cold Snap End Days Off.” 1-10-1970, pp. 1 and 8.
–13 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
— 9 UPI. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, pp. 1 and 8.
Breakout of TN winter weather related fatalities by locality where we have noted reporting:
— 1 Columbia, ~Jan 8/9. Home fire identified as weather related; Mrs. Mable T. Adcock, 70.[43]
— 2 Maryville area, Jan 8/9. Exposure or CO poisoning; parked car; Sylvia Pickens 17, Curtis Linkenfelter, 27.[44]
— 1 McKenzie, Jan 11. Exposure; found frozen to death near home; female, 57.[45]
— 1 Memphis, Jan 8. Slips/falls on slick street; Celestia Mitchell, 14; had recent heart surgery.[46]
— 2 Memphis, Jan 8/9. CO poisoning; after turning up the heater; two brothers, 55 and 63.[47]
— 1 Nashville, ~Jan 8/9. One-car “accident on icy I-65…” Clyde A. Prosser, 24.[48]
— 1 Paris, Jan 9. Exposure; slipped/fell on back porch of home; Mrs. J. P. Davis, 90.[49]
— 2 Van Leer, Jan 9. Home fire, noted as weather-related; Ricky Adams, 4, Jannis Adams 3.[50]
— 1 Locale not noted, Jan 11. Car and truck collide on icy highway; man killed.[51]
— 1 Locale not noted, ~Jan 8-9. Fire death.[52]
Texas ( 1)
–1 Haskell area, Jan 6. Exposure; apparently became lost along a road; Mrs. Bob Kahn, 38.[53]
Virginia ( 7)
–7 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–6 State. News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
–1 Danville, Jan 6. Heart attack shoveling snow; Charlie Lewis Hayden, ~64.[54]
–2 Locustville, Jan 9. Home “fire caused by an overheated stove.” Webster Duncan, 60 & female.[55]
–1 Montpellier, ~Jan 9-10. Exposure in unheated home; Mrs. Gertrude Coley.[56]
–1 Nansemond County, by Jan 12. Exposure? Found dead in unheated residence; Mrs. Hattie Deans.[57]
–1 Portsmouth Beach, ~Jan 9-10. Exposure; found frozen to death on beach; Mrs. Sue Batson, 40s.[58]
–1 Richmond area, Jan 10. Exposure; found frozen to death in garage; Joseph Wilson, 47.[59]
West Virginia ( 1)
–1 West Huntington, ~Jan 6-7. Exposure after wandering half mile from home; John Simon, 82.[60]
Wisconsin ( 3)
–1 Monroe, Jan 7. Lung congestion/exposure after car stalled in cold weather; Mrs. Reuben Smith, 69.[61]
–1 New Holstein area, Jan 8. Exposure after leaving stalled car, -10°; Walter F. Tuschel, 53.[62]
–1 Ripon area, Co. Trunk KK & Hwy. 49-44, Jan 7. Cars collide in blowing snow storm.[63]
Narrative Information — General
Jan 7: “A major winter storm slapped portions of the Eastern seaboard with heavy snow and wind today while an arctic cold snap broke out of the mid-continent and descended on the Deep South. Heavy snow warnings remained in effect at 8 a.m. only for eastern New England. Snow or travelers warnings had been in effect through th night for 12 states from the western Carolinas to New York and southern New England, but were canceled after dawn. Gale warnings flew along much of the coast from North Carolina to Maine.
“The storm whitened some northern areas of Louisiana and Mississippi Tuesday [6th] before sweeping northeastward through the Appalachians. Six inches of snow fell on mountain areas of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Four inches blanketed some Maryland and New Jersey communities before dawn.
“Bitter-cold air plunging southward behind the storm brought cold-wave warnings from the lower Mississippi Valley to northwestern Florida. Temperatures fell into the middle 20s across Georgia well before daybreak. The Weather Bureau said the cold was expected to bring freezing temperatures to much of Florida by Thursday morning.
“Subzero readings again were widespread over most of the northern Rockies, the northern Plains and almost the entire Midwest. The cold moderated slightly in the central Rockies. Temperatures before dawn ranged from 22 below zero at Havre, Mont., to 69 at Key West Fla.” (Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “Deep South, East Coast Feel Bite of Cold.” 1-7-1970, p. 1.)
Jan 8: “All the nation from the Rocky Mountains eastward shivered and cringed in the continuing cold today. The Weather Bureau revised cold records in nearly a dozen states, and freezing temperatures gripped such unlikely places as New Orleans, San Antonio, Tex., and Tampa, Fla.
“Citrus fruit and vegetable growers wring their hands and manned the smokepots in Florida in attempts to save their crops while disgusted tourists remained indoors and a Florida forecaster bemoaned ‘weather coming straight south from the North Pole.’ One of the day’s cold records was 34 at West Palm Beach, Fla. …At North Miami Beach 60 miles south, the low was 35. Heavily bundles-up life-guards manned deserted beaches there.
“Among the record lows for Jan. 8 was 21 at Houston, Tex. The cold reached even southernmost Brownsville, where the thermometer read 36.
“But the really painful cold, in the subzero range, was 300 to 400 miles north and spanned the territory from the western mountains to the Atlantic. New cold records there included 20 below zero at Dubuque, Iowa; 12 below at Peoria, Ill., and 6 below at Springfield, Mo. The lowest reported temperatures, not records, were in Montana–26 below at Glasgow, 25 below at Miles City.
