lornajarrettblanchard

–31  Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below.

–31  NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, N. 4, Apr 1982, including indirect of policeman at roadblock.

–30  NCDC. “Tornado Outbreak on April 2, 1982,” Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, Apr 1982, p. 4.

 

Arkansas        (15)

–15  Blanchard tally, with the range explained by inclusion of indirect fatality of policeman.

–15  NCDC. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 2 Apr 1982.

–2  Faulkner Co., Conway, ~19:00. Young woman and 9-month-old stillborn child.[1]

–1  Faulkner County, Conway. Policeman killed while on duty at a road block.[2]

–2  Fulton County, Vidette, 18:20. Home destroyed.[3]

–5  Hempstead Co., ~Hope, 18:20. Family of 5 “crushed under a mattress” in home. [4]

–3  Howard Co., Buck Range. Family home. NCDC, Storm Data, 24/4, April 1982, 11.[5]

–1  Little River County, south of Ashdown. Home destroyed. [6]

–1  St. Francis County, Forrest City. Mobile home used as an office at used car lot.[7]

–14  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 514, 1235-1238.

 

Mississippi      (  3)

— 3  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, p. 1238.

— 3  Leake, Neshoba, Kemper counties, 23:35 CST, April 1 – 00:01 CST, April 2. Mobile home.[8]

 

Missouri         (  2)

— 2  Ozark and Howell counties, 18:15-1835 CST, F4. Girl, 8, and male, age not noted.[9]

 

Texas              (11)

–11  Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 514, 1209.

—  1  Fannin County, near north end of Farm Road 1743. Mobile home, female, 74.[10]

–10  Lamar County/Red River County.[11]

–2  Mobile home.

–6  Out in the open.

–2  Permanent homes

 

Narrative Information

 

NCDC Storm Data: “An outbreak of 56 tornadoes occurred on April 2, killing 30 persons and injuring 383. The map below [excluded here] includes locations and F-scale ratings for these tornadoes, which left behind a total of 410 miles of damage path. Note that a violent tornado, which occurred in extreme southeastern Oklahoma, was rated F5 (incredible damage). {Prior to this, no F5 has been reported in the U.S. since the Birmingham, Alabama Tornado on April 4, 1977.) The total tornadoes for each F category are: 1 F5, 3 F4, 11 F3, 13 F2, 21 F1 and 7 F0.” (NCDC. “Tornado Outbreak on April 2, 1982,” Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 4.)

 

NCDC Storm Data on Red River Region Tornadoes: “The Red River Region…[we omit map] includes 17 tornadoes: 1 F%, 2 F4, 5 F3, 4 F2, 5 F1 and no F0. Note that these tornadoes were produced by two major thunderstorms which moved west to east at the rate of about 50 mph. The southern storm moved over Paris, Texas, spawning an F4 tornado which caused 10 fatalities and 170 injuries. Fortunately, the F5 tornado near Hugo, Oklahoma did not move through major populated areas.” (NCDC. “Red River Region of the April 2, 1982 Tornado Outbreak,” Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 6.)

 

[Blanchard note: The map shows:

1 death to the east of Bonham, TX

10 deaths in Paris, TX

1 death just to the south of Ashdown, AR

5 deaths to the south of Hope, AR

3 deaths to the south of Nashville, AR.

 

Arkansas

 

Grazulis: “TX-OK-AR APR 2, 1982 1640 1k 4inj 250y 55m F3 RED RIVER/ BOWIE,TX/ MCCURTAIN, OK /LITTLE RIVER, AR–From 4m ENE of Clarksville, the tornado destroyed brick homes, mobile homes, and barns at Whiterock and north of Annona, Avery, and English. In Bowie County, five homes were destroyed at Beaver Dam, and two people were slightly injured. The funnel crossed briefly into Oklahoma. After a 29-mile-long path in Texas, the funnel crossed the southern tip of McCurtain County, Oklahoma, causing four miles of timber damage. In Arkansas, the tornado passed 2m S of Wallace and north of Richmond and just south of Ashdown, lifting 5m SE of Ashdown. One person was killed in Arkansas. An historic home was destroyed and 17 other homes were damaged….” (Grazulis 1993, 1236.)

 

Grazulis: “AR  APR 2, 1982 1715 1k 13inj 2m F2.  ST. FRANCIS — One person was killed in a trailer used as an office at a used car lot at Forrest City. Five trailers and three businesses were destroyed, and a school, two trailers, three businesses and 12 homes were damaged….”  (Grazulis 1993, 1236.)

 

NCDC: Forrest City, Saint Francis County, April 2, 17:15, path 1.6 miles, width 60 yards, 1 killed, 13 injured, F2 tornado: “The storm destroyed 5 mobile homes and 3 businesses. It damaged 2 mobile homes, 3 businesses, 12 homes and 1 elementary school. The single fatality occurred in a mobile home used as an office for a sued car lot.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado, Arkansas, St. Francis, April 2, 1982.)

 

NCDC: Little River County, April 2, path 15.5 miles, 1 killed, 2 injured, F3 tornado. “Tornado touched down about 1.5 miles south of Wallace and moved eastward at 25 mph passing just north of Richmond and about 1 mile south of Ashdown. It lifted about 5 miles southeast of Ashdown. Besides the paper mill, damages included 17 homes, a granary and an orchard.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Little River, April 4, 1982.)

 

NCDC: Sevier, Howard and Hempstead Counties, F4 Tornado, April 2, 17:20, path 45 miles, 200 yards wide, 3 killed, 23 injured. “Tornado touched down 4 miles east of Horatio and moved generally eastward about 25 mph. Damage ranged between F1 and F4 category, mostly F2 and F3. Storm moved near or through Frog Level, Melrose and Milford communities in Sevier County, destroying 5 homes, 1 mobile home 4 poultry houses; also damaging 10 homes, 1 mobile home, 12 poultry houses and other out buildings. Three fatalities occurred within a home in the small community of Buck Range in Howard County. Tornado lifted off the ground about 3 miles east of Blevins in Hempstead County without details on damage within this county….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F4), Arkansas, Howard, April 2, 1982.)

 

NCDC: Hempstead County, F3 Tornado, April 2, 17:55-18:40, 18 mile path, 200 yards wide, 5 killed, 4 injured. “This tornado was produced by the same thunderstorm cell that moved through Little River County…Tornado touched down approximately 14 miles east of where the last one lifted off, or about 1 mile south of McNab. Path was not straight. Lift off was just east of Hope. A family of 5 was crushed under a mattress in the center of their home, in the outskirts of Hope, by a huge 40 ft. oak tree that was hurled by the tornado. Fifteen other homes were destroyed and 22 were damaged…” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Hempstead, April 2, 1982.)

 

NCDC: Vidette, Fulton County, F3 Tornado, April 2, 18:20, 1.5 mile path, 2 killed, 2 injured. “Fatalities occurred as home was destroyed by brief touch down of a tornado. Five other houses damaged, 1 barn, plus cattle killed.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Fulton, April 2, 1982.)

 

NCDC: Conway, Faulkner County, F3 Tornado, April 2, about 19:00, 3.5 mile path, 2 killed, 37 injured. “The first fatality was a young woman 9 months pregnant. The second one was her stillborn child. An indirect fatality occurred when a policeman was killed while manning a road block on street leading to storm damaged area. Several of the injuries were very serious requiring hospitalization. Ten houses and 38 mobile homes were leveled. Three houses and 2 mobile homes had major damage. Minor damages were done to 3 other homes. One machine shop was totally destroyed.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Faulkner, April 2, 1982.)

 

Mississippi

 

NCDC on Leake, Neshoba, Kemper counties tornado, 23:35 CST, Apr 1-00:01 CST, Apr 2:

“A strong tornado touched down just south of Cartage and moved east over the southern edge of the town of Philadelphia and continued before lifting 12 miles of De Kalb. The tornado killed three people when their mobile home was destroyed. A total of 40 people were injured. Totally destroyed were 29 houses, 7 businesses, 25 mobile homes, 5 barns and 5 vehicles. Major damage was suffered by 47 houses, 7 businesses, 16 mobile homes, 25 vehicles and one apartment. Total damage was over 5 million dollars.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 20.)

 

Texas

 

Grazulis: “TX  APR 2, 1982 1520 lk l inj 150y 32m F3.  FANNIN/LAMAR — Moved E from 3m SSE of Ravenna to 7m W of Paris. The tornado destroyed six frame homes, two mobile homes, 10 barns and numerous other rural buildings across Fannin County. A 74-year-old woman was killed and her husband was injured when their home was destroyed just north of Bonham. $1,000,000….

 

“TX  APR 2, 1982 1600 10k 170inj 250y 23m F4.  LAMAR/RED RIVER — Moved E from the NW corner of Paris, across the northern part of Paris. This tornado, a member of a family of tornadoes which began in Fannin County, formed near Campbell Road and Loop-286. It ripped apart 465 homes and apartments. While most residents of a mobile home park had left when warnings were issued, a family of four did not, and two of them were killed. Six of the other eight deaths occurred out in the open, and two deaths occurred in destroyed homes. Damage totaled about $50,000,000. After leaving Paris, the tornado hit the north sections of Reno and Blossom. Nearly 100 buildings were damaged or destroyed in those communities….

 

“TX-OK-AR APR 2, 1982 1640 1k 4inj 250y 55m F3 RED RIVER/BOWIE,TX/ MCCURTAIN, OK /LITTLE RIVER, AR–From 4m ENE of Clarksville, the tornado destroyed brick homes, mobile homes, and barns at Whiterock and north of Annona, Avery, and English. In Bowie County, five homes were destroyed at Beaver Dam, and two people were slightly injured. The funnel crossed briefly into Oklahoma. After a 29-mile-long path in Texas, the funnel crossed the southern tip of McCurtain County, Oklahoma, causing four miles of timber damage. In Arkansas, the tornado passed 2m S of Wallace and north of Richmond and just south of Ashdown, lifting 5m SE of Ashdown. One person was killed in Arkansas. An historic home was destroyed and 17 other homes were damaged….

 

“AR  APR 2, 1982 1715 1k 13inj 2m F2.  ST. FRANCIS — One person was killed in a trailer used as an office at a used car lot at Forrest City. Five trailers and three businesses were destroyed, and a school, two trailers, three businesses and 12 homes were damaged….

 

“MS  APR 2, 1982 2335 3k 35inj 400y 42m F3. LEAKE/NESHOBA/KEMPER — Hit south of Carthage, the south part of Philadelphia, to 12m N of DeKalb. Twenty-nine homes, 25 trailers, seven businesses, and five cars were destroyed. The deaths occurred in a trailer. There was major damage to 47 houses, 16 trailers, 25 vehicles, and seven businesses.”  (Grazulis.  Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991. 1993, pp. 1236-1238.)

 

Sources

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. Significant Tornadoes 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events. St. Johnsbury, VE: Environmental Films, 1993.

 

National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Details, Tornado, Arkansas, 2 Apr 1982, Faulkner County, 1900.  NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce. Accessed 2-6-2009 at:  http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~8776

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA, 47 pages. Accessed 5-16-2017 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Search Results for All Counties in Arkansas, 4-2-1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=04&beginDate_dd=02&beginDate_yyyy=1982&endDate_mm=04&endDate_dd=02&endDate_yyyy=1982&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=5%2CARKANSAS

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Faulkner, April 2, 1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980192

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Fulton, April 2, 1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980190

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Hempstead, April 2, 1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980187

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F4), Arkansas, Howard, April 2, 1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980184

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F3), Arkansas, Little River, April 2, 1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980180

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Tornado (F2), Arkansas, St. Francis, April 2, 1982. Accessed 8-14-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=9980179

 

 

 

 

[1] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 12. Also Grazulis, p. 514.

[2] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 12.

[3] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 11. Also Grazulis, p. 514.

[4] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 11. Also Grazulis, p. 514.

[5] Also Grazulis, within his Sevier/Howard/Hempstead Counties entry, at p. 514.

[6] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 11. Also Grazulis, p. 1236.

[7] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 11. Also Grazulis, p. 1236.

[8] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 20.

[9] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 22.

[10] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 29.

[11] Also: NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 29.

–11  Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Syracusan Among Crash Dead Recovered.” 4-6-1982, B-1.

–11  US Navy, Nav Hist. and Heritage Command. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). 9-14-2016.

 

Narrative Information

 

US Navy: “COD 9, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s C-1A Mamie (BuNo 136787), launched during the afternoon watch on 2 April 1982, on a logistics flight to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Crete. A gentle breeze touched the ship, but COD 69 arrived overhead the island an overcast sky with visibility of only two to three miles and an ‘obscured’ horizon ensured that the crew flew in instrument meteorological conditions. Mamie crashed shortly after 1614, though investigators could not determine the cause due to the lack of information. Low ceilings and poor visibility hampered rescuers, who finally discovered the wreckage strewn across the northeast side of a 1,400 foot mountainside about four miles from Souda Bay’s navigational beacon. Eleven men died: Cmdr. Richard W. Beiser, Lt. Cmdr. Bruce L. Cook, AD1 Carter C. Kriz, MM2 Michael W. Davis, MM2 John C. Shabella and AMHAN Brian E. Haley of the ship’s company; and AT1 Brian D. Lafferty of VAQ-132, AZ1 David E. Newbill of VS-31, AE1 Michael A. Nichols of HS-5, AME2 Kenneth R. Sorby of VS-31, and AMH3 Miles T. Glover of HS-5.” (US Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command (Mark L. Evans). Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). 9-14-2016.)

 

April 6: “Navy crews Monday [April 5] recovered the bodies of 11 men — including Syracuse native Carter Kriz — who were aboard a Navy transport plane that crashed Friday [2^nd] on the Mediterranean island of Crete….A search plane discovered the wreckage Sunday, a Navy spokesman said. The plane took off from the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower early Friday in overcast weather while the ship was operating around Crete. The plane disappeared from the ship’s radar screens during a routine flight, the Navy spokesman said.” (Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Syracusan Among Crash Dead Recovered.” 4-6-1982, B-1.)

 

Sources

 

Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Syracusan Among Crash Dead Recovered.” 4-6-1982, B-1. Accessed 12-5-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-apr-06-1982-p-9/

 

United States Navy, Naval History and Heritage Command (Mark L. Evans). Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). 9-14-2016. Accessed 12-5-2018 at: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/d/dwight-d-eisenhower-cvn-69.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

— 7  AP. “Alive after five days in icy tomb.” The Register, Orange County, CA. 4-6-1982, p. 1.

— 7  National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 3, March 1982, p. 15.

— 7  NationMaster.com, Encyclopedia, “Alpine Meadows, California”

— 7  Placer County, Cal., Office of Emergency Services, Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2005.

 

Narrative Information

 

NCDC: “Sierra Nevada (Northern and Central CA)…[March] 29-31…7 killed…Heavy snow, Avalanche. Five feet to nine feet of snow fell in the Sierra Nevada. There was a large avalanche at the ski resort of Alpine Meadows.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 3, March 1982, p. 15.)

 

NationMaster.com: “On March 31, 1982, one of the most deadly and destructive avalanches to hit a U.S. ski area struck Alpine Meadows. Seven people perished when a large natural avalanche over-ran and destroyed the building housing the ski area’s avalanche control command post.”  (NationMaster.com, Encyclopedia, “Alpine Meadows, California.”)

 

Placer County, California, Office of Emergency Services: “..a 30-foot high wall of snow plowed through a ski lodge and other buildings at 80 mph, killing seven people.” (Placer County, CA,OES, Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2005, p. 64)

 

Newspapers

 

March 31: “Ski resort operators are crying ‘Enough’ as a blinding storm continues to dump fresh snow atop an already massive Sierra Nevada snowpack….Foul spring weather continued yesterday, with mountain roads closing off and on and ski resorts restricting their operations or closing altogether because of high winds whipping over mountain peaks. The California Highway Patrol said there had been so many auto wrecks in what was described as a ‘severe snow emergency’ that dispatchers had stopped keeping count….Alpine Meadows curtailed operations Tuesday [March 30]….” (Associated Press/Brendan Riley. “‘Enough’ — Ski Resort Owners.” Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA, 3-31-1982, A4.)

 

April 1: “The biggest spring storm to ever hit Northern California left three people dead in an avalanche at a ski resort in the snow paralyzed Sierra, caused flooding in low-lying communities and knocked out power to at least 30,000 homes….Blizzard conditions continued today in the mountains, where rescue workers at the Alpine Meadows ski resort uncovered the bodies of three people Wednesday [March 31] and planned to resume their search at dawn today for other possible victims. All roads were closed in the Lake Tahoe basin area, where six feet of snow fell Wednesday, stranding hundreds of travelers.

 

“Another avalanche buried two houses at Squaw Valley, but five people were rescued uninjured….” (United Press International and Journal staff. “Biggest spring storm claims at least 3 lives.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 4-1-1982, p. 1.)

 

April 2: “Eureka — Rescue workers aided by dogs and emergency lights dug through snow more than two stories deep at  ski resort near Squaw Valley, searching for at least two more people believed buried by avalanches that killed six people including a Eureka physician and his daughter.

 

“Two bodies were found Thursday buried almost 25 feet deep and another was found 11 feet down in the snow from avalanches that a resort spokesman said were beyond ‘our wildest dreams.’ The body of 11-year-old Laura Nelson of Eureka was one of those found Thursday. Laura was the daughter of Dr. Leroy J. ‘Bud’ Nelson, whose body was found Wednesday in the aftermath of the avalanches. Also found Thursday were the bodies of Beth Morrow, 22, a resort employee, and a male whose name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The dead found Wednesday were Dr. Nelson, 39; David L. Hawn, 46, Los Altos, and Jeffrey James ‘Jake’ Smith, 27, of the Lake Tahoe area.

 

“The Nelsons reportedly were on a four-day family ski vacation. They were to return to Eureka Tuesday, but Dr. Nelson called a co-worker that night to say they were snowed-in. Laura and her father reportedly had walked the one-eighth of a mile from their rented cabin to the resort lodge to see about provisions. Finding the lodge locked, they were heading back to the cabin across the parking lot when the avalanche hit. Nelson’s wife Carolyn (Katie) and son Eric, 6, who remained at the cabin, were evacuated to Truckee….

 

“The two known to be missing were ‘presumed perished,’ said Placer County Sheriff Donald Nunes. They were identified by the Sheriff’s Department as resort employees Bernie Kingery, a 40-year-old avalanche expert, and Annie Conrad, 22. But searchers found a German shepherd dog dehydrated but alive in the rubble near Alpine Meadows lodge, giving them some hope the missing humans could be alive.” (Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. “Body of Eureka girl found in snow at Alpine Meadows.” 4-2-1982, p. 1.)

 

April 6: “Tahoe City — Five days after avalanches smashed down on a ski resort, killing seven people, a gloved hand reached out of the snow where rescuers were digging in a wrecked, snow-packed building. Anna Maria Conrad, 22, a ski lift operator at Alpine Meadows resort, was suffering from serious frostbite when she was found Monday [April 5], and she had a black eye and bruises. But she was very much alive….Conrad, who survived by eating snow, said she heard her rescuers earlier inn her captivity and shouted to them, ‘but they didn’t hear me. It was frustrating when they left,’ she said, but ‘fantastic’ to finally be found….

 

“Conrad…was trapped Wednesday in a space about 2 feet high and 5 feet long when snow crashed through the second-story wall of a three-story ski patrol building. Conrad was apparently saved by a bench, which protected her from a wall that was pushed in and over by the snow, said resort spokesman Marshall Lewis….Conrad and her boyfriend, Frank Yatesman, 22, of Santa Cruz County, had gone to the ski patrol building to get their cross-country skis, Lewis said. His body was found earlier in the search….”  (Associated Press. “Alive after five days in icy tomb.” The Register, Orange County, CA. 4-6-1982, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Alive after five days in icy tomb.” The Register, Orange County, CA. 4-6-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-17-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-apr-06-1982-p-1/?tag

 

Associated Press/Brendan Riley. “‘Enough’ — Ski Resort Owners.” Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA, 3-31-1982, A4. Accessed 5-17-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marysville-yuba-appeal-democrat-mar-31-1982-p-4/?tag

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 3, March 1982. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA, 31 pages. Accessed 5-17-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-AAED048E-489E-49F2-8383-979E50576130.pdf

 

Placer County, Cal., Office of Emergency Services. Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2005. At:  http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/CEO/Emergency/~/media/ceo/ems/placer%20final%203%20pdf.ashx

 

Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. “Body of Eureka girl found in snow at Alpine Meadows.” 4-2-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-17-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eureka-times-standard-apr-02-1982-p-1/?tag

 

United Press International and Journal staff. “Biggest spring storm claims at least 3 lives.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 4-1-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-17-2017 at:  https://newspaperarchive.com/ukiah-daily-journal-apr-01-1982-p-1/?tag

 

 

—  27  Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. Accident description. KC-135-BN.[1]

—  27  Baugher, Joseph F.  1958 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision.

—  27  Chicago Tribune. “Crash of jet laid to blast in fuel tank.” 5-20-1982, p. 21, section 1.

—  27  Daily Herald, Chicago, IL.  “Plane crash probe begins.” 3-21-1982, p. 1.

—  27  Gero.  Military Aviation Disasters:  Significant Losses Since 1908.  1999, p. 142.

 

Narrative Information

 

ASN:   Date:                           Friday 19 March 1982

Time:                           21:10

Type:                           Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker

Operator:                     United States Air Force — USAF

….

First flight:                  1959-03-24 (23 years)

….

Crew:                          Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4

Passengers:                  Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 23

Total:                           Fatalities: 27 / Occupants: 27

….

Location:                     Greenwood, IL

Phase:                          Approach (APR)

….

Departure airport:       Marquette-Sawyer International Airport, MI (MQT/KSAW)

Destination airport:     Chicago-O’Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD)

 

“Narrative: The airplane crashed following an on board explosion which occurred at FL137. A fuel pump was probably allowed to run dry, causing it to become overheated due to which fuel vapors ignited.” (Aviation Safety Network. United States Air Force Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker, 19 March 1982.)

 

Baugher: “Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker….0031 crashed Mar 19, 1982, Greenwood, IL.  During descent to Chicago IAP, the aircraft exploded and crashed, killing all 27 on board. Cause was overheated fuel pump.”  (Baugher, Joseph F.  1958 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision.)

 

Gero: “Operated by the Strategic Air Command, the jet  tanker [58-0031] crashed, exploded and burned 40 miles (65km) north-west of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport [~21:10], where it was to have landed. All 27 American military personnel aboard perished, including four crewmen.

 

“The aircraft had earlier in the evening been on a training mission and making practice landing approaches to K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, in Upper Michigan, then landed there to pick up a load of passengers, all of whom were stranded by the grounding of a C-130 transport due to mechanical trouble. After being cleared for descent from 22,000 to 8,000ft (6,700-2,500m), and seconds after acknowledging a request for a speed reduction, the KC-135 disintegrated, its fuselage breaking apart and vertical and horizontal stabilizers and all four engines separating. At the moment of its structural failure, the cleanly-configured aircraft had been descending on an almost due southerly heading at a true air speed of around 360mph (580kph) and was at an approximate height of 13,700ft (4,200m), and it then plummeted almost vertically into the wooded, marshy terrain.

 

“Wreckage was scattered over an area about 5 miles…long and 2 miles (3km) wide. It was dark at the time of the accident, and the weather conditions in the area consisted of light to moderate rain showers, a ceiling of around 500ft (150m) and a surface visibility of 1 to 3 miles (1.5-5km).  Winds at the approximate height of the break-up were about 30 knots from a south-westerly direction.

 

“According to the investigative report, the probability of thunderstorm activity being in the vicinity of the crash site at the time appeared ‘extremely low’. Following a thorough examination of the wreckage, no conclusive evidence was found pinpointing what caused the disintegration of the aircraft. Considered as ‘most probable’, according to the investigative report, was an over-pressurization under the cargo floor, an area that houses fuel and other potential sources of ignition. An explosion caused by the ignition of accumulated combustible vapors occur­ring in that area could, in fact, rapidly propagate to adjacent areas where fuel is present. There was also `strong evidence’ of explosive over-pressures in the forward, aft and upper fuel tank areas. Significantly, investigation showed that were the walls or fittings of the rubber bladder cells containing the volatile liquid to fail, fuel or vapor could be released into the tank cavity and in turn migrate to other parts of the aircraft.

