12, TX, VA — 19

lornajarrettblanchard February 8, 1973

–19 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below.
–15 NOAA. Climatic Data Report, Southeastern Snow Storm, February 8-11, 1973. 1973.

Florida 1
–1 Traffic fatality on icy bridge in panhandle region.

Georgia 3
— 3 Traffic deaths “indirectly attributed to the storm.” Storm Data, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973, 2.

Louisiana 1
— 1 Traffic fatality. NWS, Wilmington, NC WFO. “The Great Southeastern Snowstorm: Feb 9-11, 1973.” 5-24-2020.

North Carolina 2
— 2 Chowan County. Aircraft crash in snowstorm. Storm Data, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973, 4.

South Carolina 12
— 11 Exposure. NWS, Wilmington, NC WFO. “The Great Southeastern Snowstorm: Feb 9-11, 1973.” 5-24-2020.
–>9 Storm Data. Asheville, NC, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973, p. 4.
–>8 Exposure
— 1 Collapsing carport kills child.

Narrative Information

EDS Storm Data on GA: “Central and South…9-10 [dates]…Snowstorm.

“A snowstorm of unprecedented magnitude and intensity hit central and south Georgia on the 9th and 10th. It began as sleet and freezing rain in west central sections during the early morning hours of the 9th, but soon changed to snow and spread rapidly across the State, reaching the eastern border before noon. The snow continued through the afternoon and night of the 9th. It ended in the west early on the 10th but continued in the east and southeast through most of the day. Depths reached 18 inches in parts of 2 or 3 west central counties and falls of 14 inches or more were reported over a 40 to 70 mile side belt across the middle of the State, centered roughly from Columbus to Macon to Augusta. Amounts decreased sharply north of this area but more gradually to the south. Over 3 inches fell in Savannah and an inch or more was measured in southwest and south central border counties. Practically all previous snowfall records were broken over central and south Georgia. Damage was extensive in the area of heaviest snow as hundreds of chicken houses, carports, sheds and awnings collapsed under the added weight. Several industrial plants and business buildings suffered roof and equipment damage. Interruptions in utility service occurred in several areas where freezing rain occurred but this was not a major problem over most of the area. Pine trees suffered heavy damage in some areas from ice accumulation. All major highways and other roads were either closed or became extremely hazardous in the heavy snow area and traffic was almost completely halted. Hundreds of stranded motorists were rescued or assisted by the State Patrol, Civil Defense and National Guard Units. There were numerous injuries and 3 traffic deaths were indirectly attributed to the storm.” (Storm Data, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973, 4.)

EDS Storm Data on NC: “Coastal Plain, Southeastern Piedmont…9-10 [dates]…2 [deaths]…3 [injured]…Snow, wind.

“One to one-and-one-half feet snow in a little over 24 hours over most of fifteen southeastern counties, tapering off northward and westward to five or six inches Rocky Mount-Raleigh-Wadesboro line and to little or none northwest of Roxboro-Salisbury-Gastonia line. Greatest snow of record extreme southeast. Very windy weather; gusts to 50 miles per hour. Drifts two to six feet deep; some drifts not completely melted two weeks later. Snow mostly dry, and did not stick badly to trees, shrubs and power lines; only a few areas out of power. Many sheds and warehouse roofs broken down by weight of snow, with loss of property from new autos to stored crop commodities. Late harvests further delayed, with additional loss and damage to crops. Aircraft lost in storm crashed in Chowan County; two killed, three seriously injured. Traffic at a standstill one to five days; much closing of schools and businesses. Thousands of tourists stranded; all commercial accommodations overtaxed, many cared for in emergency shelters and private homes. Extensive damage to secondary roads; cost of cleanup and repairs in millions. Same storm – a low pressure area moving through the offshore waters – caused high winds and seas along the coast, with heavy beach erosion. Several beach cottages lost in surf; waterfront hotels and motels damaged.” (Storm Data, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973, p. 4.)

