lornajarrettblanchard

—  21  Altoona Mirror, PA. “Hope dims…plane crash survivors off…Honduras.” 1-24-1985, 3.

—  21  Altoona Mirror, PA.  “Ten bodies recovered.” 1-28-1985, p. 7.

—  21  ASN. Accident description. USAF Lockheed C-130A Hercules off Trujillo-Capiro AP

—  21  Baugher, Joseph F.  1956 USAF Serial Numbers (56-001/956) 11-12-2011 revision.

—  21  Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 139.

—  21  Oelwein Daily Register, IA. “International – Plane search.” 1-23-1985, p. 1.

—  21  Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. “3 of 21 bodies from U.S. plane found.” 1-26-1985, 2.

—  21  United States Air Force. 440^th Airlift Wing. “History of the 440^th Airlift Wing.”

 

Narrative Information

 

ASN:

“….Registration:         56-0501….

“First flight:                1957

“Crew:                         Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5

“Passengers:                Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16

“Total:                         Fatalities: 21 / Occupants: 21….

“Location:                   13 km (8.1 mls) NW off Trujillo-Capiro Airport (TJI) (Honduras)….

Departure Airport:      Balboa-Howard FB…Panama

Destination airport:     Trujillo-Capiro Airport…Honduras

“Narrative:  The Hercules struck the sea in a left-wing low attitude with gear and flaps retracted.[1] The airplane was positioning for a visual approach to the coastal airport of Trujillo. Weather at the time of the accident was a 1500 feet ceiling and a visibility of 2,5km.”[2]

 

(Aviation Safety Network.  Accident Description. United States Air Force Lockheed C-130A Hercules off Trujillo-Capiro Airport 22 Jan 1985.)

 

Baugher: “Lockheed C-130A-7-LM Hercules….501 (c/n 182-3109, 95th TAS) crashed in sea on approach to Trujillo APT, Honduras Jan 22, 1985.  All 21 onboard killed.”  (Baugher, Joseph F.  1956 USAF Serial Numbers (56-001/956) 11-12-2011 revision.)

 

Gero: “Date:  22 January 1985 (c. 09:35)

“Location:  Near Puerto Castilla, Colon, Honduras….

 

“Flown by an Air Force reserve unit, the four-engine turboprop transport crashed in the Caribbean Sea approximately 8 miles (13 km) north­west of Trujillo airport, where it was to have landed, an en-route stop during a scheduled re-supply mission originating at Howard Air Force Base, in the Panama Canal Zone, and ultimately bound for Comayagua, also in Honduras. Including a crew of five, all 21 American military personnel aboard were killed. The bodies of about half of the victims were found.

 

“During the initial phase of the approach, the C-130 was observed to turn right towards the open sea, and examination of recovered debris indicated that it struck the surface of the ocean in a left wing-low attitude, with its undercar­riage and flaps still retracted. Despite the retrieval of a considerable amount of wreckage, its prolonged immersion in the salt water, which was some 100ft (30m) deep at the site of the accident, had corrosive effects that greatly hindered its evaluation. No evidence could be found, however, of in-flight fire, explosion, or of any deficiencies in the aircraft’s flight controls, instruments or power plants. There was an indication of a structural failure in the starboard wing and horizontal stabilizer, but if this occurred, it must have been almost simultaneous with, or resulted from, impact.  At the time, the local weather was overcast, with a ceiling of 1,500ft (500m), and a visibility of 1 1/2 miles (2.5km). The wind was estimated at 20 to 25 knots from a north-north-westerly direction.”  (Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 139.)

 

USAF:“….The 440th in the 1980s. The low point of the 1980s occurred on Jan. 22, 1985 when C-130A (#56501) commanded by Maj. Mike Durante crashed in the sea off the northern coast of Honduras while trying to land at Trujillo, Honduras. The plane carried a seven-man crew and 14 passengers. There were no survivors.” (United States Air Force. 440^th Airlift Wing. “History of the 440^th Airlift Wing.”)

Newspapers at the Time

 

Jan 23: “Tegucigalpa, Honduras (AP) – Fog and stormy weather during the night forced U.S. officials to interrupt the search for a U.S. Air Force plane carrying 21 Americans that went down in the Caribbean about 500 yards off Honduras’ coast, a U.S. Embassy spokesman said.  Robert Callahan, the embassy’s press attaché, said the C-130A transport was on its way to the Honduran coastal town of Trujillo from Howard Air Force Base in Panama when it splashed into the water about 11 a.m. EST Tuesday.”  (Oelwein Daily Register, IA. “International – Plane search.” 1-23-1985, 1.)

 

Jan 24: “Tegucigalpa, Honduras (UPI) — Frogmen scoured the shark-infested waters off  the northern Honduran coast today for 21 Americans presumed killed in a U.S. military plane crash after rescue parties found parts of the aircraft.  U.S. Embassy spokesman…said Wednesday the U.S. Navy frigate McCloy located parts of the C-130A Hercules in the Caribbean Sea off Honduras’ northern coast, some 300 and 500 yards from where it was scheduled to land.

 

“The U.S. Southern Command in Panama said search parties on a beach north of Puerto Trujillo found a sleeping bag, an unused life raft with the serial number of the aircraft, aircrew helmet bags and helmets.

 

“The transport plane disappeared Tuesday morning en route from Panama to the landing strip at Puerto Trujillo, 270 miles northeast of Tegucigalpa, and was believed to have gone down in the Caribbean.  U.S. and Honduran air force rescue teams, using airplanes and helicopters, began searching the coast early Wednesday, but their efforts were hampered by bad weather and rough seas.  The weather has since cleared.

 

“A team of 30 divers flown in from the U.S. Southern Command in Panama and other specialists based in Panama and two U.S. military bases in Honduras today were continuing their search in the shark-infested sea….

 

“[Spokesman] Callahan said the plane’s final destination was to have been the U.S. Air Base at Palmerola, 50 miles north of Tegucigalpa.  The aircraft was stopping in Trujillo to unload material and mail for U.S. soldiers at the Regional Training Center in nearby Puerto Castilla…

 

“During the last radio contact with Tegucigalpa airport, at 10:02 a.m. EST Wednesday, the pilots asked permission to descend at 22,000 feet to 20,000 feet, supposedly because of unfavorable visual conditions above Trujillo.  Trujillo has no ground control tower.

 

“The C-130 Hercules left the Howard Air Force base in Panama at 7:53 a.m. EST…

 

“The plane was attached to the 440th Tactical Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve out of Billy

Mitchell Field in Milwaukee and was on “rotational duty” in Panama, the Pentagon said.

 

“U.S. troops began military maneuvers with Honduras in February 1983 to display U.S. strength in the region and prevent what Washington views as the spread of Marxist subversion from neighboring Nicaragua.”  (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Hope dims of finding plane crash survivors off coast of Honduras.” 1-24-1985, 3.)

 

Jan 26: “The Associated Press.  Tegucigalpa, Honduras — American officials say searchers have recovered the bodies of three of 21 Americans aboard a U.S. Air Force plane that crashed into the Caribbean Sea off northern Honduras.”  (Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. “3 of 21 bodies from U.S. plane found.” 1-26-1985, 2.)

 

Jan 28: “Tegucigalpa, Honduras (UPI) — Frogmen found the bodies of two more of the 21 Americans killed in an Army plane crash off Honduras, bringing the number of bodies recovered to 10.

 

“Col. Angel Ricardo Luque, who is directing the Honduran search, said, a joint- team of U.S.-Honduran frogmen pulled two unidentified bodies from the wreckage of the C-130A Hercules plane Sunday afternoon.

 

“The transport plane crashed some 2,700 feet off the northern Honduras coast in bad weather Tuesday.  The 20 men and one woman aboard — all military personnel — were killed as the plane plunged into the Caribbean off Puerto Trujillo, where the U.S. Army trains Central American forces in guerrilla tactics.

 

“Three bodies were found Friday [Jan 25] in the waters off Trujillo, some 150 miles northeast of Tegucigalpa, and another five bodies were found in the area Saturday….”  (Altoona Mirror, PA.  “Ten bodies recovered.” 1-28-1985, p. 7.)

 

Sources

 

Altoona Mirror, PA. “Hope dims of finding plane crash survivors off coast of Honduras.” 1-24-1985, 3. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=73135010

 

Altoona Mirror, PA. “Ten bodies recovered [USAF Hercules off Honduras].” 1-28-1985, p. 7. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=73135097

 

Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. United States Air Force, Lockheed C-130A Hercules off Trujillo-Capiro Airport 22 Jan 1985. Accessed 2-21-2012 at:

http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19850122-0

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1956 USAF Serial Numbers (56-001/956) 11-12-2011 revision. Accessed 2-21-2012 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1956.html

 

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

 

Oelwein Daily Register, IA. “International – Plane search [USAF Hercules].” 1-23-1985, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=103964471

 

Syracuse Herald Journal, NY. “3 of 21 bodies from U.S. plane found [USAF, off Honduras].” 1-26-1985, 2. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=22514865

 

United States Air Force. 440^th Airlift Wing. “History of the 440^th Airlift Wing.” Posted 4-15-2009 at: http://www.pope.afrc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3696

 

 

 

[1] Commanded by Major Mike Durante. (USAF. 440^th Airlift Wing. “History of the 440^th Airlift Wing.)

[2] Cites as source:  Gero.

— 70  NationMaster.com, Encyclopedia, List of Notable Accidents and Incidents Com Aircraft

— 70  NTSB. AAR. Galaxy Airlines, Inc…Reno, Nevada, January 21, 1985. 2-4-1986, p. i.

 

Narrative Information

 

NTSB: “Synopsis.  About 0102:30 Pacific standard time on January 21, 1985, Galaxy Airlines Flight 203, a Lockheed Electra (N5532) charter flight en route to Minneapolis, Minnesota, departed runway 16R of the Reno-Cannon International Airport. Approximately one minute later, the crew requested a turn to a left downwind to return to the airport because of a vibration in the airplane. In accordance with the request, the tower controller cleared the flight to make a left turn to a downwind traffic pattern. The airplane crashed at 0104 into an area 1½ miles from the departure end of runway 16R, and ¾ mile to the right of the extended runway centerline. The impact and subsequent fire killed the crew of six and 64 of the 65 passengers onboard. The airplane was destroyed. The sky was clear and the visibility was 12 miles at the time of the accident.

 

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the captain’s failure to control and the copilot’s failure to monitor the flight path and airspeed of the aircraft. This breakdown in crew coordination followed the onset of unexpected vibration shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of ground handlers to properly close an air start access door, which led to the vibration.” (p. 1.)

 

“Factual Information. History of the Flight….The charter flight had been coordinated as a gambling junket for Galaxy through a broker agent.” (p. 1.) (NTSB. Aircraft Accident Report. Galaxy Airlines, Inc., Lockheed Electra…Reno, Nevada, January 21, 1985. 2-4-1986.)

 

Sources

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Aircraft Accident Report. Galaxy Airlines, Inc., Lockheed Electra-L-I 88C, N5532, Reno, Nevada, January 21, 1985 (NTSB/AAR-86/01). Washington, DC: NTSB, 2-4-1986, 94 pages. Accessed 1-26-2017 at: http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR86-01.pdf

 

NationMaster.com. Encyclopedia. “List of Notable Accidents and Incidents on Commercial Aircraft.” Accessed 12-15-2008 at: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-notable-accidents-and-incidents-on-commercial-aircraft

 

 

 

—  184  Blanchard tally of high range of fatalities from State breakouts below.[1]

—  176  AP. “Blowing snow traps West Virginians…” Capital Times, Madison, WI. 1-26-1985, 1.