 

“Although there was no evidence of a lightning strike, and no definite factor could be identified, the report noted that there would have been many potential sources of ignition throughout the KC-135. Among these were hot surfaces, such as boost pumps or bleed air lines; electrical arcing or chafing of electrical power lines. One recommenda­tion was for the thorough examination of electrical wiring and antenna routing to assure proper clear­ance in order to prevent chafing, especially in areas where fuel vapors are present. Subsequent testing, however, showed that the ignition of fuel vapors through chafing of the very-high-frequency antenna lead, one early concern, was ‘not probable’.”  (Gero 1999, pp. 142-143.)

 

Newspapers

 

March 20: “A military “stratotanker” aircraft crashed in a muddy field north of Woodstock late Friday killing all 20 airmen on board, police and military authorities said.

 

“The Illinois National Guard plane was carrying a crew of seven and 13 other passengers when it crashed in a rural area eight miles from the town, said McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Joosten said.

 

“Three bodies were pulled from the wreckage, and there were no known survivors.

 

“Joosten said military authorities confirmed late Friday that the plane had stopped to pick up extra passengers after leaving a Michigan air base.

 

“The crash was first spotted by a McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy about 9:11 p.m.  Residents  of the area called Illinois State Police to report a loud explosion and fire.  Emergency crews from Woodstock, Wonder Lake and McHenry County were on the scene late Friday.

 

“Joosten said the plane “just missed a residential area” near Wonder Lake.

 

“A spokeswoman for McHenry Memorial Hospital in Woodstock said late Friday none of the victims from the disaster were brought to the hospital, though the emergency room was on alert….

 

“Authorities at Sawyer Air Force Base in northern Michigan confirmed the plane took off from the airfield Friday night and was bound for its home base at O’Hare International Airport. The plane arrived at Sawyer earlier in the day and made other stops on its return flight to O’Hare….

 

“The plane is a military version of the Boeing 707 jet that normally carries up to 40,000 gallons of fuel for inflight refueling…  The plane, from 126^th Air Refueling Wing of the National Guard, can carry up to 70 passengers.  The crew was stationed at O’Hare.”  (Daily Herald, Chicago, IL. “20 reported dead in crash.” 3-20-1982, p. 1.)

 

March 21: “Emergency crews searching on foot and horseback through muddy fields in McHenry County Saturday recovered the bodies of 26 of the 27 airmen killed when an Illinois National Guard tanker jet piloted by a Hoffman Estates man exploded in midair Friday night.  The search for the 27^th victim was set to resume at daybreak today.

 

“Eyewitnesses said the KC-135 tanker, on its way to O’Hare International Airport during a thunderstorm, exploded in a ball of fire at approximately 9:11 p.m. near the town of Wonder Lake.  The explosion showered the ground with wreckage that scattered over more than two square miles.  Some pieces of the large jet…fell between homes and a nearby school, where about 400 persons were attending a science fair. No one on the ground was Injured, however….

 

“…Members of rescue squads at the scene speculated the jet may have been hit by lightning, but the Federal Aviation Administration later said that was unlikely.

 

“Lt. Col. Duane Swimley of the National Guard said the last communication from the jet came about 10 minutes before the crash, and the crew indicated no danger.  Unlike commercial aircraft, military craft such as the KC-135 are not equipped with “black boxes” that record flight information and radio communications.

 

“The pilot of the aircraft was identified as Maj William S. Dixon, 35, Hoffman Estates.

 

Other crew members were:

 

Capt. Robert Nicosia, 33, Algonquin, navigator

Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, 36, Urbana;

and the boom operator, M Sgt Richard Crome, 39, Wilmette.

 

“All were members of the 126^th Air Refueling Wing out of O’Hare.

 

“The passengers were air force reservists assigned to the 928^th Tactical Air Lift Group who had hitched a ride back to Chicago when their own plane on its way from the state of Washington developed engine trouble and landed at K I Sawyer Air Force Base in northern Michigan.

 

“One passenger, Capt. Frank J C. Patton, was from Prospect Heights.

 

“The others were

 

Senior Airman Spyridon Agropoulos, Chicago,

Master Sgt. James A. Alexander Jr., Evanston;

Sgt. Frank C. Badoni Jr., Chicago;

Senior Airman Frank Barberini, Elmwood Park.

Airman 1^st Class Joe L. Branch, Chicago;

Staff Sgt. Eugene W. Grygiel, Chicago;

Senior Airman Haunani A. Holt, Chicago;

Tech. Sgt. Kenneth J. Jarecki, Chicago;

Airman 1^st Class Orval D. Jones, Chicago;

Airman Carlos R Melendez, Chicago;

Sgt. Stephen J. Olczyk, Carol Stream;

Airman 1^st Class John A. Powell, Rockton;

Sgt. Augustine J. Salinas, Chicago;

[Article goes to another page I could not access.]

 

(Daily Herald, Chicago, IL.  “Plane crash probe begins.” 3-21-1982, p. 1.)

 

May 20: “The U.S. Air Force jet tanker that crashed two months ago in McHenry County, killing all 27 persons aboard, apparently broke apart in midair after an explosion in a fuel tank, the official Air Force investigation has concluded….

 

“The aircraft, assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard, was returning from a training flight with a crew of 4 and 23 passengers — all Air Force reservists — when it crashed March 19 in overcast weather near the tiny town of Greenwood. The wreckage was scattered over a 2 by 5-mile area. The midair breakup of the plane occurred at about 13,000 feet as the plane was descending toward O’Hare International Airport, where it was based….” (Chicago Tribune (David Young and William Recktenwald). “Crash of jet laid to blast in fuel tank.” 5-20-1982, p. 21, section 1.)

 

Sources

 

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. Accident description. KC-135-BN. Accessed 5-17-2017 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19820319-0

 

Baugher, Joseph F. 1958 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision. Accessed 2-23-2012 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1958.html

 

Chicago Tribune (David Young and William Recktenwald). “Crash of jet laid to blast in fuel tank.” 5-20-1982, p. 21, section 1. Accessed 5-17-2017 at: http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1982/05/20/page/21/article/crash-of-jet-laid-to-blast-in-fuel-tank

 

Daily Herald, Chicago, IL. “20 reported dead in crash.” 3-20-1982, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=15698619

 

Daily Herald, Chicago, IL. “Plane crash probe begins.” 3-21-1982, p. 1. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=15698828

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

[1] The ASN has the location as Greenwood. Greenwood is just to the west of the village of Wonder Lake, separated by the lake Wonder Lake. The explosion was in the air over the general location of both localities.

— 12  Associated Press. “Hotel fire claims its 12^th life.” Galveston Daily News, 4-16-1982, 14B.

— 12  NFPA. Investigation Report: Westchase Hilton Hotel Fire, Houston, Texas… 11-9-1982.

— 12  National Fire Sprinkler Association.  F.Y.I.  1999, 6.

 

Narrative Information

 

National Fire Protection Association: “On March 6, 1982, an early morning fire in the Westchase Hilton Hotel in Houston, Texas, resulted in the death of 12 hotel guests and serious injury to three others. The fire, which was reported to the Houston Fire Department at 2:25 a.m., occurred in a guest room located on the fourth floor of the hotel’s 13-story high-rise tower.  The fire involved mainly the contents of one guest room, and exposed the fourth-floor corridor to severe heat and smoke conditions.  Due to the building configuration, the fire was also able to extend horizontally to two adjoining rooms on the fourth floor.  In addition, there was minor vertical exterior fire extension to three guest rooms on the fifth floor.  Smoke was able to spread throughout the fire floor and, to varying degrees, to all levels of the building.

 

“All of the fatalities were occupants of the fourth floor, the floor of origin.  Nine persons from two separate families occupying three fourth-floor rooms were among the 12 fatalities.  Another occupant of the fourth floor died while attempting to escape and was found in the smoke-filled fourth-floor exit corridor.  Two other fourth-floor occupants, rescued from the building by fire department personnel, died after hospitalization.

 

“The following are considered to be major factors contributing to the loss of life in this fire:

 

• Lack of detection and extinguishment of the fire in the incipient stage.

 

• The guest room door of the room of origin did not close completely contributing to the severe heat and smoke exposure to the fourth-floor corridor and other guest rooms.

 

• The lack of an evacuation alarm in the early stages of the fire to alert guests on the fire floor.”

 

(NFPA.  Investigation Report: Westchase Hilton Hotel Fire, Houston, Texas… 11-9-1982, 1-2.)

 

Newspapers

 

March 7: “Houston (UPI) — A pre-dawn fire sent thick smoke through the Westchase Hilton Hotel Saturday [March 6] killing 10 people and injuring 30, five of them seriously. Officials said a clerk cut off the hotel’s alarm because its buzzing ‘annoyed’ him. Several of the 178 guests at the 13-story hotel, completed in November 1980, said no fire alarms sounded. One said he heard about 10 seconds of alarm. The hotel had no sprinkler system.

 

“The fire itself was confined to one room on the fourth room registered to Scott Peterson, a cook at the Hilton Hotel in Santa Fe, N.M. He was not injured. Fire officials were investigating the possibility a cigarette started the blaze.

 

“Eight of the dead were in fourth floor rooms and two more bodies were found in a stairwell. All died of smoke inhalation. The dead were a Louisiana family of four and a Dallas woman who all were in town to attend a wedding. Also dead were five members of a Gulf Oil Corp. family awaiting transfer to Venezuela. The dead were identified as Ronald Pabst Sr., 36 of Metairie, La.; his wife, Cecile Marie, 30; their sons Jonathan, 3, and Ronald Jr., 5, and Susan K. Ilvento, 26, of Dallas. Also killed were Gulf researcher Dr. Hernando Espanol, who medical examiners said was about 46; wife, Isabell, about 35; daughters Sonia, about 21, and Luz Adriana, about 13, and Espanolo’s mother-in-law, Isabelle Hernandez, about 70….

 

“The fire was reported at 2:28 a.m. and was extinguished 80 minutes later. Four occupants of the Westchase’s fourth floor, unable to get through the corridor thick with black smoke, had to break windows and crawl down fire department ladders. Other guests managed to escape down stairs.

 

“Deputy Fire Chief Leonard Mikeska said Clerk James Harvey, who had not been briefed on the fire alarm system, aborted the alarm several times over a period of several minutes because he did not know what the buzzer ringing on the switchboard was…Mikeska said the cutoff caused the alarm to reset and after three minutes it went off again. He said the worker told him he cut off the alarm the second time and possibly even a third time before he realized there was a fire. The alarm system was checked by the manufacturer several hours after the fire. Mikeska said it worked perfectly.

 

“Arson Investigator Richard Benson said that when Harvey repeatedly silenced the buzzer, it also restarted the hotel ventilation system, sucking smoke throughout the hotel. ‘The main conclusion that we drew from the interview with Mr. Harvey was that the training that he’d gone through, that was conducted by the hotel, was not thorough enough,’ Benson said….” (UPI/Bruce Nichols. “Houston fire claims 10.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 3-7-1982, p. 1.)

 

March 9: “Houston (AP)….Deputy Fire Chief Leonard Mikeska said the fire probable started in an overstuffed chair in Room of the Westchase Hilton and that a cigarette was a possible cause.” (Associated Press. “Houston hotel fire believed accident.” Port Arthur News, TX, 3-9-1982, 5A.)

 

March 17: “Houston (AP) — A desk clerk and the manager of the Westchase Hilton face misdemeanor charges stemming from fire code violations connected to a March 6 blaze that killed 11 people. The charges, filed in municipal court by the Fire Marshal’s office Tuesday [March 16] allege that clerk James Harvey failed to report the fire immediately and that manager Erich Huemer did not submit an evacuation plan to the city office.

 

“Marion Leach, Houston’s chief prosecutor, said each charge carries maximum penalties of $200 fines. Trial was set for March 31. Hotel officials declined comment.

 

“Fire Marshal Eddie Corral said his office had asked officials five times to file an evacuation plan since the hotel opened in 1980. He said that of 543 high-rise buildings in Houston, 267 have submitted such plans and 101 have been approved…” (Associated Press. “Hotel fire charges filed.” The Paris News, 3-17-1982, 5A.)

 

March 17: “Houston (AP)….The latest victim [or the Westchase fire] 35-year-old Patrick Belmon of Paris France — died last weekend….[date of article is Wednesday March 17].” (Associated Press. “Clerk faces fire charges.” Odessa American, TX, 3-17-1982, p. 2A.)

 

March 18: “Houston (AP) — A medical examiner says some of the 11 victims in the Westchase Hilton Hotel fire had high levels of cyanide in the blood. In his formal ruling issued Wednesday, Dr. Joseph Jachimcyzk said the victims probably inhaled the toxic fumes given off by burning textiles. He said further lab tests were planned.” (Associated Press. “Victims breathed cyanide.” Port Arthur News, 3-18-1982, p. 7.)

 

April 16: “Houston (AP) — The twelfth victim of a fire that raged through a hotel while a desk clerk repeatedly turned off an alarm had died of her injuries, hospital officials said Thursday. Pearl Drakert, 66, had been in critical condition in Rosewood General Hospital’s intensive care unit since she was admitted after the blaze March 6, a spokeswoman said. Mrs. Drakert died Wednesday [April 14] at 11:35 a.m. The spokeswoman said her injuries stemmed from smoke inhalation.

 

“Misdemeanor charges were filed but dropped against Harvey [hotel desk clerk] and hotel manager Erich Hueme.” (Associated Press. “Hotel fire claims its 12^th life.” Galveston Daily News, 4-16-1982, 14B.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Clerk faces fire charges.” Odessa American, TX, 3-17-1982, p. 2A. Accessed 5-18-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/odessa-american-mar-17-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Hotel fire charges filed.” The Paris News, 3-17-1982, 5A. Accessed 5-18-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-news-mar-17-1982-p-8/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Hotel fire claims its 12^th life.” Galveston Daily News, 4-16-1982, 14B. Accessed 5-18-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-apr-16-1982-p-28/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Houston hotel fire believed accident.” Port Arthur News, TX, 3-9-1982, 5A. Accessed 5-18-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-mar-09-1982-p-5/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Victims breathed cyanide.” Port Arthur News, 3-18-1982, p. 7. Accessed 5-18-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-mar-18-1982-p-7/?tag

 

National Fire Protection Association. Investigation Report: Westchase Hilton Hotel Fire, Houston, Texas, March 6, 1982, 23 Fatalities.  Quincy, MA:  NFPA, Nov 9, 1982 revision.

 

National Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc. F.Y.I. – Fire Sprinkler Facts. Patterson, NY: NFSA, November 1999, 8 pages. Accessed at: http://www.firemarshals.org/data/File/docs/College%20Dorm/Administrators/F1%20-%20FIRE%20SPRINKLER%20FACTS.pdf

 

United Press International/Bruce Nichols. “Houston fire claims 10.” Brownsville Herald, TX, 3-7-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-18-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brownsville-herald-mar-07-1982-p-1/?tag

 

—              84  Bea. “Men, ships and the sea.” Proceedings of the Marine Safety Council, 1995.

–14US of 84  NYT (Giniger). “Hope Fades for 84 on Rig; 18 on Soviet Freighter…” 2-17-1982.

–15US of 84  Smith, Ken. A History of Disaster… in Atlantic Canada.  2008. p. 174.

—              84  USCG.  Marine Casualty Report.  Mobile…Ocean Ranger…15 Feb 1982. 1983.

Narrative Information

Bea: “On the night of February 15, 1982, the floating offshore drilling unit Ocean Ranger was operating in about 260 feet of water about 166 miles east of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Heavy seas produced waves up to 40 feet high and winds were gusting up to 90 knots. Drilling operations were suspended.

“About 7 p.m., spray from a large wave broke a portlight in the ballast control room, causing an electrical malfunction. The storm caused a 10- to 15-degree list and liquids were accidentally transferred in the ballast tanks by the malfunctioning control system. The master and crew of the Ocean Ranger apparently did not understand the operation of the complex ballast control system and were unable to manually correct the listing. The operations manual did not provide adequate guidance, and the drilling unit slowly continued to turn over.

“Although the Ocean Ranger’s upper hull was watertight, there were large openings to the chain lockers in each comer column. The lockers store chain to moor the system. As the unit continued to list, the chain lockers were filled by the waves and the Ocean Ranger capsized and began to sink.

“At 1 a.m. the next morning, emergency rescue aircraft and boats were dispatched to the scene. However, due to the severe storm, the aircraft could do little except direct the rescue boats to the site. The crewmen donned life jackets, but there were no exposure suits for protection against the cold 31° F water. Those aboard the Ocean Ranger who escaped into the water were quickly immobilized and died from hypothermia before they could be picked up by standby boats.

“The one life boat that could be launched capsized alongside a rescue boat when water entered a hole in the bow and everyone moved to one side. The stand-by vessels did not have adequate equipment to recover survivors under the adverse weather conditions.

“Nine hours after the portlight was broken, the Ocean Ranger sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic. All 84 crew members perished….” (Bea, Robert. “Men, ships and the sea.” Proceedings of the Marine Safety Council (USCG). Vol. 52, No. 3, May-June, 1995, p. 4.)

Smith: “The Ocean Ranger, a $124-million behemoth, was the pride of the offshore oil industry. The massive semi-submersible oil-drilling platform was the largest of its time and was considered, with its sophisticated ballast system and state-of-the-art control room, to be the most modern of its kind. Venturing into waters considered too dangerous for lesser rigs…the rig was, in fact, considered unsinkable.

“Built by the Mitsubishi Company in Japan in 1976, by 1980 the rig was under contract to Mobil Oil Canada. In November of that year it was taken to the Hibernia Oilfield on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, about 200 miles east of St. John’s….

“On February 14, 1982, the rotation crew on the Ranger numbered eighty-four men, including fifteen Americans. The rest were Canadians… [one was British]

“By 6:00 PM, the storm raged over the Ocean Ranger, with towering hundred-foot seas and ninety-knot winds…. The storm’s ‘rogue waves’ were reaching and crashing on to the rig’s high upper deck. As a precaution, the crew decided to try and detach the drilling platform front the main deck hut were unable to do so, Around 7:00 PM, an especially large wave broke over the ballast control room, smashing a porthole window. The amount of water let in by the wave shorted out some sensitive electrical equipment that monitored the ballast balance. Some flooding occurred, causing a list of about ten degrees. Several shorted out relays were quickly removed, dried, and reinserted. Again they shorted out. The listing remained.

“There were no written instructions on how to deal with ballast emergencies, just advice passed on from crew to crew by word of mouth. It was decided to even the balance by pumping water out of one ballast tank. Here, the fatal mistake was made: instead of pumping water out of the flooded ballast, water was accidentally pumped in, increasing the list to a precarious fifteen degrees.

“Around 1:00 AM, the Ocean Ranger radioed the shore base at St. John’s requesting the supply ship to standby. Ten minutes later a frantic SOS was sent out, requesting help to get the crew off the rig because they were worried it might go over, At 1:30 AM, in their last radio message, the crew signaled that they were going to lifeboats, That was the last anyone heard from the Ocean Ranger. At 3:30 AM, search and rescue ships were stunned to watch the rig disappear from their radar screens.

“In their panic, several of the crew got washed off the deck or were blown overboard by the tremendous winds, Several others, confused and fearful, simply leapt over the side into the frigid Atlantic instead of getting into the lifeboats and soon perished. Even the lifeboats were no match for the raging storm: in the ninety-mile-per-hour gale, they just flipped over, dumping the desperate men into the freezing waters. There were not enough survival suits for everyone and those who wore them did not last much longer that the others. Those who attempted to stay afloat by swimming or hanging on to flotsam succumbed in moments.

“Rescue ships and a helicopter arrived at the scene at around 2:00 AM.  Men were spotted in the water and in a lifeboat, but the rescue ship and chopper could not manoeuvre close enough to pick the men up. Rescue lines were thrown and at one point the men in the raft made desperate lunges to grab the rope. They couldn’t hang on, and the raft upset, throwing the terrified crewmen to their fate, Another large inflatable rescue raft was thrown out to the drowning victims, but by now overcome by the numbing cold, the hapless oilmen could not reach it in time. Grappling hooks and long poles were also tried, in hopes of grabbing a piece of clothing, but to no avail. To the anguish and heartbreak of their would-he rescuers, the doomed crewmen eventually disappeared forever into the icy depths of the Atlantic. At 3:38 PM the Ocean Ranger sank, following its men to a watery grave. All eighty-four crewmembers perished, though only twenty-two bodies were recovered.

“The Canadian government immediately launched a full inquiry into the disaster, After an exhaustive two-year study of all aspects of the Ocean Ranger tragedy, the Royal Commission released its report on the sinking. In it the commission concluded that a number of factors combined to seal the fate of the drilling rig, including serious design flaws in its ballast structure, Perhaps more important was the conclusion that the crews were poorly trained in safety and emergency preparedness. The Ocean Ranger may well have survived if its ballast room operator had been better trained. As it was, even the senior operator had only completed half his training. The commission also noted that the survival gear was not adequate for the harsh Atlantic Ocean environment.

“As a result of the inquiry, several new federal government regulations were implemented and monitoring hoards were established to oversee the Canadian offshore oil industry, Proof of competency, stringent training requirements, and modernized and suitable life-saving equipment would all help ensure that a disaster as terrible as that which befell the Ocean Ranger not happen again.”  (Smith, Ken.  A History of Disaster… in Atlantic Canada.  2008. p. 174-178.)

Newspaper

Feb 16, New York Times: “St. John’s, Newfoundland, Feb 16 — Planes and ships searched in vain today for survivors among the 84 men who were aboard an oil-drilling rig that listed and sank in a storm off Newfoundland on Monday [Feb 15]. Government and oil company officials abandoned almost all hope that anyone was still alive in what appeared to be a disaster second only to the loss of 123 people aboard the Norwegian drilling platform Alexander L. Kielland when it capsized in the North Sea in March 1980….

“…a few lifeboats and life rafts have been spotted, but only one body has been recovered. Some life vests were also seen by searchers four miles from one life raft. The only traces of the huge rig, described by its owner, the Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company of New Orleans, as the world’s largest semisubmersible drilling platform, were some buoys.

 

“After notifying relatives, Mobil Oil of Canada, the principal operator in the potentially rich Hibernia oilfield, issued a list of 83 names with their places of origin. One was withheld at the request of the family. There were 14 men from the United States; 54 from Newfoundland; 13 from other parts of Canada; one from Britain, Peter Fogg of Lincoln, England, and one man, Robert Hicks, whose origin was described as unknown. Victims From the U.S.

“Those listed as from the United States were Thomas Blevins of Plainfield, Conn.; Thomas Donlon of Sumter, S.C.; Lelon Droddy of Corrington, La.; William Dugas of Abbiville, La.; Randell Ferguson of Natchez, Miss.; George Gandy of Longstreet, La.; Reginald Gorum of El Paso; Capt. Clarence Hauss of Baltimore; Willie Powell of Franklinton, La.; Donald Rathbun of Narragansett, R.I.; William Smith of Valley Station, Ky.; Benjamin Kent Thompson of Winnsbord, La.; Gerald Vaughn of Collins, Miss., and Michael Watkin of New Orleans….

“The platform was built at the Mitsubishi Shipyards in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1976, and measured 398 feet long and 337 feet high, including the drilling derrick. It was built for ”severe environments” and deep waters, according to its owner, the Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company. It had been in the waters off Newfoundland for a year and a half and at its present site, a well called J-34, about 175 miles east of St. John’s, since last November….” (NYT/Giniger. “Hope Fades for 84 on Rig; 18 on Soviet Freighter Die.” 2-17-1982.)