EDS Storm Data on SC: “Statewide…9-10 [dates]…Late afternoon to late afternoon]…9 [deaths]…Snowstorm

“A record snowstorm dumped up to 2 feet of snow in the midlands of the state and lesser amounts in the adjacent areas. Thousands of motorists, mostly tourists, were stranded on the roads. They were rescued by many means, many by helicopter, and housed in hotels, motels, churches, schools and armories. Farmers helped many stranded people, some of them putting up 50 to 60 people in their homes. All roads in the hardest hit areas were closed for two to three days. At least 8 persons died from exposure and one child was killed by a collapsing carport. Food and supplies were taken to many snowbound families by helicopter. Snow drifts of six feet were common as strong winds blew the light snow. It was the heaviest snow to hit the state in the period of weather records which date back some 75 years. Damages and losses were great. Around 200 buildings collapsed and thousands of permanent awnings and carports were downed. Structural damage, road damage and costs involved in snow removal and rescue of stranded people add up to about $30,000,000. The poultry industry alone accounts for 1/10 of that total in collapsed chicken houses and dead birds.” (Storm Data, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973, p. 4.)

NOAA: “The snow storm that crossed the Southeastern states from February 8 to February 11 brought never-before-heard-of amounts of snow to parts of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. In other areas from Texas to Virginia, it stopped traffic, crippled communications, damaged buildings and killed trees and other plants. Along coasts it eroded beaches, undermined and washed away buildings, and damaged piers. It exhibited the features of a true winter storm in a part of the country that seldom sees such drastic weather: sharply falling temperatures, freezing rain, ice pellets (sleet) and heavy snow. Freak snow flurries and sleet fell so far south in Texas and Florida that many persons had their first look at such precipitation. Travelers were marooned where the snow was deepest and the roads were iciest….Texas received the first snows. As the weather system moved nearer the Gulf of Mexico, freezing rain and sleet began falling. In parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, it was more of an ice storm than a snow storm. The heaviest snows began falling in Southern Alabama and continued through mid-Georgia, South Carolina, and Eastern North Carolina.” (NOAA. CDR, SE Snowstorm, 1973, p. 1.)

“The area having a foot or more of snow was 600 miles long and up to 100 miles wide. Depths of more than one and a half feet of snow occurred in west central Georgia and south central and eastern South Carolina.” (NOAA. CDR, SE Snowstorm, 1973, 5)

“In the later stages of the storm, snow fell for as long as 24 hours. In contrast to Louisiana where the snow was brief and light, it reached a heavy intensity for a number of hours in the Carolinas.” (NOAA. CDR, SE Snowstorm, 1973, 8)

“Most deaths attributed to the snow storm were indirect ones, such as traffic casualties; however, 8 fatalities in South Carolina resulted from exposure, and a child was killed by a collapsing carport. In North Carolina, an aircraft lost in the storm crashed, killing two and injuring three seriously. In Georgia, three traffic deaths occurred because of the storm; in Louisiana, at least one.” (NOAA. Climatic Data report, Southeastern Snow Storm, Feb 8-11, 1973. 1973, p.8)

“Texas….Harlingen. Almost an inch of sleet covered the ground on the morning of the 9th….”
“Louisiana….All Mississippi River bridges south of the Vidalia-Natchez one were closed for varying periods….” (NOAA. CDR, SE Snowstorm, 1973, 19)

SC State Climatology Office: “The snow storm that crossed the Southeastern states from February 8 to February 11, 1973, brought a record breaking snowfall to South Carolina. Snow fell for approximately 24 hours beginning in late afternoon on the 9th. The belt of largest amounts lay parallel to the coast about 75 miles inland. The heaviest snowfall was 24 inches measured in Rimini. About 30,000 tourists were stranded on the State’s highways. Many had to be rescued by helicopter. Eight fatalities resulted from exposure. The snow was accompanied by strong winds and followed by severe cold. Drifts to 8 feet were found in some locations. At least 200 buildings collapsed, as did thousands of awnings and carports.” (SC State Climatology Office. SC Storms of the Century.)

Sources

Environmental Data Service, NOAA. Storm Data. Asheville, NC, Vol. 15, No. 2, Feb 1973. Accessed 1-8-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-C20943BA-32D3-4426-B205-BAC08F0B86FE.pdf

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (William T. Hodge). Climatic Data report, Southeastern Snow Storm, February 8-11, 1973 (NOAA Technical Memorandum EDS NCC-2). Asheville, NC: National Climatic Center, May 1973, 56 pages. Accessed at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/papers/NOAATECHEDSNCC2free.pdf

National Weather Service, Wilmington, NC Weather Forecast Office. “The Great Southeastern Snowstorm: February 9-11, 1973.” 2-9-2016, updated 5-24-2020 by Tim Armstrong. Accessed 1-8-2022 at: https://www.weather.gov/ilm/Feb1973Snow

South Carolina State Climatology Office. South Carolina Storms of the Century. Accessed 6-6-2009 at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Publications/storms_of_centry.php