lornajarrettblanchard

–17-26 Blanchard death toll estimate for southern CA (includes 1 San Jose death in northern
CA). NOAA reports there were 26 southern California deaths, while we have been able to
identify 17 specific deaths. Thus we utilize a range.

–49 NOAA. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California… 2007, p. 18.
–23 Tijuana and Ensenada, Mexico
–26 Southern California, US
–Los Angeles “area”
–30 Baja CA (MX) to San Jose. UPI. “California rains end.” Democrat, Ft. Madison, IA, 3-7-1978, 2.
–29 The Washington Post. “Waves, Mudslides Ravage S. California Coast.” 3-7-1978.

California
–26 NOAA. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California… 2007, p. 18
–20 LA area. Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 82.
–17 Blanchard tally from California County breakouts below.
–15 Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA. “Damage Increases In South State.” 3-7-1978, 6.

Los Angeles County (6)
–1 Azusa, San Gabriel flood control channel. Drowning, canoe capsized.
–1 Bel Air, Mar 4. Mudslide into home; Lewis Stuntson, 65.
–1 Los Angeles, Drowning; man in home swept away by floodwater.
–1 Malibu, Mar 4. Mudslide; unidentified county detention camp inmate shoring up house.
–1 Tarzana neighborhood, Mar 4. Mudslide in home of employer; America Mendez, 25.
–1 Van Nuys, Mar 4. Drowning; bicycle goes into Bull Creek flood control basin; Dale Agee, 14.

Orange County (1)
–1 Yorba Linda, Mar 4. Drowning; teenager when raft overturned. Pete Decker, 15.

Riverside County (1)
–1 Banning, Sep 4. Drowning; car stalled on flooded street swept away; John Satterfield.

San Diego County (8)
–3 Lakeside. NOAA. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern [Cal.]… 2007, p. 18.
–1 Drowning, Mar 6; swept away trying to ford flood water on horseback near home.
–3 Mt. Palomar Observatory area. Heavy rain; pickup goes off-road and down 300ft bank.
–1 San Diego, San Clemente Canyon. Drowning; stuck under tree roots in stream. Siegmund, 17.
–1 Valley Center, Mar 4. Drowning. Morley Raeside, 43, trying to help man who fell into creek.

Santa Clara County (1)
–1 San Jose, March 4. Drowning; boy, 2, in creek near his home; Martin Alexander Stamps.

Mexico (Ensenada and Tijuana) (20-23)
— 23 NOAA. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California… 2007, p. 18.
–>20 Baja California, Mexico. Wash. Post. “Waves, Mudslides Ravage S. [CA] Coast.” 3-7-1978.

Narrative Information

NOAA: “3.4-5.1978. Torrential rains hit the region and northern Baja California. Two day totals of around 10” fell in the San Bernardino Mountains, 6” in the northern Inland Empire. 20 deaths from flooding and mudslides in LA area. 3 drowning deaths and disastrous flooding in Lakeside. 26 dead and 600 left homeless in Tijuana and Ensenada.” (NOAA, A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California Organized by Weather Type. 2007 p. 18.)

Sources

Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA. “Damage Increases In South State.” 3-7-1978, A6. Accessed 9-26-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marysville-appeal-democrat-mar-07-1978-p-6/

Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA. “Death, Damage Toll Climbs. South State…” 3-6-1978, p.1. Accessed 9-25-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marysville-appeal-democrat-mar-06-1978-p-1/

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California Organized by Weather Type. NOAA, January 2007, 91 pages. Accessed 9-25-2021 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/sgx/documents/weatherhistory.pdf

The Washington Post. “Waves, Mudslides Ravage S. California Coast.” 3-7-1978. Accessed 9-26-2021 at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1978/03/07/waves-mudslides-ravage-s-california-coast/ebc2c3bc-121a-4af9-8c04-c88c16a7f7c7/

UPI. “California rains end.” Democrat, Ft. Madison, IA, 3-7-1978, p. 2. Accessed 9-26-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-evening-democrat-mar-07-1978-p-2/

–8 Associated Press. “Chlorine Tanker Derailed.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY. 2-27-1978, p. 7.
–8 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 445.
–8 Wikipedia. “List of Rail Accidents (1950-1999).”

Narrative Information

Wikipedia: “February 26, 1978 – Youngstown, Florida, United States: Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay Railroad freight train derails, a chlorine gas cloud, released from a punctured tank car, kills eight and injures 138. This was the first recorded major liquefied chlorine gas disaster and the cloud was some 5 km (3.1 mi) long.” (Wikipedia. “List of Rail Accidents (1950-1999).”)

Newspaper

Feb 27: “Youngstown, Fla. (AP) – Hundreds of people stayed away from their homes today as workmen began the delicate task of righting a derailed tank car that ruptured, killing eight people with a ghostlike, yellow cloud of chlorine. Eighty-eight people were injured.

“Salvage experts also had to contend with a loaded chlorine tanker, a tanker of highly volatile liquified natural gas, one filled with explosive ammonia nitrate and five others loaded with caustic chemicals.

“Workmen planned to ring the site near this small Panhandle town with a wall of earth and to smother the chlorine car with foam before trying to clean up the wreckage left by the derailment early Sunday.

“Officials planned to make air tests today before telling the 700 to 1,000 residents who were evacuated when they could return.

“Russell Gober, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, said it appeared the derailment was caused by a broken rail but that was a tentative conclusion….

“The Florida dead, who were in their teens and early 20s, were exposed to the chlorine as they drove along U.S. 231, which parallels the tracks where more than 20 cars of a 120-car Atlanta & St. Andrews Railroad train jumped the tracks about 2:30 a.m. The car engines of many people choked to a stop in the gas, trapping some and forcing others to run for their lives.