Sources

Bea, Robert. “Men, ships and the sea.” Proceedings of the Marine Safety Council, Vol. 52, No. 3, May-June, 1995, pp. 3-7. U.S. Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard. Accessed 4-21-2017 at: https://www.uscg.mil/proceedings/archive/1995/Vol52_No3_May-Jun1995.pdf

New York Times (Henry Giniger). “Hope Fades for 84 on Rig; 18 on Soviet Freighter Die.” 2-17-1982. Accessed 4-21-2017 at: http://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/17/world/hope-fades-for-84-on-rig-18-on-soviet-freighter-die.html

Smith, Ken.  A History of Disaster: The Worst Storms, Accidents, and Conflagrations in Atlantic Canada.  Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing, 2008.

United States Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation. Marine Casualty Report.  Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Ocean Ranger, O.N. 615641, Capsizing and Sinking in the Atlantic Ocean, on 15 February 1982 with Multiple Loss of Life (Report No. USCG 16732/0001 HQS 82). Washington, DC: Commandant, USCG, May 20, 1983, 171 p. Accessed at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/oceanranger.pdf

 

 

 

–47-69  Blanchard estimated range based on low-end State tally and at least 69 reported by UPI.

—   >69  Jan 30-Feb 5. UPI. “Midwest gets snow.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 2-5-1982, 12.

—      62  Jan 31-Feb 4. UPI. “New storm builds…” Crescent-News, Defiance OH, 2-4-1982, p1.[1]

–47-48  Blanchard tally of State breakouts below.[2]

—   >39  UPI. “Another blast of snow…in…works.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 2-2-1982, p.10.[3]

 

Arkansas        (4-5)

–5  Two traffic accidents wherein freezing rain and snow were reported contributing factors.[4]

–4  Conway area, U.S. 64, Jan 31. “…car…slipped in wet snow and slid into…traffic.”[5]

 

Colorado        (   1)

–1  Denver, Feb 1-5. Exposure; transient, sleeping in unheated building. NCDC Storm Data, p7.[6]

 

Illinois             ( 11)

—  11  Blanchard breakout of fatalities by locality noted below.

—>10, Feb 1, Chicago area. UPI. “Another blast…” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 2-2-1982, p.10.

Breakout of Illinois winter weather related deaths by locality where noted:

–1  Alton, Jan 31. Apparent heart attack sweeping snow from home sidewalk; female, 77.[7]

–1  Charleston, Coles County, Feb 1. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 63.[8]

–1  Chicago, Feb 1. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 51.[9]

–1  Chicago, Feb 1. Apparent heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 67.[10]

–4  East St. Louis, Feb 1. Apparent heart attacks while shoveling snow.[11]

–1  LaSalle County, Feb 1. Girl, 10, when mother’s car skidded on icy road into oncoming car.[12]

–1  Skokie, Feb 1. Exposure; female, 91, found in mound of snow outside her home.[13]

–1  Union area, Jan 31. Male, 50, while cross-country skiing (apparent heart attack?).[14]

 

Indiana           (  2)

–1  Chesterfield, Jan 31. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male.[15]

–1  Indianapolis, Jan 31. Heart attack cleaning snow/ice off car; male, 72.[16]

 

Kansas            (  1)

–1  Garden City area, Gray Co., Feb 4. Exposure; female; car slid into ditch; left car below 0 day.[17]

 

Michigan        (19)

–19  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

–17  Daily Press, Escanaba, MI. “Death toll at 17.” 2-3-1982, p. 1.[18]

–16  UPI. “Blizzard kills 16…more snow expected.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 1.

–15  Detroit area, Jan 31-Feb 1.[19]

—  3  Detroit area, Jan 31. Heart attacks related to shoveling snow.

–12  Detroit area, Feb 1. Heart attacks related to shoveling snow.

Eunice Allard, 70, Detroit.

Mary Banaszak, 68, Detroit.

James Brannon, 80, Dearborn.

Cecil Cady, 78, Detroit.

John Carson, 57, Detroit.

Charles Danto, 56, Detroit.

Art Frank, 81, Detroit.

Charles Icenhower, 73, Springfield Township.

Zigmund Jason, 65, Dearborn.

Harold Knutsen, 62, Detroit.

Leong S. Lee, 81, Detroit.

Louis Mueller, 62, Detroit.

George Ross, 69, Royal Oak.

Joseph Zajar, 63, Detroit.

Mary Ziemba, 89, Hamtramck.

—  1  Saginaw Bay, Feb 1. Exposure to cold.

–15  State, Jan 30-31. AP. “Another storm…Michigan…” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-2-1982, p19.

–13  Apparent heart attacks after shoveling snow.

—  2  Hypothermia/exposure to cold.

–14  State. UPI. “Another blast of snow…works.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 10.

Breakout of Michigan winter weather deaths by locality:

–15  Detroit area, Jan 31. Heart attacks shoveling snow. NCDC. Storm Data, 24/1, Jan 1982, 20.

—  1  Lake Odessa, Feb 1 (found). Exposure; female, 22, outside near a barn at home.[20]

—  1  Sand Point, Saginaw Bay, Feb 1. Exposure; male, 19, became lost in blinding snowstorm.[21]

—  2  South of Jackson and Port Huron area, Feb 3. Heart attacks from shoveling snow. NCDC.[22]

 

Missouri         (  3)

— >6  St. Louis, Jan 31. UPI. “St. Louis, Toledo buried…” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria OH, 2-1-1982, 1.

–Several [3], Jan 30-Feb 1. Heart attacks from shoveling snow.[23]

 

Ohio                (  5)

–5  AP. “Bad to Worse: Merciless weather…” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 2-1-1982, p. 1.

–1  Cincinnati area, Mill Creek, Jan 31-Feb 4. Female motorist; lost control on icy bridge.[24]

 

Oklahoma      (  1)

–1  Lawton, Comanche Co., Feb 5. Exposure; female, 84, wandered away from nursing home.[25]

 

Narrative Information

 

Michigan

 

NCDC on Lower Peninsula, Jan 31: “Heaviest snow 12 to 14 inches along Coldwater-Port Huron line tapering to 8 inches at southeast corner of state and 3 to 7 inches in extreme north. Fifteen persons, all in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, suffered fatal heart attacks shoveling snow. Many roads blocked, schools and businesses closed. About 40 persons injured in automobile accidents. About 150 persons injured in falls on ice. Twelve hundred automobiles abandoned on highways. Three hundred stranded motorists in emergency shelters…” (NCDC. Storm Data, 24/1, p. 20.)

 

Missouri

 

NCDC on South Central through East Missouri, Jan 30-31: “One of the worst snowstorms of the century moved from the Northern Ozarks through Eastern Missouri. The storm dumped from 12 to 20 inches with a few reports of up to 24 inches. Some of the large variations were due to heavy thunderstorm activity accompanying the snow. Several deaths were reported due to heart attacks from shoveling snow after this storm or during the next several days when more snow fell. The Missouri National Guard was called out and many private individuals were paid to help clear streets and roads, especially in the St. Louis area. This storm followed heavy rains which had already dumped up to 6 inches of water in Southeast and South-Central portions of the state….The damage for this snowstorm has been estimated at 4 million dollars.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 21.)

 

Newspaper

 

Feb 1: “St. Louis (UPI) — The worst snowstorm in 70 years closed schools and government offices today and businesses were asked to keep employees at home. Police took expectant mothers to hospitals and made emergency deliveries of medication. The city’s highways were blocked with 6-foot-high drifts from the 19-inch snowfall Sunday and Lambert-St. Louis International Airport was closed by the storm — the most snow in a 24-hour period since Feb 12, 1912….” (UPI. “19 inches cripples St. Louis.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-1-1982, A7.)

 

Ohio

 

Feb 1: “Toledo, Ohio (UPI) — National Guard jeeps today patrolled city streets closed by 7 inches of wind-whipped snow, and at least 30 families statewide were forced to flee their homes as ice-choked rivers surged above flood stage. Gov. James Rhodes ordered guardsmen into the city to man 15 four-wheel drive vehicles for police whose cars were rendered useless after snow belted nine northwestern counties Sunday.” (UPI. “Ohio gets double dose: Snow, floods.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-1-1982, A7.)

 

Midwest

 

Feb 5: “Stinging cold and more snow punished the Midwest today, threatening to brutalize weather-weary St. Louis and Detroit, already socked by 17 inches of snow that has frustrated city officials. At least 69 people have died nationwide in the relentless wave of storms since last weekend [Saturday was Jan 30]. Consecutive storms hit St. Louis with more snow in one week — 2½ feet — than it gets in a normal year. A churning winter storm dumped heavy snow on the southern Rockies and parts of the Southern Plains, blasting Los Alamos, N.M., with 15 inches of snow and choking north-western Oklahoma with 10 inches.

 

“Kansas City, Mo., received 7 inches of snow overnight. A 2-inch dusting of sleety snow in Chicago was enough to clog freeways and wreck time schedules for trains and buses. Winter storm warnings and watches were posted from New Mexico through Illinois today…

 

“The mercury plunged to 43-below-zero at Park Rapids, Minn. Colorado Springs, Colo., broke an 81-year-old record today with a low of 8 below zero. Denver’s 14 below reading was only 1 degree away from breaking the mark set in 1899….The mercury plunged to 37 below zero at Ironwood, Mich., 8 below in areas east of the Oregon Cascades and an unseasonable 7 below at Denver. Jamestown and Fargo, N.D., recorded highs Thursday of 11 below zero.

 

“City officials in Detroit said about one-third of its overworked snowplows were knocked out of service. ‘You’d have to have at least five times the equipment that we have now’ to clear snow from city streets, said James Watts, public works director….” (United Press International. “Midwest gets snow.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 2-5-1982, p. 12.)

 

Sources

 

Alton Telegraph (Sanford J. Schmidt), Alton, IL. “Another big storm is on its way here.” 2-2-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-feb-02-1982-p-1/?tag

 

Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Enough’s enough! Snow paralyzes Madison County…again.” 2-1-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-daily-bulletin-feb-01-1982-p-2?tag

 

Associated Press. “Another storm in store for lower Michigan this evening.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 19. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-feb-02-1982-p-18/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Bad to Worse: Merciless weather belts New England.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 2-1-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-feb-01-1982-p-1/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Old Man Winter won’t give up.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 2-2-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-feb-02-1982-p-1/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Seven Killed in Wrecks in State Over Weekend.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 2-1-1982, p. 14. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-feb-01-1982-p-14/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Snowdrifts, floodwaters continue winter of bad weather across U.S.” Daily Gazette, Xenia OH, 2-1-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/xenia-daily-gazette-feb-01-1982-p-1/?tag

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, 33 pages. Asheville, NC: NCDC. Accessed 4-22-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-23CEEEFE-1531-4995-8F92-5459C3258C67.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, Feb 1982, 16 pages. Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA. Accessed 5-11-2917 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-87DD7AAB-9249-4C60-89FA-073EF9AC1E38.pdf

 

United Press International. “19 inches cripples St. Louis.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-1-1982, A7. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-feb-01-1982-p-7/?tag

 

United Press International. “Another blast of snow is in the works.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 10. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-02-1982-p-10/?tag

 

United Press International. “Blizzard kills 16, still more snow expected.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-feb-02-1982-p-1/?tag

 

United Press International. “Midwest gets snow.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 2-5-1982, p. 12. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-feb-05-1982-p-12/?tag

 

United Press International. “New storm builds in West.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 2-4-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-feb-04-1982-p-11/?tag

 

United Press International. “Ohio gets double dose: Snow, floods.” Sandusky Register, OH, 2-1-1982, A7. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-feb-01-1982-p-7/?tag

 

United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-feb-01-1982-p-12/?tag

 

United Press International. “St. Louis, Toledo buried & more is on the way.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 2-1-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-11-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-feb-01-1982-p-1/?tag

 

United Press International (Dana Walker). “Worst in 70 years.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-1-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-10-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-jan-31-1982-p-1/?tag

 

 

[1] “At least 62 deaths nationwide have been blamed on the storms since Sunday [Jan 31].”

[2] Many of the deaths were on Feb 1 after the storm had passed — apparent heart attacks related to shoveling snow.

[3] “Thousands of people were stranded under a ‘Condition Red’ alert…from a two-day storm that crippled the Midwest’s major cities with up to 2 feet of snow and recoiled for another blow today. At least 39 deaths were blamed on the weather.”

[4] UPI. “St. Louis, Toledo buried & more…” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 2-1-1982, p. 1. We include figure of five deaths in the range, though other weather-related death reports we have seen relate to car wrecks on wet roads.

[5] AP. “Snowdrifts, floodwaters continue winter of bad weather across U.S.” Daily Gazette, Xenia OH, 2-1-1982, p.1. Another report noted that the fatalities were Faulkner County residents, and identified the driver as Michael Leon Newberry, 26. The other fatalities were his wife Donna K. Newberry, 21; son, Michael Leon Newberry Jr, 6; and Paul F. Rappold, 51, of Vilonia area. (Associated Press. “Seven Killed in Wrecks in State Over Weekend.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, 2-1-1982, p. 14.)

[6] National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, Feb 1982, p. 7.

[7] Alton Telegraph (Sanford J. Schmidt), Alton, IL. “Another big storm is on its way here.” 2-2-1982, p. 1.

[8] United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12. Victim identified as R. T. Shellabarger.

[9] United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12. Victim identified as Phillip Harvey.

[10] United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12. Victim identified as Bruno Rossi.

[11] UPI (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12.

[12] United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12. Victim identified as Louisa Cowan.

[13] Victim identified as Sara Feldman. (United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12.)

[14] United Press International (Dennis O’Shea). “One pretty day doth not a winter make.” The Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-2-1982, p. 12. Victim identified as Tom Nehrer.

[15] Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. “Enough’s enough! Snow paralyzes Madison County…again.” 2-1-1982, p. 2.

[16] United Press International (Dana Walker). “Worst in 70 years.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 2-1-1982, p. 1. Identified victim as Leonard Graves, Sr.

[17] NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, Feb 1982, p. 9.

[18] Seventeen death is the Lake Odessa female, noted below. Fifteen were snow shoveling related and one exposure.

[19] Notes the victims were “trying to open driveways and sidewalks, which in some cases were covered by up to four feet of drifted snow.”

[20] Associated Press. “Another storm in store for lower Michigan this evening.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 19. Identifies victim as Cinda D. Fry, and cites Ionia County Medical Examiner for cause of death finding. NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, p. 9.

[21] Associated Press. “Another storm in store for lower Michigan this evening.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 2-2-1982, p. 19. Identifies victim as Martin Harrison, and notes the victim was ice fishing near Sand Point. Also NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, p. 9.

[22] NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, p. 9.

[23] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 21. “Several deaths were reported due to heart attacks from shoveling snow after this storm or during the next several days when more snow fell.” For the purposes of contributing to a tally we translate “several” into three.

[24] United Press International. “New storm builds in West.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 2-4-1982, p. 1.

[25] NCDC Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 2, p. 10.

— 7  Combustion Safety, Inc. “Hot Water Heater Explodes in Elementary School.” 2011.

— 7  NewsOK. “Smooth reunion brings hugs, kisses…as Star students return.” 1-29-1982.

— 7  News OK. “Star Elementary: 20 Years Later…” 1-20-2002.

— 7  NewsOK. “Valve installed wrongly, maker says.” 2-1-1982.

 

Narrative Information

 

Combustion Safety: “Explosions from even simple, relatively obscure, equipment like hot water heaters can be destructive and/or deadly. The aftermath with its tragic consequences, however can serve as warning to all of us involved in operating and maintaining equipment. Shedding light on the underlying causes behind the explosion at Star Elementary School provides an opportunity to review our own testing, repair and preventative maintenance schedules.

 

“It was shortly after noon, in a busy school cafeteria, in the small town of Spencer, Oklahoma. Children were seated at tables, enjoying lunch when their secure little world was torn from them. A concrete wall, which separated the lunchroom from the kitchen, blew in, as an 80-gallon water heater exploded, and launched itself skyward. The children seated nearest the wall were crushed and killed as concrete and steel were propelled from the epicenter of the blast. It was a horrific scene. In all, seven were killed and 36 lay injured.

 

“How the day started.

 

“The first employees arrived at the school at 7:00 AM. They included the cafeteria workers who noticed that the domestic hot water was much hotter than normal. The custodian was called and the gas water heater was shut down, to await the arrival of a technician. The technician’s fix was to replace the gas valve, and relight the water heater. The technician returned within the hour and noted that the water heater seemed to be working normally. The cafeteria workers were not so satisfied. They soon noticed that the water temperature was again much too hot, and getting hotter. They placed another call for service, which tragically went unanswered. At 12:13 PM the explosion ripped through the school.

 

“How did this happen?

 

“The Chief Boiler Inspector for Oklahoma dug deeply into the accident. He noted the water heater sat in disrepair for three or four years. The controls had been tampered with; the safety valve was in the wrong place; and the temperature probe had been removed. Oklahoma’s boiler inspection law covers high-pressure steam boilers but not smaller equipment such as water heaters.

 

“This meant that the school system itself was responsible to determine what would constitute adequate inspection, maintenance and repair of the water heater.

 

“When the technician replaced the faulty gas valve, a used valve was installed. This valve was also faulty. It may have been faulty when stored, or it may have deteriorated in storage. The valve may or may not have been a suitable replacement part for the particular water heater, even if it had been functioning correctly. When the valve failed, it apparently did so by hanging open allowing the burner to stay on continuously, superheating the water and over-pressurizing the water heater’s tank.  Once this occurred a relief valve should have opened to allow fresh cold water to flow into the tank while removing pressure and temperature from the vessel. Only then could the tank’s contents have reached a safer condition. The relief valve never worked. Temperature and pressure continued to rise. Ultimately the water flashed to steam as the tank ruptured. The tank landed 135 feet from where it sat seconds before.

 

“Could this have been prevented?

 

“This was an accident that could have been prevented if the proper procedures and inspections had been put in place. There was either no preventative maintenance schedule, or if there was one, it was ineffective. Critical safety items were installed incorrectly, disabled, and/or never tested. Controls were tampered with and sensing probes removed. New repair parts were not used and the condition of the used replacement gas valve was not known. After installation, the functioning of the gas valve may not have been adequately confirmed, to ensure it was cycling properly. The technician doing the work may not have inspected the entire unit to make sure that the safety relief valve was installed correctly, let alone verify its operation….”  (Combustion Safety, Inc. “Hot Water Heater Explodes in Elementary School. Seven Dead, 36 Injured.” 2011 modification.)

Newspapers:

 

Jan 19: “Spencer, Okla. (AP) – An explosion tore through an elementary school Tuesday and authorities said as many as 30 children were injured.  There were unconfirmed reports that a gas leak sparked the blast. Students were being evacuated at the time the explosion occurred and several Oklahoma Natural Gas Company trucks were on the scene.  Ambulances and law enforcement officers rushed to the scene of the blast at the Star Elementary School in Spencer, just east of Oklahoma City….”  (New Mexican, Santa Fe. “30 hurt in school blast.” 1-19-1982, A11.)

 

Jan 20:  “Spencer, Okla. (AP) – An explosion that killed five children and a teacher in an elementary school cafeteria was caused by a water heater that malfunctioned and built up a mighty head of steam a few hours after being repaired, officials said.

 

“A cook in the elementary school kitchen turned on a tap around lunchtime Tuesday, but the faucet only coughed steam, Oklahoma City fire department spokesman Phil Cooksey said.  The cook went to report the problem, he said, and minutes later an explosion ripped through the kitchen wall, blowing off part of the roof and raining glass, metal and concrete blocks on children in the cafeteria.”  (Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Oklahoma blast kills 6.”1-20-1982, 1.)

 

Jan 21: “Spencer, Okla. (AP) – Nineteen people remained hospitalized Wednesday — two of them critically injured — after a water heater exploded at an elementary school, spewing rubble that killed five children and a teacher by breaking their necks.

 

“Agents from the state fire marshal’s office were examining the wreckage of the Star Elementary

School kitchen and cafeteria, hoping to learn what caused an apparent steam buildup that made the 75-gallon heater explode during the lunch hour Tuesday.  One fire inspector, who asked that his name not be used, said two safety valves in the water tank, located in a storage area of the kitchen, must have failed in order for the explosion to have occurred.  He said the thermostat should have turned the tank off when the water temperature reached 195 degrees. If it failed, a pressure-release valve should have opened to discharge the steam when the temperature reached 212 degrees.  “I can’t figure out how two safeties failed at the same time without someone interfering with or tampering with” them, said the inspector.  “There was an extreme amount of heat in the bottom of the water heater before it went. The metal had turned blue from the heat,” he said. He estimated the temperature at 1,400 degrees.

 

“Besides the six who were killed in the accident, 35 people were injured.  Of the 17 still hospitalized, one student and the cafeteria manager were listed in critical condition.

 

“The northwest corner of the cafeteria was razed by the blast that rained concrete blocks, glass and metal scraps on screaming children.  Venetian blinds dangled in broken windows and cafeteria tables and chairs were splintered by hurtling concrete blocks.

 

“Damage from the explosion was estimated at $100,000 and the one-story brick school has been closed at least temporarily.

 

“Investigators and food service employee Florence Hardy spent much of Wednesday morning in the storage area of the kitchen as the officials tried to learn all they could of the moments before the blast. “The whole effort is complicated by the fact that school personnel were working on it (the water heater),” said Phil Cooksey, Oklahoma City Fire Department spokesman.  “They’ll have to ask them what they did to it.”  Oklahoma City public school officials were unable to say Wednesday what the repairmen had done to the heater when they worked on it.”  (Titusville Herald, PA. “19 Still in Hospital After School Blast.” 1-21-1982, p. 6.)

 

Jan 29:  “It was all smiles today at the new Star Elementary School…. It has been 10 days since the Star family had been together.

 

“A water heater exploded Jan. 19 during lunchtime at the Star cafeteria. Five children and one teacher were killed in the blast, and a sixth child died Thursday….”  (NewsOK.com. “Smooth reunion brings hugs, kisses It’s all smiles as Star students return.” 1-29-1982.)

 

Feb 1: “The installation of a relief valve at least partly responsible for the water heater explosion Jan. 19 at Star Elementary did not meet national standards and plumbing codes, says an official of the company that manufactured the valve.  The temperature and pressure relief valve also was not installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions which require the valve’s heat-sensing probe to be immersed in the tank water, said Joseph F. Keegan, of Lawrence, Mass., vice president of sales for Watts Regulator Co. The water heater exploded at the Spencer school and 34 persons were injured. A teacher and six children died.

 

“State fire marshal investigators have discovered the probe was removed from the valve at least 30 days before the explosion. Removing the probe and incorrectly installing the valve eliminated the safety means necessary to allow the valve to operate and prevent the explosion, Keegan said. Examination of the plumbing revealed the valve was incorrectly installed in an elbow pipe. Because the heat-sensing probe extends three inches below the valve, the probe was probably removed so the valve could be installed in the elbow pipe, Keegan said. Such an installation isolated the valve from the tank and violated the plumbing code, he said.  The valve is designed to sense excessive water heater temperatures and prevent temperatures from exceeding 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The valve discharges the overheated water and allows cooler water to enter the tank, he said.  The person who removed the probe rendered the valve useless, and tank temperatures increased enough to cause an explosion with the equivalent force of two pounds of dynamite, Keegan said.

 

“Such a tragedy should prompt inspections of all water heaters to ensure they are properly provided with all safety features, he said.  National standards and local codes all prescribe the safety parameters for water heater inspections.”  (NewsOK.com. “Valve installed wrongly, maker says.” 2-1-1982.)

 

Feb 2:  “The main pressure relief valve on all water heaters in Oklahoma City public school buildings will be replaced in light of the Star Elementary explosion, Superintendent Tom Payzant said Monday night.  More than 250 water heaters of varying sizes are located in the district’s 100 buildings, and replacement costs will be $24 to $48 per valve, the superintendent and his staff said. Payzant announced the unprecedented maintenance action after telling the Board of Education that an inspection of city schools following the Jan. 19 blast at Star detected 16 water heaters and 36 boilers needing repairs due to suspected safety hazards.