—  176  UPI. “Cold wave paralyzes upper Midwest.” Oskaloosa Herald, IA. 1-25-1985, p. 2.[2]

—  173  AP. “Alberta Clipper follow-up blasts upper Midwest….” IN Gazette, PA. 1-25-1985, 5.[3]

—  171  AP. “New arctic air mass heads…” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA, 1-25-85, 2.

—  171  The News, Frederick, MD. “SHA begins repairs on W. 7^th St. bridge.” 1-27-1985, A5.[4]

—  165  Associated Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.[5]

–>150  Jan 12-31. AP. “Five Hurricanes…” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. 12-29-1985, A8.

—  150  Jan 19-22. NCDC. Billion-Dollar Weather/Climate Disasters. “Winter Damage…”

—  134  Jan 18-22. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.[6]

—  134  Blanchard tally of low range of fatalities from State breakouts below.

—>126  Jan 18-22. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

—  126  Blanchard tally of individualized breakouts below.

—>112  Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “112 Dead in Cold Wave…” 1-23-1985, p. 1.

—>107  AP. “Cold grips East and South; citrus crop threatened.” Indiana Gazette, 1-22-1985, p1.

—>101  Jan 18-22. AP. “U.S. weather picture…upside down.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 1-22-85, A4.

—  >86  NCDC. Storm Data. “Extreme Cold in the Eastern U.S. on January 19-24, 1985,” p. 6.[7]

—  >79  Los Angeles Times. “Subzero Weather Grips Eastern Half of Nation…”1-22-1985.

—    76  Jan 18-22. AP. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, FL. 1-22-85, 1.

—  >66  Jan 19-22. Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “At Least 66 Die. Cold Wave…” 1-22-1985, p. 1.[8]

—  >49  Jan 18-21. AP. “Record cold in East…kills scores.” Daily Intelligencer, 1-22-1985, 28C.[9]

 

Summary of State Breakouts Below:

 

Alabama                     (5-7) 

Arizona                      (   3) 

Arkansas                    (   1)

Colorado                    (   2) 

District of Columbia (   1) 

Florida                        ( 15)

Georgia                      (   8) 

Illinois                         (   8)

 

Indiana                       (   5-6) 

Kentucky                   (       3)

Louisiana                  (       3) 

Maryland                   (       1) 

Michigan                    (     10) 

Minnesota                  (    2-3) 

Mississippi                  (       1)   

New Jersey                 (       2) 

New York                   (       5)    

North Carolina          (21-23) 

Ohio                            (     10) 

Oklahoma                  (   5-7) 

Pennsylvania              (  9-10) 

South Carolina          (  7-15) 

Tennessee                   (12-20) 

Texas                          (   2-8) 

Utah                            (      1) 

Virginia                      (      5) 

Washington                (      3)

West Virginia            (      3) 

 

Breakout by States and Localities

 

Alabama         (5-7) 

—  7  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

—>5  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 12.

—  5  NWS WFO Birmingham. Winter Weather History in Central Alabama. 11-15-2013 mod.

—  0  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All Counties in AL Jan 18-21, 1985.

Breakouts by Locality: (5)

—  1  Birmingham, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; female, 61, in home with temp at 1 degree.[10]

—  1  Henry County, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; elderly male.[11]

—  1  Opelika, Jan 19. “Exposure after apparently wandering from his home.” Male, 87.[12]

—  2  Selma, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; female, 64, male, 81, found in homes unconscious.[13]

 

Arizona          (  3) 

— 3  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 1  Navajo Reservation ~Lukachukai, found Jan 18 outside residence. Exposure, male, 20-25.[14]

— 1  Navajo Reservation, McKinley County, Jan 18-19. Exposure; Bernice Charlie, 48.[15]

— 1  Navajo Reservation, McKinley County, Jan 18-19. Exposure; Buck Jones, 48.[16]

 

Arkansas        (  1)

— 1  ~Clinton, Van Buren Co., Jan 20. Hypothermia “from lack of heating…residence.” Male.[17]

 

Colorado        (  2) 

— 2  Durango area, found Jan 18. Died in truck camper overnight using propane heater; males.[18]

— 1  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 12.

 

District of Co. ( 1) 

— 1  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 1  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 15.

–1  Jan 20. “One man was found dead in an abandoned row house.” (sub-zero temp.)

 

Florida            (15) 

—  15  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

—  15  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 13.

— 6 Jan 21-23 from hypothermia                    — 9 Jan 21-23 from fires.

—  12  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

—>12  State, Jan 20-22. AP. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald. 1-23-1985, 5C.

Breakout by Localities: (12)

—    1  Geneva, Seminole Co., Jan 21. Smoke inhalation, fire; wood-burning stove; female, 48.[19]

—    2  Jacksonville, Jan 20. Fire; electric heater too close to bed;[20] male, 94, female, 92.[21]

—    1  Milton, found Jan 21. Apparent hypothermia; unheated home; Areatha Lee Levins, 81.[22]

—    1  Milton, found Jan 21. Apparent hypothermia; unheated home; Della Tibbs, 84.[23]

—    1  Orange Springs, Marion Co., Jan 21. Fire; clothing, outside barrel; Willy Hewett, 89.[24]

—    4  Palmetto. Home fire; portable kerosene heater contact with bedding; children, 4 to 18.[25]

—    1  Tallahassee, found Jan 21. Apparent hypothermia, unheated home; Cora Givens, 78.[26]

—    1  Tallahassee, found Jan 22. Apparent hypothermia, unheated home; S. T. Smith, 67.[27]

 

Georgia[28]       (    8) 

— 8  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 8  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 13.[29]

–1  Fulton County, Jan 20. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Sumter County, Jan 20. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Muscogee County, Jan 21. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Sumter County, Jan 21. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Laurens County, Jan 21. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Pickens County, Jan 22. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Troup County, Jan 22. Hypothermia/exposure.

–1  Muscogee County, Jan 23. Hypothermia/exposure.

 

Illinois             (   8) 

— 8  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 13.

 

Indiana           (5-6) 

— 6  State.  AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 5  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 13.

–1  Jan 20. “hitchhiker…found frozen in a phone booth where he tried to seek shelter…”

–1  Jan 20. Man “found frozen in a snow bank after being injured in a hit and run…”

–1  Indianapolis, Jan 20. Man, 86, “…found frozen to death in his garage…”

–2  Jan 20. Hypothermia.

 

Kentucky       (   3) 

— 3  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 3  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 14.

— 1  Hickman County, Jan 19-21. Heart attack while shoveling snow.

— 1  Lincoln County. Exposure/hypothermia, feeding livestock in subzero cold; man, 82.

— 1  Louisville. CO poisoning from warming car in closed garage; male, 20.

 

Louisiana       (   3) 

— 3  State.  Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 3  Jan 21-24. Hypothermia. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 14.

— 1  Bossier Parish,  21-24     – 1 Orleans Parish       — 1 Parish not noted.

 

Maryland       (   1) 

— 1  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 15.

 

Michigan        ( 10) 

–10  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

–10  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 15.

—  6  Jan 20. Traffic accidents. Joplin Globe, MO. “Cold continues.” 1-21-1985, 10A.

—  6  Jan 20. Traffic accidents. NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and…” 27/1, Jan 1985, 15.

—  3  Jan 18. Traffic accidents. Kokomo Tribune, IN. “It’s ‘snuggle-up’ weather.” 1-20-1985, 1.

—  2  State, Jan 20. Carbon monoxide poisoning “from overworked heaters.”[30]

—  1  State. Jan 20. Heart attack while shoveling snow.[31]

—  1  Benton Harbor, Jan 19. Hypothermia; male.

—  1  Clare, Jan 20. “…died while helping a stranded motorist…authorities said.”[32]

—  1  Detroit, Jan 20. Hypothermia; male, 61, in unheated home.[33]

—  1  Grand Rapids, Jan 20. Hypothermia; male.[34]

 

Minnesota      (2-3) 

— 3  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 1  Bagley, Clearwater Co., ~Jan 20. Exposure “walking to her neighbor’s trailer…40 yards away.”[35]

— 1  Bemidji, Beltrami County, Jan 19. Exposure, 18-year-old.[36]

 

Mississippi      (   1) 

— 1  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 16.

 

New Jersey     (    2) 

— 2  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 16.

 

New York       (    5) 

–12  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, 1.[37]

—  5  State. AP. “Five dead in New York Cold.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 1-22-1985, A5.

—  5  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 17.[38]

—  2  Buffalo, Jan 21. Exposure outdoors/hypothermia.[39]

—  1  Massena, St. Lawrence Co., Jan 19. Intoxicated snowplow driver hits car, kills female, 37.[40]

—  2  NYC, Lower East Side. Hypothermia; found Jan 21 in unheated building.[41]

 

North Carolina (21-23) 

–23  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

–21  State. Blanchard addition of 14 hypothermia/exposure deaths with 7 from Henderson fire.

–14  State. “…direct result of hypothermia and exposure.” NCDC. Storm Data, 1985.[42]

—  6  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.[43]

—  4  State. Gettysburg Times, PA. “Chill.” 1-22-1985, p. 2.

—  7  Henderson. Fire from overheated wood-burning stove; children aged 3 to 17.[44]

 

Ohio                (       10) 

— 10  Blanchard tally of individualized breakouts below.

— >7  AP. “Ohio fruit freeze is no peach.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. 1-24-1985, B3.

—   6  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

—   5  State. “…attributed to the cold.” NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

Breakouts by Locality: (10)

—   1  Butler/Warren Counties, Middletown. Male, 50, “found frozen…outside…theater.”[45]

—   1        “       Middletown, outside Nursing Home, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; female, 88.[46]

—   1  Harrison County, Adena, Jan 22. Hypothermia; car stuck in snow drift; J. Greeves, 74.[47]

—   1  Cuyahoga County, Cleveland. CO poisoning, faulty kerosene heater; Randy Carter, 16.[48]

—   1  Cuyahoga County, Cleveland. Exposure/hypothermia; male (Balesaw Onoszka), 60.[49]

—   1  Cuyahoga County, Rocky River, Jan 23. Man, 76; hypothermia while clearing snow.[50]

—   1  Huron County. Hypothermia; male “freezes to death.”[51]

—   1  Lorain Co., Lorain. Hit by car, plowing snow from driveway; Ellsworth W. Sheperd, 76.[52]

—   1  Richland Co., Mansfield. Found Jan 22. Hypothermia contributing; Otis Thompson, 71.[53]

—   1  Portsmouth, Scioto County, Jan 19. Man, 51, “found frozen on a hillside near his home.”[54]

 

Oklahoma      (5-7) 

— 7  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

— 5  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 5  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

Breakouts by Locality: (7)

— 1  Durant, Jan 19-20. Hypothermia; woman.