“James and Madelyn Miller were among those who had to flee. Their engine stalled when they stopped for a young man waving frantically for help. The Millers said the young man was too groggy to keep up and fell behind. They did not know what happened to him.

“The final victim, a 15-year-old girl, was not found until late Sunday afternoon when a helicopter crew spotted her lying in a field across the highway from the wreck.

“The train’s engineer, Ray Shores, 53, was the last survivor to be rescued. He took to the swamp along the tracks where he found a pocket of untainted air and waited eight hurs until being rescued by a helicopter.

“In all 88 people, some of them youths who were hunting raccoons in the swamp, were taken to area hospitals after being exposed to the gas. By late Sunday, 22 of them were still hospitalized, eight in critical condition.

“Chlorine is a gaseous element often used in bleaching, water purification and other chemical processes. It reacts with moisture in the lungs, turns to an acid and eats away the lungs’ mucous membrane, suffocating its victims.” (Associated Press. “Chlorine Tanker Derailed.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY. 2-27-1978, p. 7.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Chlorine Tanker Derailed.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY. 2-27-1978, p. 7. Accessed 8-6-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-feb-26-1978-p-19/

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Wikipedia. “List of Rail Accidents (1950-1999).” Accessed 7-18-2018 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1950-1999_rail_accidents

— 16 Jones. “1978 Multiple-Death Fires: Smoking Materials…” Fire Journal, July 1969, p. 34.
–14 civilians
— 2 firefighters
— 16 NTSB, RAR. Derailment of Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company’s Train No. 584.
— 16 Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The Waverly Explosion. 2002.
— 6 immediately
–10 over the next few days from injuries
— 16 Resnikoff. Study of Transportation Accident Severity. NV Nuclear Waste Pjt. 1992, p. 42.
— 16 Wikipedia. “List of Rail Accidents (1950-1999).”
— 16 Wikipedia. “Waverly, Tennessee Tank Car Explosion.”

Narrative Information

National Transportation Safety Board: “About 10:25 PM on February 22, 1978, 23 cars of a Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company’s Train No. 584 derailed at a facing point switch in Waverly, Term. At 2:53 PM on February 24, a derailed tank car containing LPG ruptured, igniting with explosive force. As a result 16 persons died and 43 were injured. The cause was a crack caused by the derailment. The car exploded during movement of the car for transfer of product. The derailment was due to a broken wheel on the 17th car.

“About 14 mi north of Colesburg, train no. 584 received a ‘no defect’ indication from a hot journal detection device. At 10:25 AM, while operating in compliance with the 35 mph restriction through the City of Waverly, the train’s brakes went into emergency. The train had separated when the 17th through 39th car derailed. Two LPG tank cars were part of the derailment. No leakage. Mgmt. decided to move the tank cars to a position alongside the track structure where the lading could be transferred into highway tan trucks. Cable slings were placed around the north end of the tank car and using the opposite end as a pivot, the car was moved about 12 ft eastward and wooden crossties were placed under the north end. The other tank car was similarly moved and the relocations were completed by 2:15 PM. Still no leakage.

“L&N’s wrecking crew continued to remove the derailed cars and the main track was opened to rail traffic 8 PM, February 23.

“A semitrailer truck arrived at Waverly about 1 PM on February 24. The transfer had not yet started when, about 2:53 PM, the tank car ruptured and released LPG which ignited downwind. 16 persons died and 43 were injured as a result. 18 bldgs. and 26 motor vehicles were destroyed. The Waverly fire equipment was destroyed in the fire, but equipment from neighboring communities was brought in. By 3:45 PM, deluge guns poured water onto the tank cars. By 5 PM all fires in the vicinity were extinguished.

“About 1000 psig is the bursting pressure of the tank. The rupture occurred at a pressure of 300 psig, due to the weakened condition.

“The high carbon wheel wears better, but if wheels heats because of dragging or sticking brakes, the wheel tends to crack and break. The tank car was constructed of 25/32 inch steel and held 30,149 gallons.” (NTSB. Railroad Accident Report. Derailment of Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company’s Train No. 584 and Subsequent Rupture of Tank Car Containing Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Waverly, Tennessee, February 22, 1978. 1979.)

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: “In almost every critical aspect of our daily lives, there can usually be found a “watershed” moment, or a moment that defines a critical problem or situation that is found in society or the world. An example would be the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986, which resulted in a top-to-bottom review of the way NASA managed the shuttle program.

“Throughout the late 1960s and into the 70s, accidents involving hazardous materials were becoming more and more prevalent. As society began to become reliant on newer technologies and man-made goods, it was becoming necessary to transport hazardous materials all across the country from their point of manufacture to wherever they were needed. This put more and more of these materials on the nation’s roads and railroads. It was therefore (obviously) more likely that accidents involving hazmats would only increase in number.

“On February 22, 1978, an L&N Railroad train passing through the town of Waverly, Tennessee, derailed. Included in this train were cars carrying liquid propane gas. Eventually a small leak would form on one of the cars, and a tremendous explosion would occur, killing several people, including the Waverly police and fire chiefs, and a TEMA (then TOCD) employee. This event would forever change the nature of emergency response to accidents involving hazardous materials.” (TN EMA. The Waverly Explosion. “Prologue.” 2002)

“At about 10:30 PM on February 22, 1978, 24 cars of a Louisville and Northern Railroad train headed from Nashville to Memphis derailed in the small town of Waverly, the county seat of Humphreys County which is located about 60 miles west of Nashville along Interstate 40. The town had a population of about 5,000 people. The derailment involved 24 of the train’s 92 cars, and occurred right in the center of the downtown area.