 

“Investigators already have determined that a heat sensor had been removed from the pressure-temperature relief valve on the 80-gallon tank that exploded at Star, killing six students and a teacher and injuring 30 others.  Also, manufacturers of the relief valve said that the mechanical device was installed at the incorrect location on the tank, and the removal of the water temperature sensing element eliminated “the means to prevent an explosion . . . with the equivalent force of two pounds of dynamite.”

 

“Officials also believe the failure of pressure release systems helped cause a water heater explosion at Oklahoma City’s Willow Brook Elementary School in 1977. The Star and Willow Brook blasts were “very similar,” although no one was hurt in the Willow Brook explosion.

 

“Payzant said school maintenance officials have not bee able to determine from records who removed the temperature probe from the pressure release valve and when.  The Republic brand water heater which exploded at Star is believed to have been installed in 1973.  The temperature-pressure release valve was purchased from the Watts Regulator Co., of Lawrence, Mass., in 1976 or 1977. It is believed that it replaced a piece of original equipment on the Star tank.

 

“Payzant admitted to the school board and about 30 Star parents attending the Monday night meeting that “a great number of maintenance repairs need to be done in our school system.”

 

“Holes in a steam line caused problems at Northwest High School on Monday and, over the weekend, the John Marshall High School gymnasium was flooded with four inches of water, school officials reported.

 

“Payzant told the Star parents that no final decision has been made about the school’s future. To reopen the school at NE 23 and Douglas would entail rebuilding the cafeteria and replacing all natural gas lines at the school. Star students are attending classes in portable classrooms at nearby Rogers Middle School….

 

“…Star parents vented frustrations by questioning how the Star “tragedy” could have happened. “Not much is done to fix up the schools. The really dangerous ones remain open,” contended Mike Winters.  Shirley Stoneking said parents “are afraid to talk with” school administrators.  But no more, the woman asserted. “The Star explosion also shattered the apathy of our community,” Mrs. Stoneking said.

 

“Before the explosion, Star was targeted for closing if the district’s $32 million building bond issue is approved by voters on March 2.” (NewsOK.com. “Schools Plan Heater Valve Replacements.” 2-2-1982.)

 

Sources

 

Combustion Safety, Inc. “Hot Water Heater Explodes in Elementary School. Seven Dead, 36 Injured.” 2011. Accessed 6-4-2013: http://www.combustionsafety.com/secured/pdf/safetyalerts/star_spencer_lesson.pdf

 

Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Oklahoma blast kills 6.”1-20-1982, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=84305431&sterm=spencer+school

 

News OK. “Star Elementary: 20 Years Later Heater explosion still haunts Spencer.” 1-20-2002. Accessed 5-19-2017 at: http://newsok.com/article/2779122

 

NewsOK.com. “Smooth reunion brings hugs, kisses It’s all smiles as Star students return.” 1-29-1982. Accessed 6-4-2013 at: http://newsok.com/smooth-reunion-brings-hugs-kisses-its-all-smiles-as-star-students-return/article/1971976

 

NewsOK.com. “Valve installed wrongly, maker says.” 2-1-1982. Accessed 6-4-2013 at: http://newsok.com/valve-installed-wrongly-maker-says/article/1972282

 

Titusville Herald, PA. “19 Still in Hospital After School Blast.” 1-21-1982, p. 6. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=102179944&sterm=spencer+school

 

 

 

 

 

—  78  Associated Press.  “Air Crashes In the U.S. Since 1979,” New York Times, July 20, 1989.

—  78  Drabek, Thomas E.  The Human Side of Disaster. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2010, 113.

—  78  History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, Jan 13, 1982, “Plane Crashes into Potomac”

—  78  NTSB. AAR. Air Florida…Collision with 14^th St…Bridge…Wash. Nat. AP…Jan 13, 1982

 

Narrative Information

 

History.com: “On this day in 1982, an Air Florida Boeing 727 plunges into the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., killing 78 people. The crash, caused by bad weather, took place only two miles from the White House.

 

“The Air Florida flight took off from Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, with 74 passengers and 5 crew members on board. The plane had flown into Washington from Miami in the early afternoon and was supposed to return to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, after a short stop. However, snow in Washington temporarily closed the airport. When it reopened, the plane was de-iced with chemical anti-freeze, but the plane still had difficulty moving away from the gate due to the ice. When it eventually made it to the airport’s only usable runway, it was forced to wait 45 minutes for clearance to take off.

 

“Not wanting to further delay the flight, the pilot, Larry Wheaton, did not return for more de-icing, and worse, failed to turn on the plane’s own de-icing system. In fact, the pilot and co-pilot discussed the situation, and the co-pilot said “It’s a losing battle trying to de-ice these things. It gives you a false sense of security, that’s all it does.” During the delay, however, ice was accumulating on the wings, and by the time the plane reached the end of the runway, it was able to achieve only a few hundred feet of altitude.

 

“Thirty seconds later, the plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River, less than a mile away from the runway. Seven vehicles traveling on the bridge were struck by the 727 and the plane fell into the freezing water. It was later determined that 73 of the people on board the plane died from the impact, leaving only six survivors in the river. In addition, four motorists died in the crash.

 

“Terrible traffic in Washington that day made it difficult for rescue workers to reach the scene. Witnesses didn’t know what to do to assist the survivors who were stuck in the freezing river. Finally, a police helicopter arrived and began assisting the survivors in a very risky operation.

Two people in particular emerged as heroes during the rescue: Arland Williams and Lenny Skutnik. Known as the “sixth passenger,” Williams survived the crash, and passed lifelines on to others rather than take one for himself. He ended up being the only plane passenger to die from drowning. When one of the survivors to whom Williams had passed a lifeline was unable to hold on to it, Skutnik, who was watching the unfolding tragedy, jumped into the water and swam to rescue her. Both Skutnik and Williams (along with bystander Roger Olian) received the Coast Guard Gold Lifesaving Medal. The bridge was later renamed the Arland D. Williams Jr. Memorial Bridge.”  (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, Jan 13, 1982, “Plane Crashes into Potomac”)

 

NTSB Executive Summary:

 

“On January 13, 1982, Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737-222 (N62AF) was a scheduled flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C.  There were 74 passengers, including 3 infants, and 5 crewmembers on board. The flight’s scheduled departure time was delayed about 1 hour 45 minutes due to a moderate to heavy snowfall, which necessitated the temporary closing of the airport.

 

“Following takeoff from runway 36, which was made with snow and/or ice adhering to the aircraft, the aircraft crashed at 1601 e.s.t. into the barrier wall of the northbound span of the 14th Street Bridge, which connects the District of Columbia with Arlington County, Virginia, and plunged into the ice-covered Potomac River. It came to rest on the west side of the bridge 0.75 nmi from the departure end of runway 36. Four passengers and one crewmember survived the crash.

 

“When the aircraft hit the bridge, it struck seven occupied vehicles and then tore away a section of the bridge railing. Four persons in the vehicles were killed; four were injured.

 

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was the flight crew’s failure to use engine anti-ice during ground operation and takeoff, their decision to take off with snow/ice on the airfoil surfaces of the aircraft, and the captain’s failure to reject the takeoff during the early stage when his attention was called to anomalous engine instrument readings. Contributing to the accident were the prolonged ground delay between deicing and the receipt of ATC takeoff clearance during which the airplane was exposed to continual precipitation, the known inherent pitchup characteristics of the B-737 aircraft when the leading edge is contaminated with even small amounts of snow or ice, and the limited experience of the flightcrew in jet transport winter operations.”  (NTSB. AAR. Air Florida…Collision with 14^th St…Bridge…Wash. Nat. AP…Jan 13, 1982.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Air Crashes In the U.S. Since 1979.” New York Times, 7-20-1989. Accessed at:  http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE5DD1E39F933A15754C0A96F948260&sec=&spon

 

Drabek, Thomas E. The Human Side of Disaster. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2010.

 

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, January 13, 1982. “Plane Crashes into Potomac.”  Accessed 12-6-2008 at:  http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=01/13&categoryId=disaster

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Aircraft Accident Report. Air Florida, Inc., Boeing 737-222, N62AF, Collision with 14^th Street Bridge near Washington National Airport, Washington, DC, January 13, 1982 (NTSB AAR-82/08; NTIS PB82-910408). Washington, DC: NTSB.  Accessed at: http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/1982/AAR8208.htm

 

 

—>314  UPI. “Northern Plains still cold.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 1-20-1982, p. 2.[1]

–>312  UPI. “`Big Freeze’ Stays North.” Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH, 1-20-1982, p. 1.

–>303  UPI/Walker. “Winter death toll over 300.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-19-1982, p.14.

—  302  High-end of range of Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.

—  300  AP. “Record highs follow cold wave; fog blankets South.” The New Mexican, 1-20-1982, A7.

—  287  AP. “Storm Moving off East Coast, 287 Left Dead.” Laurel Leader-Call, MS, 1-19-1982, 1.[2]

—  276  UPI/Walker. “Coldwave eases some.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-18-1982, p. 1.[3]

—  274  UPI. “Deadly cold wave letting up.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 2.

—  267  AP. “Winds level homes in West.” The Capital, Annapolis, MD, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

—  253  Farmington Daily Times, NM. “Polar Cold Paralyzes Sunbelt.” 1-17-1982, p. 1.

—  251  AP. “Winter’s toll up to 251.” Alamogordo Daily News, NM. 1-17-1982, p. 1.

—  246  AP. “Paralyzing blizzards hit Midwest…” Galveston Daily News, TX. 1-17-1982, 3A.

—  244  Low-end of range of Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.

—>235  By Jan 15. AP. “Nation bundles up for weekend.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN, 1-16-1982, 1.

—>215  By Jan 14. AP. “Death Toll Soars Past 200…” Daily Sentinel, Sitka, AK, 1-14-1982, 1.

—>206  AP. “Second Storm…Death Toll Exceeds 200.” NW Ark Times, Fayetteville, 1-15-1982, p. 1.

—  179  By Jan 13. AP. “Tenacious winter hangs on.” Yuma Daily Sun, AZ, 1-14-1982, p. 3.

—  134  UPI. “Freeze Keeps Stranglehold on North…Dixie.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 41.

—  >72  Jan 9-12, AP. “Most of nation…deepfreeze; 72 die…” Nashua Telegraph NH. 1-12-1982, p.36.

—  >27  Jan 9-11. AP. “Arctic blast…death…” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, 1-11-1982, 1.

—    19  Jan 9-10. AP. “Deep freeze numbs country.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 6.

 

Summary of Deaths by State

 

Alabama:       (20-21)                                    Massachusetts (     1)             Oklahoma      (       1)

Arkansas:       (  2-  3)                                    Michigan        (10-12)                        Oregon           (       1)

Connecticut    (       1)                         Minnesota      (   5- 7)                        Pennsylvania  (     32)

Delaware        (       2)                         Mississippi      (   1- 6)                        Rhode Island (    0-5)

District of Co.(       2)                        Missouri         (   1- 2)                        South Carolina (3-7)

Florida            (       1)                         Montana         (       2)             South Dakota (       3)

Georgia          (  0-11)                                    Nebraska        (       1)             Tennessee       (  6-13)

Illinois             (16-31)                                    New Jersey     (    0-5)                        Texas              (     12)

Indiana           (  7-10)                                    New Mexico   (       2)             Virginia          (     16)

Iowa                (     11)                         New York       (13-16)                        West Virginia ( 1-  9)

Kentucky       (       5)                         No. Carolina (14-20)                        Wisconsin       (       9)

Louisiana       (       6)                         North Dakota (       1)             Wyoming        (  0-  3)

Maryland       (    3-5)                                    Ohio                (     13)

 

Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Alabama:       (20-21)

–20-21  Blanchard range.[4]

—     21  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart…Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, 1.

—   >20  National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 14.[5]

—     20  NWS WFO, Birmingham, AL. Winter Weather History in Central Alabama. 11-15-2013.[6]

—     19  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4.

—     16  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p32.

Breakout of Alabama winter weather fatalities by cause where noted.

—    1  Level Plains, Jan 12. Male, 54, knocked out by falling ice-covered tree limbs; froze.[7]

—    1  Selma, Jan 11. Female, 92, freezes to death in her home.[8]

—    1  Sumter Co., Jan 14. Hypothermia; female, 79, in unheated trailer house; power failure.[9]

 

Arkansas:       (2-3)

— 3  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

— 2  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

— 2  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

— 1  Jan 10-12. Male, 77; apparent hypothermia; found in small trailer with butane heater off.[10]

— 1  Elm Springs area, Jan 19 am. Female motorist, 38, slides on ice covered Brush Creek Rd.[11]

 

Connecticut    (   1)

— 1  Stamford, Jan 9-10. Male “killed in a traffic accident on an icy road.”[12]

 

Delaware        (   2)

— 2  Jan 9-11, off Bowers Beach. Ice flows sink crabbing boat; crabbers die of hypothermia.[13]

 

District of Co. (  2)

— 2  Jan 9-11. Hypothermia; males. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 19.

 

Florida            (   1)

–1  State, by Jan 12. AP. “Most of nation still in deepfreeze; 72 die…” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-12-1982, 36.

–1  Escambia County, Jan 11. Exposure; male, 51, intoxicated, took nap outdoors at party.[14]

 

Georgia          (0-11)

–11  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–10  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

—  7  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

—  0  Have been unable to locate any locality or causality specifics.

 

Illinois             (16-31)

–31  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–31  UPI. “Temperature rises in Illinois; so do spirits.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-19-1982, 7.[15]

–26  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

–23  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–18  State, Jan 9-12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves…116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, 3.

–16  State, Jan 9-10 and 17-18. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.[16]

–13  State, by Jan 12.[17]

Breakout of Illinois winter weather deaths by locality where noted:

—  1  Alton, Madison County, Jan 10. Female, 44; fire “…related to the bitter weather.”[18]

–13  Chicago area (Cook/Lake co’s.), Jan 9-10. “…weather-related deaths in…Chicago area.”[19]

–8  Cook and Lake Counties, Jan 9-10. Heart attacks brought on by cold/shoveling snow.

–1  Cook and Lake Counties, Jan 9-10. Male; shoveling snow, exact cause not noted.

–4  Cook and Lake Counties, Jan 9-10. Exposure/hypothermia.

–1  Chicago, Jan 9-10. Male “froze to death on a fire escape” over weekend.[20]

—  1  Chicago southside, by Jan 18. Male found frozen underneath outside stairway.[21]

—  1  Markham, Cook Co., Jan 17. Male, 39, found frozen on back porch; locked out.[22]

—  1  Jerseyville, Jersey Co., Jan 10. Boy, 5-years-old; fire “…related to the bitter weather.”[23]

 

Indiana           (7-10)

–10  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, 1.

—  9  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

—  7  Rushville Republican, IN. “First cold…then snow.” 1-13-1982, p. 1.[24]

—  7  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.[25]

—  6  Jan 9-12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

Breakout of Indiana winter weather deaths by locality, where noted.

–1  Green Co., US 31, Jan 12. Truck driver, 42, when her rig crashed on snow-covered road.[26]

–1  Indianapolis, Jan 11. Exposure to cold; male, 61, found near death in unheated apartment.[27]

–1  Kokomo, Jan 10. Hypothermia; female, 62, in home; chimney clogged by snow.[28]

–1  Kosciusko County, Jan 9-10. Elderly male went outside home; disoriented; hypothermia.[29]

–1  Madison County, I-69 near IN-13. Male driver, 26, lost control of semi-trailer truck on ice.[30]

–1  Plymouth, Marshall County, Jan 12. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 86.[31]

–1  Valparaiso, Jan 17. Heart attack after shoveling snow; male, 68, outside his home.[32]

 

Iowa                ( 11)

–11  State.  Blanchard tally based on AP report of Jan 12 and NCDC locality breakouts.

–10  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, 1.

—  9  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

—  7  State, Jan 9-11. AP. “Most of nation still in deepfreeze; 72 die…” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-12-1982, p.36.

—  6  UPI. “In comparison, a heat wave.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

Breakouts by locality, where noted (11):

–1  Akron vicinity, Jan 9. Male, 67; exposure; car mired/stalled in Highway 3 snowdrift.[33]

–2  Centerville, Jan 16-17. Elderly males, found dead on city streets.[34]

–1  Davenport area, US Hwy 61, Jan 9. Male driver, 38, hits snowdrift, goes into path of truck.[35]

–1  Des Moines, Jan 16-17. Male, 34; heart attack trying to start car in “arctic” temp.[36]

–1  Dubuque downtown, Jan 15-16. Exposure, male in alley; 23° below zero cold.[37]

–1  Kellogg, Jan 10. Exposure; male farmer, 51, after walking 1½ miles to his parents home.[38]

–1  Kensett area, Worth Co., Jan 15-16. Male, 34; exposure; car stuck in snow, walked away.[39]

–1  Preston area, Jackson County, Jan 9-11. Male; exposure in frozen cabin.[40]

–1  Rowley area, Hwy. 150, Jan 9. Motorist hit by truck while trying to help another motorist.[41]

–1  Sioux Rapids, Jan 16. Exposure; female, 84; wandered from nursing home; 64° below.[42]

 

Kentucky       (   5)

— 5  Blanchard tally based on reports below.

— 1  Jan 9-10. “a Kentucky man…froze to death in an unheated trailer.”[43]

— 4  Jan 10-11. Cold-related accidents. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18.

 

Louisiana       (   6)

–6  State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–5  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

Breakout of Louisiana winter weather deaths by locality:

–2  Collinston, Morehouse Parish, Jan 12. House fire from space heater; mother and daughter.[44]

–1  De Quincy, Calcasieu Parish, Jan 13. Burns; space heater ignites clothing; female, 96.[45]

–1  Ferriday, Concordia Parish, Jan 13. Hypothermia; elderly male in unheated home.[46]

–1  Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Jan 12. Electric power service male electrocuted; downed line.[47]

–1  Zachary, East Baton Rouge Parish, Jan 12. Hypothermia; female, 102; unheated home.[48]

 

Maryland       (3-5)

–4  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–3  State, by Jan 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

–3  Blanchard tally of deaths noted by locality and date below.

–2  State, by Jan 12. AP. “Most of nation still in deepfreeze; 72 die…” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-12-1982, 36.

Breakout of Maryland winter weather fatalities by locality where noted.

–1  Baltimore, Jan 11. Heart attack (outdoor cold exposure contributing factor); male, 63.[49]

–1  Millington, Kent County, Jan 9-11. Hypothermia; male in his unheated home.[50]

–1  Washington County, Jan 16. Hypothermia; male, 50, apparently slipped, fell, unconscious.[51]

 

Massachusetts (   1)

— 1  Lowell, Jan 9. Exposure; male 29, found frozen in driveway.[52]

 

Michigan        (10-12)

—>12  UPI. “Temperatures take nosedive…winter storm.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 1-16-1982, 1.

—  10  Blanchard tally of locality and/or cause of death breakouts below.

—    9 AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

—    7  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

—    6  Jan 9-12. AP. “Most of nation still in deepfreeze; 72 die…” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-12-1982, p. 36.

Breakouts by date and/or locality (9):

— 1  State, Jan 10. Storm-related auto accident. NCDC. Storm Data, V.24, N.1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

— 1  State, Jan 16-17. Storm-related auto accident. NCDC. Storm Data, 24/1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

— 1  State, Jan 10. Storm-related heart attack. NCDC. Storm Data, V. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

— 2  State, Jan 16-17. Storm-related heart attacks. NCDC. Storm Data, V24, N1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

— 1  Detroit, Wayne County, Jan 9-10. “…a man…froze to death in Detroit.”[53]

— 1  Detroit, Wayne County, Jan 12. Exposure; female after apparently locking herself out.[54]

— 1  Grand Rapids area, Jan 15. Male, 20, struck by car while standing by snow-stranded car.[55]

— 1  Livonia, Jan 16-17. Exposure; male. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

— 1  Warren, Jan 10. Exposure, male. NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

 

Minnesota      (5-7)

— 7  State, Jan 9-12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

— 6  State, Jan 9-11. UPI. “Record cold wave…” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 1.

— 5  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, 1.

— 5  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

— 4  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

— 2  State, Jan 9-10. Traffic deaths “that were indirectly related to the weather.”[56]

Breakout of winter weather related deaths in Minnesota by locality where noted:

— 1  Balaton area, Lyon County, Highway 11, Jan 9. Vehicle motorist; blinding snow on road.[57]

— 1  Little Falls, Jan 7. Exposure; female, 61, outside her apartment in 20-below weather.[58]

— 1  Mower County, Jan 9. Exposure/hypothermia; stranded motorist.[59]

— 1  Norman County, Jan 9. Exposure/hypothermia; stranded motorist.[60]

— 1  Worthington, Jan 15-16. Exposure; male found outside building without warm clothing.[61]

 

Mississippi      (1-6)

–6  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–5  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–4  By Jan 12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves Deep South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

–1  Columbus, Jan 11. Female, 92, frozen to death at home. NCDC. Storm Data, 24/1, p.21.[62]

 

Missouri         (   2)
— 2  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

— 1  St Louis, Jan 11-12. Hypothermia; male, 81, found dead in freezing apartment.[63]

 

Montana         (   2)

— 2  Garrison area, I-90. Jan 15. Vehicular. NCDC. Storm Data, 24/1, Jan 1982, p. 21.

 

Nebraska        (   1)

— 1  Hartington, Jan 9-10. Exposure; elderly female wandered away from nursing home.[64]

 

New Jersey     (  >5)

— 5  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

— 0  Blanchard location of any specific date, locality or causality reports.

 

New Mexico   (   >2)

–2  By Jan 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.[65]

— 0  Blanchard location of any specific date, locality or causality reports.

 

New York       (14-16)

–16  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

–14  State. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–13  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

—  8  By Jan 12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves…South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

Breakout of New York Winter Weather deaths by locality, where noted:

–1  Binghamton, Broome County, Jan 10-12. Exposure; male, 64, fell asleep in vacant bldg.[66]

–1  Brooklyn, Jan 11. Exposure; person whose body was found on a Brooklyn street.[67]

–1  Bronx, Jan 18. Male baby, 2-months. “Police said the victim…apparently froze to death.”[68]

–5  Buffalo, by Jan 12. AP. “Buffalo recoils from storm.” Post-Star, Glens Falls NY, 1-13-1982, 3.

–3  Jan 10-11. Heart attacks while shoveling snow.[69]

–2  Jan 10-12. Exposure/hypothermia.[70]

–3  Buffalo, Jan 11. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, PA, 1-12-1982, p.1.

–1  Buffalo, Jan 11. Male “froze to death in his car stranded on a downtown street.”[71]

–1  Fulton, Oswego County, Jan 10-15. Hypothermia; homeless male, 67, in his pickup truck.[72]

–1  Hammond, St. Lawrence County, Jan 11. Female passenger, 20, on snowmobile, in crash.[73]

–1  Ithaca, Jan 15. Male motorist, 29, car left snow-covered and slushy road; hit utility pole.[74]

–1  Mays Point, Jan 12. Motorist, 74; his pickup slid on ice/snow covered bridge into water.[75]

–2  Queens, Jan 12. Hypothermia; elderly couple after home furnace malfunctioned.[76]

–2  Western NY, Jan 10-11. Hypothermia; motorists stranded due to heavy snow.[77]

 

North Carolina (14-20)

–20  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–19  AP. “State’s Weather-Related Death Toll Stands at 19.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-15-1982, p. 1.

–18  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

–16  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–14  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–11  State, Jan 10-12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves…South…116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

–11  Statewide, Jan 10-15. Exposure and/or hypothermia. NCDC. Storm Data, 24/1, p. 22.

—  7  By Jan 11. Daily Times-News, Burlington, NC. “Frigid cold blamed for…death.” 1-12-1982, 1.

Breakout of winter weather related deaths in North Carolina by locality, alphabetically.