“Brisk winds added to the discomfort, and an exposure death was reported in Chicago. The victim was a woman who took refuge in the back of an enclosed truck. At Cherryville, N.C., a 70-year-old woman was found dead of exposure in a field outside her home.
“Snow generated by wind sweeping across the water added a further unpleasant dimension to the subzero territory around the Great Lakes. Most falls were light, but 4 inches fell during the night along the lee shores of Lake Erie.” (Associated Press. “Record Cold Numbs Nation.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-8-1970, p. 1.)
Jan 9: “The nation’s great cold wave brought new misery and a mounting death toll Thursday [Jan 9], its fourth day. There was no break in sight for the freezing weather that reached every one of the 48 contiguous states and the subzero temperatures in the northern half of the country east of the Rocky Mountains.
“More than a dozen weather-related deaths — at least half of them directly due to the severe cold — lent emphasis to the general discomforts going beyond the predictable power line and gas transmission line failures, the school closings and cars that wouldn’t start.
“In Council Bluffs, Iowa, Mrs. Edith Holeton, 63, apparently intending only a brief errand, stepped out of the house lightly clad. She fell, and never made it back. Neighbors found her body. The temperature was 17 below zero.
“In Memphis, Tenn., two brothers, 55 and 63, turned up the heater to ward off the cold. They both were asphyxiated.
“In Chicago, an unidentified woman took refuge in an enclosed truck parked on the street. She was found dead. Chicago’s temperature was 5 below.
“At Cherryville, N.C., Mrs. Maude Jackson, 70, was found frozen in a field outside her home. The temperature was 5 below.
“At St. Louis, the Memorial Arch, an imposing 600-foot tourist attraction, shrank three inches in the cold and its cables had to be tightened. The arch is built of steel.
“Garbage collection halted in Indianapolis to save the workers from further frostbite. It was 13 below zero there.
“The demand for power to ward off the cold in its service territory forced the Tennessee Valley Authority to reactivate a steam generating plant that hasn’t been used for nearly 14 years.
“Electric and gas utilities serving the Chicago area and a natural gas line company srving 45 Midwest distributors reported a second day of record deliveries.
“Scores of communities had homes without heat and were forced to close schools, usually because of power lines snapped by th cold or failure of gas transmission lines.
“….The Weather Bureau reported record cold for Jan. 8 in 22 cities Thursday, and all but four were below the Mason-Dixon line.
“The freeze reached such unlikely places as New Orleans, San Antonio, Tex., and Tampa, Fla, and set new Records in Virginia, Georgia, the Carolinas, Mississippi and Texas.” (AP. “Cold wave stuns nation; no break to come soon.” Daily Illini, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1-9-1970, p. 1.)
Jan 10: “A severe cold wave lingered over most of the Midwest, East and Southeast today. Temperatures moderated in the Plains and a storm swept out of the Pacific across California and Oregon. Temperatures remained near zero in the Midwest to the Ohio River Valley and in the Northeast. Twenty-degree readings were common as far south as central Florida. In the Plains, where 15 to 20 below zero misery abounded Friday, temperatures rose 10 to 20 degrees. In western Montana readings jumped from below zero to the 30s and low 40s.
“….Near Zero temperatures caused numerous equipment problems on New York’s subway systems Friday [9th], bringing delays up to 40 minutes….
“Weather-related deaths and injuries mounted. At least 14 persons had died in Tennessee since a snowstorm followed by sub-zero temperatures moved across the state last Tuesday. Three deaths were reported in Indiana. An 80-year-old Tipton, Ind., man was found dead in his home where the oil heater had run dry. A Zionsville, Ind., family of four was trapped for hours in their home by deep snow. All four were suffering from food poisoning and were hospitalized in serious condition.
“Some 3,000 persons served by the Sylva, N.C. reservoirs were without water Friday as 10 to 14 degrees below-zero temperatures froze creeks and streams. ‘People left their spigots on to keep pipes from freezing and that dried up the reservoir. The water’s not running at all.’ Said Sylva Fire Chief Boyd Sossamon.
“Washington, D.C., temperatures continued below freezing for the third day. The Washington Gas & Light Co. said Friday’s demand for natural gas was the largest in the 121-year history of the utility.” (UPI. “Cold Lingers in Nation.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL, 1-10-1970, p. 1.)
Jan 11: “Arctic air pierced the mid-continent yesterday separating storms that raced across opposite ends of the nation. A flow of moist air spread from Georgia thru the Appalachians to the midwest and glazed roads with a treacherous combination of freezing rain, snow, and sleet.
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“A week-long siege of severe winter weather brought the death toll in Tennessee to 15. The latest fatalities were a 57-year-old McKenzie woman who died of exposure after falling on an icy sidewalk, and a man who was killed in the collision of a car and a truck on an icy highway….
“Many highways in northern Alabama were covered with ice. State police reported about 100 accidents, 40 injuries, and one death….” (Associated Press. “New Cold Plagues Midlands, 2 Storms Hit East and West.” Chicago Tribune, IL, 1-12-1970, p. 16.)
Alabama
Jan 9: “A record-shattering cold wave continued its freezing grip today as temperatures plummeted below zero in many areas of northern Alabama. At least seven deaths in the South, including one in Gadsden, were directly attributed to the weather.
“Water and natural gas, elements of daily life taken for granted by most Southerners, began to acquire new meanings in the minds of many as the cold wave, now in its fourth day, is freezing just about anything not in motion. Natural gas deliveries to industrial customers in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina have been curtailed as a result of the freezing of natural gas wells in southern Louisiana, according to s Southern Natural Gas Co. spokesman.