“The initial response to the derailment was handled by the Waverly Fire and Police Departments. After determining that hazardous materials were involved, namely LPG, an examination was made of the cars and no leaks were found. The initial inspection was accomplished without the aid of gas detection devices, and relied solely on the sensory abilities of the personnel involved. The fire crews also assumed (incorrectly) that the car was a double-wall tank car.

“Despite this, the decision was made to evacuate a nearby house and custodial care unit. The fire chief instructed the city’s dispatcher to notify Civil Defense the following morning. TOCD was notified of the accident early in the morning of the 23rd, but was told there were no hazmats involved.

“At 5:10 on the morning of February 23, TOCD was notified that there were indeed hazmats involved and TOCD dispatched a state hazmat team, led by then West Region Director Ron Collins. At about 6:30 AM, the state team arrived and concurred with the local officials decision (already implemented) to set up master streams on the tanks to keep them cool. Additional evacuations were ordered for a 1/4 mile radius, and electrical and natural gas service was shut off to the area.

“L&N crews, meanwhile, began the process of clearing the debris and reopening the tracks. One of the derailed LPG cars was partially covered by the other cars, and crews set about removing them. Once this had been accomplished, a cable sling was placed around one end of car #UTLX83013 (the one that would eventually explode), and one end of it was relocated approximately 12 feet east to remove it from the tracks. All relocations were completed by 2:15 PM on Feb. 23rd.

“The L&N crew continued the process of removing derailed cars from the tracks and the line was reopened to limited traffic at about 8:00 PM that evening. L&N had requested a team to respond to off-load the LPG from the derailed cars, and at approximately 1:00 PM the next day (the 24th), a semi-trailer and tanker truck arrived. A supervisor that was familiar with the handling of LPG headed the crew. The crew went to lunch and was to begin the removal process when they returned.

“Temperatures had been in the 20s and had remained there throughout much of this time, and there was approximately ½ inch of snow on the ground.” (TN EMA. The Waverly Explosion. “Day 1.” 2002.)

“By the afternoon of the 24th, the temperature in the area had risen to the mid-50s… About 20 minutes before the offloading process was to begin, another test was accomplished using gas detection equipment. These tests again revealed no apparent leaks of product from either tank….
At about 2:58 PM, vapor was observed leaking from the tank car. Before anyone could react, an explosion (BLEVE – Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) occurred. The explosion and resulting fires immediately killed 6 people, including the Waverly Fire Chief, and damaged or disabled much of the on-scene firefighting capability….The explosion propelled debris from the car in several different directions, including one head-end piece that was launched over 330 feet away, landing in front of a house. People in the area reported hearing and feeling the explosion several blocks away. Several major buildings in the downtown Waverly area were engulfed in flames, as were vehicles, people and other rail cars in the area. The second tank car was near the flames but did not detonate.” (TN EMA. The Waverly Explosion. “The Explosion.” 2002.)

“For the next several hours, over 250 emergency vehicles from 39 counties poured into Waverly to assist in putting out the fires and caring for the injured, including teams from as far away as Nashville and Memphis. TOCD requested air ambulances from Fort Campbell Army Post to transport burn victims to Nashville, and ordered the evacuation radius extended out to 1 mile in case the 2nd tank exploded. The National Guard Armory in Waverly was opened for use as a shelter.

“At about 7:00 PM that evening the fires in downtown Waverly were finally contained, and a short time later all mutual-aid units are sent home. A total of 16 buildings are totally destroyed, and local officials begin an extensive search of the area for casualties. The search was called off due to poor visibility, but resumed the next morning at 5:30.

“The more seriously injured burn victims are transported to Nashville for initial stabilization, but many are sent to burn centers in Louisville, Birmingham, and Cincinnati later in the day on the 25th.

“At 3:15 PM on the 25th, a rail car loaded with paper products re-ignites and bursts into flames, but is quickly put out. Transfer of the product from the second rail car begins and is completed by 10:30 that evening. The newly loaded car is taken to Jackson, Tennessee, its original destination. Evacuated residents are allowed to return to their homes at 8:30 AM on the morning of the 26th, and at 12:00 PM the shelter at the Armory is closed.” (TN EMA. The Waverly Explosion. “Response.” 2002.)

“A total of 16 people were killed in the Waverly explosion – 6 died instantly, while the remaining 10 died in hospitals over the course of the next several days….and another 43 people were hospitalized with injuries of varying degrees.” (TEMA. Waverly Explosion. “Casualties.” 2002.)

Sources

Jones. “1978 Multiple-Death Fires: Smoking Materials Lead Ignition Sources.” Fire Journal, Vol. 73, No. 4, July 1969, pp. 33-40.

National Transportation Safety Board. Railroad Accident Report. Derailment of Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company’s Train No. 584 and Subsequent Rupture of Tank Car Containing Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Waverly, Tennessee, February 22, 1978 (NTSB-RAR-79-1). Washington, DC: NTSB, 1979. Abstract accessed at: http://www.nrc.gov/materials/transportation/certification/package-study/rwma92.pdf
Report accessed 6-14-2021 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=r5ku53Kd5fwC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Resnikoff, Marvin. Study of Transportation Accident Severity. Radioactive Waste Management Associates, for the Nevada Nuclear Waste Project Office, February 1992. Accessed 2-5-2012 at: http://www.nrc.gov/materials/transportation/certification/package-study/rwma92.pdf

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The Waverly Explosion. Nashville, TN: TEMA, 2002. Accessed 6-14-2021 at: http://web.archive.org/web/20060516064527/www.tnema.org/Archives/Waverly/Waverly1.htm

Wikipedia. “List of Rail Accidents (1950-1999).” Accessed 7-18-2018 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_1950-1999_rail_accidents

Wikipedia. “Waverly, Tennessee Tank Car Explosion.” Accessed 3-13-2009 at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waverly,_Tennessee_tank_car_explosion

–17 Kimura. World Commercial Aircraft Accidents 3rd Ed., 1946-1993, V.1. 4-11-1994, p. 3-25.
–17 NTSB. AAR. Columbia Pacific Airlines…Richland, Washington, Feb 10, 1978. 1978.