— 1  Henryetta, Jan 19-20. Hypothermia; male.[55]

— 1  Jay, Jan 19-20. Hypothermia; male.[56]

— 2  Norman vic., Lake Thunderbird. Exposure; boat overturns, men had life-preservers on.[57]

— 2  Tulsa area, Jan 21 reported. Hypothermia.[58]

 

Pennsylvania  (9-10)  (Jan 18-21)

–10  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

—  9  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

—  9  AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates [Penn.]” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.[59]

—  9  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

Locality Breakout: (9)

—  1  Allegheny County, Castle Shannon, Jan 18. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 67.[60]

—  1  Allegheny County, Elizabeth, Jan 20. Apparent heart attack?; Neil Ferry, 65.[61]

—  1  Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Jan 20. Hypothermia contributing factor; Mary Kobus, 69.[62]

—  1  Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, found Jan 20. Hypothermia in unheated home, female, 79.[63]

—  1  Allegheny County, Port Vue, Jan 18. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 77.[64]

—  1  Allegheny County, West Mifflin, Jan 18. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 66.[65]

—  1  Jefferson County, Jan 19. Exposure; next to disabled snowmobile; male (Tobin), 63.[66]

—  1  Montour County, Danville, Jan 19. Hypothermia; Edward Dewalt, 79.[67]

—  1  Philadelphia, ~Sweetbriar Mansion, found Jan 21. Hypothermia, Thomas Patterson, 75.[68]

—  1  Eastern PA. Hypothermia; elderly person froze to death in automobile.[69]

 

South Carolina[70] (7-15) 

–15  State. Jan 21-31. Cold exposure and hypothermia. NCDC. Storm Data. [71]

—  7  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

—  5  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

 

Tennessee[72]        (12-20) 

–20  State. Assoc. Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

–16  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

–13  Gettysburg Times. “Chill (continued from p. 1).” 1-22-1985, p. 2.

–12  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 18.

—  3  Jan 17. Small plane crash on “college campus.” Pilot reported “some icing,” eng. failure.[73]

Breakouts by locality: (12)

–1  Decatur County, Decaturville, Jan 21. Exposure; female, 84, unheated home (10 degrees).[74]

–1  Greene Co., Greeneville, Jan 21. Exposure; female, 77, wandered away from nursing home.[75]

–1  Hamilton County, Chattanooga, Jan 21. Exposure; male, 60, unheated home.[76]

–1  Hardeman Co., Middleton, Jan 21. Exposure; male, 92, wanders away from son’s home.[77]

–1  Hawkins County, Rogersville, Jan 22. Hypothermia; female, 75, could not keep stove on.[78]

–1  Knox County, Knoxville, Jan 21. Exposure; male, 65, found in snow near pickup truck.[79]

–1  Knox County, West Knoxville, Jan 21. Hypothermia; male found dead in apartment.[80]

–1  Montgomery County, Clarksville, Jan 22. Hypothermia; male, 69, portable heater shut off.[81]

–1  Polk County, Benton, Jan 22. Trauma; man, 87, slipped on ice and hit his head on porch.[82]

–1  Roane County, ~Rockwood, Jan 22. Hypothermia, inadequate heat in home; female, 74.[83]

–1  Shelby County, Memphis, Jan 20. Probable exposure; man, 52, found unconscious in car.[84]

–1  Sumner County, Portland, Jan 20. Apparent exposure; man, 76, unheated home.[85]

 

Texas              (2-8) 

— 8  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 1  No. TX. NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather…” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

— 1  Comanche County, Jan 19-20. Drowning; wind gust, duck hunter thrown into cold water.[86]

— 1  Dallas, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; wheelchair-bound man outside (10°) locked house.[87]

 

Utah                (   1) 

— 1  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 20.

 

Virginia          (   5) 

— 5  AP. “Deaths Linked to Cold Wave.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 1-23-1985, 16.

— 3  State. AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 1  Harrisburg. Hypothermia (according to State med. Examiner); Madeline Adams, late 70s.[88]

— 1  Hopewell, Jan 20. Heart attack from outdoors exertion (cites medical examiner); male, 45.[89]

— 1  Hopewell, Jan 20. Hypothermia (according to medical examiner); Robert Mathews, 52.[90]

— 1  Richmond. Heart attack “brought on by outdoor activity (hospital physician); elderly man.[91]

— 1  Shiloh section, Bedford County, Jan 20. Fire, wood stove; Otea Lincoln Banks, 52.[92]

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 20.

 

Washington    (3)

— 3  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 3  State. Titusville Herald, PA. “Blast of Arctic Air Hits Area.” 1-21-1985, p. 2.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 20.

 

West Virginia (3) 

— 3  State. Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” NYT. 1-23-1985.

— 0  NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 20.

 

Specified Causes of Death:

Accidents [?]:

—>66  Jan 19-22. Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “At Least 66 Die. Cold Wave…” 1-22-1985, p. 1.[93]

 

Carbon Monoxide poisoning:

— 1  KY. Louisville. CO poisoning from warming car in closed garage; male, 20.

— 2  MI. Carbon monoxide poisoning “from overworked heaters.”

— 1  OH. Cleveland, Cuyahoga County. CO poisoning, faulty kerosene heater; Randy Carter, 16.

 

Drowning:

— 1  TX. Comanche Co., Jan 19-20. Drowning; wind gust, duck hunter thrown into cold water.

 

Fires/Smoke Inhalation:

–~19  (Children). Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “112 Dead in Cold Wave…” 1-23-1985, p. 1.

—   1  FL. Geneva, Seminole Co., Jan 21. Smoke inhalation, fire; wood stove; female, 48.

—   2  FL. Jacksonville, Jan 20. Fire; electric heater too close to bed;[94] male, 94, female, 92.

—   6  FL. NCDC Storm Data notes 9 fire deaths, but we note above 3 specific deaths.[95]

—   1  FL. Orange Springs, Marion Co., Jan 21. Fire; clothing, outside barrel; Willy Hewett, 89.

—   4  FL. Palmetto. Home fire; portable kerosene heater contact with bedding; children, 4 to 18.

—   7  NC. Henderson. Fire from overheated wood-burning stove; children aged 3 to 17.

—   1  VA. Shiloh section, Bedford County, Jan 20. Fire, wood stove; Otea Lincoln Banks, 52.

 

Heart Attacks:

— 1  KY. Hickman County, Jan 19-21. Heart attack while shoveling snow.

— 1  MI. ~Jan 20. Heart attack while shoveling snow.

— 1  PA. Allegheny Co., Castle Shannon, Jan 18. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 67.[96]

— 1  PA. Allegheny County, Elizabeth, Jan 20. Apparent heart attack?; Neil Ferry, 65.[97]

— 1  PA. Allegheny County, Port Vue, Jan 18. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 77.

— 1  PA. Allegheny County, West Mifflin, Jan 18. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 66.

— 1  VA. Hopewell, Jan 20. Heart attack from outdoors exertion (re medical examiner); male, 45.

— 1  VA. Richmond. Heart attack “brought on by outdoor activity (hospital doctor); elderly man.

 

Hypothermia/Exposure:

— 1  AL. Birmingham, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; female, 61, in home with temp at ~1°.

—  1  AL. Henry County, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; elderly male.

—  1  AL. Opelika, Jan 19. “Exposure after apparently wandering from his home.” Male, 87.

—  1  AL. Selma, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; female, 64, found unconscious in home.

—  1  AL. Selma, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; male, 81, found unconscious in home.

—  1  AZ. Navajo Reservation ~Lukachukai, found Jan 18 outside residence. Male, 20-25.

—  1  AZ. Navajo Reservation, McKinley County, Jan 18-19. Exposure; Bernice Charlie, 48.

—  1  AZ. Navajo Reservation, McKinley County, Jan 18-19. Exposure; Buck Jones, 48.

—  1  AR. ~Clinton, Van Buren Co., Jan 20. Hypothermia “from lack of heating…” Male.

—  1  FL. Milton, found Jan 21. Apparent hypothermia; unheated home; Areatha Lee Levins, 81.

—  1  FL. Milton, found Jan 21. Apparent hypothermia; unheated home; Della Tibbs, 84.

—  1  FL. Tallahassee, found Jan 21. Apparent hypothermia, unheated home; Cora Givens, 78.

—  1  FL. Tallahassee, found Jan 22. Apparent hypothermia, unheated home; S. T. Smith, 67.

—  2  FL. 6 Jan 21-23, hypothermia (NCDC notes 6, but we note four identified deaths above).

—  1  GA. Fulton County, Jan 20. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Sumter County, Jan 20. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Muscogee County, Jan 21. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Sumter County, Jan 21. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Laurens County, Jan 21. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Pickens County, Jan 22. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Troup County, Jan 22. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  GA. Muscogee County, Jan 23. Hypothermia/exposure.

—  1  IN. Jan 20. “hitchhiker…found frozen in a phone booth where he tried to seek shelter…”

—  1  IN. Indianapolis, Jan 20. Man, 86, “…found frozen to death in his garage…”

—  2  IN. Jan 20. Hypothermia.

—  1  KY. Lincoln Co., Jan 19-21. Exposure/hypothermia, feeding livestock subzero cold; man, 82.

—  1  LA. Bossier Parish, Jan 21-24.

—  1  LA. Orleans Parish, Jan 21-24.

—  1  LA. Parish not noted, Jan 21-24.

—  1  MI. Benton Harbor, Jan 19. Hypothermia; male.

—  1  MI. Detroit, Jan 20. Hypothermia; male, 61, in unheated home.

—  1  MI. Grand Rapids, Jan 20. Hypothermia; male.

—  1  MN. Bagley, Clearwater Co. Exposure “walking to her neighbor’s trailer…40 yards away.

—  1  MN. Bemidji, Jan 19. Exposure, 18-year-old.

—  2  NY. Buffalo, Jan 21. Exposure outdoors/hypothermia.

—  2  NY. NYC, Lower East Side. Hypothermia; found Jan 21 in unheated building.

–14  NC. State. “…direct result of hypothermia and exposure.” NCDC. Storm Data, 1985

—  1  OH. Butler/Warren Counties, Middletown. “found frozen…outside…theater.” Male, 50.

—  1  OH. Butler/Warren, Middletown, outside nursing home. Exposure/hypothermia; female, 88.

—  1  OH. Cuyahoga County, Cleveland. Exposure/hypothermia; male (Balesaw Onoszka), 60.

—  1  OH, Cuyahoga County, Rocky River, Jan 23. Man, 76; hypothermia while clearing snow.[98]

—  1  OH. Harrison Co., Adena, Jan 22. Hypothermia; car stuck in snow drift; J. Greeves, 74.

—  1  OH. Huron County. Hypothermia; male “freezes to death.”

—  1  OH. Richland Co., Mansfield. Found Jan 22. Hypothermia contributing; Otis Thompson, 71.

—  1  OH. Scioto Co., Portsmouth, Jan 19. Man, 51, “found frozen on a hillside near his home.”

—  1  OK. Durant, Jan 19-20. Hypothermia; woman.

—  1  OK. Henryetta, Jan 19-20. Hypothermia; male

—  1  OK. Jay, Jan 19-20. Hypothermia; male.

—  2  OK. Norman vic., Lake Thunderbird. Exposure; boat overturns, men had life-preservers on.

—  2  OK. Tulsa area, Jan 21 reported. Hypothermia.