“A record-breaking low of 2 degrees was recorded at the airport [Anniston] early this morning, the coldest reading ever on this date in Calhoun County. The previous low was 16 degrees on Jan. 9, 1942. Little relief is in sight for the weekend with a low of 8 to 12 degrees forecast for tonight….
“Authorities report that a Gadsden man froze to death Thursday night or early this morning as temperatures dipped to five degrees. The victim was identified as Edward Massengill, 53. Etowah County Coroner Nobel Yocum listed cause of death as due to the extreme cold. Massengill’s body was discovered along a street in a Gadsden residential area.
“Russellville, in northwest Alabama, was the coldest spot with a reading of four degrees below zero. Nearby Haleyville registered one below zero. Birmingham registered six degrees during the early morning hours, rose to seven, then dropped to five degrees at 7 a.m. to break by 11 degrees the old low for Jan. 9 set in 1962. Huntsville’s low of three also set a new record for the day. The previous record was 10 in 1962.
“The Weather Bureau predicted that the cold wave would begin to loosen its grip Saturday [10th], with temperatures on the coast expected to rise to near 50. But today, temperatures were not expected to get higher than the 20s in north counties or the 30s in the south. Lows were expected to range from 5 to 12 degrees tonight. Many areas of the state have not recorded a temperature above the freezing mark since Tuesday….” (Anniston Star, All. “Cold Grip Tightens on Dixie.” 1-9-1970, p. 1.)
Arkansas
Jan 5-6: “Prodded by an Arctic cold front that moved into the area last night [5th], a driving snowstorm dumped two and a half inches of snow in the Blytheville area as of 8:30 this morning. Forecasts call for the snow to end early this afternoon, with the possibility that another two inches will be left on the ground.
“All schools in Mississippi County were closed today, there will be no night classes at Blytheville High School….
“The storm, which created three foot drifts at Springdale, led to the closing of various schools and made highways extremely dangerous. The U.S. Weather Bureau reported Monday night that from 9 to 10 inches of snow was on the ground in the Bentonville area and that accumulations reached 11 inches at Harrison. More than four inches of snow fell at Harrison Monday during a six-hour period. One to three inches of snow was still on the ground Monday when the new snow began to fall.
“The Weather Bureau said the Arctic cold front that brought the snow was moving southeastward Monday night and was expected to dump one to thrr inches of snow on the south portions of the state. A cold wave warning was issued for the northern portion of the state with temperatures Monday night and today expected to be between 8 and 16 degrees. Readings from the upper 20s to low 30s are forecast for the extreme south portion of Arkansas. The Weather Bureau said the snow would end over the state today with skies clearing in the northwest portion during early afternoon….” (Associated Press. “Snow Hits Arkansas.” The Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 1-6-1970, p. 1.)
Jan 7: “Arkansas shivered this morning as the coldest temperatures of the winter held the state in a snow-packed, icy condition….The polar-type temperature ranged from 10 degrees below zero at Pocahontas to 19 degrees at Memphis this morning. The snow-covered, icy roads, which made driving extremely hazardous Tuesday [6th], were improved today over central and southern areas of the state, but roads remained hazardous this morning on North Arkansas.” (Associated Press. “Arctic Cold Grips State.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. 1-7-1970, p. 1.)
Jan 9: “A slow warming trend is in sight for cold Arkansas. The U.S. Weather Bureau said today temperatures were expected to ease above the freezing mark in the southern section of Arkansas today and over the remainder of the state Saturday [10].
“Fayetteville recorded another low temperature reading well below the zero mark Thursday night [8th]–this time 15 below zero.
“Cloudy cover and moist air now over southern Texas is expected to drift into the southwest section of Arkansas by Saturday, bringing a possibility of light snow and rain to that area….
“Accumulated snow depths still on the ground include six inches at Fayetteville, eight inches at Harrison, two inches at Jonesboro, three inches at Blytheville, one inch at Memphis, three inches at Fort Smith, and two inches at Dardanelle.
“Other overnight lows around the state included zero at Harrison, three above at Jonesboro, nine at Pine Bluff, eight at Blytheville and Memphis, 14 at Texarkana, seven at Little Rock and one degree at Fort Smith. In Northwest Arkansas the overnight lows varied greatly from area to area. With a chill -15 registered at Fayetteville’s Drake Field, some portions of the town had unofficial readings as high as 0, and to the north most readings hovered around the -8 mark.” (AP. “Weather Experts…See Warming Trend.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 1-9-1970, 1.)
Jan 12: “The U.S. Weather Bureau said today the sun may break through cloudy skies that have covered Arkansas since early Saturday morning [10th]. Warmer temperatures are expected in the state Tuesday after another cold night tonight. The bureau said Arctic air has moved out of the state, and that a high pressure ridge is expected to cause southerly winds to move into the state Tuesday, bringing in more moist air to replace the cold air that has moved out….
“Freezing rain Saturday night and Sunday morning left a sheet of ice on many streets and highways in the northern half of the state. State Police said between 50 and 75 vehicles ran off Interstate 40 in the Conway area Saturday night due to slick road conditions. A bus carrying the Greenbrier basketball team slid into a ditch but no one was injured. Schools at Cave City, Concord, Cushman, Pleasant Plains and Flora canceled classes today due to bad road conditions.” (Associated Press. “Warmer State Temperatures, Possible Sunshine Forecast.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 1-12-1970, p. 1.)