Narrative Information

National Transportation Safety Board: “At 1650 P.s.t. on February 10, 1978, Columbia Pacific Airlines, Inc., Flight 23, a Beech 99, crashed in visual flight rules conditions on takeoff from runway 36 at the Richland Airport, Richland, Washington. Flight 23, a regularly scheduled passenger flight to Seattle, had 15 passengers and 2 crewmembers on board. After liftoff, the aircraft climbed steeply to 400 feet above the runway, then stalled and crashed 2,000 feet beyond the end of the runway. A severe fire erupted after impact. All persons on board were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was the failure or inability of the flightcrew to prevent a rapid pitchup and stall by exerting sufficient push force on the control wheel. The pitchup was induced by the combination of a mis-trimmed horizontal stabilizer and a center of gravity near the aircraft’s aft limit. The mis-trimmed condition resulted from discrepancies in the aircraft’s trim system and the flightcrew’s probable preoccupation with making a timely departure. Additionally, a malfunctioning stabilizer trim actuator detracted from the flightcrew’s efforts to prevent the stall.

“Contributing to the accident were inadequate flightcrew training, inadequate trim warning system check procedures, inadequate maintenance procedures, and ineffective FAA surveillance.” (NTSB 1978, 1)

“Columbia Pacific Airlines Flight 23, a Beech 99 (N199EA), was… a regularly scheduled passenger flight from Richland to Seattle, Washington. The crew arrived at Richland at 1525 P.s.t. on Flight 18 from Seattle. When they arrived, N199EA was being inspected to fulfill the requirements of an Airworthiness Directive. The aircraft was not available to the crew for preflight inspection until 1630; Flight 23 was scheduled to depart at 1640….

“In general, witnesses described the aircraft’s attitude at liftoff as normal and estimated the point of liftoff between 1,173 and 1,486 ft; however, immediately thereafter the aircraft began a steep climb at an angle of 20″ to 45″ to an altitude of 300 to 400 ft above the runway and then appeared to decelerate. The wings rocked or wobbled at the top of the climb, and the aircraft turned or yawed to the left. The nose dropped and the aircraft descended to the ground at a flightpath angle estimated to have been 45″. Fuel from ruptured fuel tanks caught fire after the aircraft hit the ground. Fire consumed the aircraft within 7 minutes.” (NTSB 1978, 2)

“N199EA had been operated by three operators before Columbia Pacific Airlines. From October 1968 to August 1971, five discrepancies were reported concerning trim system components. During this period, the trim actuator was replaced three times. From August 1971 to May 1975, seven discrepancies concerned the trim system, and from May 1975 to June 1977, eight discrepancies concerned the trim system. During this last period, the standby pitch trim was found to be unsatisfactory, and the main and standby motors were replaced after 11,471 total aircraft hours–7,790 hours after the actuator had been replaced…The out-of-trim warning system was found on four occasions to be improperly rigged, and on a fifth occasion it was found to be inoperative. The trim-in-motion system was unsatisfactory on two occasions.” (NTSB 1978, 4)

“The investigation disclosed that the stabilizer trim system failed to operate in flight on three occasions within the 2 weeks preceding the accident. On January 29, the daily flight log showed that the main trim system functioned intermittently. The captain, who made the report, stated that on two occasions the main trim failed to respond when the switches on the control wheel were activated–once on the first officer’s wheel and once on his wheel. The flight was completed by using the standby trim system. The actuator jackscrew, trim-stop limit switch was readjusted, and the aircraft was released.” (NTSB 1978, 5)

“During the week before the accident, the actuator failed to respond the second time during a training flight; however, the failure was attributed to the first officer’ s lack of experience in the Beech 99. No corrective action was taken. The switches on the control wheel are dual-element, thumb switches and must be pressed simultaneously to activate the trim. The captain and mechanic who discussed the problem concluded that the trainee had not pressed the switches properly. Another captain interviewed stated that the same type incident occurred for the third time during the week before the accident and he did not report the incident.

“The daily flight logs also disclosed 12 writeups in which the trim-in-motion aural system was either intermittent or inoperative. A part had been ordered to repair the trim-in-motion aural system, but it had not been received. The last report, “trim-in-motion audio stays on when CB is in,” was made on October 17, 1977, but was-deferred until November 11, when maintenance found it “checked okay.” The out-of-trim warning horn was reported as inoperative on November 9, 1977, but was deferred until November 11, when the micro-switch was readjusted. There were four entries in the daily flight log about the deicer boots being partially to fully inflated constantly. The last remark was recorded February 6, 1978, and records showed no corrective action.” (NTSB 1978, 6)