—  1  Asheville, Jan 9. Exposure; male, 65, found dead outside his car; temps dropped to -10°.”[78]

—  1  Bunnlevel, Harnett County, Jan 10-11. Hypothermia; female, 46, in her unheated home.[79]

—  1  Chatham County, Jan 11. Male, 53, “apparently froze to death” according to State MEO.[80]

—  1  Fayetteville, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 51, in vacant unheated house.[81]

—  1  Greensboro, Jan 14. Apparent exposure; male 55, found on dead-end street ~11:35 pm.[82]

—  1  Guilford County (NW), Jan 10. Hypothermia; female, 90, unheated home.[83]

—  1  High Point, Jan 10. Exposure; male, 41, found dead behind a Goodwill store.[84]

—  1  Jacksonville, Jan 11. Exposure; female, 52, found dead in a ditch (citing county ME).[85]

—  2  Moore County, found dead Jan 11am. Exposure; male and female, mid-50s in their yard.[86]

—  1  Ossipee area, Alamance County, Jan 11. Hypothermia; female, 90, unheated home.[87]

—  1  Reidsville, Jan 10. Hypothermia; female 78; home with only small fireplace for heat.[88]

—  1  Robeson County. Body of male, 46, found frozen or rural road ½ mile from home.[89]

—  1  Sanford, Jan 14. Exposure; male, 49, found frozen outside Sanford Surgical Clinic.[90]

 

North Dakota ( 1)

— 1  Bismarck, Jan 14-15. Male, 75; apparent heart attack while shoveling snow.[91]

 

Ohio                (13)

–13  Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause breakouts below.

—  8  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

—  6  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

—  6  By Jan 12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves Deep South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

Breakout of Ohio winter weather fatalities by cause, where noted:

–2  Ada area, Hancock Co. Jan 16. Females, 21 & 18; car slid on ice through stop sign/hit.[92]

–1  Akron, Jan 11. Hypothermia; elderly female [77] in home after heating system failed.[93]

–1  Cleveland. Jan 11. Apparent heart attack after shoveling snow; male.

–1  Dayton, Jan 11-12. Hypothermia; elderly female in home after heating system failed.[94]

–2  Norwalk area, Jan 16. Car veers around snowdrift, hit by vehicle; father, 45, and son, 11.[95]

–1  Parma. ~Jan 15. Apparent heart attack; male, after working a snow blower.[96]

–1  Strasburg, Jan 17. Pickup and semi slide on ice and collide; male pickup driver, 19 killed.[97]

–1  Youngstown area, ~Jan 15. Male slipped on ice, apparently hitting head.[98]

–3  Jan 10. “Weather-related auto accidents…” Locations not noted.[99]

 

Oklahoma      (  1)

— 1  Binger, Caddo County, Jan 10. Exposure; male, 62, apparently fell on his porch.[100]

 

Oregon           (  1)

–1  State, by Jan 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

 

Pennsylvania  (32)

–32  Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “More snow, sleet before daybreak,” 1-20-1982, p. 6.[101]

–32  Blanchard tally of deaths by locality noted below.

–28  UPI. “Cold Claims Three Lives in State.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 10.

–26  Associated Press. “More Die as Result of Weather.” Titusville Herald, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 1.

–23  UPI. “Cold blamed in 3 more deaths.” New Castle News, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

–21  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

–20  UPI. “Bitter cold coming back.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. 1-15-1982, p. 2.

–19  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–16  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–14  Jan 9-12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

–13  Jan 9-12. AP. “Snowstorm…Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3.

–12  Jan 9-12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves Deep South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

Breakout by locality, where noted:

–1  Alverda, Jan 12. Male, 60, found dead in snow outside home; cold contributing factor.[102]

–1  Avondale, Chester County, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 54, in unheated shack.[103]

–1  Canonsburg, rural, Jan 11. Hypothermia; female, 83; freezing home (jugs of water frozen).[104]

–1  Canonsburg, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 69, in “inadequately heated” home (police).[105]

–1  Conneautville area, Jan 10. Exposure; male, 77; car went in ditch; tried to walk away.[106]

–2  Dallastown, York Co.. CO poisoning; males, 54 and 66; garage, loading salt onto snowplow.[107]

–1  Douglas Township, Jan 13. Snowmobile collision with car; male, 39.[108]

–1  Driftwood, Cameron County, Jan 17. Hypothermia; female, 92, after locking herself out.[109]

–1  Du Bois, Jan 16-17. Hypothermia; female, 73, after collapse in farmhouse bathroom.[110]

–1  Erie, Jan 9. Motorist, 22, “head-on collision…his visibility was impaired by blowing snow.”[111]

–1  Erie, Jan 12. Boy, 9, slipped on icy street while playing, and went under tractor-trailer.[112]

–1  Erie, Edinboro College, Jan 11. “…student found nude near the Erie County campus.”[113]

–1  Falls Township, Bucks County. Boy, 11, when roof of snow fort collapsed, trapping him.[114]

–2  Glenn Campbell, Indiana Co., Jan 11. Males 33 and 58 in head-on collision; snow reduced visibility.[115]

–1  Hempfield Township, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 73, found frozen in unheated home.[116]

–1  Lancaster, Jan 10. Apparent heart attack; male, 67, trying to warm cold car, sub-zero day.[117]

–1  Latrobe, Westmoreland Co., Jan 16-17. Hypothermia; female, 57; gas off in unheated trailer.[118]

–1  Levittown, Jan 18. Male motorist, 30; car skidded on icy road, hit utility pole.[119]

–1  Muncy Valley, Jan 17. Hypothermia; male, 54, outdoors, apparently taking a walk.[120]

–1  New Kensington, Jan 10. Male, 35; icy road, pickup skids; hypothermia, shock.[121]

–1  Philadelphia, Jan 10. Exposure; male vagrant, 58, found dead in parking lot.[122]

–1  Philadelphia, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 83; unheated home.[123]

–1  Philadelphia, Jan 17. Apparent hypothermia; male, 65, body found frozen on city street.[124]

–2  Philadelphia, Jan 18. Hypothermia; female, 64, and male, 89, in boarding home, temp 40.[125]

–1  Philadelphia, Jan 18-19. Hypothermia; homeless male, 60, in basement of vacant building.[126]

–1  Philadelphia, Jan 19 (found). Hypothermia; female, 74, in unheated home.[127]

–1  Phoenixville area, Jan 16. Apparent hypothermia; female, 86, outside her home.[128]

–1  Uniontown, Jan 12. Hypothermia; female, 51, found frozen in unheated apartment.[129]

–1  West Spring Creek, Warren Co., Jan 16. Hypothermia; male, 75, after wood stove went out.[130]

 

Rhode Island (  0-5)

— 5  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

— 0  We do not dispute AP report of 17^th, but have not been able to locate specific fatalities.

 

South Carolina (3-7)

–7  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

–6  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–3  By Jan 12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves Deep South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

–3  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below.

–2  NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24.

–1  Charleston, Jan 11. Hypothermia. NCDC. Storm Data, V.24, N.1, Jan 1982, p. 24.[131]

–1  Columbia, Jan 11. Hypothermia; male, 72, in home.[132]

–1  Anderson County, Jan 11. Smoke inhalation; male, 39; fire spilled from wood stove.[133]

–3  Anderson County, Jan 13. Children; house fire blamed on faulty wood heater.[134]

–1  Beech Island, Jan 17. Exposure; Greenville man whose body was found in a churchyard.[135]

 

South Dakota (   3)

— 3  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

— 3  NCDC, NOAA, Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24.

Breakout of South Dakota Winter Weather deaths by locality.

— 1  Milbank, Grant County, Jan 15-16. Exposure; male, 75; body found on street corner.[136]

— 1  Scotland, Bon Homme County, Jan 9. Exposure; female, 69, after vehicle stalled.[137]

— 1  Sisseton, Jan 10. Exposure; female, 39, tried to walk for help after vehicle stalled.[138]

 

Tennessee       (6-13)

–13  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

–12  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

—  6  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

—  6  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

—  4  NCDC, NOAA, Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 25.

Breakout of Tennessee Winter Weather deaths by locality, where noted.

— 1  Clarksville, Montgomery County, Jan 14. Hyperthermia; male, 19; disoriented outdoors.[139]

— 1  Dyersburg, Dyer Co., Jan 10. Exposure to the cold; male, 42; apparently hit head in fall.[140]

— 1  Knoxville, ~Jan 18. Female motorist, 23, car slid on icy road; struck by train.[141]

— 1  Memphis, Shelby County, Jan 11. Hypothermia; female, 80, “in her ramshackle house.”[142]

— 1  Sweetwater, Monroe Co., Jan 11. Exposure; elderly male; locked himself out of house.[143]

— 1  Locality not noted, ~Jan 14. Snow-sledder, 14, stuck by a car and killed.[144]

 

Texas              (  12)

–12  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–12  AP. “Motorists stranded on Interstate 35.” Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX. 1-14-1982, p. 2.

–1  Drowning

–3  Exposure to cold

–2  Fire

–1  Heart attack

–5  Traffic accidents

–12  Blanchard tally of locality breakouts noted below.

–11  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

—  8  By Jan 12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves…South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

—>3  NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 37.

Breakout of Texas winter weather fatalities by locality when noted.

–1  Alvarado, Jan 12. Drowning; boy, 9, when ice broke under him; went into drainage ditch.[145]

–1  Austin (No.), Jan 12. Female, 94, whose housecoat caught fire from space heater contact.[146]

–1  Boerne and Comfort area, Jan 11. Male motorist when his car slid into a bridge.[147]

–1  Celeste, ~Jan 13. Heart attack, male, 84, while cutting ice on pond in 10° weather.[148]

–1  Cleburne area, Jan 11-14. Boy, 9, fell into ice-covered pond. NCDC (See Alvarado footnote.)

–1  Collin Co. Jan 11. Male, 61; exposure to cold and CO poisoning in parked van.[149]

–1  Fort Worth, Jan 11. Male motorist, 21, when his car skidded off icy street into utility pole.[150]

–1  Harris Co. (NE), Jan 13. Male motorist, 22, when his car skidded on icy road into truck.[151]

–1  Marshall, Jan 11. Hypothermia; male, 68, in unheated house.[152]

–1  Mart, Jan 13. Hypothermia; male, 61, in his unheated one-room house.[153]

–1  Sierra Blanca area, I-10, Jan 11. Male motorist in weather-related accident.[154]

–1  Tatum, Jan 12. Home fire; male, 68; fire in metal barrel burned through rusted bottom.[155]

–1  Locality not noted, by Jan 12. Traffic fatality (notes five, but we have noted four above).[156]

 

Virginia          ( 16)

–16  Blanchard tally of Virginia winter storm deaths by locality.

–13  AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook…” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2.

–12  AP. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

—  8  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

Breakout of Virginia Winter Weather deaths by locality, where noted.

— 1  Appomattox County, Jan 10-11. Male, 63; found frozen at home.[157]

— 1  Beulahville, King William County, Jan 13. Hypothermia; male, 69, in cold home.[158]

— 1  Buchanan County, Jan 14. Male driver, 33; 3-car collision snowy road during snowstorm.[159]

— 1  Caroline County, Jan 9-12. Hypothermia; male, 47, found dead in his yard; extreme cold.[160]

— 1  Henrico County, Jan 14. Male, 20, fractured his skull in sledding accident on snowy road.[161]

— 2  Occoquan Bay, Jan 9-12. Drownings; boat mired in ice sinks; males attempt to swim.[162]

— 2  Potomac River, No. VA. Jan 11. Boating accident; tried walking on ice from stuck boat.[163]

— 1  Richmond, Jan 12-13. Hypothermia; male, 71, found dead in unheated apartment.[164]

— 1  Richmond, by Jan 15. “Richmond-area resident…died from cold-related illnesses.”[165]

— 1  Richmond, Jan 16-18. Hypothermia; male, 70, found dead in his unheated residence.[166]

— 1  Rockbridge County, Buffalo Creek, Jan 13. Girl, 3, fell through ice on a creek.[167]

— 1  Suffolk, Jan 14. Male driver, 21, lost control of car on icy bridge in snowstorm.[168]

— 2  Locations not noted. “…their cars skidded out of control on snow-clogged and icy roads.”[169]

 

West Virginia (1-9)

–9  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–7  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–4  State, by Jan 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

–1  WV-35, Jan 10. Male driver, 56, when his milk tanker slid on patch of ice and overturned.[170]

 

Wisconsin       (  9)

–9  AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

–9  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–8  AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

–6  By Jan 13. AP. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5.

–5  By Jan 12. AP. “Cold Wave Leaves Deep South with 116 Dead…” Record-Argus, Greenville PA, 1-13-1982.

Breakout of Wisconsin winter weather deaths by locality, where noted:

–1  Blanchardville, Iowa Co. Hwy. F, Jan 11. Exposure; male, 81, after leaving stranded car.[171]

–1  Green Bay, Jan 9-11. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V24, N1, Jan 1982, p. 27.

–1  LaCrosse, Jan 15. Exposure; quadriplegic in wheelchair outdoors near or on a street.[172]

–1  Madison, Jan 16. Heart attack exacerbated by extreme cold; male, 57, outside fixing water pipe.[173]

–1  Merton, Jan 8-9. Exposure/hypothermia; male, 70; stuck in window; locked out of house.[174]

–1  Mukwonago, Waukesha Co., Jan 12. Male, disabled outside home froze, subzero temps.[175]

–1  Reserve, Sawyer Co., Jan 7. Heart attack triggered by exposure; male, 88, outside, subzero temp.[176]

–1  Salem, Kenosha County, Jan 9-11. Exposure. NCDC. Storm Data, V24, N1, Jan 1982, p. 27.

–1  Silver Lake, Lake Crest Mobile Home Park, Jan 14. CO poisoning at home; male, 26.[177]

 

Wyoming        (0-3)

–3  State by Jay 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

–0  While not necessarily doubting UPI report of Jan 12, we have located no specific fatalities.

 

Summary of Cause of Death Breakouts Noted Below

 

Accidents                                                                                                                                (  13)

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning                                                                                               (    3)

Cold-related illness                                                                                                                (    1)

Fires (particularly due to overworked or inappropriate heating devices)                      (    5)

Heart attacks                                                                                                                         (  26)

Hypothermia/Exposure (total of breakouts below)                                                           (113)

Hypothermia/Exposure (Indoors)                                                               (  44)

Hypothermia/Exposure (Outdoors)                                                            (  45)

Hypothermia/Exposure (in/near vehicles)                                                  (  11)

Hypothermia/Exposure (Location not noted)                                            (  13)

Vehicular                                                                                                                               (  45)

Cause of death not noted:                                                                                                    (103)

 

Cause of Death where individually noted

 

Accidents                                                                                                                                (  13)

–1  AL. Level Plains, Jan 12. Male, 54, knocked out by falling ice-covered tree limbs; froze.

–1  LA Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Jan 12. Electric power service male electrocuted; downed line

–1  OH. Youngstown area, ~Jan 15. Male slipped on ice, apparently hitting head.

–1  PA. Erie, Jan 12. Boy, 9, slipped on icy street while playing, and went under tractor-trailer.

–1  PA. Falls Township, Bucks Co. Boy, 11, when roof of snow fort collapsed, trapping him.

–1  TN. Locality not noted, ~Jan 14. Snow-sledder, 14, stuck by a car and killed.

–1  TX. Cleburne area, Jan 11-14. Boy, 9, fell into ice-covered pond.

–1  VA. Henrico Co., Jan 14. Male, 20, fractured his skull in sledding accident on snowy road.

–2  VA. Occoquan Bay, Jan 9-12. Drownings; boat mired in ice sinks; males attempt to swim.

–2  VA. Potomac River, No. VA. Jan 11. Boating accident; tried walking on ice from stuck boat.

–1  VA. Rockbridge County, Buffalo Creek, Jan 13. Girl, 3, fell through ice on a creek.

 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning                                                                                               (   3)

–2  PA. Dallastown, York Co.. CO poisoning; males, 54 & 66; garage, loading salt onto snowplow.

–1  WI. Silver Lake, Lake Crest Mobile Home Park, Jan 14. CO poisoning at home; male, 26.

 

Cold-related illness                                                                                                                (    1)

–1  VA. Richmond, by Jan 15. “Richmond-area resident…died from cold-related illness.”

 

Fires (particularly due to overworked or inappropriate heating devices)                      (   7)

–1  IL. Alton, Madison County, Jan 10. Female, 44; fire “…related to the bitter weather.”[178]

–1  IL. Jerseyville, Jersey Co., Jan 10. Boy, 5-years-old; fire “…related to the bitter weather.”[179]

–2  LA. Collinston, Morehouse Parish, Jan 12. House fire from space heater; mother/daughter.

–1  LA. De Quincy, Calcasieu Parish, Jan 13. Burns; space heater ignites clothing; female, 96.

–1  TX. Austin (No.), Jan 12. Female, 94; housecoat caught fire from space heater contact.

–1  TX. Tatum, Jan 12. Home fire; male, 68; fire in metal barrel burned through rusted bottom.

 

Heart attacks                                                                                                                         (  26)

–8  IL. Cook and Lake Counties, Jan 9-10. Heart attacks brought on by cold or shoveling snow.

–1  IL. Cook and Lake Counties, Jan 9-10. Male; shoveling snow, exact cause not noted.[180]

–1  IN. Plymouth, Marshall County, Jan 12. Heart attack while shoveling snow; male, 86.

–1  IN. Valparaiso, Jan 17. Heart attack after shoveling snow; male, 68, outside his home.

–1  IA. Des Moines, Jan 16-17. Male, 34; heart attack trying to start car in “arctic” temperature.

–1  MD. Baltimore, Jan 11. Heart attack (outdoor cold exposure contributing factor); male, 63.

–1  MI. Jan 10. Storm-related heart attack.

–2  MI. Jan 16-17. Storm-related heart attacks.

–3  NY. Buffalo, Jan 10-11. Heart attacks while shoveling snow.

–1  ND. Bismarck, Jan 14-15. Male, 75; apparent heart attack while shoveling snow.

–1  OH. Cleveland. Jan 11. Apparent heart attack after shoveling snow; male.

–1  OH. Parma. ~Jan 15. Apparent heart attack; male, after working a snow blower

–1  PA. Lancaster, Jan 10. Apparent heart attack; male, 67, trying to warm car, sub-zero day.

–1  TX. Celeste, ~Jan 13. Heart attack, male, 84, while cutting ice on pond in 10° weather.

–1  WI. Madison, Jan 16. Heart attack exacerbated by extreme cold; male, 57, outside fixing water pipe.

–1  WI. Reserve, Sawyer Co., Jan 7. Heart attack triggered by exposure; male, outside, subzero temp.[181]

 

Hypothermia/Exposure (total of breakouts below)                                                           (113)

 

Hypothermia/Exposure (Indoors)                                                                                       (  44)

–1  AL. Selma, Jan 11. Female, 92, freezes to death in her home.

–1  AL. Sumter Co., Jan 14. Hypothermia; female, 79, in unheated trailer house; power failure.

–1  AR. Jan 10-12. Male, 77; apparent hypothermia; found in small trailer, butane heater off.

–1  IN. Indianapolis, Jan 11. Exposure to cold; male, 61, found near death; unheated apartment.

–1  IN. Kokomo, Jan 10. Hypothermia; female, 62, in home; chimney clogged by snow.

–1  IA. Preston area, Jackson County, Jan 9-11. Male; exposure in frozen cabin.

–1  KY. Jan 9-10. “a Kentucky man…froze to death in an unheated trailer.”

–1  LA. Ferriday, Concordia Parish, Jan 13. Hypothermia; elderly male in unheated home.

–1  LA. Zachary, East Baton Rouge Parish, Jan 12. Hypothermia; female, 102; unheated home.

–1  MD. Millington, Kent County, Jan 9-11. Hypothermia; male in his unheated home.

–1  MS. Columbus, Jan 11. Female, 92, frozen to death at home.

–1  MO. St Louis, Jan 11-12. Hypothermia; male, 81, found dead in freezing apartment.

–1  NY. Binghamton, Broome County, Jan 10-12. Exposure; male, 64 fell asleep in vacant bldg.

–1  NY. Bronx, Jan 18. Male baby, 2-mo. “Police said the victim…apparently froze to death.”

–2  NY. Queens, Jan 12. Hypothermia; elderly couple after home furnace malfunctioned.

–1  NC. Bunnlevel, Harnett County, Jan 10-11. Hypothermia; female, 46, in her unheated home.

–1  NC. Fayetteville, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 51, in vacant unheated house.

–1  NC. Guilford County (NW), Jan 10. Hypothermia; female, 90, unheated home.

–1  NC. Ossipee area, Alamance County, Jan 11. Hypothermia; female, 90, unheated home.

–1  NC. Reidsville, Jan 10. Hypothermia; female 78; home with only small fireplace for heat.

–1  OH. Akron, Jan 11-12. Hypothermia; elderly female in home after heating system failed.

–1  OH. Dayton, Jan 11-12. Hypothermia; elderly female in home after heating system failed.

–1  PA. Avondale, Chester County, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 54, in unheated shack.

–1  PA. Canonsburg, rural, Jan 11. Hypothermia; female, 83; freezing home (jugs of water frozen).

–1  PA. Canonsburg, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 69, in “inadequately heated” home (police).

–1  PA. Du Bois, Jan 16-17. Hypothermia; female, 73, after collapse in farmhouse bathroom.

–1  PA. Hempfield Township, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 73, found frozen in unheated home.

–1  PA. Latrobe, Westmoreland Co., Jan 16-17. Hypothermia; female, 57; gas off; unheated trailer

–1  PA. Philadelphia, Jan 12. Hypothermia; male, 83; unheated home.

–2  PA. Philadelphia, Jan 18. Hypothermia; female, 64, male, 89, in boarding home, temp 40.

–1  PA. Philadelphia, Jan 18-19. Hypothermia; homeless male, 60, in basement of vacant bldg.

–1  PA. Philadelphia, Jan 19 (found). Hypothermia; female, 74, in unheated home.

–1  PA. Uniontown, Jan 12. Hypothermia; female, 51, found frozen in unheated apartment.

–1  PA. West Spring Creek, Warren Co., Jan 16. Hypothermia; male, 75; wood stove went out.

–1  SC. Columbia, Jan 11. Hypothermia; male, 72, in home.

–1  TN. Memphis, Shelby County, Jan 11. Hypothermia; female, 80, “in her ramshackle house.”

–1  TX. Marshall, Jan 11-14. Hypothermia; elderly male in unheated house.

–1  TX. Mart, Jan 13. Hypothermia; male, 61, in his unheated one-room house.

–1  VA. Appomattox County, Jan 10-11. Male, 63; found frozen at home.

–1  VA. Beulahville, King William County, Jan 13. Hypothermia; male, 69, in cold home.

–1  VA. Richmond, Jan 12-13. Hypothermia; male, 71, found dead in unheated apartment.

–1  VA. Richmond, Jan 16-18. Hypothermia; male, 70, found dead in his unheated residence.

 

Hypothermia/Exposure (Outdoors)                                                                                    (  45)

–2  DE. Jan 9-11, off Bowers Beach. Ice flows sink crabbing boat; crabbers die of hypothermia.

–1  FL. Escambia County, Jan 11. Exposure; male, 51, intoxicated, took nap outdoors at party.

–1  IL. Chicago, Jan 9-10. Male “froze to death on a fire escape” during the weekend.

–1  IL. Chicago southside, by Jan 18. Male found frozen underneath outside stairway.

–1  IL. Markham, Cook Co., Jan 17. Male, 39, found frozen on back porch; locked out.

–1  IN. Kosciusko County, Jan 9-10. Elderly male went outside home; disoriented; hypothermia.

–2  IA. Centerville, Jan 16-17. Elderly males, found dead on city streets.

–1  IA. Dubuque downtown, Jan 15-16. Exposure, male in alley; 23° below zero cold.

–1  IA. Kellogg, Jan 10. Exposure; male farmer, 51, after walking 1½ miles to his parents home.

–1  IA. Kensett area, Worth Co., Jan 15-16. Male, 34; exposure; car stuck in snow, walked away

–1  IA. Sioux Rapids, Jan 16. Exposure; female, 84; wandered from nursing home; 64° below.

–1  MD. Washington Co., Jan 16. Hypothermia; male, 50, apparently slipped, fell, unconscious.