Delaware
Storm Data on Jan 8-11: “With the exception of the 17th and 18th, January temperatures from the 1st through the 24th were below normal and from the 8th through the 11th much below normal. The low temperatures on the 8th, 9th and 10th were record-breaking for these dates at the Wilmington Weather Bureau Airport Station. On the 9th a man was found frozen to death in the Wilmington area. Many motorists experienced considerable difficulty with their automobiles. Frozen water pipes and heating systems reached epidemic proportions over the state. A power crisis developed because of increased power loads. Creeks and rivers became frozen, giving skaters many days to enjoy this sport. By the 13th ice conditions interrupted the service of the Cape May-Lewes ferry. A second period of much below normal temperatures extended from the 20th to the 24th. As a result, January 1970 became the coldest January since 1940 and the third coldest since 1894, as reported by the Wilmington Weather Bureau.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 2.)
Florida
Jan 7-8: “B-b-bitter cold sweeping across the Florida peninsula plummeted temperatures to new and n-n-numbing lows in Sarasota Wednesday [7th] with more shivering weather forecast for today and tonight. With reports of snow flakes in Jacksonville and freezing temperatures in the Panhandle, Sarasota County residents began bundling themselves yesterday afternoon for the severest cold of the season. With a predicted low of 30 degrees and the mercury dropping steadily as 30 mile an hour wind gusts began dying and increasing the risk of heavy frost, winter wear was de-mothballed, cars anti-freezed and ornamentals and other shrubs blanketed with protective coverings….
“For Sarasota the plunging temperature was something new. The average high for January, spanning the past five years, has been a glowing 74 degrees while to low has been a cool but not uncomfortable 58 degrees. Wednesday’s forecast called for a low of from 28 to 32 degrees….
“…the thrust of cold raised fuel demand and left the town of Milton–where a low of 19 was reported–without enough pressure. Schools throughout Santa Rosa County were closed….” (Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL. “Local Thermometers Dance to Cold and Windy Tune.” 1-8-1970, p. 1.)
Georgia
Storm Data on Jan 8-10: “One of the most severe and persistent cold waves ever experienced in Georgia brought temperatures ranging from -10° at Blairsville to 17° on the lower coast. Most of the area north of Atlanta had zero or below and temperatures to 5° were reported over the northern half of the State. Temperatures remained continuously below freezing for 2 to 4 days in the north and failed to rise above freezing on at least one day over most of the State. Low gas pressure caused a loss of heat in many homes and forced the closing of schools and industrial plants. Frozen pipes cut water supplies off to hundreds of homes and resulted in widespread heavy damage. Heavy losses were suffered by the poultry industry. Two people died of exposure in Savannah in unheated houses.
Storm Data on Jan 11-12: “The section from the Atlanta-Athens northward was covered by a coat of ice. Most roads were impassible or extremely hazardous, forcing the closing of schools and curtailing many other activities. Hundreds of people were injured by falls and numerous automobile accidents were reported. One man was killed in Atlanta when pinned against a pole by his sliding truck.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 2.)
Illinois
Jan 8: “Only the immediate Cairo area escaped subzero cold today, and that just barely — the low temperature during the night was 2 above. Elsewhere in Illinois, the day began blustery with snow flurries scattered irregularly around the state and temperatures ranging down to 20 below zero in the northwest corner. The snow flurry overcast insulated the Chicago area slightly from cold that gauged down to 10 below across the center of the state. Chicago’s official low was 5 below, but it was colder in out-lying suburbs. Springfield’s minus 11 and Peoria’s minus 12 were records for Jan. 8. So was 20 below recorded at Dubuque, Iowa….” (Associated Press. “Subzero Throughout Illinois.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-8-1970, p. 1.)
Indiana
Storm Data on Jan 7-9: “North and central…Heavy snow in northwest, icy roads and subzero temperatures closed schools and curtailed businesses and plant operations because of limited fuel supplies. Many deaths attributed to the cold. Prospective peach crop severely damaged.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 3.)
Iowa
Jan 6-7: “Icy arctic air and numbing northwest winds punished Iowa Wednesday [6th], making the state one of the coldest spots in the nation. The high temperature in Des Moines was only 5 below zero, following an overnight low of 12 below. It was the first time since Jan. 3, 1969, that the temperature has hailed to climb above zero here. By 1 a.m. today, the mercury had dipped back down to 12 below and was falling toward the coldest reading here since Jan. 29, 1966, when the temperature plunged to 23 below. The all-time record low for Jan. 7 in Des Moines was set in 1912 when it was 25 below. The record low for Jan. 8 was 24 below in 1886.
“The severe cold (unofficially 38 below at Rock Rapids) was blamed, at least in part, for the death of one Iowan. Floyd Laurence McKee, 62, of Stockton in southeast Iowa, was found dead at his home Wednesday from the fumes of a space heart in his home. Authorities said his wife, 59, was found alive in the home and was taken to Davenport Osteopathic Hospital where she was reported in serious condition Wednesday night. Authorities said the fumes that killed McKee backed up in the house after water vapor froze in a chimney.
“Elsewhere in the state there were scattered reports of Iowans who suffered frostbitten hands, cheeks and ears. Car towing services reported they were swamped with calls from motorists who could not start their cars. Temperatures at many Iowa localities dipped to within a few degrees of the low of 24 below zero at the coldest spot in the nation, Cut Bank, Mont….”