“The aircraft first hit the ground 1,669 ft beyond the end of runway 36 and 1,031 ft to the left of the runway extended centerline. Examination of the wreckage disclosed that the aircraft struck level ground in a slightly left wing-low, nose-level attitude. The landing gear were fully extended, and the flaps were extended 30 percent. The empennage separated from the fuselage and moved down the crash path 30 ft from the point of initial impact. The landing gear separated as the aircraft skidded 78 ft along a magnetic heading of 272O. The aircraft. came to rest without changing direction….” (NTSB 1978, 7)

“The accident was not survivable because of the intolerable impact forces and postcrash fire.” (NTSB 1978, 11)

“…the Safety Board concludes that in view of the nature of the mechanical discrepancies, the aircraft was not airworthy.” (NTSB 1978, 34)

“The Safety Board believes that the FAA had not effectively performed its regulatory functions related to maintenance practices conducted by the Airline.” (NTSB 1978, 35)

“As a result of this accident, on August 11, 1978, the Safety Board recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration:

“Issue an Airworthiness Directive applicable to all Beech 99, 99A. A99, A99A, and B99 model aircraft to require an immediate one-time inspection of the horizontal stabilizer trim system to ascertain that all components of the system and its associated position-indicating and -warning circuits are operational within specified tolerances. (Class I, Urgent Action) (A -78-53)

“Require an inspection to insure that the primary and secondary mode of the horizontal stabilizer actuator are capable of deflecting the stabilizer under specified airloads. The exact instructions should be furnished by the Beech Aircraft Corporation. The inspection should be made as soon as the Beech instructions are available and repeated at 2,000-hour intervals (Class 11, Priority Action) (A-78-54)

“Change the minimum equipment list to make the out-of-trim warning system a mandatory requirement for flight. (Class 11, Priority Action) (A-78-55)”

“The investigation of this accident was difficult and time-consuming because of the lack of definitive information on the aircraft’s performance and on the flightcrew’s reaction to the emergency situation which arose immediately after takeoff.. Information from a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder would have provided invaluable information in both of these areas, would have significantly reduced investigative effort, and would have provided more direct evidence causality. The Safety Board believes that these recorders are virtually a perquisite to improvements in safety in commuter air carrier and /operations involving complex multiengine aircraft. Therefore, we reiterate Safety Recommendations A-78-27, -28, -29, dated April 13, 1978, and we urge the Federal Aviation Administration’s early action on these recommendations:

“Develop, in cooperation with industry, flight recorder standards (FDR/CVR) for complex aircraft which are predicated upon intended aircraft usage. (Class 11, Priority Action) (A -78-27)

“Draft specifications and fund research and development for a low cost FDR, CVR, and composite recorder which can be used on complex general aviation aircraft. Establish guidelines for these recorders, such as maximum cost, compatible with the cost of the airplane on which they will be installed and with the use for which the airplane is intended. (Class 11, Priority Action) (A -78-28)

“In the interim, amend 14 CPR to require that no operation (except for maintenance ferry flights) may be conducted with turbine-powered aircraft certificated to carry six passengers or more, which require two pilots by their certificate, without an operable CVR capable of retaining at least 10 minutes of intracockpit conversation when power is interrupted. Such requirements can be met with available equipment to facilitate rapid implementation of this requirement. (Class 11, Priority Action) (A -78-29)”.” (NTSB 1978, 37-38)

Sources

Kimura, Chris Y. World Commercial Aircraft Accidents 3rd Edition, 1946-1993, Volume 1: Jet and Turboprop Aircrafts. Livermore, CA: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Risk Assessment and Nuclear Engineering Group. 4-11-1994.

National Transportation Safety Board. Aircraft Accident Report. Columbia Pacific Airlines Beech 99, N199EA, Richland, Washington, February 10, 1978 (NTSB-AAR-78-15). Washington, DC: NTSB, adopted December 21, 1978, 47 pages. Accessed at: http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR78-15.pdf

–>20 National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, February 1978, p. 2.
— 11 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 187.

–13 Hidden Springs, Big Tujunga Canyon flash flood. Storm Data, V. 20, N. 2, Feb 1978, p. 2.
–13 Hidden Springs, Big Tujunga Canyon flash flood. Vargo. Explore Historic California. Mar 2005.
— 1 Hidden Springs area. Mudslide, Feb 10. Fire Engine foreman responding to call; George R. Scribner.

Narrative Information

NCC, NOAA Storm Data: “Southern California. 10th and 11th. A fierce storm battered California for two days. One of the most destructive to ever strike the area. In Big Tujunga Canyon, a wall of water ripped through a mountain resort community of Hidden Springs. At least 13 people were killed. Widespread flooding, mudslides, and numerous homes were washed away. At least 20 lives were lost and estimated 50 million dollars in damage.” (NCC, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 2.)
Newspapers

Feb 10: “Los Angeles (AP) – Torrential rains driven by hurricane-force winds sent walls of churning water, mud and debris across a wide area of Southern California today. Five people were known dead and many others were missing. At least two dams and one bridge washed out. Lions escaped from an animal park. And bodies floated out of a rain-saturated cemetery, police said.

“More than 400 people were left homeless as the high winds and about four inces of rain triggered mudslides and flooding, destroyed homes and boats, snarled traffic and downed countless trees and power lines.

“Former president Gerald R. Ford had his golf curse almost literally washed out from under him when a flood-control dam, sending a three-foot wall of water over the Indian Wells Country Club near Palm Springs. The Bob Hope Desert Classic golf tournament, in which Ford was competing, was delayed more than an hour.

“At the Verdugo Hills Cemetery in Tujunga, at least two bodies washed out of old graves as water poured over a dam in Big Tujunga Canyon, authorities said….the old graveyard hadn’t been used in nearly 50 years and some bodies apparently had been buried without coffins.