–1  MA. Lowell, Jan 9. Exposure; male 29, found frozen in driveway.

–1  MI. Detroit, Wayne County, Jan 12. Exposure; female after apparently locking herself out.

–1  MN. Little Falls, Jan 7. Exposure; female, 61, outside her apartment in 20-below weather.

–1  MN. Worthington, Jan 15-16. Exposure; male found outside building without warm clothing.

–1  NE. Hartington, Jan 9-10. Exposure; elderly female wandered away from nursing home.

–1  NY. Brooklyn, Jan 11. Exposure; person whose body was found on a Brooklyn street.

–1  NC. Greensboro, Jan 14. Apparent exposure; male 55, found on dead-end street ~11:35 pm.

–1  NC. High Point, Jan 10. Exposure; male, 41, found dead behind a Goodwill store.

–1  NC. Jacksonville, Jan 11. Exposure; female, 52, found dead in a ditch (citing county ME).

–2  NC. Moore County, found dead Jan 11am. Exposure; male and female, mid-50s in their yard

–1  NC. Robeson County. Body of male, 46, found frozen or rural road ½ mile from home.

–1  NC. Sanford, Jan 14. Exposure; male, 49, found frozen outside Sanford Surgical Clinic.

–1  OK. Binger, Caddo County, Jan 10. Exposure; male, 62, apparently fell on his porch.

–1  PA. Alverda, Jan 12. Male, 60, found dead in snow outside home; cold contributing factor.

–1  PA. Driftwood, Cameron County, Jan 17. Hypothermia; female, 92, after locking herself out.

–1  PA. Erie, Edinboro College, Jan 12. “…student found nude near the Erie County campus.”

–1  PA. Muncy Valley, Jan 17. Hypothermia; male, 54, outdoors, apparently taking a walk.

–1  PA. Philadelphia, Jan 10. Exposure; male vagrant, 58, found dead in parking lot.

–1  PA. Philadelphia, Jan 17. Apparent hypothermia; male, 65, body found frozen on city street.

–1  PA. Phoenixville area, Jan 16. Apparent hypothermia; female, 86, outside her home.

–1  SC. Beech Island, Jan 17. Exposure; Greenville man whose body was found in a churchyard.

–1  SD. Milbank, Grant Co., Jan 15-16. Exposure; male, 75, body found on city street corner.

–1  TN. Clarksville, Montgomery County, Jan 14. Hyperthermia; male, 19; disoriented outdoors.

–1  TN. Sweetwater, Monroe Co., Jan 11. Exposure; elderly male; locked himself out of house.

–1  VA. Caroline Co., Jan 9-12. Hypothermia; male, 47, found dead in his yard; extreme cold.

–1  WI. Blanchardville, Iowa Co. Hwy. F, Jan 11. Exposure; male, 81, after leaving stranded car.

–1  WI. LaCrosse, Jan 15. Exposure; quadriplegic in wheelchair outdoors near or on a street.

–1  WI. Merton, Jan 8-9. Exposure/hypothermia; male, 70; stuck in window; locked out of house.

–1  WI. Mukwonago, Waukesha Co., Jan 12. Male, disabled outside home froze, subzero temps.

–1  WI. Reserve, Sawyer Co., Jan 7. Heart attack triggered by exposure; male, outside, subzero temp.[182]

 

Hypothermia/Exposure (in/near vehicles)                                                                          (  11)

–1  IA. Akron vicinity, Jan 9. Male, 67; exposure; car mired/stalled in Highway 3 snowdrift.

–1  MN. Mower County, Jan 9. Exposure/hypothermia; stranded motorist.

–1  MN. Norman County, Jan 9. Exposure/hypothermia; stranded motorist.

–1  NY. Buffalo, Jan 11. Male “froze to death in his car stranded on a downtown street.”

–1  NY. Fulton, Oswego Co., Jan 10-15. Hypothermia; homeless male, 67, in his pickup truck.

–1  NC. Asheville, Jan 9. Exposure; male, 65, found dead outside his car; temps down to -10°.

–1  PA. Conneautville area, Jan 10. Exposure; male, 77; car went in ditch; tried to walk away.

–1  PA. New Kensington, Jan 10. Male, 35; icy road, pickup skids; hypothermia, shock.[183]

–1  SD. Scotland, Bon Homme County, Jan 9-12. Exposure; female, 69, after vehicle stalled.

–1  SD. Sisseton, Co., Jan 10. Exposure; female, 39, tried to walk for help after vehicle stalled.

–1  TX. Collin Co. Jan 11. Male, 61; exposure to cold and CO poisoning in parked van.

 

Hypothermia/Exposure (Location not noted)                                                                    (  13)

–2  DC. Jan 9-11. Hypothermia; males.

–1  IL. Cook and Lake Counties, Jan 9-10. Exposure/hypothermia.

–1  MI. Detroit, Wayne County, Jan 9-10. “…a man…froze to death in Detroit.”

–1  MI. Livonia, Jan 16-17. Exposure; male.

–1  MI. Warren, Jan 10. Exposure, male.

–2  NY. Buffalo, Jan 10-12. Exposure/hypothermia.

–1  NC. Chatham Co., Jan 11. Male, 53, “apparently froze to death” according to State MEO.

–1  SC. Charleston, Jan 11. Hypothermia. NCDC.

–1  TN. Dyersburg, Dyer Co., Jan 10. Exposure to the cold; male, 42; apparently hit head in fall.

–1  WI. Green Bay, Jan 9-11. Exposure. NCDC.

–1  WI. Salem, Kenosha County, Jan 9-11. Exposure. NCDC.

 

Vehicular                                                                                                                               (  45)

–1  AR. Elm Springs area, Jan 19 am. Female motorist, 38, slides on ice covered road.

–1  CT. Stamford, Jan 9-10. Male “killed in a traffic accident on an icy road.”

–1  IN. Green County, US 31, Jan 12. Truck driver, 42; her rig crashed on snow-covered road.

–1  IN. Madison County, I-69 ~IN-13. Male driver, 26, lost control of semi-trailer truck on ice.

–1  IA. Davenport, US Hwy 61, Jan 9. Male driver, 38, hits snowdrift, goes into path of truck.

–1  IA. ~Rowley, Hwy. 150, Jan 9. Motorist hit by truck while trying to help another motorist.

–4  KY. Jan 10-11. Cold-related accidents. NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, V24, N1, Jan 1982, p18

–1  MI. Jan 10. Storm-related auto accident.

–1  MI. Jan 16-17. Storm-related auto accident.

–2  MN. Jan 9-10. Traffic deaths “that were indirectly related to the weather.”

–1  Balaton area, Lyon County, Hwy 11, Jan 9. Vehicle motorist; blinding snow on road.

–2  MT. Garrison area, I-90. Jan 15. Vehicular.

–1  NY. Hammond, St. Lawrence Co., Jan 11. Female passenger, 20, on snowmobile, in crash.

–1  NY. Ithaca, Jan 15. Male motorist, 29, car left snow-covered and slushy road; hit utility pole.

–1  NY. Mays Point, Jan 12. Motorist, 74; his pickup slid on ice/snow covered bridge into water.

–2  OH. Ada area, Hancock Co. Jan 16. Females, 21 & 18; car slid on ice through stop sign/hit.

–2  OH. Norwalk area, Jan 16. Car veers around snowdrift, hit by vehicle; father, 45, and son, 11

–1  OH. Strasburg, Jan 17. Pickup & semi slide on ice and collide; male pickup driver, 19 killed.

–3  OH. Jan 10. “Weather-related auto accidents…” Locations not noted.

–1  PA. Douglas Township, Jan 13. Snowmobile collision with car; male, 39.

–1  PA. Erie, Jan 9. Motorist, 22, “head-on collision…his visibility was impaired by blowing snow.”

–2  PA. Glenn Campbell, Indiana Co., Jan 11. Males 33 and 58; head-on collision; snow reduced visibility.

–1  PA. Levittown, Jan 18. Male motorist, 30; car skidded on icy road, hit utility pole.

–1  PA. New Kensington, Jan 10. Male, 35; icy road, pickup skids; hypothermia, shock.

–1  SD. Scotland, Bon Homme County, Jan 9-12. Exposure; female, 69, after vehicle stalled.

–1  SD. Veblen, Marshall County, Jan 9-12. Exposure; female, after vehicle stalled.

–1  TN. Knoxville, ~Jan 18. Female motorist, 23, car slid on icy road; struck by train.

–1  TX. Boerne and Comfort area, Jan 11. Male motorist when his car slid into a bridge.

–1  TX. Fort Worth, Jan 11. Male motorist, 21; car skidded off icy street into utility pole.

–1  TX. Harris Co. (NE), Jan 13. Male motorist, 22; his car skidded on icy road into sand truck.

–1  TX. Sierra Blanca area, I-10, Jan 11. Male motorist in weather-related accident.

–1  VA. Buchanan Co., Jan 14. Male driver, 33; 3-car collision snowy road during snowstorm.

–1  VA. Suffolk, Jan 14. Male driver, 21, lost control of car on icy bridge in snowstorm.

–2  VA. “…their cars skidded out of control on snow-clogged and icy roads.”

–1  WV. WV-35, Jan 10. Truck driver when his milk tanker slid on patch of ice and overturned.

 

Cause of death not noted:                                                                                                    (102)

–17-18  AL.[184]

—       1  AR. Three deaths are noted for AR by AP on Jan 17. We have located details on two.

—     11  GA. AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” 1-17-1982, 4A.[185]

—     15  IL. (AP & UPI note 31 IL deaths; we have located more detail on sixteen.)

—    2-3  IN.

—       2  MD.

—       2  MN.

—       5  MS.

—       1  MO.

—       5  NJ. AP. “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

—       2  NM, by Jan 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

—       2  NY.

—       6  NC.

—       1  OR, by Jan 12. UPI. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

—       5  RI. AP. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A.

—       5  SC

—       7  TN

—       8  WV

—       3  WY

 

Narrative Information by State

 

Alabama

 

NCDC: “Statewide…[Jan] 10-18…20 [deaths]…Winter storm. It began on January 10^th with an invasion of arctic air that sent temperatures to below zero over the north and central counties and to less than 10 degrees over most of south Alabama by early morning of the 11^th. After one of the coldest mornings of the century on the 11h, a crippling ice and snow storm moved into western Alabama during the early morning of the 12^th and spread eastward over the state during the day. The ice accumulated rapidly on the extremely cold surfaces. Traffic soon came to a virtual halt especially in north and central Alabama.

 

“Although businesses and schools dismissed early, the task of reaching home took several hours for many people. In the Birmingham area, where freeways became impassable in a short time, other routes were clogged with bumper to bumper traffic.

 

“The ice tore down tree limbs, trees and powerlines as it accumulated on exposed surfaces. Power outages, that would last several days in some areas, became widespread over the state but the north and central sections were hardest hit. The precipitation continued on the 12^th and generally consisted of freezing rain although some snow persisted in the extreme north and temperatures moderated enough in parts of the extreme south for the precipitation to fall as rain. After some improvement during the morning and early afternoon of the 13^th, a major snow storm hit much of the state during the late afternoon. With many homes already without heat and travel very difficult, if not impassable, the situation became even more critical over the north and central areas where the second storm dumped 1 to 4 inches of snow onto the ice.

 

“The snow storm was followed by another blast of arctic air that sent temperatures to back below zero again over north and central Alabama in the early morning of the 17^th and into the teens over south Alabama.

 

“In Birmingham, it was the first time since records began in the 1880’s that the temperature dropped below zero twice in one winter and was the only the 5^th time on record to have below zero temperatures. The 18^th brought moderating temperatures and rapid improvement in conditions, but the arctic air, ice and snow had left behind their grim statistics.

 

“At least 20 deaths, 300 injuries and 16,000 people were forced into emergency shelters. 8,000 homes were damaged with frozen water pipes. 25 businesses and 10 schools were damaged. There was also extensive damage to roads, forests and agricultural interests. Storm damage was estimated at about 78 million dollars.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, pp. 13-14.)

 

Arkansas

 

NCDC: “All of Arkansas…10 thru 12…Unusual Cold. A strong arctic outbreak moved rapidly over the state on Sunday, the 10^th, resulting in record breaking low temperatures in many areas on the 11^th. Water pipes froze and burst in numerous homes, schools, businesses, and public buildings resulting in tremendous water damage. Several areas experienced temporary electric power outages. Also, gas pressure was briefly too low to operate central heating systems in a number of places. The cold forced many schools and some industries throughout the state to not operated the 11^th and 12^th. One death was partially due to the cold as a 77 year old man was found in his small trailer with the butane heater shut off.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 14.)

 

Delaware

 

NCDC: “Statewide…[Jan] 9-11…Cold Outbreak. Very cold weather moved into the state over the weekend, with lows at Wilmington setting back-to-back records on the 10^th and 11^th. Frozen water pipes were common. Firemen were hampered by ice formation and the freezing-up of their self-contained breathing apparatus. On Delaware Bay two Bowers Beach men perished while on a crabbing voyage. Although they were wearing life belts, the temperature of the water allowed only very short survival time. It is believed that ice flows caused their 40-foot boat to sink abut a mile offshore.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 15.)

 

Georgia

 

NCDC: “North Georgia…[Jan] 12-14…Winter Storms. Two major winter storms struck the norther half of Georgia during the period 12-14 January. The storms followed some of the coldest weather of the century on January 11 as temperatures fell as low as 9 degrees below zero in extreme north Georgia. During the afternoon of January 12 a winter storm moved into north and central sections of the state, rapidly paralyzing much of the area with a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Travel quickly became hazardous; as highways became hopelessly clogged with traffic, thousands of motorists abandoned their cars. Governor Busbee declared a state of emergency for the north half of the state. Accumulations through the morning of the 13^th were generally in the 1 to 2 inch range. The second storm began around sunset on the 13^th with a band of freezing rain across north central Georgia. This was followed on the morning of the 14^th by a wide band of moderate to occasionally heavy snow that swept across the north and central counties from the northwest. When the storm ended on the afternoon of the 14^th, the north half of the state was covered with 1 to 5 inches of snow and ice. It was impossible to calculate the exact cost of the storms’ damages.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 16.)

 

Illinois

 

NCDC: “Entire state…[Jan] 9-10…Cold & Snow. New minimum temperature records were set in many sections of the state as readings dropped to 27 degrees below zero in the north. The Dresden flood control gates near Joliet, Will County, froze shut causing the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers to rise to flood stage. Moderate snow, mainly in the central portion, together with strong winds made travel nearly impossible. Many roads had to be closed in this area and power lines were blown down.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 16.)

 

Indiana

 

NCDC: “Northern Indiana…[Jan] 09-10…Heavy snow and blizzard conditions. Total snowfall averaged 11-12 inches with isolated depths of 18 inches in LaPorte and North St. Joseph Counties. There were numerous traffic accidents. One death occurred — an elderly man ventured away from his home in Kosciusko County, became disoriented and died of hypothermia. Over 50 cases of frostbite were reported due to windchill of 60 to 65 degrees below zero.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 17.)

 

Iowa

 

NCDC, Jan 9 evening-Jan 11 morning: “All of Iowa…Ground Blizzard, Bitter Cold. Temperatures as low as 31 degrees below zero coupled with winds of 40-50 MPH produced wind chill factors of 60 to 90 degrees below zero. Visibility was reduced to zero by blowing and drifting snow. Drifts were as high as 15 feet in Allamakee County in extreme Northeast Iowa. All roads across Northern Iowa were closed as were many across Southern Iowa. Countless automobiles were in ditches. Motorists by the hundreds were stranded at Truck Stops, restaurants, farmhouses and in buildings provided by numerous towns and villages. Highway Patrol troopers and Sheriffs’ Deputies transported stranded drivers to places of shelter. A rural Kellogg farmer died of exposure after he walked 1½ miles through the sub-zero weather to the home of his parents. He collapsed upon reaching the home. The parents were unable to take him to the hospital because roads in the area had drifted shut. An Akron man was found dead, the victim of exposure, in the stalled car on Iowa Highway 3 near the Plymouth County town. His car was mired in deep drifts on the Highway. Another man was found dead from exposure in his frozen cabin near Preston in Jackson County. Almost all schools across the State cancelled classes on Monday, the 11^th, due to continued bitter cold temperatures and hazardous driving conditions. A number of hogs perished from suffocation when they crowded together to seek warmth.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, p. 17.)

 

NCDC, Jan 15 morning-Jan 16 morning: “All of Iowa…Ground Blizzard, Freezing Rain, Bitter Cold. A second consecutive weekend winter storm struck Northwest Iowa on an early Friday morning and spread southeast across the State during the day. The Eastern half of the State received freezing-ran preceding the arrival of snow, strong winds and bitterly cold temperatures. People, with fresh memories of the ground blizzard of the past weekend, heeded advice to take precautionary measures and not travel unless absolutely necessary. This resulted in very few stranded travelers and vehicle-free roads which aided road maintenance crews. Food stores were swamped with people stocking up on food to ‘ride-out’ the storm. Only 1 to 2 inches of new snow fell but winds of 50-60 MPH picked up this new snow plus snow already on the ground and reduced visibility to near zero, mainly in rural areas, and produced 10 foot drifts. Wind chill figures were 50 to 80 degrees below zero. Over two dozen farm homes were isolated in Southwest Iowa. Several semis skidded off I-80 west of Des Moines. I-35 was closed to northbound traffic from Ames to the Minnesota border. The body of a 34-year old man was found in a cornfield 6 miles west of Kensett (Worth County). The man, a victim of exposure, died while walking from I-35, a mile to the east, after his car became stuck in snow. A second exposure victim was a man in Dubuque whose frozen body was found in a downtown alley in 23 degree below zero cold. An 84-year old woman also died of exposure after she wandered from a Sioux Rapids nursing home, clad only in a dress, sweater, and shoes. The wind chill was 64 degrees below zero. There was a substantial loss in livestock, mainly hogs that were out-of-doors.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.)

 

Kentucky

 

NCDC, Jan 10-11: “Statewide…Cold Wave. Winds gusting to 40 MPH with temperatures from 10 to 15 degrees below brought wind chills into the 50 to 70 below freezing range. Several people were killed due to cold related accidents.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18.)

 

Louisiana

 

NCDC, Jan 10-13: “Statewide…Winter Storm. Sunday, January 10^th, a deep arctic air mass moved south to the Gulf Coast dropping temperatures to the coldest readings on the past 20 years. Almost to the day 20 years ago, Jan. 9, 1962, a comparable weather scenario took place. This year, temperature readings were at or below freezing for 36-48 hours in the south and up to 127 hours in the north as a severe freeze blanketed the state….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18.)

 

Maryland and District of Columbia

 

NCDC, Jan 9-11: “Arctic air surged into the mid-Atlantic area on the 9^th and resulted in record low readings for both minimum temperatures and for daytime high temperatures on the 10^th and 11^th, in many locations. Oakland, in Garrett County, registered 20 below zero the morning of the 11^th, and the wind chill factor over the west portion of the state was in the minus 50s….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 19.)

 

Michigan

 

NCDC, Jan 10: “Entire State…Wind, Snow, Cold. Man died of exposure in Warren. Many persons treated for hypothermia and frostbite throughout state. Two deaths, dozens of injuries, in storm related auto accidents. Three deaths in storm related heart attacks. Four skiers injured in avalanche at Sleeping Bear Dune. All roads closed in northern Upper Peninsula and western Lower Peninsula, due to 6” to 18” of snow and heavy drifting. Lesser amount of new snow and much drifting in other areas. Winds about 35 mph with gusts 50-75 mph. Temperature mostly below zero, wind chill 50 to 80 below zero. Emergency shelter needed by about 1500 stranded travelers. Some wind damage to structures. Many frozen water pipes. Many fires caused by overworked heating systems. Record amount of fuel used for space heating.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.)

 

Minnesota

 

NCDC, Jan 9-10: “Entire State…Extreme Cold. Strong winds hit Minnesota Saturday morning January 9^th and continued into Sunday causing near blizzard conditions and wind chill temperatures in excess of 100° below zero. By Saturday afternoon many roads were impassable including portions of I-35 and I-90. Two deaths occurred Saturday night, January 9^th. One death was in Norman county and the other was in Mower county. Both involved stranded motorists. Winds from 24 to 45 mph created wind chill temperatures from 60° below to 80° below. These hazardous conditions spread from northwest Minnesota Saturday morning into southwest Minnesota late Saturday afternoon, then into the southeast and northeast Saturday evening. Numerous cases of frostbite were reported. On Sunday evening, winds estimated at 80 miles per hour blew part of the roof off the Silver Bay Minnesota Credit Union. A traffic list standard on Highway 61 at Silver Bay was bent and power lines were broken by falling trees and branches at Little Marais, Finland, and at Isabella. Two traffic deaths occurred Saturday and Sunday that were indirectly related to the weather.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.)

 

NCDC, Jan 15-16: “Entire State…Extreme Cold. Severe cold and strong winds swept across Minnesota creating near blizzard conditions and wind chill temperatures in excess of 100° below zero for the second weekend in a row. One death was attributed to the severe cold. A man who died of exposure was found Saturday morning outside a building in Worthington without warm clothing. Many highways across the state were drifted closed…” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.)

 

Mississippi

 

NCDC, Jan 11-14. “Most of the state…Winter Storm. An arctic air mass moved over the state dropping minimum temperatures below 10 degrees over most of the state on the 11^th. This set the stage for the worst winter storm in Mississippi in the past 20 years. On the 12^th and 13^th a succession of freezing rain and snow moved over the state from the northwest. By the 14^th most of the state had a glaze of ice covered with snow. From 4 to 6 inches of snow fell in a 50 mile wide area from south of Vicksburg through Jackson to north of Meridian with ice storm conditions to the south. An elderly woman froze to death in Columbus. Frozen and broken water pipes caused the McComb water system to fail. In Jackson the mayor called for water rationing due to low water pressure. Numerous light structures n the southern and central parts of the state collapsed from heavy ice and snow. Downed power lines left 20,000 homes without power. Ice and snow covered roads caused hundreds of motor vehicle accidents. Close to 300 vehicles were stranded…” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 21.)

 

Nebraska

 

NCDC on Central and Eastern Nebraska, Jan 9 evening to Jan 10 morning: “Bitter Cold. Temperatures fell to 20 to 25 below over central and eastern Nebraska resulting in frozen pipes and hard starting vehicles. Gusty winds pushed wind chills from 60 to 90 below. An elderly woman died of exposure at Hartington when she wandered from a nursing home.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 21.)

 

New Jersey

 

NCDC, Jan 17-18: “Cold Wave. A huge pressure ridge funneled down cold air from Alaska and Siberia disturbing arctic chills, and leaving record chilling temperatures and extremely icy road conditions. Some called the surging arctic air mass the Siberian Express. The wind chill factor readings ranged from 40 to 50 degrees below zero.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.)

 

New York

 

NCDC on Western New York, Jan 10-11: “Blizzard. A winter storm now called the Blizzard of 1982 forced western and central New York to a standstill. Airports cancelled flights. Buses could not run. Stranded passengers slept on floors at the terminals. Schools and business and roadways closed. Snowdrifts of up to 8 feet and poor visibility made driving impossible. Many cars were abandoned in mid street. Others landed in ditches. Two drivers who had their cars stalled in heavy snow froze to death in their cars. Many were admitted to area hospitals for exposure to the extreme cold….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.)

 

NCDC on Central New York, Jan 10-12: “Cold & Snow Squall. An area wide cold spell dropped temperatures from near zero to 25 below in many locations. Old Forge in the Adirondacks, dropped to 36 below. Daytime readings on the 10^th never got above 9 degrees and on the 11^th and 12^th 14 degrees was the highest temperature in the area. Winds of 20 to 30 MPH with gusts at time over 50 MPH, created wind chills of 50 to 60 below zero….many schools were closed….On the 10^th and 11^th, snow squalls to the lee of Lake Ontario closed some roadways and dropped visibilities to near zero. Locally some areas reported receiving several feet of snow in the squall areas along with blowing and drifting, caused by the strong winds. A 64 year old man in the Binghamton area of Broome County, died from exposure to the cold. He apparently fell asleep in a vacant building where he was seeking shelter.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.)