(Des Moines Register, IA. “Icy Air, Winds Punish Iowa.” 1-8-1979, p. 1.)
Louisiana
Storm Data on Jan 6-11: “Hard freezes several mornings during coldest weather since 1966 or 1964. Minimum temperatures generally 10° to 15° north and central, 15° to 24° south. Coldest days most areas 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th. Some snow scattered northern areas on 6th. High winds intensified chill on 6th and 7th. Crop damages mostly minor. Many minor traffic accidents.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 3.)
Maryland and DC
Storm Data on Jan 8-11: “With exception of the 17th and the 18th, January temperatures from the 1st thru 24th were below normal and. The low temperatures on the 9th were record-breaking fro this date at many stations and departures from normal at first-order Weather Bureau stations in the area were as much as 29° or 30°. On this same date, many motorists had great difficulty with their automobiles; city and suburban bus lines were forced to cancel trips, mostly because of frozen air lines which prevented brakes and door mechanisms from working. Frozen water pipes and heating systems reached epidemic proportions over the state. Ponds, creeks and rivers became frozen, giving skaters many days to enjoy this sport. This cold spell was followed by a second from the 20th to the 23rd. January ice conditions over the Chesapeake Bay area became the worst since 1940.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 3.)
Mississippi
Storm Data on Jan 7-9: “Cold temperatures spread over the state. Most stations reported their lowest temperature for the month on the 9th. Each division had locations reporting 10°F or colder. Low temperatures ranged from 20°F, at Bay St. Louis and Biloxi, to -1°F, at Winona. Most locations had not been this cold since January 1966. Many water pipes froze, and automobile batteries were crippled by hard cranking. Record consumption of gas or electricity was reported in some areas, gas pipeline companies experienced gas shortages or low pressures, there was some curtailment of gas deliveries….” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 4.)
North Carolina
Storm Data on Jan 7-11: “Temperature remained below freezing continuously three or four days. Lowest mostly zero to twenty below zero mountains, zero to ten above Piedmont and interior Coastal Plain, and ten to fifteen immediate coast. Unusual duration and intensity of cold caused many breakdowns in power, water and heating systems; fires due to furnace failure. Woman died in Gaston County on 8th and man in Harnett on 11th, both from cold and exposure. Some livestock lost. Some damage to winter grains and pastures. Snow or ice cover in mountains entire period. Many traffic accidents due to slick roads. Schools closed one or more days several counties.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970, p. 5.)
Ohio
Storm Data on Jan 1-24: “Daily temperatures averaged 9 to 13 degrees below normal during the first 24 days of the month. Strong winds accompanied the extreme cold on many days. Temperatures were so cold on 8th, 9th, 20th, and 21st that the demand for natural gas exceeded the supply. Because of this, many businesses, factories, and schools were forced to close. At many locations, the maximum temperature on 8th failed to reach 0°F. For many sites, this was the lowest maximum temperature of the century. Snows were frequent and because of the low temperatures the ground remained covered during this entire period. Fires and traffic accidents were much above normal.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, V12, N 1, Jan 1970, p. 5.)
South Carolina
Storm Data on Jan 8-9: “Six persons died of exposure to cold in various parts of the state as temperatures dropped to zero or near zero for two consecutive days. Many water pipes were frozen or burst, a serious natural gas shortage developed and four other deaths occurred in weather-related accidents. Thousands of fish were killed in the Charleston area as salt-water temperatures in coastal bays and inlets dropped below freezing.
“The exposure deaths included a middle-aged man at Johns Island in Charleston County who was found outdoor near his home, a middle-aged woman found in her home in Eutawville in Orangeburg County, two women, one middle-aged and one elderly, found in their unheated home in Spartanburg, a middle-aged man found in a saw mill tool shed in Oconee County and an elderly woman found in her small home in Georgetown. Two young boys, one in Lynwood in Aiken County and one in Honea Path in Anderson County were drowned when they fell through ice on ponds. A young man and an elderly woman were killed in separate automobile accidents in Greenville when their cars skidded on icy streets and crashed into other automobiles. Considerable damage was done also to the state and county road systems.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, V12, N 1, Jan 1970, p. 6.)
Jan 9: “A bitter cold swept over South Carolina early Thursday [Jan 8] and temperatures were expected to remain below freezing in the Florence area and state for the next few days.
“At least one death has been attributed to the freezing temperatures thus far. Edward Bonapart, 56, of Rt. 1, John’s Island, was found dead of exposure near his home about 5:30 a.m. Thursday. The temperature in the John’s Island area dropped to 16 degrees Wednesday night.
“The U.S. Weather Bureau issued warnings of even colder temperatures for Thursday and Friday nights. The forecast called for low temperatures ranging from three degrees above zero in the mountains to the mid-teens along the south coast. The Florence area outlook for Friday night called for temperatures to dip to at least 10 degrees above zero. Thursday in Florence, the temperature never got higher than 28 degrees, and the mercury dropped to a low of 17 during the early morning hours. The 17 sets a new record low for the date. The previous record low was 18 set in 1968.
“Throughout the Pee Dee and state, there was clear evidence of the cold temperatures. Water fountains were found in frozen conditions in some spots, and people avoided venturing into the cold as much as possible. Business in major shopping districts of the area was markedly off, according to a survey. Merchants blamed the bitter cold weather.