“At the Little Africa movie animal compound in Canyon Country 35 miles north of Los Angeles, three lions whose cages were washed out sought drier ground. Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed the frightened beasts with rifles after searching for the animals for several hours.

“The National Weather Service said that more heavy rains were due this afternoon….The current storm was the third this week and brought the seasonal rainfall total in downtown Los Angeles to nearly 20 inches, nearly 50 percent greater than the normal of 14 inches for an entire year.” (Associated Press. “Five Dead. South State Storm.” Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA, 2-10-1978, p. 1.)

Feb 11: “United Press International. One of the most destructive storms ever to strike Southern California did uncalculated millions of dollars in damage and killed at least eight persons – with 25 more missing and feared dead.

“A 150-prson search party planned to comb mud-choked ravines of the Angeles National Forest today for the 25 missing persons swept away by a torrent that destroyed the mountain resort hamlet of Hidden Springs….

“The storm canceled a nuclear bomb test in the Nevada desert….

“Winds gusting to 65 miles an hour – a 90 mph gust reported at Newport Beach – tore down power lines, blacking out about 100,000 residences.

“The worst flooding occurred north of Los Angeles in the hills and mountains denuded by summer fires and two years of drought….” (UPI. “8 dead in destructive south state storm.” Independent-Journal, San Rafael, CA. 2-11-1978, p. 2.)

Sources

Always Remember. “1978 02/10 CA George Scribner.” Accessed 4-29-2020 at: http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/845-charles-scribner.html

Associated Press. “Five Dead. South State Storm.” Appeal-Democrat, Marysville-Yuba City, CA, 2-10-1978, p. 1. Accessed 4-29-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marysville-appeal-democrat-feb-10-1978-p-1/

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Vargo, Cecile Page. “The Great Floods of the San Gabriel Mountains, Part III: The Floods of 1938 and Beyond.” Explore Historic California. March 2005. Accessed 4-29-2020 at: http://explorehistoricalif.com/ehc_legacy/floods3.html

National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, February 1978. Accessed 4-29-2020 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-844F47B3-029F-4DBC-9CE2-FDABD98D0B6B.pdf

United Press International. “8 dead in destructive south state storm.” Independent-Journal, San Rafael, CA. 2-11-1978, p. 2. Accessed 4-29-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-rafael-independent-journal-feb-11-1978-p-2/

–119-129 Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.*
— 99 Celebrate Boston. Boston Disasters. “The Blizzard of 1978.”
— 99 NOAA. Northeast Blizzard of ’78 – February 5-7, 1978. September 1978, pp. 1-2.
–73 MA
–26 RI
— 99 Strauss, Neal (NOAA). “…The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Remembered…”
— 78 Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Troops dig out East.” 2-11-1978, p. 2.
— 56 History.com. “This Day in History, Disaster, February 8, 1978. New England Digs…”
— >56 Snow. Adventures, Blizzards, and Coastal Calamities. 1978, p. 5.
— >56 Snow, Edward Rowe. Tales of Terror and Tragedy. 1980, p. 192.
— >56 UPI. “Federal Disaster Area Declared in Northeast.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. 2-11-1978, 1.
— 54 New England. Mass Moments. “Blizzard Paralyzes Massachusetts, February 7, 1978.”
— 54 Haraden. Storm of the Century: New England’s Great Blizzard of 1978. 2003, p. 53.
— 54 USGS/Gadoury. Coastal Flood of February 7, 1978 in [ME, MA, NH]. 1979, p. 1.
— >24 Heart attacks related to shoveling snow. Bowling. “The Blizzard of ’78.”

*We express some reservation on the number of fatalities reported by the sources we cite. Two examples: Tougias notes 54 deaths and NOAA 73 for MA. We have been able to identify approximately thirty specific deaths. This is a significant difference. For RI, Faich and Rose (citing Medical Examiner’s office) note twenty deaths, whereas NOAA (also generally a reliable source) notes twenty-six.

Summary of State Breakouts Below

Connecticut ( 5 – 9)
Maine ( 1)
Maryland ( 1)
Massachusetts ( 73)
New Hampshire ( 3)
New Jersey ( >7)
New York ( 5)
Pennsylvania ( >4)
Rhode Island (20-26)

Breakout of Winter Weather-Related Mortality by State and Locality (where noted)

Connecticut (5-9)
— 9 UPI. “N.E. digs out of blizzard blitz,” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 2-9-1978, p. 6.
— 6 UPI. “Federal troops set out to fight New England’s wintry enemy.” Tribune, 2-8-1978, p8.
–>5 Rondinone. “40 Years Ago, Blizzard of ’78 Walloped Connecticut.” Hartford Courant, 2-6-2018.
— 3 Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 104.
— 3 UPI. “Blizzard Blasts New England…” Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 2-9-1978, p.1.
— 2 NCC. Feb 6-7. Blizzard, flooding. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 2.
— 2 Waterbury. Exposure. “…a man and a woman…were found dead of exposure on a street…”

Maine ( 1)
–1 Waterville. Heart attack shoveling snow from roof of Waterville Junior Hight School.

Maryland ( 1)
–1 East MD. Kennedy Expy. rest stop, Feb 6. Heart attack pushing snow-stalled car; male, 87.