 

NCDC on Coastal New York, Jan 17-18: “Cold Wave. A low pressure system moving up the coast caused the worst cold wave of the season. The extreme combination of wind and cold air which closely resembled that of 1977 made the cold wave historic. The storm of 1977 was the coldest in a decade. The coldest temperature of the season struck  the Westchester Putnam Area when the mercury dipped to 8 degrees below zero at the Westchester County Airport on the 18^th.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.)

 

North Carolina

 

NCDC, Jan 10-15: “Winter Weather. A record breaking outbreak of cold weather beginning on the 10^th of January was followed by heavy snows over western and central North Carolina on the 13^th and 15^th. On he morning of the 10^th, Banner Elk in Avery County had a low temperature of 26 degrees below zero. Statewide eleven people died during the week due to exposure or hypothermia.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.)

 

North Dakota

 

NCDC, Jan 14-15: “Winter Storm. A winter storm caused near blizzard conditions with very strong winds (48 mph at Bismarck in Burleigh County and 46 mph at Fargo in Cass County), windchill temperatures of 50 to nearly 70 below and several inches of snow. The storm caused the closure of numerous schools….Many roads in rural areas became blocked by drifts and some vehicles became stuck (including a bus with High School wrestlers from New Town in Mountrail County that became stuck overnight on the 14^th near Stanley….A 75 year old Bismarck man died from an apparent heart attack while shoveling snow.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.)

 

Ohio

 

NCDC, Jan 11-12: “Extreme cold, gusty winds and snow brought Ohio to a standstill. Schools and offices were closed and freezing pipes caused thousands of dollars damage in the state. At least 10 people were treated at hospitals for exposure and/or frostbite. Two elderly women were found frozen to death at their homes after heating systems failed. One death was in Dayton and the other in Akron.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 23.)

 

Oklahoma

 

NCDC, Jan 10: “Binger, Caddo County…Freezing Temps. A man, 62, apparently fell on his porch and died of exposure. Also with temperatures near zero in Central Oklahoma and near ten below in the North, numerous water pipes and water meters froze….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 23.)

 

Pennsylvania

 

Jan 11, UPI: “At least three people have died as a result of the icebox type cold and accompanying slippery roads entrenched in Pennsylvania, authorities said today. The cold was a result of a vicious winter weekend storm that piled up snow and plunged temperatures to the depths…The frigid air shattered the old record for Jan. 11 in Pittsburgh, dipping to minus 8 at 1 a.m., with 1 31 mph wind and gusts up to 43 mph providing a wind chill factor of 61 below. The old record of minus 3 was set in 1979.

 

“Reported dead were James White, 58, a Philadelphia vagrant found frozen to death at 11:30 a.m. Sunday in a vacant lot and William R. Ewing, 77, of Linesville, Crawford County, who died Sunday from exposure after he walked away from his car that had fallen in a ditch near Conneautville. The third death was William W. Mazurek, 35, of RD2 Tarenturn, Allegheny County, who died Sunday after his pickup truck skidded on icy roads near New Kensington, Westmoreland County. He died of shock, hypothermia and blunt force trauma to the head.

 

“Early morning temperatures today hit minus 7 in Erie, and across the state, it was minus 8 in Mount Pocono, 5 below at Williamsport, and minus 4 in Wyoming and Bloomsburg, while the Scranton, Wilkes-Barre area hit minus 3 with a wind chill factor of 39 below….The temperature never got above zero in Western Pennsylvania Sunday [Jan 10], as the cities of Reading and Philadelphia were registered among the ‘hot spots’ in the state, hovering between 3 and 8 degrees above zero….” (UPI. “Pennsylvania, country in deep freeze.” New Castle News, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 1.)

 

South Carolina

 

NCDC, Jan 11: “Record low temperatures with readings as low as -10°F at Caesars Head to around 0° in central S.C. caused heavy damage to exposed waterlines, etc. One person froze at Columbia, another at Charleston did not survive a severe case of hypothermia.” (NCDC. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24.)

 

South Dakota

 

NCDC, Jan 9-12: “Ground Blizzard and Extreme Cold. Winds, 20-40 mph accompanied by 1-3 inches of snow, created ground blizzard conditions. Temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero. Two deaths from exposure were attributed to the storm, including a sixty-nine year old Scotland (Bon Homme County) woman and a Veblen (Marshall County) woman. Both tried to walk for help after their vehicles stalled. Near zero visibilities and snow drifts up to five feet deep forced the closure of numerous highways. Minor power outages were reported.

 

Jan 15-16: “One to four inches of snowfall and northwest winds up to 45 mph (brief gusts 50-60 mph) created havoc with blowing and drifting snow. Wind chill indices ranged from 50-80 degrees below zero and visibilities were near zero across most of the state. One fatality was attributed to the storm with the death of a 75 year old Milbank (Grant County) man due to exposure. There were numerous weather-related traffic accidents….” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24.)

 

Texas

 

Jan 11-14, NCDC on North Texas: “A bitterly cold arctic air mass moved into North Texas on the 111^th, with extremely cold weather lasting through the 14^th. At least 3 people died of exposure. One of the fatalities was an elderly man who died in an unheated house in Marshall. Another elderly man died in a parked van in Denton with the third fatality being a 9-year old boy who fell into an ice-covered pond in the Cleburne area.

 

“Light freezing drizzle resulted in slick roads and numerous traffic accidents on the 11h and 12^th. On the 13^th, a major snow storm developed in west-central Texas and spread eastward across southern and central sections of North Texas. The heaviest snow, in excess of 9 to 10 inches, fell in a narrow 15-20 mile wide band from Brown County, northeast of Brownwood, to the Valley Mills and West areas north of Waco, and into northeast Texas near Tyler and Longview. About 15 inches of snow fell at West and Valley Mills. Numerous autos and trucks were stranded within the heavier snow area. Snowfall amounts of 2-5 inches fell outside of this track, generally to the south of the Dallas/Fort Worth area…” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 37 [delayed reports section].)

 

Newspapers — Chronological

 

Jan 10, Associated Press: “Some of the coldest weather on the books left nearly 100,000 people in 10 states without electricity and browned out 7 million more today as hundreds were forced to flee their homes when natural gas lines froze. Nineteen people died. A minus 26 reading Sunday in Chicago was the coldest since observers began keeping records there in 1870 and Milwaukee’s reading of 25 below zero was the coldest since 1875. In Beulah, N.D., the wind-chill index plummeted to 109 below. Below-freezing temperatures stretched into the South…Blowing snow and biting cold forced road crews to give up attempts to clear highways in South Dakota, Iowa and Ohio….Schools and factories were closed as far south as Alabama. Most Iowa lawmakers decided to stay home today and let the few that could travel to Des Moines handle the formal opening of the 1982 legislative session required by the state Constitution. Water pipes were frozen from Virginia to Illinois and firefighters were hampered by frozen hydrants from the Great Lakes to Sedalia, Mo….

 

“In Zionsville, Ind., where gas lines froze, authorities ordered residents to abandon 1,000 homes and leave them unlocked so crews could get in to light pilot lights when the gas comes back on. Police Chief Phil Parmelee ordered an overnight curfew to prevent looting. A shelter was opened at the Zionsville Middle School for refugees….

 

“Power lines, made brittle by the cold, snapped in high winds, leaving customers without electricity for hours in Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana….” (Associated Press. “19 reported dead. Deep freeze numbs country.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 6.)

 

Sources

 

Aiken Standard, SC. “Man Died of Overexposure.” 1-19-1982, p. 3A. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/aiken-standard-jan-19-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Alton Telegraph (Ande Yakstis), IL. “Cold paralyzes area, linked to 2 deaths.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-8-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-jan-11-1982-p-1/?tag

 

Appomattox County Historical Society. “Appomattox County, Virginia, Church Cemeteries — Index.” Accessed 4-25-2017 at: http://www.appomattoxhistoricalsociety.org/index_htm_files/Apx%20Church%20Cemeteries%20-%20index.pdf

 

Associated Press. “19 reported dead. Deep freeze numbs country.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 6. Accessed 4-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-jan-11-1982-p-7/?tag

 

Associated Press. “24 deaths linked to deep freeze.” Lowell Sun, MA, 1-11-1981, p. 1. Accessed 4-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-jan-11-1982-p-33/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Arctic blast causes death, suffering.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-jan-11-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Area shivers in cold, braces for winter storm.” The Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Buffalo recoils from storm.” Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/glens-falls-post-star-jan-13-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press (Eric Kramer). “Chinook Winds Tear Apart Colorado Homes.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-18-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Cold leaves thousands without electricity and gas; death toll 19.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-11-1982, p. 36. Accessed 4-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-11-1982-p-36/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Cold Wave Leaves Deep South With 116 Dead, Ruined Crop.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-13-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press (Andy O’Connell). “Death Toll Soars Past 200 As Midwest Hit With Snow.” Daily Sentinel, Sitka, AK, 1-14-1982, 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sitka-daily-sentinel-jan-14-1982-p-7/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Dixie snowstorm invades north while death toll climbs to 135 across nation.” Gettysburg Times, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 2. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/gettysburg-times-jan-14-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Elderly couple freezes to death.” The Sun, Lowell, MA, 1-13-1982, p. 6. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-jan-12-1982-p-63/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Freeze Is Down To Dixie.” Bedford Gazette, PA. 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bedford-gazette-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press, Warren, PA. “Froze to death.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 1-20-1982, p. 28. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/franklin-news-herald-jan-20-1982-p-28/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Icy Weather Stalls State; Cold Blamed for 6 Deaths.” Aiken Standard, SC, 1-14-1982, p. 5A. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/aiken-standard-jan-14-1982-p-5/?tag

 

Associated Press. “More Die as Result of Weather.” Titusville Herald, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-jan-19-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “More Harsh Weather May be on its Way.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-14-1982, p. 3. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-14-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “More snow headed for Indiana.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-daily-bulletin-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Most of nation still in deepfreeze; 72 die; citrus crop flash-frozen.” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-12-1982, p. 36. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-12-1982-p-35/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Motorists stranded on Interstate 35.” Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX. 1-14-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seguin-gazette-enterprise-jan-14-1982-p-2?tag

 

Associated Press. “Much of Iowa stays closed.” Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA, 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-daily-democrat-jan-11-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Nation bundles up for weekend.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN, 1-16-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-daily-bulletin-jan-16-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “New storm blasts West Coast; mudslides feared.” Herald-Journal, Syracuse, NY, 1-20-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-4-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-jan-20-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Associated Press. “New Storm rips through nation; 191 deaths blamed on weather.” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA, 1-15-1982, p. 10. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-jan-15-1982-p-10/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Paralyzing blizzards hit Midwest; mercury sinks to lows in Sunbelt.” Galveston Daily News, TX. 1-17-1982, 3A. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galveston-daily-news-jan-17-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Plunging Temperatures Create Winter Nightmare.” Aiken Standard, SC. 1-12-1982, p. 7B. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/aiken-standard-jan-12-1982-p-17/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Polar cold invades Midwest.” Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO, 1-17-1982, 4A. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/colorado-springs-gazette-telegraph-jan-17-1982-p-4?tag

 

Associated Press, “Record Cold Wave Grips U.S.” Bedford Gazette, PA, Jan 11, 1982, pp. 1 and 3. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bedford-gazette-jan-11-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Record highs follow cold wave; fog blankets South.” The New Mexican, Santa Fe, 1-20-1982, A7. Accessed 5-3-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-fe-new-mexican-jan-20-1982-p-71/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Second Storm Hits South; Death Toll Exceeds 200.” Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville, AR, 1-15-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-jan-15-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Sleet, freezing rain and more on the way.” Sequin Gazette-Enterprise, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-29-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seguin-gazette-enterprise-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Snowstorm Follows on Heels of Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-13-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “South Gets More Snow; U.S. Death Toll is 177.” Winchester Star, VA, 1-14-1982, p. 5. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winchester-star-jan-14-1982-p-5/?tag

 

Associated Press. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisonburg-daily-news-record-jan-16-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Associated Press (John Flesher). “State’s Weather-Related Death Toll Stands at 19.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-15-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilson-daily-times-jan-15-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Storm contributes to County death.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-14-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-gazette-jan-14-1982-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Storm Moving off East Coast, 287 Left Dead.” Laurel Leader-Call, MS, 1-19-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-2-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/laurel-leader-call-jan-19-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Sub-zero weather holds bitter grip on state.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 3. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-jan-11-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Tenacious winter hangs on.” Yuma Daily Sun, AZ, 1-14-1982, p. 3. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/yuma-sun-jan-14-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Texas in deep freeze.” The Paris News, TX, 1-13-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/paris-news-jan-13-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Two more deaths attributed to bitter cold.” The Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-20-1982, p. 29. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/indiana-gazette-jan-20-1982-p-27/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Veblen woman freezes to death after car stalls.” Huron Daily Plainsman, SD, 1-13-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-29-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-daily-plainsman-jan-13-1982/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Virginians Brace for More Snow.” Winchester Star, VA. 1-14-1982, p. 3. Accessed 4-30-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winchester-star-jan-14-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Virginians Dig Out After Snowstorms.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 1-16-1982, p. 14. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bluefield-daily-telegraph-jan-16-1982-p-31/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Winter Storm Replaced by Record-Setting Cold Wave.” Evening Telegram, Herkimer, NY, 1-12-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-4-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/herkimer-evening-telegram-jan-12-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Associated Press (Andy O’Connell). “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/nashua-telegraph-jan-15-1982-p-32/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Winds level homes in West.” The Capital, Annapolis, MD, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/annapolis-capital-jan-18-1982-p-24/?tag

 

Associated Press. “Winter’s toll up to 251.” Alamogordo Daily News, NM. 1-17-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alamogordo-daily-news-jan-17-1982?tag

 

Associated Press. “`Worst Is Over,’ Weather Bureau in Erie Reports.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA. 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-29-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-record-argus-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Weather” (continued from page 1), 1-12-1982, p. 3. Accessed 4-30-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-jan-12-1982-p-3/?tag

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Denise Casey, 21, killed in car crash near Ada.” 1-18-1982, p. B-2. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-jan-18-1982-p-16/?tag

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Relief in sight — finally!” 1-18-1982, p. B1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-jan-18-1982-p-15/?tag

 

Cox News Service. “Woman killed in fire.” Port Arthur News, TX, 1-13-1982, p. 6A. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-jan-13-1982-p-6/?tag

 

Cumberland News, MD. “Temperature.” 1-19-1982, p. 6. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-news-jan-19-1982-p-6/?tag

 

Daily Advocate, Greenville, OH. “Break in Bad Weather Seen.” 1-14-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greenville-daily-advocate-jan-14-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kannapolis-daily-independent-jan-13-1982-p-6/?tag

 

Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL. “Temperatures to climb today as some relief.” 1-12-1982, p. 9. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-carmel-daily-republican-register-jan-12-1982-p-9/?tag

 

Daily Times-News (Tim Rodriguez), Burlington, NC. “Frigid cold blamed for local death.” 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “More snow, sleet before daybreak,” 1-20-1982, p. 6. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hanover-evening-sun-jan-20-1982-p-7/?tag

 

Farmington Daily Times, NM. “Polar Cold Paralyzes Sunbelt.” 1-17-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/farmington-daily-times-jan-17-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Herald-Journal, Syracuse, NY. “Crash claims Newfield man.” 1-15-1982, p. 42. Accessed 5-4-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-jan-15-1982-p-42/?tag

 

Huron Daily Plainsman, SD. “Weather.” 1-17-1982, p. 6. Accessed 4-29-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-daily-plainsman-jan-17-1982-p-6/?tag=milbank

 

Kenosha News, WI. “Stephen Schultz Jr.” (Obituary). 1-15-1982, p. 10. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-jan-15-1982-p-10/?tag

 

Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Arctic air kills woman.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-jan-11-1982/?tag

 

Kokomo, Tribune, IN (Julie McClure). “Weather picture looking better around here.” 1-18-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-jan-18-1982-p-2/?tag

 

Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Sawyer death attributed to heart attack.” 1-11-1982, p. 9B. Accessed 4-30-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eau-claire-leader-telegram-jan-11-1982-p-22/?tag

 

Lowell Sun, MA. “Frozen body found in driveway in Lowell.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-jan-11-1982-p-33/?tag

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, January 1982, 33 pages. Asheville, NC: NCDC. Accessed 4-21-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-23CEEEFE-1531-4995-8F92-5459C3258C67.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 4, April 1982, p. 37 [delayed reports section]. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-DE5DE619-F766-4090-A209-957B5E1F4110.pdf

 

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

 

Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “County Resident Dies in Accident.” 1-19-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fayetteville-northwest-arkansas-times-jan-19-1982/?tag

 

Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY (Walt Wasilewski). “Cold Kills Inhabitant of Pickup.” 1-16-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-16-1982/?tag

 

Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Tyre Man Killed in Icy Fall.” 1-13-1982, p. A12. Accessed 5-4-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-13-1982-p-63/?tag

 

Rushville Republican, IN. “First cold…then snow.” 1-13-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rushville-republican-jan-13-1982/?tag

 

The Progress, Clearfield, PA. “Bitter (from page 1).” 1-9-1982, p. 6. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/clearfield-progress-jan-09-1982-p-6/?tag

 

Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “Midwesterners brace for cold onslaught.” 1-16-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dover-times-reporter-jan-16-1982/?tag

 

Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “Warmer weather forecast spells relief.” 1-18-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dover-times-reporter-jan-18-1982/?tag

 

Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “Overworked Furnaces Blamed For Fatal Fires.” 1-12, 1982, p. 8. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tyrone-daily-herald-jan-12-1982-p-8/?tag

 

United Press International. “`Big Freeze’ Stays North.” Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH, 1-20-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-liverpool-evening-review-jan-20-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Bitter cold coming back.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. 1-15-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-leader-times-jan-15-1982-p-2/?tag

 

United Press International. “Cold blamed in 3 more deaths.” New Castle News, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-jan-18-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Cold Claims Three Lives in State.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 10. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/clearfield-progress-jan-19-1982-p-10/?tag

 

United Press International. “Cold Easing Up in State, 14 Deaths.” Courier Express, DuBois, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

United Press International/Dana Walker. “Coldwave eases some.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-jan-18-1982-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Deadly cold wave letting up.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 2. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-leader-times-jan-18-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Elderly Man Refused Admittance by Hospital, Dies at Bus Stop.” Cumberland News, MD, 1-12-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-news-jan-12-1982-p-2/?tag

 

United Press International. “Freeze Keeps Stranglehold on North, Paralyzes Dixie.” Altoona Mirror, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 41. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-jan-13-1982-p-41/?tag

 

United Press International. “In comparison, a heat wave.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-25-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-jan-18-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Indiana hit again with winter storm.” Greensburg Daily, IN, 1-13-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greensburg-daily-news-jan-13-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Minus 70 windchill grips Midwest.” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 1-10-1982, p. 14. Accessed 4-26-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/roswell-daily-record-jan-10-1982-p-14/?tag

 

United Press International/Dana Walker. “Monday was century’s coldest day.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Pennsylvania, country in deep freeze.” New Castle News, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-jan-11-1982/?tag

 

United Press International.  “Record cold wave numbs nation.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-23-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-leader-times-jan-11-1982/?tag

 

United Press International.  “Northern Plains still cold.” Crescent-News, Defiance, OH, 1-20-1982, p. 2. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-20-1982-p-16/?tag

 

United Press International. “Temperature rises in Illinois; so do spirits.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-19-1982, p. 7. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/harrisburg-daily-register-jan-19-1982-p-7/?tag

 

United Press International. “Temperatures take nosedive in advance of winter storm.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 1-16-1982, 1. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-jan-16-1982/?tag

 

United Press International. “Two Die From Cold in WV.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 1-11-1982, p. 16. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cumberland-evening-times-jan-11-1982-p-16/?tag

 

United Press International. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-leader-times-jan-12-1982/?tag

 

United Press International/Dana Walker. “Winter death toll over 300.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-19-1982, p. 14. Accessed 5-1-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greensburg-daily-news-jan-19-1982-p-14/?tag

 

Valley Independent, Monongahela Valley area, PA. “Snow adds to area’s weather woes.” 1-13-1982, p. 1. Accessed 4-24-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monessen-valley-independent-jan-13-1982/?tag

 

Wilson Daily Times, NC. “Record Cold Hits State.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-5-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wilson-daily-times-jan-11-1982/?tag

 

Wisconsin State Journal (James Salzer), Madison. “Deep freeze unrelenting.” 1-17-1982, p. 1. Accessed 5-7-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-17-1982/?tag

 

 

 

 

[1] “….The winter-ravaged Midwest and Northeast got a break from 10 days of record cold that killed at least 314 people…” Includes 3 people killed when two light planes collided in heavy fog over Copano Bay, TX. Though weather-related we do not include this accident in our tally.

[2] “A parting burst of freezing rain left cars and trucks skidding off Southern highways today as the worst cold wave of the century receded….The 11-day cold wave…has left 287 dead nationwide.”

[3] “Arctic cold that set 20^th century temperature records for a second straight weekend began to crack in the Midwest today…Sub-zero chills moved into…Northeast…record lows. Authorities blamed the cold wave for 276 deaths.”

[4] While neither the National Weather Service nor the National Climatic Data Center breaks out the specific causes of death of the twenty to at least twenty deaths noted, we accept that there were on the order of 20-21 fatalities.

[5] Causes of deaths not noted. Under the heading of “Winter storm,” it is noted: “At least 20 deaths, 300 injuries and 16,000 people were forced into emergency shelters.”

[6] Causes of deaths not noted. Notes: “One of the most tragic outbreaks of cold weather in Alabama history occurred January 10-18, 1982. Twenty people died and 300 were injured during this extremely cold weather.” Called the NWS Birmingham WFO on May 1, 2017 to see if a record existed showing how the figure of 20 deaths was compiled (in the hope that localities, dates, gender, age, and specific cause of death could be found). To no avail.

[7] AP. “Dixie snowstorm invades north…death toll climbs to 135…nation.” Gettysburg Times, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 2.

[8] Associated Press. “Most of nation still in deepfreeze; 72 die…” Nashua Telegraph, NH. 1-12-1982, p. 36. Another report cites Coroner to effect that her butane gas tank was on empty, and she had only one small electric heater. (Associated Press. “Freeze Is Down To Dixie.” Bedford Gazette, PA. 1-12-1982, p. 1.)

[9] Associated Press. “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

[10] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, V24, N1, Jan 1982, p. 14.

[11] Northwest Arkansas Times, Fayetteville. “County Resident Dies in Accident.” 1-19-1982, p. 1.

[12] Associated Press, “Record Cold Wave Grips U.S.” Bedford Gazette, PA, Jan 11, 1982, p. 3.

[13] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No, 1, Jan 1982, p. 15.

[14] UPI/Dana Walker. “Monday was century’s coldest day.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[15] “Officials report the unprecedented cold weather the past two weeks has killed at least 31` people in Illinois since settling over the state last weekend…”

[16] We subscribe to a newspaper archive which includes more than a few Illinois papers during this time-frame and have conducted a variety of searches using different search key words, and thus our inability to identify more than 16 of the 31 deaths reported by the AP and the UPI is a bit disconcerting.

[17] Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6.

[18] Alton Telegraph (Ande Yakstis), IL. “Cold paralyzes area, linked to 2 deaths.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Victim identified as Patricia A. Elliott.

[19] Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL. “Temperatures to climb today as some relief.” 1-12-1982, p. 9.

[20] Associated Press. “19 reported dead. Deed freeze numbs county.” Hanover Evening Sun, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 6.

[21] UPI. “Temperature rises in Illinois; so do spirits.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-19-1982, p. 7. Notes: “The man was wrapped in four bed sheets and two plastic bags, officials said.” We highlight in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally in that the date of death is not provided, and it is not clear that this is a separate death than the Jan 9-10 death of a male underneath an outside stairway.