“Besides the record low reading at Florence, other records in the state for Thursday morning were 12 at Columbia and 16 at Charleston.
“The Weather Bureau said there is a slight chance of snow flurries near the mountains, but for most of the state the prediction calls for clear skies and bitter cold.
“In other parts of the nation, the cold wave brought new misery and a mounting death toll Thursday, its fourth day. There was no break in sight for the freezing weather that reached every one of the 48 contiguous states and the subzero temperatures in the northern half of the country east of the Rocky Mountains. More than a dozen weather related deaths — at least half of them directly due to the severe cold–lent emphasis to the general discomforts going beyond the predictable power line and gas transmission line failures, the school closings, cars that wouldn’t start.” (Florence Morning News, SC. “Bitter Cold Chills State Areas; Mercury May Dive to 10 Tonight.” 1-9-1970, p. 1.)
Tennessee
Storm Data on Jan 7-10: “Coldest weather this winter moved into Tennessee behind an Arctic cold front on the 7th. Snowfall accumulations mostly 1-3 inches, with a few greater depths, glazed highways and bridges. Icy roads triggered many accidents. Schools and some industries remained closed for a few days, due to hazardous travel on secondary roads. Some damage to utility lines, young trees and shrubs, but damage relatively light. One death resulted; a 57-year-old woman was found frozen to death near her home at McKenzie on January 11.” (Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, V12, N 1, Jan 1970, p. 6.)
Sources
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Associated Press. “Arctic Cold Grips State.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. 1-7-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-jan-07-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Brrr! Winter Tightens Grip on State.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 1-9-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-09-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Cold Blamed for Death in Kentucky.” Daily Tribune, Corbin, KY, 1-9-1970, p. 8. Accessed 3-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-daily-tribune-jan-09-1970-p-8/
Associated Press. “Cold wave stuns nation; no break to come soon.” Daily Illini, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1-9-1970, p.1. Accessed 3-9-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-daily-illini-jan-09-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Copper Country Man, 22, Victim of Cold Spell.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 1-9-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-jan-09-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Frigid Air Blamed in Woman’s Death.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-9-1970, p. 2. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-09-1970-p-2/
Associated Press. “New Cold Plagues Midlands, 2 Storms Hit East and West.” Chicago Tribune, IL, 1-12-1970, p. 16. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-tribune-jan-12-1970-p-16/
Associated Press. “Norther Imperils Crops in Valley.” San Antonio Express, TX, 1-7-1970, p. 2. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-jan-07-1970-p-2/
Associated Press. “Priest Dies of Cold When Auto Stalls.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-9-1970, p. 2. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-09-1970-p-2/
Associated Press. “Record Cold Numbs Nation.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-8-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-9-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mt-vernon-register-news-jan-08-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Return of Chill is Slated.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-jan-12-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Snow Hits Arkansas.” The Courier News, Blytheville, AR, 1-6-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/blytheville-courier-news-jan-06-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Subzero Throughout Illinois.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-8-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-9-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mt-vernon-register-news-jan-08-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Temperatures Plunge to Record Lows in State, Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC, 1-8-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-jan-08-1970-p-2/
Associated Press. “Two are Found Dead of Monoxide Fumes.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 1-12-1970, p.22. Accessed 3-13-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-evening-standard-jan-12-1970-p-22/
Associated Press. “Warmer State Temperatures, Possible Sunshine Forecast.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-jan-12-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Weather Experts Again See Warming Trend.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 1-9-1970, 1. Accessed 3-10-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-jan-09-1970-p-1/
Associated Press. “Worst Storm in 50 Years Hits Buffalo.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY, 1-10-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wellsville-daily-reporter-jan-10-1970-p-1/
Avalanche-Journal, Lubbock, TX. “Cold Wave Death Count Hits 19.” 1-10-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lubbock-avalanche-journal-jan-10-1970-p-1/
Brazil Daily Times, IN. “First County Auto Fatality Occurs on Interstate 70.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brazil-daily-times-jan-12-1970-p-2/
Commonwealth Reporter, Fond du Lac, WI. “Crash in Blowing Snow Kills Woman.” 1-8-1970, p. 21. Accessed 3-13-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/fond-du-lac-commonwealth-reporter-jan-08-1970-p-20/
Decatur Daily, AL. “Cold Spell Ending.” 1-11-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/decatur-daily-jan-11-1970-p-1/
Des Moines Register, IA. “Icy Air, Winds Punish Iowa.” 1-8-1979, p. 1. Accessed 3-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/des-moines-register-jan-07-1970-p-21/
Environmental Data Service. Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1, Jan 1970. Asheville, NC: EDS, U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 3-9-2019 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html
Evening Telegram, Rocky Mount, NC. “Local Woman was Found Dead Here Early Sunday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/evening-telegram-jan-12-1970-p-5/
Florence Morning News, SC. “Bitter Cold Chills State Areas; Mercury May Dive to 10 Tonight.” 1-9-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-9-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/florence-morning-news-jan-09-1970-p-1/