Massachusetts (73)
–73 NOAA. Northeast Blizzard of ’78 – February 5-7, 1978. September 1978, p. 2.
–73 Strauss/NOAA. “…The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Remembered 30 Years Later.”
–54 Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 79.
–30 Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.
–29 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p. 270.
–29 Mass Moments. “Blizzard Paralyzes Massachusetts, February 7, 1978.”
–27 Glass, O’Hare, Conrad. “Health Consequences of the Snow Disaster in [MA], Feb 6, 1978, 1048.
–6 Heart attacks while shoveling snow (men).
–1 Lack of emergency transportation
–7 Sea-rescue operations
–8 Stranded in vehicles.
–5 Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
–2 Heart attack and cold exposure.
–5 “Various.”
–14 Carbon monoxide poisoning as people “huddled in their snow-trapped vehicles.”
Breakout of winter storm-related fatalities by locality (where noted).
–~3 Boson area. Heart attacks. Pletcher. Massachusetts Disasters. “The Great Whiteout.” 2006, 204.
— 1 Dedham, Route 128. Crushed between two disabled vehicles; Ronald G. Thompson, 33.
— 1 Hanson. Electrocution, Donna Lee Porter, 15, steps on snow-covered 8,000 volt live wire.
— 1 Nahant. Burns; water crashes into home, 61 year-old man lighting basement furnace.
— 2 Norwood. Two Canton women died in their car.
— 1 Revere. Man “drowned in his basement trying to start a pump.” Pletcher 2006, p. 207.
— 5 Salem Sound. Pilot boat Can Do, on mission to assist Global Hope oil tanker.
— 2 Scituate, drownings; Rescue boat capsizes on Jericho Rd.; Amy Lanzikos, 5; Edward Hart.
— 1 Shrewsbury, Millbury man died of asphyxiation, snow-covered car on I-290 exit ramp.
— 1 South Boston. Carbon monoxide poisoning, apartment gas stove, 62-year-old woman.
— 1 Uxbridge. 10-year-old boy missing 20 days found in snowbank with concussion.
— 1 Watertown, 17-year-old dies in car.
— 2 Winchester, carbon monoxide poisoning in car, Matthew Lawton, 11 and John Gangi, 12
— 8 Locales not noted. Carbon monoxide poisoning. (14 reported; we show locales for six.)
–51 Locales/causes of death not noted. (Provided that NOAA data of 73 MA deaths is correct.)

New Hampshire ( 3)
–3 Exertion. National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 4.
–2 UPI. “N.E. digs out of blizzard blitz,” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 2-9-1978, p. 6.

New Jersey ( >7)
–7 UPI. “Blizzard Blasts New England…” Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 2-9-1978, p.1.
–7 Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 104.

New York ( 5)
–5 State? “The New York Medical Examiner’s office said it had recorded five storm-related deaths…”
–1 Glen Cove, East Island, Long Island. Heart attack after abandoning car during snowstorm.
–1 Holbrook, Suffolk County, Long Island. Heart attack, operating snow-blower at home.
–2 New York City. Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. 2003, p. 104.
–1 Port Washington, Nassau Co., Long Island. Heart attack, shoveling snow in front of home.

Pennsylvania ( >4)
–>4 State. Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: 2003, p. 104.
— 4 UPI. “Blizzard Blasts New England…” Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 2-9-1978, p.1.
— 2 Philadelphia vicinity. Carbon monoxide poisoning, marooned men in disabled snow plow.

Rhode Island (20-26)
–20-26 Blanchard range using Faich and Rose for low-end of range and NOAA for high-end)
–26 NOAA. Northeast Blizzard of ’78 – February 5-7, 1978. September 1978, p. 2.
–26 Strauss/NOAA. “…The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Remembered 30 Years Later.”
–21 Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 79.
–20 Faich and Rose. “Blizzard Morbidity and Mortality: Rhode Island, 1978.” AJPH, Oct 1979, 1051.
— 2 Carbon monoxide poisoning.
— 1 Locale not noted. Sledding accident.
–17 Locales not noted. “Sudden non-traumatic death occurring out-of-doors.”
–11 UPI. “N.E. digs out of blizzard blitz,” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 2-9-1978, p. 6.
— 1 Cranston. Stranded and partially buried car.
— 3 Locales not noted. “…found asphyxiated [CO poisoning] in cars stranded in Rhode Island…”
–2 Carbon monoxide poisoning.
— 3 Locales not noted. Heart attack victims who could not be reached by rescue vehicles.
— 1 Locale not noted. Sledding accident.
–17 Locales not noted. “Sudden non-traumatic death occurring out-of-doors.”

Causes of Death

Asphyxiation ( 1)
–1 MA, Shrewsbury, Millbury man died of asphyxiation, snow-covered car on I-290 exit ramp.
Burns ( 1)
— 1 MA, Nahant. Burns; water crashes into home, 61 year-old man lighting basement furnace.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (14)
–14 Carbon monoxide poisoning as people “huddled in their snow-trapped vehicles.”
–1 MA, South Boston. CO poisoning, apartment gas stove, 62-year-old woman.
–1 MA, Watertown, 17-year-old dies in car. (Either CO poisoning or hypothermia.)
–2 MA, Winchester, CO poisoning in car, Matthew Lawton, 11 and John Gangi, 12
–2 Philadelphia vicinity. CO poisoning, marooned men in disabled snow plow.
–3 RI. Locales not noted. Found asphyxiated [CO poisoning] in cars stranded in R.I.
–1 RI, Cranston. Stranded and partially buried car. [CO or hypothermia.]
Drowning ( 3)
–1 MA, Revere. Man “drowned in his basement trying to start a pump.” Pletcher 2006, p. 207.
–2 MA, Scituate, drownings; Rescue boat capsizes, Jericho Rd.; Amy Lanzikos, 5; Edward Hart.
Electrocution ( 1)
— 1 MA. Hanson. Electrocution, Donna Lee Porter, 15, steps on snow-covered live wire.