—  1  PA. Allegheny Co., Pittsburgh, Jan 20. Hypothermia contributing factor; Mary Kobus, 69.[99]

—  1  PA. Allegheny Co., Pittsburgh, found Jan 20. Hypothermia in unheated home, female, 79.

—  1  PA. Jefferson County, Jan 19. Exposure; next to disabled snowmobile; male (Tobin), 63.

—  1  PA. Montour County, Danville, Jan 19. Hypothermia; Edward Dewalt, 79.

—  1  PA. Philadelphia, ~Sweetbriar Mansion, found Jan 21. Hypothermia, Thomas Patterson, 75.

—  1  PA. Eastern. Hypothermia; elderly person froze to death in automobile.

–15  SC. Jan 21-31. Cold exposure and hypothermia.

—  1  TN. Decatur Co., Decaturville, Jan 21. Exposure; female, 84, unheated home (10 degrees).

—  1  TN. Greene Co., Greeneville, Jan 21. Exposure; female, 77, wandered away from nursing home.[100]

—  1  TN. Hamilton County, Chattanooga, Jan 21. Exposure; male, 60, unheated home.

—  1  TN. Hardeman Co., Middleton, Jan 21. Exposure; man, 92, wanders away from son’s home

—  1  TN. Hawkins Co., Rogersville, Jan 22. Hypothermia; female, 75, could not keep stove going.

—  1  TN. Knox Co., Knoxville, Jan 21. Exposure; male, 65, found in snow near pickup truck.

—  1  TN. Knox County, West Knoxville, Jan 21. Hypothermia; male found dead in apartment.

—  1  TN. Montgomery Co., Clarksville, Jan 22. Hypothermia; male, 69, portable heater shut off.

—  1  TN. Roane Co., ~Rockwood, Jan 22. Hypothermia, inadequate heat in home; female, 74.

—  1  TN. Shelby Co,, Memphis, Jan 20. Probable exposure; man, 52, found unconscious in car.

—  1  TN. Sumner County, Portland, Jan 20. Apparent exposure; man, 76, unheated home.

—  1  TX. Dallas, Jan 19. Exposure/hypothermia; wheelchair-bound man outside (10°) locked house.

—  1  VA. Harrisburg. Hypothermia (State medical examiner); Madeline Adams, late 70s.

—  1  VA. Hopewell, Jan 20. Hypothermia (according to med. examiner); Robert Mathews, 52.

 

Traffic Accidents/Incidents:

–1  IN. Jan 20. Man “found frozen in a snow bank after being injured in a hit and run…”

–3  MI. Traffic accidents. Kokomo Tribune, IN. “It’s ‘snuggle-up’ weather.” 1-20-85, 1.

—  1  Clare, Jan 20. “…died while helping a stranded motorist…authorities said.”

–1  NY. Massena, St. Lawrence Co., Jan 19. Intoxicated snowplow driver hits car, kills female, 37.

–1  NY. Lorain, Lorain Co. Hit by car, plowing snow from driveway; Ellsworth W. Sheperd, 76.

 

Trauma/Fall:

–1  TN. Polk County, Benton, Jan 22. Trauma; man, 87, slipped on ice and hit his head on porch.

 

Not Clear:

–2  CO. Durango area, found Jan 18. Died in truck camper overnight using propane heater; males.[101]

–1  DC. Jan 20. “One man was found dead in an abandoned row house.” (sub-zero temp.)

 

Narrative Information — General

 

NCDC Storm Data: “On January 19^th, a bitter cold arctic air mass began to spread south and east from the upper Midwest, causing many new, all-time minimum temperature records to be set across parts of the eastern half of the U.S. At least 86 deaths were attributed to the cold, which also produced extensive damage to fruit crops in the south and caused the cancellation of Inaugural celebrations in Washington, D.C. The principal causes of death were hypothermia and exposure. Most of the victims were elderly people living in unheated homes in the southeastern states, and a large percentage were male….A by-product of the cold outbreak…was a three day period of intense, lake effect snow squalls that moved through the Buffalo area from Lake Erie on January 19^th to the 21^st. The NWS at the Buffalo International Airport reported a storm total snowfall of 34.4 inches, while suburban reports were as high as 47 inches. Similar heavy lake-effect snows were received along the eastern shores of Lake Ontario.”  (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data. “Extreme Cold in the Eastern U.S. on January 19-24, 1985,” 27/1, Jan 1985, pp. 6 and 8.)

 

NCDC: “1985-01-19…1985-01-22…Extreme cold and winter storms in the Southeast, South, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, and North…$(1.2) [Billion Dollar loss]…150 [deaths].”

(NCDC. Billion-Dollar Weather/Climate Disasters. “Winter Damage, Cold Wave, Jan 1985.”)

 

Newspapers (General)

 

Jan 22, AP: “Subzero temperatures gripped the eastern half of the nation Monday, damaging Florida’s citrus crop, forcing inauguration festivities to be held indoors in Washington, D.C., and freezing power generators in New Orleans. More than 80 records were set in the Southeast and East for the coldest temperature for the date. Twenty of those records were the coldest temperatures ever recorded, including 4 below zero in Athens, Ga , and 16 below zero in Asheville, N.C. …. Readings of 10 to 20 degrees below zero were common Monday in the East. Akron, Ohio reported the coldest temperature in the nation with 24 below zero, but there were unofficial reports of 25 below zero near Hysham, Mont., and 29 below zero in Kingston, Pa.

 

“A blizzard and winter storm warning continued across parts of western and central New York state, including Buffalo. Winds there gusted near 35 mph with a wind chill near 50 below, and 4

inches of snow had fallen in Buffalo since 7 a.m. The storm over the weekend had dumped about

25 inches of snow on Buffalo and 22 inches on Leland, Mich. Drifts 8 feet deep were reported in

Benzonia, Mich.” (Associated Press. “Record cold in East destroys crops, kills scores.” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. 1-22-1985, 28C.)

 

Jan 23, AP: “A cold wave blamed for at least 126 deaths set more record low temperatures in the Southeast yesterday [Jan 22], even as thermometers began to creep up in the North. More than two dozen record lows for the date, all above zero, were posted yesterday from Tennessee to Florida and Louisiana…. Schools were still closed in 28 counties in Michigan because of icy or snow- covered roads, although temperatures warmed into the 20’s….

 

“In Henderson, N.C., seven children were killed when a fire trapped them in an upstairs bedroom after spreading from a wood stove over-stoked to fight off a sub-zero freeze, United Press International reported . Fire Chief Ranger Wilkerson said an overheated wood-burning stove started the fire that trapped the four boys and three girls ranging in age from 3 to 17 years old.

 

“The death toll attributed to the weather since Friday [Jan 18] included 16 in Tennessee; 12 in Florida; 10 in Michigan; 9 in Pennsylvania; 8 each in Texas, Georgia and Illinois; 6 each in Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina; 5 each in Oklahoma, New York and South Carolina; 3 in Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota and West Virginia; 2 in Alabama and New Jersey, and 1 each in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Mississippi. In addition to those who died in the eastern half of the nation, weather-related deaths in the West included three in Washington, three in Arizona and one each in Colorado and Utah.” (AP. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” New York Times. 1-23-1985.)

 

Jan 12-31, AP: “January Arctic air swept across the Eastern half of country between Jan. 12-31, freezing fruits, vegetables and water pipes. Total damage was estimated at $1.4 billion and more than 150 deaths were attributed to the cold, primarily from hypothermia, automobile accidents and heart attacks.” (AP. “Five Hurricanes, Mudslides, Floods Stagger the Country.” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. 12-29-1985, A8.)

 

Alabama

 

Murray: “On the morning of Monday, January 21, 1985, Alabama awoke in a deep freeze. It was -6F at the Birmingham Airport, marking a record low for the date…the second coldest low ever measured officially at Birmingham, coming within just a few degrees of the all time record low of -10 set on February 13, 1899. (Bill Murray. “Birmingham’s Second Coldest Morning (1985).” Alabama WX Weather Blog. 1-20-2007.)

 

NCDC:  “Statewide [Jan] 19-22…Record cold.  A bitterly cold air mass was destined to rewrite the record books for low temperatures in much of Alabama as it swept across the northern border of the state during the early evening of January 19^th and continued its deadly southward plunge. At least five people died from exposure to cold, which overall was the coldest of this century in Alabama….Early morning low temperatures on the 21^st were from 14 degrees below zero at Belle Mina, Russellville and Valley Head in North Alabama to 3 degrees in Mobile and Dothan and 5 degrees at Fairhope on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. Brewton, near the Florida line, in south Alabama had a low of 1 below zero. The afternoon high of 6 degrees in Birmingham on January 20^th under a clear sky was the lowest day time high ever recorded in the city….Water lines froze in many buildings and damage was extensive…One to three inches of snow accompanied the cold over about the northern one-third of the state.”  (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12. Asheville, NC, NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce.)

 

NWS WFO, Birmingham: “At least 5 people perished in the extreme cold of January 19-22, 1985. This event re-established low temperature records over much of Alabama. This storm brought ice accumulations of up to one foot as reported in Lauderdale county. Bridges were coated with ice well into central Alabama and four people were killed in traffic accidents on icy roads.” (NWS WFO, Birmingham, AL. Winter Weather History in Central Alabama (webpage). 11-15-2013 modification.)

Arkansas

 

NCDC: “All of Arkansas [Jan] 19-21…Heavy Snow and Cold Outbreak. A rather strong cold front moved through the State during the daylight hours on the 19^th. By 6 AM CST on Sunday, the 20^th, record low temperatures were reached at many locations throughout Arkansas: Mountain Home -14…Fayetteville -12, Little Rock -6….Northeast Arkansas received 4 to 6 inches of snow from Saturday night into Sunday morning….Winds accompanying the cold front were strong, thus the wind chill index was around 25 degrees below zero or colder….”  (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12. Asheville, NC, NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce.)

Colorado

 

NCDC: “Mountains [Jan] 19-22…Heavy snow. Snow fell most of the time in the Colorado Rockies during this period, and was frequently heavy. A total of 40 inches buried Vail; 32 inches fell at the Loveland ski area, with 25 to 30 inches at Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and Arapahoe Basin. Many other spots measured totals of 1 to 2 feet…” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 12.)

 

Delaware

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 20-22…Winter Storm. Arctic air arrived early Sunday. Winds averaging 20-30 mph but gusting over 40 mph sent temperatures below zero Sunday evening. Wind chill equivalent temperatures dipped to 40-60 below overnight. Wilmington reported 14 below the morning of the 21^st. One to two inches of snow fell Sunday morning but blowing and drifting snow made travel hazardous….Most schools were closed.”  (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 13.)

 

Florida

 

NCDC: “Entire State [Jan] 21-23…Cold. An outbreak of cold air covered the entire state. Minimum temperatures ranged from 4-20 in north Florida to 17-35 in central Florida to 20-30 in south Florida. The keys also had cold weather….Two-thirds of the vegetable crop was lost, one third of the grazing pasture, and one-fifth of the citrus was lost.” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan ‘85, p. 13.)