Florence Morning News, SC. “Three S.C. Deaths Blamed on Freeze.” 1-10-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/florence-morning-news-jan-10-1970-p-1/
Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL. “Local Thermometers Dance to Cold and Windy Tune.” 1-8-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/sarasota-herald-tribune-jan-08-1970-p-1/
Kingsport News, TN. “Cold Snap End Days Off.” 1-10-1970, pp. 1 and 8. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-news-jan-10-1970-p-8/
News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/radford-news-journal-jan-12-1970-p-1/
Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “5 Persons Die From Fumes in Benton County.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-jan-12-1970-p-1/
Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “Deep South, East Coast Feel Bite of Cold.” 1-7-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/northwest-arkansas-times-jan-07-1970-p-1/
Portsmouth Times, OH. “Area Man, Sister Frozen to Death.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-jan-12-1970-p-23/
Republican-Courier, Findlay, OH. “Findlay, Area Obituaries.” 1-10-1970, p. 6. Accessed 3-12-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/findlay-republican-courier-jan-10-1970-p-6/
Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “Break in Cold Wave Seen, May Climb to 25 Saturday,” 1-9-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seymour-daily-tribune-jan-09-1970-p-1/
The Bee, Danville, VA. “Area Deaths and Funerals.” 1-7-1970, p. 3. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/danville-bee-jan-07-1970-p-3/
Tipton Daily Tribune, IN. “Weather Claims Lives of County Residents.” 1-9-1070, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tipton-daily-tribune-jan-09-1970-p-1/
United Press International. “Cold Lingers in Nation.” Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL, 1-10-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dixon-evening-telegraph-jan-10-1970-p-1/
United Press International. “Killer Cold Wave Shows Some Signs of Easing.” Greensburg Daily News, IN. 1-10-1970, 1. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greensburg-daily-news-jan-10-1970-p-1/
United Press International. “New Snowstorm Blankets East.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-7-1970, p. 4. Accessed 3-10-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-jan-07-1970-p-4/
United Press International. “New Snow Storm Lashes Chilly Southern States.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA, 1-6-1970, p. 1. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/pulaski-southwest-times-jan-06-1970-p-1/
United Press International. “Tampa Cold Causes Death of Woman.” Anderson Sunday Herald, IN, 1-11-1970, p. 32. Accessed 3-11-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-sunday-herald-jan-11-1970-p-32/
United Press International. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, pp. 1 and 8. Accessed 3-13-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingsport-times-jan-09-1970-p-1/
[1] Compiled March 2019 for inclusion in: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com
[2] “Massengill’s body was discovered along a street in a Gadsden residential area….Etowah County Coroner… listed cause of death as due to thee extreme cold.” (Anniston Star, All. “Cold Grip Tightens on Dixie.” 1-9-1970, p. 1.)
[3] Assoc. Press. “New Cold Plagues Midlands, 2 Storms Hit East and West.” Chicago Tribune, IL, 1-12-1970, p. 16.
[4] “Dead are Robert Morris Brown, 74, his son, James C. Brown, 39; Mrs. Virginia Mae Perkins, 28, and her two children, James Allen, 4, and Barbara Ann, 9. The five bodies were discovered by a neighbor…about 11 a., Saturday [10th]. They were last seen about 7 p.m. Wednesday.” (Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “5 Persons Die From Fumes in Benton County.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.)
[5] Decatur Daily, AL. “Cold Spell Ending.” 1-11-1970, p. 1.
[6] United Press International. “Tampa Cold Causes Death of Woman.” Anderson Sunday Herald, IN, 1-11-1970, 32.
[7] Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, p. 2.
[8] Associated Press. “Record Cold Numbs Nation.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-8-1970, p. 1.
[9] “The state’s nine-death toll in the cold wave included only persons whose deaths were directly attributable to the severe temperatures. The figure does not include two and possibly three casualties from the collapse of a massive anti-pollution device Sunday at a U.S.. Steel Co. mill in Gary. Officials said subnormal cold may have contributed to failure of supports for the device.”
[10] Victim identified as James A. Neal, 21, a GI on way back to Ft. Riley, KS. (Brazil Daily Times, IN. “First County Auto Fatality Occurs on Interstate 70.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Paper cites County Sheriff as to extremely hazardous icy road conditions. Notes Neal lost control on his car on the icy road, spun, and was hit broadside by the truck.
[11] UPI. “Killer Cold Wave…” Greensburg Daily News, IN. 1-10-1970, 1. Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, p. 3.
[12] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “Break in Cold Wave Seen, May Climb to 25 Saturday,” 1-9-1970, p. 1. Storm Data notes this death as well, though placing location in Terre Haute, which is across Wabash River from Dresser.
[13] UPI. “Killer Cold Wave Shows…Signs of Easing.” Greensburg Daily News, IN. 1-10-1970, 1;
[14] UPI. “Killer Cold Wave Shows…” Greensburg Daily News, IN. 1-10-1970, 1. Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, 3.
[15] Brazil Daily Times, IN. “First County Auto Fatality Occurs on Interstate 70.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[16] Brazil Daily Times, IN. “First County Auto Fatality Occurs on Interstate 70.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[17] Seymour Tribune, IN. “Break in Cold Wave Seen…” 1-9-1970, p. 1; Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, p. 3.
[18] Brazil Daily Times, IN. “First County Auto Fatality Occurs on Interstate 70.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[19] Tipton Daily Tribune, IN. “Weather Claims Lives of County Residents.” 1-9-1070, p. 1.
[20] Tipton Daily Tribune, IN. “Weather Claims Lives of County Residents.” 1-9-1070, p. 1. Also noted, without identifying victim, in Storm Data, Vol. 12, No. 1 Jan 1970, p. 3, though incorrectly noting death on Jan 9th.
[21] AP. “Cold wave stuns nation; no break to come soon.” Daily Illini, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1-9-1970, p. 1.
[22] Des Moines Register, IA. “Icy Air, Winds Punish Iowa.” 1-8-1979, p. 1.