[22] UPI. “Temperature rises in Illinois; so do spirits.” Daily Register, Harrisburg, IL, 1-19-1982, p. 7. Identifies victim as Albert Jackson. Notes his house keys were on kitchen table and that it was bitter cold.

[23] Alton Telegraph (Ande Yakstis), IL. “Cold paralyzes area, linked to 2 deaths.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Victim identified as Ryan Patrick Klein.

[24] “At least one new death was attributed to bad weather, bringing the Indiana winter-related death toll to seven since the weekend.” [Date of report was Wednesday, January 13.]

[25] We have not included one carbon monoxide poisoning death due to a furnace leak.

[26] United Press International. “Indiana hit again with winter storm.” Greensburg Daily, IN, 1-13-1982, p. 1. Identified victim as Jackie Dosett of Fairfield, IL.

[27] Associated Press. “More snow headed for Indiana.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-12-1982, p. 1. Notes that “Chief Marion County Deputy Charles W. Green said Eugene Genty, 61, died Monday of exposure to cold after being taken to Wishard Hospital when he was found in his unheated apartment.”

[28] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Arctic air kills woman.” 1-11-1982, p. 1.

[29] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[30] Associated Press. “Nation bundles up for weekend.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN, 1-16-1982, p. 1.

[31] United Press International. “Indiana hit again with winter storm.” Greensburg Daily, IN, 1-13-1982, p. 1. Identifies victim as Lester Morlock.

[32] Kokomo, Tribune, IN (Julie McClure). “Weather picture looking better around here.” 1-18-1982, p. 2. Identified victim as John Pishnak, and notes his “was the 10^th weather-related fatality since the winter storms began Jan. 9.”

[33] Associated Press. “Much of Iowa stays closed.” Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA, 1-11-1982, p. 1. See, also, NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[34] United Press International. “In comparison, a heat wave.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

[35] Associated Press. “Much of Iowa stays closed.” Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA, 1-11-1982, p. 1.

[36] United Press International. “In comparison, a heat wave.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

[37] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[38] Associated Press. “Much of Iowa stays closed.” Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA, 1-11-1982, p. 1. Notes the walk was in sub-zero temperature. See, also: NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[39] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[40] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[41] Associated Press. “Much of Iowa stays closed.” Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IA, 1-11-1982, p. 1.

[42] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 17.

[43] Associated Press. “19 reported dead. Deed freeze numbs county.” Hanover Evening Sun, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 6.

[44] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18. Listed under Winter Storm.

[45] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18.

[46] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18.

[47] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18. Listed under Winter Storm; notes a fallen tree limb severed the power line.

[48] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 18.

[49] United Press International. “Elderly Man Refused Admittance by Hospital, Dies at Bus Stop.” Cumberland News, MD, 1-12-1982, p. 2. Identified victim as John Snyder. And cites Baltimore County police to effect that he “apparently died of exposure Sunday night while waiting at a suburban bus stop near Paradise.” Notes Baltimore MEO, though, to effect that the cause of death was apparently heart failure. Quoted as stating “People with bad hearts are worse off when weather is this cold…that might have been a factor…”

[50] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 19.

[51] Cumberland News, MD. “Temperature.” 1-19-1982, p. 6. Victim was county parks superintendent.

[52] Lowell Sun, MA. “Frozen body found in driveway in Lowell.” 1-11-1982, p. 1.

[53] Associated Press. “19 reported dead. Deed freeze numbs county.” Hanover Evening Sun, PA, 1-11-1982, p. 6.

[54] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

[55] UPI. “Temperatures take nosedive…winter storm.” Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 1-16-1982, p. 1. Paper notes that “Michael D. Hess, 20, of Wyoming, was struck by a car as he was standing next to his car that had just been pulled from a snowbank. He died at a Grand Rapids hospital.”

[56] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

[57] United Press International. “Minus 70 windchill grips Midwest.” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 1-10-1982, p. 14. Notes: “High winds kicked up clouds of blinding snow across Highway 14 near Balaton, Minn. At least one motorist was killed on the highway and state police said travel was impossible in the southwest part of the state.”

[58] The Progress, Clearfield, PA. “Bitter (from page 1).” 1-9-1982, p. 6.

[59] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

[60] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

[61] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 20.

[62] Probable reference to Lisa Conner reported frozen to death in her home. (AP, Jan 12. “Most of nation…)

[63] Associated Press. “Freeze Is Down To Dixie.” Bedford Gazette, PA. 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[64] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 21.

[65] We have conducted a search of several New Mexico papers for this time-frame, that are included in Newspaperarcive.com, and could not find a reference to a specific New Mexico weather-related fatality.

[66] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 21.

[67] AP. “Winter Storm Replaced by Record-Setting Cold Wave.” Evening Telegram, Herkimer, NY, 1-12-1982, p. 2.

[68] UPI. “Deadly cold wave letting up.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 2. Notes that family apartment was unheated, and that “In New York City…zero degree temperatures made it the coldest day of the year.”

[69] Associated Press. “Buffalo recoils from storm.” Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 1-13-1982, p. 3.

[70] Associated Press. “Buffalo recoils from storm.” Post-Star, Glens Falls, NY, 1-13-1982, p. 3.

[71] United Press International. “Weather-related death toll at 77.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[72] Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY (Walt Wasilewski). “Cold Kills Inhabitant of Pickup.” 1-16-1982, p. 1.

[73] AP. “Winter Storm Replaced by Record-Setting Cold Wave.” Evening Telegram, Herkimer, NY, 1-12-1982, p. 2. Snowmobile was taken out after a snowfall; crashed into a parked pickup truck in front of victim’s home.

[74] Herald-Journal, Syracuse, NY. “Crash claims Newfield man.” 1-15-1982, p. 42.

[75] Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Tyre Man Killed in Icy Fall.” 1-13-1982, p. A12.

[76] Associated Press. “Elderly couple freezes to death.” The Sun, Lowell, MA, 1-13-1982, p. 6.

[77] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22. Highlighted in yellow to note not included in tally in that Buffalo is in western New York, and thus these two deaths could have been in Buffalo area.

[78] Assoc. Press. “Area shivers in cold, braces for winter storm.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-12-1982, p.1. Another paper identified the victim as James Leroy Drane, and notes he died “Saturday night when temperatures fell into the single digits.” (Wilson Daily Times, NC. “Record Cold Hits State.” 1-11-1982, p. 1.)

[79] Assoc. Press. “Area shivers in cold, braces for winter storm.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-12-1982, p.1. Victim identified as Frances Hodges. (Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6.)

[80] Assoc. Press. “Area shivers in cold, braces for winter storm.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-12-1982, p.1. Victim identified by pathologist with state medical examiner’s office as Fred Elmer Snipes. (Daily Times-News (Tim Rodriguez), Burlington, NC. “Frigid cold blamed for local death.” 1-12-1982, p. 1.)

[81] Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6. Paper identified victim  as James McNeill.

[82] Associated Press. “State’s Weather-Related Death Toll Stands at 19.” Wilson Daily Times, NC, 1-15-1982, p. 1. Identified victim as Melvin Benjamin Harris.

[83] Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6. Identified by Harnett County medical examiner as Frances Hodges. (Daily Times-News (Tim Rodriguez), Burlington, NC. “Frigid cold blamed for local death.” 1-12-1982, p. 1.)

[84] Assoc. Press. “Area shivers in cold, braces for winter storm.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-12-1982, p.1. Identified as Willie Steele in: Wilson Daily Times, NC. “Record Cold Hits State.” 1-11-1982, p. 1.

[85] Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6. Victim identified as Augusta Hall.

[86] Assoc. Press. “Area shivers in cold, braces for winter storm.” Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC, 1-12-1982, p.1. Victims identified by Sheriff as John Hurley Atkins and Louise Plunkette. (Daily Times-News (Tim Rodriguez), Burlington, NC. “Frigid cold blamed for local death.” 1-12-1982, p. 2.)

[87] Daily Times-News (Tim Rodriguez), Burlington, NC. “Frigid cold blamed for local death.” 1-12-1982, p. 1. Article notes that the victim lived alone in one-story frame house. Though she had a wood stove and gas heater in her bedroom, these were not working when EMTs arrived. Victim identified as Lake Lillard.

[88] Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6. Victim identified as Mable Slade.

[89] Daily Independent, Kannapolis, NC. “Weather-related deaths increase across North Carolina.” 1-13-1982, A6.

[90] AP (Andy O’Connell). “Winter Storms: death toll soars past 200.” Nashua Telegraph, NH, 1-15-1982, p. 32.

[91] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 22.

[92] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Denise Casey, 21, killed in car crash near Ada.” 1-18-1982, p. B-2. Driver identified as Jayne Snowberger of Port Clinton.

[93] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 23. Victim identified in the press as Beulah Ginnon, 78, noting that while thermostat had been set at 80 degrees, the furnace had malfunctioned “leaving the house without heat.” (Daily Advocate, Greenville, OH. “Break in Bad Weather Seen.” 1-14-1982, p. 2.)

[94] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 23. Victim identified in the press as Rosetta Faulks, and cites Montgomery County Coroner’s office for determination of cause of death. (Daily Advocate, Greenville, OH. “Break in Bad Weather Seen.” 1-14-1982, p. 2.)

[95] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Relief in sight — finally!” 1-18-1982, p. 15. Identifies victims as Jack Papenfus of Toledo and son Patrick.

[96] Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “Midwesterners brace for cold onslaught.” 1-16-1982, p. 1.

[97] Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “Warmer weather forecast spells relief.” 1-18-1982, p. 1.

[98] Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “Midwesterners brace for cold onslaught.” 1-16-1982, p. 1.

[99] Daily Advocate, Greenville, OH. “Break in Bad Weather Seen.” 1-14-1982, p. 2.

[100] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 23.

[101] “The deep freeze which gripped the state since Jan. 9 has claimed 32 lives, including the two latest and two other elderly Philadelphians froze to death in their boarding home.”

[102] Associated Press. “Storm contributes to County death.” Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-14-1982, p. 1.

[103] Valley Independent, Monongahela Valley area, PA. “Snow adds to area’s weather woes.” 1-13-1982, p. 1. Victim was David W. Middleton. UPI. “Cold Easing Up in State, 14 Deaths.” Courier Express, DuBois, PA, 1-12-1982, 1.

[104] Associated Press. “Snowstorm Follows on Heels of Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Victim identified as Mattie Mosley.

[105] Associated Press. “Snowstorm Follows on Heels of Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Victim identified as Walter “Amos” Wallace.

[106] United Press International. “Pennsylvania, country in deep freeze.” New Castle News, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 1. Victim identified as William Ewing of Linesville. (Associated Press. “Sub-zero weather holds bitter grip on state.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 3.)

[107] UPI. “Bitter cold coming back.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. 1-15-1982, p. 2. Victims identified as John Hursh, 54, and John Simon, who were overcome and died in a borough maintenance garage.

[108] Associated Press. “More Harsh Weather May be on its Way.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-14-1982, p. 3. Identified victim as Wallace Levengood of Douglas Township who died at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

[109] Associated Press. “More Die as Result of Weather.” Titusville Herald, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 1.

[110] UPI. Cold blamed in 3 more deaths.” New Castle News, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Cites coroner as stating there was little heat from a coal stove in two-story frame house, and that temperatures outside were about 21 below zero.

[111] Associated Press. “Sub-zero weather holds bitter grip on state.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 3. Identifies victim as Bruce Monahan.

[112] Associated Press. “Snowstorm Follows on Heels of Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Victim identified as Michael Phelps.

[113] Associated Press. “Snowstorm Follows on Heels of Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Another report notes that Michael Angelo, 19, went missing on evening of the 10^th. County coroner cited for stating the young man “apparently died of exposure.” (Associated Press. “`Worst Is Over,’ Weather Bureau in Erie Reports.” Greenville Record-Argus, PA. 1-12-1982, p. 1.)

[114] UPI. Cold blamed in 3 more deaths.” New Castle News, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

[115] UPI. “Cold Easing Up in State, 14 Deaths.” Courier Express, DuBois, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Victims identified as Larry Guidash, 33, and Levi Smith, 58, both of the Punxsutawney area in Jefferson County. Notes: “State police said snow had reduced visibility at the time the accident occurred on the crest of a hill.”

[116] Valley Independent, Monongahela Valley area, PA. “Snow adds to area’s weather woes.” 1-13-1982, p. 1. Victim was John E. Binkey. (UPI. “Cold Easing Up in State, 14 Deaths.” Courier Express, DuBois, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 1.)

[117] Associated Press. “Sub-zero weather holds bitter grip on state.” Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 3. Identifies victim as John Andrus.

[118] UPI. Cold blamed in 3 more deaths.” New Castle News, PA, 1-18-1982, p. 1. Cites Deputy Coroner to effect that temperature in the trailer was minus 4 degrees.

[119] Associated Press. “Two more deaths attributed to bitter cold.” The Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-20-1982, p. 29.

[120] United Press International. “Cold Claims Three Lives in State.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 10.

[121] United Press International. “Pennsylvania, country in deep freeze.” New Castle News, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 1. Notes blunt force trauma to the head contributed to death.

[122] United Press International. “Pennsylvania, country in deep freeze.” New Castle News, PA. 1-11-1982, p. 1. Victim identified by Associated Press as James White. (Evening Sun, Hanover, PA. “Sub-zero weather holds bitter grip on state.” 1-11-1982, p. 3.)

[123] Valley Independent, Monongahela Valley area, PA. “Snow adds to area’s weather woes.” 1-13-1982, p. 1. Victim was Adam Neyman. (UPI. “Cold Easing Up in State, 14 Deaths.” Courier Express, DuBois, PA, 1-12-1982, p. 1.)

[124] United Press International. “Cold Claims Three Lives in State.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 10.

[125] United Press International. “Cold Claims Three Lives in State.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 10.

[126] Associated Press. “Two more deaths attributed to bitter cold.” The Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-20-1982, p. 29.

[127] Associated Press. “Two more deaths attributed to bitter cold.” The Gazette, Indiana, PA, 1-20-1982, p. 29.

[128] United Press International. “Cold Claims Three Lives in State.” The Progress, Clearfield, PA, 1-19-1982, p. 10.

[129] Associated Press. “Snowstorm Follows on Heels of Bitter Cold.” Record-Argus, Greenville, PA, 1-13-1982, p. 3. Victim identified as Betty Hilburn.

[130] Associated Press, Warren, PA. “Froze to death.” News-Herald, Franklin, PA, 1-20-1982, p. 28.

[131] This may refer to a death reported in the press of a male in Charleston on Jan 12, “after being hospitalized with sub-normal body temperature.” (Associated Press. “Icy Weather Stalls State; Cold Blamed for 6 Deaths.” Aiken Standard, SC, 1-14-1982, p. 5A.)

[132] An AP article in Aiken (SC) Standard, notes “In Columbia, Andrew Pope, 72, apparently died of exposure Sunday night as he tried unsuccessfully to light his potbellied stove, said Jim Anasti, Richland County chief deputy coroner. Anasti said the stove was the sole source of heat in Pope’s wood-frame house.” (“Plunging Temperatures Create Winter Nightmare,” 1-12-1982, p. 7B.) Same article notes “In Columbia, a bone-chilling record 6-degree temperature was set yesterday. Compounded by 10 mph winds, the temperature sent the wind chill index to 15 degrees below zero.”

[133] Associated Press. “Plunging Temperatures Create Winter Nightmare.” Aiken Standard, SC. 1-12-1982, p. 7B. We highlight in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally even though this death may well be included in the three to seven SC deaths reported in press reports cited herein.

[134] Associated Press. “Icy Weather Stalls State; Cold Blamed for 6 Deaths.” Aiken Standard, SC, 1-14-1982, p. 5A. We highlight in yellow to denote we do not include in our tally even though these deaths are included in report of six cold weather-related deaths. Faulty wood heaters can lead to home fires anytime. In this instance it could well have been the case that the faulty home wood heater would have led to a fire even if the outdoor temperatures were typical SC January cold temperatures.

[135] Aiken Standard, SC. “Man Died of Overexposure.” 1-19-1982, p. 3A. Article notes that the determination of exposure death was made by coroner after performing an autopsy.

[136] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24. Huron Daily Plainsman identified the victim as Wallace June, and noted his frozen body was found on the morning of Jan 16 about six blocks from the housing complex here he lived, and that he “was wearing a light jacket in the subzero cold.” (Huron Daily Plainsman, SD. “Weather.” 1-17-1982, p. 6.)

[137] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24. Date of death is from: Associated Press. “Veblen woman freezes to death after car stalls.” Huron Daily Plainsman, SD, 1-13-1982, p. 1. According to the AP, Lean Mraz died of exposure after trying to walk for help when her car stalled (citing “authorities.”)

[138] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 24. NCDC has the death in Veblen (Marshall County), sometime between Jan 9 and Jan 12. An AP report notes” “A Veblen woman froze to death Sunday night [Jan 10] after her car stalled near Sisseton and she tried to walk for help. The body of Betty Marie Robertson, 39, was found Monday afternoon in a field three miles northwest of Sisseton, Roberts County Sheriff…said….She was last seen about 5 p.m. Sunday at her home north of Veblen. Her car apparently got stuck on the road…She tried to free the car, failed and then started walking for help. Her body was found about  three-quarters of  mile away. The wind chill factor was about 60 below zero at Sisseton Sunday night.” (Associated Press. “Veblen woman freezes to death after car stalls.” Huron Daily Plainsman, SD, 1-13-1982, p. 1.)

[139] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 25. Notes: “A 19-year-old man apparently froze to death during the night as low temperatures got to 12 degrees. The man apparently became disoriented on his way home through the woods after a long period of snow sledding.”

[140] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 25. Notes that “Temperatures across the State ranged from 2 degrees at Memphis to 9 degrees below zero at Crossville.”

[141] Associated Press. “New storm blasts West Coast; mudslides feared.” Herald-Journal, Syracuse, NY, 1-20-1982, p. 2. Quotes Kingsport, TN, Police Chief to effect “I’d say it was the worst ice conditions I’ve seen in 31 years of law enforcement.”

[142] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 25.

[143] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 25.

[144] AP. “New Storm rips through nation; 191 deaths blamed….” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA, 1-15-1982, 10. Identifies victim as James Taplin of Scurry. The NCDC locates this death in Denton during Jan 11-14.

[145] Associated Press. “Texas in deep freeze.” The Paris News, TX, 1-13-1982, p. 1. We believe this refers to the death the NCDC notes in Storm Data for Jan 1982, of a 9-year-old boy in Cleburne area, Jan 11-14 (Cleburne is a few miles southwest of Alvarado). AP article identifies victim as Keith Allen Grimes.

[146] Cox News Service. “Woman killed in fire.” Port Arthur News, TX, 1-13-1982, p. 6A. (Article notes this as “the city’s first fatality linked to the three-day record cold wave…” An AP article identifies the victim as Mary Elizabeth Magness. (“Texas in deep freeze.”)

[147] Associated Press. “Sleet, freezing rain and more on the way.” Sequin Gazette-Enterprise, 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[148] Associated Press. “Motorists stranded on Interstate 35.” Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX. 1-14-1982, p. 2.

[149] Associated Press. “Sleet, freezing rain and more on the way.” Sequin Gazette-Enterprise, 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[150] Associated Press. “Sleet, freezing rain and more on the way.” Sequin Gazette-Enterprise, 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[151] Associated Press. “Motorists stranded on Interstate 35.” Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX. 1-14-1982, p. 2. Notes that Marvin Lee Ripowski of Conroe “died when his car skidded on an icy road and collided with a state truck that was spreading sand.”

[152] Assoc. Press. “Sleet, freezing rain and more on the way.” Sequin Gazette-Enterprise, 1-12-1982, p. 1. Identifies victim as Richard L. Sterling and notes temperatures in the 20s. Also, NCDC.

[153] Associated Press. “Motorists stranded on Interstate 35.” Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX. 1-14-1982, p. 2. Victim identified as David Suiters.

[154] Associated Press. “Sleet, freezing rain and more on the way.” Sequin Gazette-Enterprise, 1-12-1982, p. 1.

[155] Associated Press. “Motorists stranded on Interstate 35.” Seguin Gazette-Enterprise, TX. 1-14-1982, p. 2. Victim identified as Ernest Johnson.

[156] Associated Press. “Texas in deep freeze.” The Paris News, TX, 1-13-1982, p. 1.

[157] AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. We derived age from “Appomattox County, Virginia, Church Cemeteries — Index.” Appomattox County Historical Society, p. 114, line for Russell Nimblett, noting birth as 5-30-19818 and death on 1-10-1982.

[158] Associated Press. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Victim identified victim as Eddie Tompkins.

[159] Associated Press. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Victim identified as James Leslie Allen Jr. (Associated Press. “Virginians Dig Out After Snowstorms.” Bluefield Daily Telegraph, WV, 1-16-1982, p. 14.)

[160] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 26.

[161] AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Victim identified as Robert G. Noblett.

[162] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 26.

[163] AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2.

[164] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 26.

[165] AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated.” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Actually notes two such deaths, but we not sure that one is not already listed as a hypothermia death.

[166] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 26.

[167] AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Also: Associated Press. “Virginians Brace for More Snow.” Winchester Star, VA. 1-14-1982, p. 3.

[168] Associated Press. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook…” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2. Victim identified as Wallace Lee Hogwood, who lost control of his car on the Mills E. Godwin Bridge.

[169] AP. “State’s Grim Weather Outlook Unabated” Daily News-Record, Harrisonburg, VA, 1-16-1982, p. 2.

[170] United Press International. “Two Die From Cold in WV.” Cumberland Evening Times, MD, 1-11-1982, p. 16. Identified victim as James Carpenter of Point Pleasant.

[171] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Weather” (cont. from page 1), 1-12-1982, p. 3. Victim identified as Hans Schilds.

[172] United Press International. “In comparison, a heat wave.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-18-1982, p. 1.

[173] Wisconsin State Journal (James Salzer), Madison. “Deep freeze unrelenting.” 1-17-1982, p. 1. Identified victim as Clarence W. Stone, Oak Park trailer court mobile home, trying to fix water pipes in below zero weather. Cites coroner as stating that the fatal heart attack could have been brought on by the bitter cold.

[174] United Press International. “Minus 70 windchill grips Midwest.” Roswell Daily Record, NM, 1-10-1982, p. 14. Notes: A southern Wisconsin man was found frozen to death, wedged in an open window as he tried to break into his own house, authorities said. Walter J. Hockmuth, 70, of Merton, apparently lost his house key in the snow Friday. He tried to kick in his front door, then broke his window and got stuck while trying to crawl inside.”

[175] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 24, No. 1, Jan 1982, p. 27.

[176] Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, WI. “Sawyer death attributed to heart attack.” 1-11-1982, p. 9B. Cites county coroner to effect that Thomas Quarderer Sr. “died of a heart attack triggered by exposure.” Also to effect that he “apparently left his home to visit a nearby relative. The coroner said Quarderer was not wearing a jacket or hat and apparently became disoriented after stepping out into the subzero cold. Paper notes that authorities estimated that the victim had been outside for about 25 minutes before he died.”

[177] Kenosha News, WI. “Stephen Schultz Jr.” (Obituary). 1-15-1982, p. 10. Cites faulty furnace.

[178] Alton Telegraph (Ande Yakstis), IL. “Cold paralyzes area, linked to 2 deaths.” 1-11-1982, p. 1.

[179] Alton Telegraph (Ande Yakstis), IL. “Cold paralyzes area, linked to 2 deaths.” 1-11-1982, p. 1. Victim identified as Ryan Patrick Klein.

[180] This death is not included in eight heart attack deaths noted above. At the time of  report the exact cause of death had not been reported. We place this death here in that the great majority of shoveling snow deaths are heart-related.

[181] Cross-listed in Hypothermia/Exposure (outdoors).

[182] Cross-listed in “Heart Attacks.

[183] Cross-listed in “Vehicular” below.

[184] The NCDC/NOAA notes at least 20 AL deaths. The NWS/NOAA notes 20 deaths, and the AP on Jan 18, noted 21 AL deaths. We have located details on three of these deaths, thus the remainder are unknown to us.

[185] The AP piece we saw was in the Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs, CO. No specifics given.