 

Georgia

 

NCDC: “All of Georgia [Jan] 20-23…Severe Cold. Temperatures fell rapidly early on the morning of the 20^th as bitterly cold air pushed southeast across Georgia. Temperatures in the low 40s fell into the teens with wind chill temperatures at 20 to 40 degrees below zero over much of the state by afternoon. On the morning of the 21^st, 4 of the 6 Weather Service Offices in Georgia reached all-time record low readings. The coldest temperature in Georgia was -16 degrees at Blairsville which was only one degree short of Georgia’s all-time low. Eight deaths were directly attributed to the cold. Several of the victims froze to death in their beds. Frozen water pipes caused widespread damage and even caused water shortages in many cities. Numerous fires were caused by people attempting to thaw or repair damaged water pipes….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 13.)

 

Illinois

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 19-21…Cold wave. Intense cold prevailed statewide. 20 to 30 mph winds which occurred during the time of the lowest temperatures on the 20^th drove wind-chill readings to 60 to 90 degrees below zero. Chicago recorded -27 on the 20^th, the coldest ever in 114 years of temperature records. Statewide minimum temperatures were generally -20 to -30 degrees on the 20^th.” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 13.)

Indiana

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 20….Extreme Cold. Bitter arctic air swept into Indiana on the 20^th and 21^st, producing wind chills as low as 80 below and setting new record low temperatures for not only the date but for this century. The bitter cold caused five deaths and hospital emergency rooms reported numerous cases of frost bite. A death due to exposure was reported when a hitchhiker was found frozen in a phone booth where he tried to seek shelter….Damage to buildings due to frozen water pipes was extensive. Several towns were without water due to water mains freezing and then breaking.”  (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 13.)

 

Iowa

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 18-Evening-20 Evening…Cold Wave. A brutally cold Arctic airmass, which felt still worse with strong northwest winds, brought record temperatures to much of Iowa. The coldest temperature recorded was – 27 F at Dubuque. Frozen pipes broke and flooded basements in scores of homes, resulting in significant damage. A few areas near Des Moines lost power temporarily due to the cold….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 13.)

 

Kentucky

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 19-21 night-midday….Subzero Cold and Snowstorm. A vicious arctic cold, nicknamed the Alberta Clipper, gripped Kentucky with subzero temperatures for a record breaking 36 hours….Temperatures ranged from near zero degrees in the far southeast to 26 degrees below zero over north Kentucky Sunday morning, January 20, 1985. The bitterly cold temperatures coupled with gusty winds of 25 miles an hour, plummeting wind-chill indices into the 50 to 70 degree below zero range. Snowfall that began on Saturday night, January 19^th, and continued into Sunday, January 20, 1985, ranged from 3 to 7 inches over all but the extreme north where amounts were less complicating to the seriousness of the situation….Interstate travel was limited to one lave. Snow drifts measured up to ten feet in many areas as winds of 25 mph continued to blow and drift the snow across roadways and rural areas….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 14.)

 

Louisiana

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 21-24…Cold Wave. Arctic air caused record low temperatures. Lake Charles recorded 15; Lafayette, 13; Alexandria, 11; Shreveport, 10…Baton Rouge, 9. Three people died from hypothermia….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 14.)

Maryland

 

NCDC: “”Alleghany County east… [Jan] 20-22…Winter Storm. Arctic air arrived early Sunday. Winds averaging 20-30 mph but gusting over 40 mph sent temperatures below zero Sunday evening. Wind chill equivalent temperatures dipped to 40-60 below overnight. Readings of 25 below zero were taken at Frostburg…the morning of the 21^st….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 15.)

 

Mississippi

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 19-21…Snow, Record Cold. An arctic cold front moved rapidly southward through the State on the evening of the 19^th and the early morning of the 20^th. Around 3 inches of snow fell in parts of extreme North Mississippi with lighter amounts elsewhere. Freezing rain preceded the snow over much of the State, and icing of bridges and some roads occurred in scattered areas all the way to the coast. Temperatures remained near zero in the extreme North all day on the 20^th Readings remained in the teens across the Central part of the State while dipping into the 20’s along the coast. Lows on the morning of the 21^st ranged from 13 below zero at Oxford to 12 above at Biloxi…” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 16.)

 

New York (Western)

 

NCDC: “[Jan] 19-23…Snow, Cold. Strong polar winds picked up moisture from the warm lakes and dumped up to 3 feet of snow over most of Western New York, and up to 5 feet over Eastern Lake Ontario Counties. This event will be remembered as the ‘Blizzard of 1985’. The storm began on the 19^th and reached blizzard proportions on the 21^st and 22^nd…Winds gusting up 50 mph whipped up snow, causing frequent white-outs and snow drifts as high as 8 feet…” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 17.)

 

North Carolina

 

NCDC: “Statewide [Jan] 20-21…Severe Cold. The coldest air of the century, in most locations the coldest temperatures ever recorded, invaded the state. Temperatures ranged from around minus 5 in the East to minus 34 at Mount Mitchell which is the lowest temperature on record in the state….Fourteen people died as a direct result of hypothermia and exposure.” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 17.)

 

North Dakota

 

NCDC: “North Central [Jan] 19 Morning to 20 Morning…Cold, Blizzard….Blizzard conditions with strong winds (gusts to 51 mph at Minot AFB), very poor visibility (visibility zero at Minot AFB for 3 hours) and wind shills of 40 below to 60 below developed the night of the 19^th….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 17.)

 

Ohio

 

NCDC: “Entire State. [Jan] 19-23…Extreme Cold. A blast of arctic air dropped temperatures as low as 25 below zero during this period. In many parts of the state, temperatures dropped to the lowest readings ever. Schools were closed and power interrupted by the cold in many areas of the state….Five deaths were attributed to the cold and scores of injuries were treated at hospitals….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather…” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 17.)

 

Oklahoma

 

NCDC: “Central and South Central. [Jan] 19-20…Winter Storm, Strong Winds. A strong cold-front with temperatures dropping nearly 30 degrees caused strong winds of 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph…” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather…” 27/1, Jan 1985, 17.)

 

Pennsylvania (Eastern)

 

NCDC: “[Jan] 20-22…Severe Cold. An outbreak of extremely cold Arctic air poured across Eastern Pennsylvania. Temperatures dropped to below 10 degrees by noon on the 20^th and to below zero by 10 P.M. Temperatures did not climb above 10 degrees until 10 A.M. on the 22^nd. Strong wind gusts of 40 MPH or higher accompanied the cold air. The strong winds resulted in wind chill factors reaching 40 degrees below zero or lower. Actual temperatures reached 6 below zero to 20 below zero on the morning of the 21^st. Some of the low temperature records set for the 21^st were: Philadelphia 6 below, Harrisburg 7 below, Allentown 9 below, Williamsport 11 below and Wilkes-Barre Scranton 14 below….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 18.)

 

South Carolina

 

NCDC: “Statewide. [Jan] 20-24…15 [deaths]…Snow, record cold weather. Arctic air overspread South Carolina on the 20^th accompanied by strong winds. Snow was reported on the 20^th…Clearing and record cold weather followed on the night of the 20^th over all of the State, with extremely cold weather continuing through the 24^th….A new all time record low was also established at many stations, with temperatures falling to below zero over much of inland South Carolina. The -22F degrees reported by the Hogback Mountain station established a new all time low for the state….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual…” 27/1, Jan 1985, 18.)

 

Tennessee

 

NCDC: “Statewide…19-22…7 [fatalities]…Record cold. Arctic air, riding the Alberta Clipper, invaded Tennessee, setting new record low temperatures across the state. The record cold and frozen roadways forced the cancellation of schools in all 95 counties, a first-time occurrence….The winter outbreak was also accompanied by snow and ice. Snowfall amounts were variable ranging up to 11 inches at Knoxville. New record low temperatures included: …Memphis -4 [Jan 20]…Nashville -17 [Jan 21]…Chattanooga -10 [Jan 21]…Knoxville…-24 [Jan 22] Bristol…-21 [Jan 21]…” (NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.)

 

Texas

 

NCDC: “North Texas [Jan] 19-20…An intense cold front blasted through North Texas during the early evening hours, causing widespread wind damage and dropping temperatures below freezing in minutes. One fatality and several injuries were reported due to the high winds. Winds were light as the front approached, then suddenly gusted to 60 to 70 MPH, catching many people by surprise….Temperature drops were dramatic as the front passed. At DFW airport, the temperature reading went from 67° at 6 PM to 36° at 7 PM, with peak wind gusts to 66 MPH….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 19.)

 

Virginia

 

NCDC: “Statewide. [Jan] 20…An arctic cold front pushed through the state during the early morning hours, bringing record cold…..Widespread temperature records were set across the entire state as temperatures fell to below zero at all locations with winds gusting over 40 mph….” (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather…” 27/1, Jan 1985, p. 20.)

 

Sources

 

Aiken Standard, SC. “Big Chill Keeps us Stalled.” 1-22-1985, 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=106734566&sterm=winter+cold+frozen

 

Associated Press, Lukachukai, Ariz. “3^rd Exposure Death Reported.” Farmington Daily Times, NM. 1-23-1985, A5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=192024617&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Alberta Clipper follow-up blasts upper Midwest with minus temps.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 1-25-1985, p. 5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=112072870&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Arctic Chill Grips South as Cold Ebbs in North.” New York Times. 1-23-1985. Accessed 6-29-2014 at: http://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/23/us/arctic-chill-grips-south-as-cold-ebbs-in-north.html

 

Associated Press. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-22-1985, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=192454194&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Blowing snow traps West Virginians, Ohio students.” Capital Times, Madison, WI. 1-26-1985, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=171256529&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Cites Set Record Temperatures as Alberta Clipper Chills Nation.” Aiken Standard, SC. 1-21-1985, 2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=104105719&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Cold grips East and South; citrus crop threatened.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 1-22-1985, p.1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110338294&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Cold, storm blamed for 40 deaths.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. 1-21-1985, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=225220842&sterm=cold

 

Associated Press. “Deaths Linked to Cold Wave.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 1-23-1985, p. 16. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=148154366&sterm=winter

 

Associated Press, Durango, Colo. “Faulty Heater Causes Deaths.” Farmington Daily Times, NM, 1-19-1985, A6. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=191622259&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=192454222&sterm=winter

 

Associated Press. “Five dead in New York Cold.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 1-22-1985, A5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=43983502&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Associated Press. “Five Hurricanes, Mudslides, Floods Stagger the Country.” Cumberland Sunday Times, MD. 12-29-1985, A8. Accessed 6-26-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=183783010&sterm=flood+drown

 

Associated Press. “Nation gets the shivers.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. 1-21-1985, p.1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=112072822&sterm=cold+winter

 

Associated Press. “New arctic air mass heads south from Canada.” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA, 1-25-1985, p. 2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=26358787&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates Pennsylvania.” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-1985, p. 5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=12162155&sterm

 

Associated Press, Columbus. “Ohio fruit freeze is no peach.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. 1-24-1985, B3. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=30073768&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Record cold in East destroys crops, kills scores.” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. 1-22-1985, 28C.  Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=26358655&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Associated Press. “Record Cold Wave Rolls Across U.S.” New York Times. 1-21-1985. At (7-2-2014): http://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/21/us/record-cold-wave-rolls-across-us.html

 

Associated Press. “U.S. weather picture is upside down.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 1-22-85, A4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=29958215&sterm=winter+cold

 

Associated Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=230981866&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Gettysburg Times, PA. “Chill.” 1-22-1985, p. 2. Accessed 7-1-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=12162084&sterm=cold+winter+north

 

Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Bitter Cold blamed in death.” 1-21-1985, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=112072822&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Nation gets the shivers.” 1-21-1985, p. 4, col. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110338278&sterm=winter+cold

 

Joplin Globe, MO. “Cold continues (cont. from p. 1A). 1-21-1985, 10A. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=230981792&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

Kokomo Tribune, IN (Christopher Sullivan, AP). “It’s ‘snuggle-up’ weather.” 1-20-1985, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=115531348&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

Los Angeles Times. “Subzero Weather Grips Eastern Half of Nation; 76 Deaths Linked to Cold.” 1-22-1985. At (7-1-2014): http://articles.latimes.com/1985-01-22/news/mn-10967_1_cold-wave

 

Murray, Bill. “Birmingham’s Second Coldest Morning (1985).” Alabama WX Weather Blog. 1-20-2007. Accessed 7-1-2014 at: http://www.alabamawx.com/?s=1985&x=0&y=0

 

National Climatic Data Center. Billion-Dollar Weather/Climate Disasters. “Winter Damage, Cold Wave, January 1985.” Accessed 6-29-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/events

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. “Extreme Cold in the Eastern U.S. on January 19-24, 1985,” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985. Asheville, NC, NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 7-3-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-F6181EE2-72CA-4DD0-9AD2-8F979E5A240B.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena,” Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, pp. 12-20. Asheville, NC, NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 7-3-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-F6181EE2-72CA-4DD0-9AD2-8F979E5A240B.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. “Search Results for All Counties in Alabama. All Available Event Types. 0 events were reported between 01/18/1985 and 01/21/1985 (4 days).” Accessed 7-3-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=ALL&beginDate_mm=01&beginDate_dd=18&beginDate_yyyy=1985&endDate_mm=01&endDate_dd=21&endDate_yyyy=1985&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=1%2CALABAMA

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Birmingham, AL. Winter Weather History in Central Alabama (webpage). 11-15-2013 modification. Accessed 6-29-2014 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/?n=outreach_wwawpnsday1

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Nashville, TN. “Calendar of Significant Weather Events in Middle Tennessee.” NWS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce. 2-5-2014 modification. Accessed 7-2-2014 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ohx/?n=calendar

 

Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Record Cold Grips the East.” 1-21-1985, 8. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=109203455&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Sandusky Register, OH. “Winter’s frigid grip starts to loosen.” 1-21-1985, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=229321731&sterm=cold+winter

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “We’re freezing! 1-21-1985, A6. Accessed 7-1-2014 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=22514280&sterm=cold+winter+new+york

 

The News, Frederick, MD. “SHA begins repairs on W. 7^th St. bridge.” 1-27-1985, A5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=32873655&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Titusville Herald, PA. “Blast of Arctic Air Hits Area.” 1-21-1985, p. 2. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=102200107&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “112 Dead in Cold Wave…” 1-23-1985, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=148332730&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “At Least 66 Die. Cold Wave Eases Grip, Moves South to Florida.” 1-22-1985, p. 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=148332727&sterm

 

United Press International. “Cold wave paralyzes upper Midwest.” Oskaloosa Herald, IA. 1-25-1985, p. 2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=227498061&sterm=winter

 

United Press International. “Sub-zero temps forecast.” Oskaloosa Herald, IA. 1-18-1985, p. 2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=227497996&sterm=winter+cold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] While our tally-by-State totals to 184, we use a range showing 176 as the low end in that this was reported in press.

[2] Since Jan 19.

[3] Notes the deaths were in 23 States and the District of Columbia.

[4] “The recent cold snap was responsible for 171 deaths in the nation last weekend [Jan 19-20], and is considered one of the worst cold waves in history.”

[5] “Arctic air blamed for 165 deaths chalked up a third day of record cold Wednesday [Jan 23] in the Southeast…”

[6] Actual tally of numbers, appearing that eight listed in last paragraph in the West, were not included.

[7] Breakdown of the 86 by gender (when known) was 35 (74%) male and 9 (26%) female; by age (sample size 21): 50-59 (3, 14%), 60-69 (6, 29%), 70-79 (5, 24%), 80-89 (6, 29%), 90-99 (1, 05%); by location (sample size 17: inside, 12 (71%), outside 5 (29%).

[8] “At least 66 people have died in weather-related accidents nationwide since Saturday [Jan 19].

[9] At least 49 people had died in bad weather since Friday [Jan 18] from traffic accidents, exposure and fires sparked by makeshift heaters.”

[10] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.

[11] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.

[12] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.

[13] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.

[14] AP, Lukachukai, Ariz. “3^rd Exposure Death Reported.” Farmington Daily Times, NM. 1-23-1985, A5.

[15] Assoc. Press, Lukachukai, Ariz. “3^rd Exposure Death Reported.” Farmington Daily Times, NM. 1-23-1985, A5.

[16] Assoc. Press, Lukachukai, Ariz. “3^rd Exposure Death Reported.” Farmington Daily Times, NM. 1-23-1985, A5.

[17] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.

[18] AP, Durango, Colo. “Faulty Heater Causes Deaths.” Farmington Daily Times, NM, 1-19-1985, A6. Victims identified as Greg McDonald, 22, of Denver and Craig Sharbonne, 23 of Lakewood, who were on ski trip.

[19] Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C. Article writes that Norma Ellen Knight died while attempting to escape her burning mobile home, which caught fire when a wood-burning stove ignited a wall.

[20] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-22-1985, 1.

[21] Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C. Identified victims as Charlie and Dora Sims, married for 78 years.

[22] Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C.

[23] Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C.

[24] Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C. Article notes victims clothing caught fire from a barrel he started outside his home to keep warm.

[25] Victims identified as Kelvelin Hudson, 18, Terrence Hudson, 14, Becky Hudson, 10, Barbara Hudson, 4. Sheriff’s Officer spokesman noted the heater had been kept in the hallway, but was moved by one of the children into a bedroom they shared, when it came into contact with bed clothing. (Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C.)

[26] Cites relatives to effect she was afraid to turn on an electric heater.”

[27] Associated Press. “Fire, hypothermia blamed for deaths.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-23-1985, 5C. Article notes that “A can of frozen soup was found next to Smith’s body…”

[28] “In Atlanta temperatures fell to 3 below zero by 10 p.m., after a posting of 7 degrees set a record earlier Sunday [Jan 20]. Winds of 25 mph wind made it feel like 35 below zero in Atlanta, the National Weather Service said.” (AP. “Cites Set Record Temperatures as Alberta Clipper Chills Nation.” Aiken Standard, SC. 1-21-1985, 2.)

[29] “Eight deaths were directly attributed to the cold. Several of the victims froze to death in their beds.”

[30] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 15.

[31] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 15.

[32] Joplin Globe, MO. “Cold continues (cont. from p. 1A). 1-21-1985, 10A.

[33] Joplin Globe, MO. “Cold continues (cont. from p. 1A). 1-21-1985, 10A.

[34] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 15.

[35] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 15. “Wind and cold temperatures combined to create a wind chill of 30 to 50 below zero.”

[36] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “It’s ‘snuggle-up’ weather.” 1-20-1985, 1.

[37] We have not been able to substantiate twelve deaths, but can five, thus we use that figure.

[38] Two were from exposure in Western NY.

[39] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-22-1985, 1; NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17 (just notes two exposure deaths in the state.)

[40] Killed in the head-on collision on Route 37C was Mary Ellen White, 37, of Fort Covington, Franklin County. (Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “We’re freezing! 1-21-1985, A6.)

[41] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-22-1985, 1.

[42] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

[43] Not including seven deaths from a house fire in Henderson, NC.

[44] Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “112 Dead in Cold Wave…” 1-23-1985, p. 1.

[45] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 17.

[46] Victim identified as Lillian Brown. (Sandusky Register, OH. “Winter’s frigid grip starts to loosen.” 1-21-1985, 1.) NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 17.

[47] AP. “Ohio fruit freeze is no peach.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. 1-24-1985, B3.

[48] Sandusky Register, OH. “Winter’s frigid grip starts to loosen.” 1-21-1985, p. 1.

[49] “…found dead on his front porch where he apparently froze to death.” (Sandusky Register, OH. “Winter’s frigid grip starts to loosen.” 1-21-1985, p. 1.). NCDC. Storm Data. 27/1, Jan 1985, 17.

[50] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

[51] Sandusky Register, OH. “Winter’s frigid grip starts to loosen.” 1-21-1985, p. 1.

[52] Sandusky Register, OH. “Winter’s frigid grip starts to loosen.” 1-21-1985, p. 1.

[53] AP. “Ohio fruit freeze is no peach.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. 1-24-1985, B3. “The coroner’s office ruled Otis Thompson died of severe dehydration and malnutrition and said the weather played a part in the death.”

[54] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 17.

[55] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

[56] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

[57] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

[58] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-22-1985, 1.

[59] “…the bitter cold wave…has claimed at least nine lives since the weekend [Jan 19]…”

[60] Identified as George Nieser. AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates [PA].” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5

[61] “…found dead…in a parking lot after he had been scraping ice off his car’s windshield.” (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates Pennsylvania.” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[62] Found in unheated home Jan 19 and died in a hospital the next day of pneumonia aided by hypothermia, according to coroner’s office. (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates Pennsylvania.” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[63] Victim identified as Hilda Wanninger, whose body was found “partially frozen” according to Allegheny County Deputy Coroner. (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates Pennsylvania.” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[64] Identified as Michael Spehar. (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates [PA].” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[65] Identified as George Kunar. (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates [PA].” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[66] Victim identified as George E. Tobin Jr. (Indiana Gazette, PA. “Bitter Cold blamed in death.” 1-21-1985, p. 1.)

[67] County coroner ruled hypothermia and “said the temperature in Dewalt’s home had dropped to 38 to 40 degrees because of an ineffective kerosene heater, and that the victim was in bare feet and not warmly dressed.” ((AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates Pennsylvania.” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[68] Froze in car near work, Sweetbriar Mansion, after getting stuck in snow night before and after being warned by police to leave the disabled car. (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates [PA].” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[69] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 18. Actually states that “Two elderly people froze to death in their automobiles…” We have specific information on one Philadelphia area fatality, however, and assume this was one of the two.

[70] As an example of the cold, the temperature bottomed out at 6 degrees in Aiken, SC, the night of Jan 21. (Aiken Standard, SC. “Big Chill Keeps us Stalled.” 1-22-1985, 1.)

[71] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” 27/1, Jan 1985, 18. Section is written as “Statewide [Jan] 20-24….15 [deaths]” Narrative is written: “Preliminary statistics from South Carolina Office of Vital Statistics show 15 deaths from cold exposure or hypothermia between 21^st and 31^st.”

[72] “The cold and snow forced officials in every county in Tennessee to close public schools today [Jan 21].” (Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Nation gets the shivers.” 1-21-1985, p. 4, col. 1.) Temperatures dropped to 17 below zero. (Associated Press. “Cold, storm blamed for 40 deaths.” Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. 1-21-1985, 1.)  According to the National Weather Service this was “an all-time record low [for Nashville].” Dropped to -28 in Woodbury.(NWS Weather Forecast Office, Nashville, TN. “Calendar of Significant Weather Events in Middle Tennessee.” 2-5-2014 modification.) “About 11 inches  [snow] fell in Knox County, nor of Knoxville, Tenn.” (Associated Press. “Record Cold Wave Rolls Across U.S.” New York Times. 1-21-1985.)