[23] Henry Graham Sr., 65. AP. “Cold Blamed for Death in Kentucky.” Daily Tribune, Corbin, KY, 1-9-1970, p. 8.
[24] “An elderly brother and a sister who lived alone in a remote area of Lewis County were found frozen to death Saturday near their home in Queen’s community on Quick’s Run. The reported victims are Omer Cadwallader, 64, and Miss Inez Cadwallader, 73. Both maintained a small farm where they were born and were reported in failing health….It is believed Miss Cadwallader had gone to feed stock, slipped in the snow and broke her hip and fell in a shallow ravine. Her brother is assumed to have tone searching for her when she failed to return to the house. Apparently Cadwallader suffered an attack after reaching his sister. Neither had strength to return to their house and died in the snow and extreme cold….” (Portsmouth Times, OH. “Area Man, Sister Frozen to Death.” 1-12-1970, 1.)
[25] Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, p. 4. Associated Press identified victim as Leo Kenny, 22, of Paavola. (AP. “Copper Country Man, 22, Victim of Cold Spell.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 1-9-1970, p. 1.)
[26] Victim identified as Harold E. Carroll, 65, found dead in home driveway. (AP. “Worst Storm in 50 Years Hits Buffalo.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY, 1-10-1970, p. 1.)
[27] AP. “Temperatures Plunge to Record Lows in State, Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC, 1-8-1970, p. 1. Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, p.5.
[28] Evening Telegram, Rocky Mount, NC. “Local Woman was Found Dead Here Early Sunday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Victim identified as Mrs. Penny Ethel Williams, 46.
[29] Republican-Courier, Findlay, OH. “Findlay, Area Obituaries.” 1-10-1970, p. 6.
[30] Storm Data, 12/1, Jan 1970, p. 5.
[31] United Press International. “New Snowstorm Blankets East.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN, 1-7-1970, p. 4.
[32] Assoc. Press. “Two are Found Dead of Monoxide Fumes.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 1-12-1970, 22.
[33] Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 6.
[34] Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 6.
[35] Anniston Star, AL. “Weather.” 1-12-1970, p. 2.
[36] Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 6.
[37] Bonapart, Rt. 1, John’s Island, “found dead of exposure near his home about 5:30 a.m. Thursday. The temperature in the John’s Island area dropped to 16 degrees Wednesday night. (Florence Morning News, SC. “Bitter Cold Chills State Areas; Mercury May Dive to 10 Tonight.” 1-9-1970, p. 1.)
[38] Victim identified as Joe Thomas Wigly, 11. (Florence Morning News, SC. “Three S.C. Deaths Blamed on Freeze.” 1-10-1970, p. 1.)
[39] Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 6.
[40] Florence Morning News, SC. “Three S.C. Deaths Blamed on Freeze.” 1-10-1970, p. 1.
[41] Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p. 6.
[42] “At least 14 persons had died in Tennessee since a snowstorm followed by sub-zero temperatures moved across the state last Tuesday [Jan 6].”
[43] United Press International. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, p. 8.
[44] United Press International. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, pp. 1 and 8.
[45] Storm Data, 12/1, 1970, p.6.
[46] United Press International. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, p. 8.
[47] AP. “Cold wave stuns nation; no break to come soon.” Daily Illini, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1-9-1970, p.1. Brothers identified as L. Q. Lamar, 55, and Isaac Lamar, 63. (UPI. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, p. 8.)
[48] United Press International. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, p. 8.
[49] Kingsport News, TN. “Cold Snap End Days Off.” 1-10-1970, pp. 1 and 8.
[50] United Press International. “Tennessee Counts 9 Lives Lost.” Kingsport Times, TN. 1-9-1070, p. 1.
[51] Assoc. Press. “New Cold Plagues Midlands, 2 Storms Hit East and West.” Chicago Tribune, IL, 1-12-1970, p. 16.
[52] Kingsport News, TN. “Cold Snap End Days Off.” 1-10-1970, pp. 1 and 8. Notes, on p. 8, that “All told, the toll since the massive storm moved into Tennessee includes four fire victims…” We have locality specifics on three.
[53] Associated Press. “Norther Imperils Crops in Valley.” San Antonio Express, TX, 1-7-1970, p. 2.
[54] The Bee, Danville, VA. “Area Deaths and Funerals.” 1-7-1970, p. 3. A UPI article on 6th notes: “A wintry storm dumped snow and sleet on much of Dixie today. The cold weather closed schools and roads and was blamed for at least three deaths. Up to four inches of snow fell in Northern Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee…” (United Press Int. “New Snow Storm Lashes Chilly Southern States.” Southwest Times, Pulaski, VA, 1-6-1970, p.1.)
[55] News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1. Reported as two of “at least six deaths in Virginia” tied to the recent “winter storm.”
[56] News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[57] News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[58] News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[59] News Journal, Radford, VA. “New Storm Over, More Wednesday.” 1-12-1970, p. 1.
[60] Associated Press. “Brrr! Winter Tightens Grip on State.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 1-9-1970, p. 1.
[61] Associated Press. “Frigid Air Blamed in Woman’s Death.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-9-1970, p. 2.
[62] Associated Press. “Priest Dies of Cold When Auto Stalls.” Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. 1-9-1970, p. 2.
[63] Commonwealth Reporter, Fond du Lac, WI. “Crash in Blowing Snow Kills Woman.” 1-8-1970, p. 21.