[73] United Press International. “Sub-zero temps forecast.” Oskaloosa Herald, IA. 1-18-1985, p. 2.

[74] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[75] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[76] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[77] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[78] “A 75-year-old woman died in her home apparently because she was too feeble to keep coal in her coal-burning stove.” NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[79] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[80] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[81] The heater fell over, causing it to shut off and the victim froze to death. (NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.)

[82] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[83] Had one 110-volt electric heater in home. NCDC. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[84] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 18.

[85] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 18.

[86] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[87] Associated Press. “Weather blamed for 165 deaths.” Joplin Globe, MO. 1-24-1985, p. 1.

[88] Found deceased in home “near a wood stove that was cold except for a few dying embers.” (AP. “Deaths Linked to Cold Wave.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 1-23-1985, p. 16.)

[89] Victim was J. David Kirksey. (AP. “Deaths Linked to Cold…” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg. 1-23-85, 16.

[90] Cites medical examiner to effect that Mr. Mathews “ran out of fuel for his kerosene heater but refused to leave his home.” (Assoc. Press. “Deaths Linked to Cold Wave.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 1-23-1985, p. 16.)

[91] Associated Press. “Deaths Linked to Cold Wave.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 1-23-1985, p. 16.

[92] Associated Press. “Deaths Linked to Cold Wave.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA. 1-23-1985, p. 16.

[93] “At least 66 people have died in weather-related accidents nationwide since Saturday [Jan 19]. Of course, we do not know what the term “accidents” includes – exposure?, fires?, CO poisoning?, or traffic accidents.

[94] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold grips East; death toll soars to 76.” News-Herald, Panama City, FL. 1-22-1985, 1.

[95] “…nine…died from fires caused by careless use of or faulty space heaters.”

[96] Identified as George Nieser. AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates [PA].” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5

[97] “…found dead…in a parking lot after he had been scraping ice off his car’s windshield.” (AP. “Nine.” 1-22-85, 5)

[98] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 17.

[99] Found in unheated home Jan 19 and died in a hospital the next day of pneumonia aided by hypothermia, according to coroner’s office. (AP. “Nine lives lost as bitter cold penetrates Pennsylvania.” Gettysburg Times, 1-22-85, 5.)

[100] NCDC. Storm Data. “Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena.” Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 19.

[101] Not clear if this was attributable to carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia, or a combination thereof.

—  36  Blanchard tally from State breakouts below.

—  12  Jan 8-12. AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p6.

—  10  Jan 8-11. AP. “Winter storm blamed for deaths.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 1-11-1985, p. 5.

 

Summary of Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Colorado        (1)

Illinois             (1) 

Indiana           (2)

Iowa                (1) 

Kansas            (4)

Kentucky       (3)

Massachusetts(5) 

Michigan        (2)

New Jersey     (1) 

New Mexico   (1) 

New York       (2)

Ohio                (1)

Pennsylvania  (6)

Texas              (5)

Virginia          (1)

 

Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Colorado        (1)

— 1  Traffic accident. AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p.6.

 

Illinois             (1)  Chicago, Jan 13. Exposure; homeless person.[1]

 

Indiana           (2)

— 2  Car accidents. Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Cold, Snow for Great…” 1-15-1985, p. 8.

 

Iowa                (1)  Car crash “blamed on a [snow] storm.”[2]

 

Kansas            (4)

–4  Traffic accidents. AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p6.

 

Kentucky       (3)

–3  Traffic accidents “blamed on a [snow] storm.”[3]

 

Massachusetts(5)  Brockton, Jan 10; home fire from portable heater used for heat; all children.[4]

 

Michigan        (2)

—  2  Traffic accidents. AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, 6.

 

New Jersey     (1)  Exposure; homeless man, Jan 9.[5]

 

New Mexico   (1)  Southeast NM, Jan 11. Traffic accident.[6]

 

New York       (2)

— 1  Exposure; female; Jan 11.[7]

— 1  Unadilla, Otsego County, Jan 8. Heart attack while shoveling snow.[8]

 

Ohio                (1)

— 1  Traffic accident. AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p.6.

 

Pennsylvania  (6)

—>5  Traffic accidents; “…cars skidded off Pennsylvania roads glazed with ice.”[9] [Jan 12 rpt.]

–1  Waterman, Indiana County, Jan 10. Pamela A. Weaver, 40.[10]

—  1  Jefferson County, Punxsutawney, Jan 11. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 67.[11]

 

Texas              (5)

— 5  State. Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Cold, Snow for Great Lakes.” 1-15-1985, p. 8.

— 1  San Antonio, Jan 13. Heart attack after clearing snow from driveway; Paul R. Richter Jr.[12]

 

Virginia          (1)

— 1  Traffic accident. AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p.6.

 

Narrative Information

 

Central Plains

 

NCDC: “Snowstorm in the Central Plains on January 8-9, 1985. Starting in the afternoon of January 8^th and continuing through the following day, heavy snow accumulated in an east-west band across northern Kansas as a storm system slowly  moved eastward from the Rocky Mountains into the Central Plains. Up to 20 inches of snow fell at Wakeeney, about 30 miles west-northwest of Hays. The snow closed Interstate 70 from Junction City (60 miles west of Topeka) to the Colorado border.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 5.)

Colorado

 

NCDC: “Colorado…Mountains, Southeast, Jan 8-9… 10 to 14 inches of snow fell at many spots throughout the mountains, from Wolf Creek Pass northward through Vail to Steamboat Springs. Heavy snow also fell in extreme southeastern Colorado; 14 inches buried Towner in Baca County, and 7 inches fell at Rocky Ford, in Otero County.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 12.)

 

Indiana

 

NCDC: Southwest Indiana, Jan 10 freezing rain. “Ice covered road surfaces caused numerous traffic accidents.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 13.)

 

Kansas

 

NCDC: Northern Kansas, Jan 8-9. “Heavy snow fell upon the north half of Kansas. The snow closed nearly all schools and brought travel to a standstill. Interstate 70 was closed from Junction City to the Colorado border until the afternoon of the 10^th. More than 6 inches fell north of a line from Syracuse to Dodge City, Great Bend, Yates Center and Paola. More than a foot accumulated north of a line from Oberlin to Scott City, Salina, Wamego and Lovewell Dam. More than 15 inches covered the ground in an area about 20 miles wide from Scott City to Wakeeney, Beloit and Salina. Wakeeney measured a total of 20 inches.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 14.)

 

Nebraska

 

NCDC: “Panhandle, Central and Southeast Nebraska. 08 Daytime-09 to Evening…Heavy Snow. Snowfall of 4 inches or more was reported south of a line from Agate to Ainsworth to Auburn. Heaviest snow fell in south central areas, with 8 inches reported at Kearney, Hastings and Alma.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 16.)

 

Texas

 

NCDC: “Snowstorm in West and South-Central Texas on January 12-13, 1985. A record-breaking snowstorm struck West and South-Central Texas on January 12^th and into the 13^th, with up to 14 inches of snow having fallen at many locations between San Antonio and the Rio Grande. The snow fell as Pacific moisture overran frigid arctic air near the surface. Although the snow melted as it accumulated, its depth was up to 10 inches in San Antonio where an all-time snow fall record of 13.5 inches was set. Traffic became snarled and numerous accidents resulted, as numerous motorists were unfamiliar with driving on snow-covered roads.” (National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985, p. 10.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p. 6. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=23296429&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

Associated Press. “San Antonio snow damage to be costly.” New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, TX. 1-15-1985, p. 5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=115441514&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Winter storm blamed for deaths.” Indiana Gazette, PA. 1-11-1985, p. 5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=112072677&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Bad roads trigger fatal accident.” 1-11-1985, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/indiana/indiana-gazette/1985/01-11?tag

 

Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Bitter cold blames in area man’s death.” 1-21-1985, p. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=110338278&sterm=winter+cold+death

 

Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME. “Heater seen as cause of fatal fire.” 1-11-1985, p. 2. Accessed 1-26-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/maine/biddeford/biddeford-journal-tribune/1985/01-11/page-2?tag

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data. Vol. 27, No. 1, Jan 1985. Asheville, NC, NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. Accessed 7-3-2014 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-F6181EE2-72CA-4DD0-9AD2-8F979E5A240B.pdf

 

Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Cold, Snow for Great Lakes.” 1-15-1985, p. 8. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=109203355&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

United Press International. “Winter’s punch proves deadly.” Valley Independent, Monessen, PA, 1-11-1985, p. 1. Accessed 1-26-2017 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/monessen/monessen-valley-independent/1985/01-11?tag

 

Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. “Roads are clear after winter blast.” 1-12-1985, pp. 1 & 8. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=23784683&sterm=cold+winter+death

 

 

 

 

[1] Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN. “Cold, Snow for Great Lakes.” 1-15-1985, p. 8.

[2] United Press International. “Winter’s punch proves deadly.” Valley Independent, Monessen, PA, 1-11-1985, p. 1.

[3] United Press International. “Winter’s punch proves deadly.” Valley Independent, Monessen, PA, 1-11-1985, p. 1.

[4] Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. “Roads are clear after winter blast.” 1-12-1985, 1 & 8. Article notes portable heater was only heat source. One of the children was dressed in a snowsuit and found lying next to the heater. UPI piece out of Brockton notes: “Five children died in a fire believed started Thursday night by a ‘weird-looking’ makeshift electric heater thought to be the only source of heat against frigid temperatures gripping the area, Brocton fire officials said today….Temperatures in the area have dipped below 20 degrees since Tuesday [8^th].” (Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME. “Heater seen as cause of fatal fire.” 1-11-1985, p. 2.)

[5] AP. “Bitter winter claims victims.” Daily Herald, Chicago. 1-12-1985, sec. 2, p. 6.

[6] Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. “Roads are clear after winter blast.” 1-12-1985, pp. 1 & 8.

[7] Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. “Roads are clear after winter blast.” 1-12-1985, 1 & 8.

[8] NCDC, Storm Data, 27/1, Jan 1985, 16. “The official cause of death was a heart attack caused by cold and stress.”

[9] Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. “Roads are clear after winter blast.” 1-12-1985, 1 & 8.

[10] Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA. “Bad roads trigger fatal accident.” 1-11-1985, p. 1. Cites State Police to effect that “she lost control of her auto on a bend and crossed the center line sideways…[and] was struck by…a truck…”

[11] Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. “Roads are clear after winter blast.” 1-12-1985, 1 & 8. Victim identified as Milo Fairman and locality noted by: Indiana Gazette, PA. “Bitter cold blames in area man’s death.” 1-21-1985, 4.

[12] Associated Press. “San Antonio snow damage to be costly.” New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, TX. 1-15-1985, p. 5.

U.S.
–6,903 amfAR. Thirty Years of HIV/AIDS: Snapshots of an Epidemic. 2020.*

New York City
–1,663 Condran. “Changing Patterns of Epidemic Disease in New York City,” p. 38 in Rosner.

* Our number based on amfAR report of 12,529 deaths by the end of 1985, whereas 5,596 cumulative deaths were reported by the end of the year 1984. We subtracted 5,596 from 12,529 to derive 6,903 deaths for the year 1985.

Narrative Information

CDC: “HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS if not treated. Unlike some other viruses, the human body can’t get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. So once you get HIV, you have it for life. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections. Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These opportunistic infections or cancers take advantage of a very weak immune system and signal that the person has AIDS, the last stage of HIV infection.

“No effective cure currently exists, but with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. The medicine used to treat HIV is called antiretroviral therapy or ART. If people with HIV take ART as prescribed, their viral load (amount of HIV in their blood) can become undetectable. If it stays undetectable, they can live long, healthy lives and have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner through sex. Before the introduction of ART in the mid-1990s, people with HIV could progress to AIDS in just a few years. Today, someone diagnosed with HIV and treated before the disease is far advanced can live nearly as long as someone who does not have HIV.” (CDC. About HIC/AIDS. 12-2-2019.)

Sources

amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research). Thirty Years of HIV/AIDS: Snapshots of an Epidemic. 2020. Accessed 4-1-2020 at: https://www.amfar.org/thirty-years-of-hiv/aids-snapshots-of-an-epidemic/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About HIC/AIDS. 12-2-2019. Accessed 3-31-2020 at: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html

Condran, Gretchen A. “Changing Patterns of Epidemic Disease in New York City,” pp. 27-41 in:
Rosner, David (Ed.). Hives of Sickness: Public Health and Epidemics in New York City. Rutgers University Press, 1991, 236 pages. Partially digitized by Google. Accessed 3-29-2018 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=o34QxI6lHwAC&pg=PA70&dq=1916+Polio+Epidemic&ei=Cy5DSZWvMIXAMpqalOYN#PPP7,M1

–88  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality, 1979-1998 Results, Meningococcal Meningitis. 1985.

0.04 US death rate per 100,000        US population: 238,116,263

AL       1          0.03

AK      1          0.19

AR       2          0.09

CA       7          0.03

CO       1          0.03

FL       3          0.03

GA      1          0.02

IL        1          0.01

IN        2          0.04

KY      2          0.05

LA       3          0.07

ME      1          0.09

MD      3          0.07

MI       3          0.03

MN      1          0,02

MS      1          0.04

MO      2          0.04

NB       2          0.13

NJ        5          0.07

NM      1          0.07

NY      8          0.04

NC       2          0.03

OK      4          0.12

OR       3          0.11

PA       5          0.04

SC       3          0.09

SD       1          0.14

TN       1          0.02

TX       9          0.06

VE       1          0.19

VA      2          0.03

WA     2          0.05

WI       2          0.04

 

Narrative Information

 

Meningococcal Meningitis (ICD-9 Code 036.0)[1]: “Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus… These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). These bacteria spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spit (e.g., by living in close quarters, kissing). Doctors treat meningococcal disease with antibiotics, but quick medical attention is extremely important. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best defense against meningococcal disease.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease. 4-9-2018 update.)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2003. ICD-9 code 036.0, Meningococcal Meningitis, 1985. Accessed 7-8-2019 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal Disease. 4-9-2018 update. Accessed 10-3-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html

[1] ICD-9 is the 9^th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, a medical classification list by the World Health Organization. 036.0 is the code for meningococcal meningitis.

–519 CDC Wonder. (Average hypothermia death rate was 0.22 per 100,000 population.)

Death rate for hypothermia per 100,000 population, where noted.

Alabama 19 0.48
Arizona 13 0.41
California 11 0.04
District of Columbia 10 1.57
Florida 10 0.09
Georgia 25 0.42
Illinois 39 0.34 Highest loss of life of any State.
Indiana 13 0.24
Kansas 10 0.41
Michigan 21 0.23
Missouri 18 0.36
Montana 15 1.83 Highest loss of life per 100,000 population of any State.
New Jersey 12 0.16
New Mexico 12 0.83
New York 20 0.11
North Carolina 23 0.37
Pennsylvania 28 0.24
South Carolina 25 0.76
Tennessee 18 0.38
Virginia 35 0.61
Wisconsin 21 0.40

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. CDC WONDER On-line Database, compiled from Compressed Mortality File CMF 1968-1988, Series 20, No. 2A, 2000 and CMF 1989-1998, Series 20, No. 2E, 2003. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/cmf-icd9.html on Sep 11, 2021 7:33:02 PM

–1,752  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File, 1979-1998. ICD-9[1] code 010-018.

 

Alabama                      49      1.23     (Yellow highlighting denotes above average death rate.)

Alaska                             1      0.19

Arizona                         22      0.69

Arkansas                       21      0.90

California                   200      0.76

Colorado                       13      0.40

Connecticut                  10      0.31

Delaware                         3      0.48

District of Columbia     22      3.46

Florida                        123      1.08

Georgia                        80      1.34

Hawaii                            6      0.58

Idaho                               6      0.60

Illinois                          64      0.56

Indiana                                      37      0.68

Iowa                              10      0.35

Kansas                            6      0.25

Kentucky                      33      0.89

Louisiana                      53      1.20

Maine                              7      0.60

Maryland                      29      0.66

Massachusetts              33      0.56

Michigan                      47      0.52

Minnesota                     15      0.36

Mississippi                   22      0.85

Missouri                       26      0.52

Montana                          3      0.37                 Rhode Island                   4      0.41

Nebraska                         6      0.38                 South Carolina              29      0.88

Nevada                            7      0.74                 South Dakota                  3      0.43

New Hampshire              3      0.30                 Tennessee                     50      1.06

New Jersey                   62      0.82                 Texas                          114      0.70

New Mexico                 14      0.97                 Utah                                3      0.18

New York                   199      1.12                 Virginia                        33      0.58

North Carolina              69      1.10                 Washington                  13      0.30

North Dakota                  1      0.15                 West Virginia               19      1.00

Ohio                              53      0.49                 Wisconsin                     27      0.57

Oklahoma                     20      0.61                 Wyoming                        1      0.20

Oregon                                      13      0.49

Pennsylvania                68      0.58

US population size used — 238,116,263

 

Narrative Information

 

Tuberculosis: “Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease….TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

 

“TB is NOT spread by:           Shaking someone’s hand.                   Sharing food or drink.

Touching bed lines or toilet seats.      Sharing toothbrushes.

Kissing.

 

“When a person breathes in TB bacteria, the bacteria can settle in the lungs and begin to grow… they can move through the blood to other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

 

“TB disease in the lungs or throat can be infectious. This means that the bacteria can be spread to other people. TB in other parts of the body, such as the kidney or spine, is usually not infectious.

 

“People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day. This includes family members, friends, and coworkers or schoolmates.” (CDC. Tuberculosis (TB). 3-20-2016 update.)

 

Tuberculosis:  “Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease and was greatly feared well into the 20th century. Frequently called “consumption,” TB was often fatal. By 1943 it was the No. 3 cause of death in Tennessee. The “White Plague,” so named because of its strikingly pale victims, carried a social stigma similar to that of AIDS in recent years. …residents fought the location of a TB hospital in their neighborhood, claiming that property values would plummet.

 

“Tuberculosis is a contagious lung disease (though it can attack other parts of the body) spread through the air. It is highly controlled today with early detection and antibiotics. Around 1900, the average hospital stay for a TB patient was three years….”  (Tennessee State Library.)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. CDC Wonder Online Database, released 2003. ICD-9 Codes 010-018, Tuberculosis (1985). Accessed 3-18-2019 via: https://wonder.cdc.gov

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tuberculosis (TB). 3-20-2016 update. Accessed 10-16-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm

 

Tennessee State Library and Archives. Disasters in Tennessee. “Epidemic Scourges in Tennessee.” Nashville. Accessed 10-18-2013 at: http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/exhibits/disasters/epidemics.htm

[1] ICD-9 is the 9^th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, a medical classification list by the World Health Organization — International Classification of Diseases for short.

–47  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. ICD-9[1] code 052 (Chickenpox).

 

Arizona                        1        0.03     Yellow highlighting denotes above national average.

Arkansas                      1        0.04

California                  13        0.05

Connecticut                 1        0.03

Delaware                      1        0.16

Florida                         3        0.03

Georgia                        4        0.07

Idaho                            1        0.10

Illinois                          4        0.04

Indiana                         1        0.02                 North Carolina            1        0.02

Iowa                              1        0.04                 North Dakota              1        0.15    

Kansas                         1        0.04                 Ohio                             3        0.03

Kentucky                     1        0.03                 Pennsylvania               3        0.03

Massachusetts             1        0.02                 Rhode Island               1        0.10

Michigan                      3        0.03                 Texas                            1        0.01

Missouri                       1        0.02                 Utah                              2        0.12

Nevada                         1        0.11                 Virginia                        1        0.02

New Jersey                  2        0.03                 Washington                 2        0.05

New York                   10        0.06                

                                                                        US population size utilized: 238,116,263                                                                       

Narrative Information

 

CDC: “Chickenpox is a very contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It causes a blister-like rash, itching, tiredness, and fever. The rash appears first on the stomach, back and face and can spread over the entire body causing between 250 and 500 itchy blisters. Chickenpox can be serious, especially in babies, adults, and people with weakened immune systems. The best way to prevent chickenpox is to get the chickenpox vaccine.” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Chickenpox (Varicella).” 7-1-2016 update.)

 

Blanchard note: States and DC not shown indicate that there were fewer than 10 deaths. Puerto Rico is not included in CDC Wonder.

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Chickenpox (Varicella).” 7-1-2016 update. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/index.html

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Wonder On-line Database. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. ICD-9 code 052 (Chickenpox), 1985. Published 2003. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/

[1] International Classification of Diseases, Edition/Revision 9.

–13  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. June 2003. ICD-9[1] .084 Malaria.

 

Arkansas                     1          0.04

California                   4          0.02

Florida                        2          0.02

Illinois                        1          0.01

Massachusetts             1          0.02

New Jersey                 1          0.01

Oklahoma                   1          0.03

South Carolina            1          0.03

Washington                1          0.02     US population: 238,116,263

 

Narrative Information

 

Malaria: “Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills, and flu-like illness. Left untreated, they may develop severe complications and die. In 2016 an estimated 216 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide and 445,000 people died, mostly children in the African Region. About 1,700 cases of malaria are diagnosed in the United States each year. The vast majority of cases in the United States are in travelers and immigrants returning from countries where malaria transmission occurs, many from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.” (CDC. Malaria. 6-26-2018 update.)

 

Malaria: “Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite. When this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream. Once the parasites are inside your body, they travel to the liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells. Within 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood cells multiply, causing the infected cells to burst open….The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a time. Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates where the parasites can live….

 

“The symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to four weeks following the infection. In some cases, symptoms may not develop for several months. Some malarial parasites can enter the body but will be dormant for long periods of time. Common symptoms of malaria include:

Shaking chills; can range from moderate to severe                Abdominal pain

High fever                                                                               Anemia

Profuse sweating         Diarrhea          Headache                    Muscle pain

Nausea                        Convulsions    Vomiting                     Coma

Bloody stools.”           (Healthline. “Malaria.”)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1999-2016. CDC Wonder Online Database, released 2003. ICD-9 Codes 084, Malaria (1985). Accessed 3-21-2019 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria. 6-26-2018 update. Accessed 10-7-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html

 

Healthline. “Malaria.” Accessed 6-18-2018 at: https://www.healthline.com/health/malaria#complications

 

 

[1] International Classification of Diseases.