Emergency response vehicles ( 6) Inability to respond due to snow-blocked roads.
–>2 CT. “…some of whom could not be saved by ambulances stranded in snow.”
— 1 MA. Lack of emergency transportation.
— 3 RI, locales not noted. Heart attack victims who could not be reached by rescue vehicles.

Exposure ( 4)
— 2 CT, Waterbury. Exposure. “…a man and a woman…were found dead of exposure on a street…”
— 2 MA, Norwood. Two Canton women in their car. (Either hypothermia or CO poisoning.)

Falls ( 1)
— 1 MA, Uxbridge. 10-year-old boy missing 20 days found in snowbank with concussion.

Heart Attacks (24) Primarily related to snow removal.
–>24 Heart attacks related to shoveling snow. Bowling. “The Blizzard of ’78.”
–1 Waterville, ME. Heart attack shoveling snow from roof of Junior Hight School.
–1 East MD. Kennedy Expy. rest stop, Feb 6. Pushing snow-stalled car; male, 87.
–6 MA. Heart attacks while shoveling snow (men).
–~3 Boson area. Heart attacks. Pletcher. Massachusetts Disasters. 2006, 204.
–3 NH. Exertion. National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 4.
–1 NY, Glen Cove, East Isl., Long Island. Heart attack after abandoning car during snowstorm.
–1 NY, Holbrook, Suffolk Co., Long Island. Heart attack operating home snow-blower.
–1 NY, Port Washington, Nassau Co., L.I. Heart attack, shoveling snow at home.

Maritime ( 7)
–7 MA. Sea-rescue operations.
–5 MA, Salem Sound. Pilot boat Can Do, on mission to assist Global Hope oil tanker.

Vehicular ( 1)
— 1 MA, Dedham, Rt. 128. Crushed between two disabled vehicles; Ronald G. Thompson, 33.

Cause not noted (65)
— 3 Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 104.
–51 MA.
— 7 NJ. Tougias. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 104.
— 2 New York City. Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. 2003, p. 104.
— 2 PA.

Narrative Information

Celebrate Boston: “On February 6th and 7th 1978, 27.1 inches of snow fell in Boston. The storm quickly became known as The Blizzard of 78. Along the coast, the tides were devastating. At the height of the blizzard, the ocean storm surge rose 15.2 feet above the normal low tide mark. Many homes in coastal communities in Massachusetts Bay were completely destroyed. Severe flooding occurred in many low-lying towns. The storm strengthened during afternoon rush hour, and people were buried in their cars on the highways surrounding Boston. 99 people tragically lost their lives due to the Blizzard. The value of all property destroyed was about $1.3 billion [or $2.8 billion current dollars].” (Celebrate Boston. Boston Disasters. “The Blizzard of 1978.”)

History.com: “A classic “Nor’easter” storm that brought a severe blizzard to New England finally subsides on this day [Feb 8] in 1978, and the region begins to dig out from under several feet of snow. Over the previous 72 hours, some areas of Rhode Island and Massachusetts had received as many as 55 inches of snow.

“Three major weather systems all converged near the Atlantic Coast on February 5, and New York City was the first to be hit with a snowstorm. As the storm moved northeast, it stalled over Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, catching many of the region’s residents by surprise. It is estimated that 3,500 cars were abandoned on Massachusetts streets and highways and several people died in their vehicles on Interstate 93 when they became trapped. A college hockey playoff was played at the Boston Garden despite the weather, and many of the spectators were unable to return home.

“On February 6, the blizzard whipped up powerful sustained winds of up to 50 miles per hour with gusts of nearly 100 mph. Fifty-foot waves on the Massachusetts coast wiped out seaside homes, while further north, in Maine, waves destroyed three lighthouses and an amusement pier.
One of the hardest-hit communities in New England was Providence, Rhode Island, where travel became nearly impossible and Governor Joseph Garrahy ordered all businesses except grocery stores closed. Few of these stores had any food in stock, and eventually, supplies had to be airlifted in to Providence College. Similar conditions were found in areas of Boston, and looting broke out in some spots. Governor Michael Dukakis banned all cars from the roads because stuck vehicles were making it impossible for snow plows to clear the streets.

“In the end, 56 deaths between February 5 and February 8 were attributed to the blizzard. Thousands more people were left homeless. In one tragic incident, a young child died after becoming lost in the snow–although he was only yards from his home, he could not be located. This was the worst blizzard to hit New England since 1888.” (History.com. This Day in History, February 8, 1978. “New England Digs Out After Blizzard.”)

Mass Moments: “…in 1978, the storm of the century paralyzed the entire state of Massachusetts. The Blizzard of ’78 dropped between two and four feet of snow on the Bay State in the space of 32 hours. Ferocious winds created drifts as high as 15 feet. Along the coast, flood tides forced 10,000 people into emergency shelters. Inland, over 3,000 cars and 500 trucks were immobilized along an eight-mile stretch of Route 128. By the time it subsided, the storm had taken 29 Massachusetts lives, destroyed 11,000 homes, and caused more than one billion dollars in damage. The Blizzard of ’78 is also remembered for many acts of kindness, cooperation, and courage….

“As the blizzard moved up the eastern seaboard, it slowed down and gained strength. By midday on the 6th, it had reached New England, where the storm would break every record on the books. Winds gusts officially peaked at 83 mph in Boston and 92 mph on Cape Cod; scattered gusts exceeded 100 mph. Between two and four feet of snow fell in Massachusetts; some South Shore communities received as much as 54″.

“In coastal communities, flooding caused the greatest devastation. Most hurricanes and Nor’easters bring one tidal storm surge and then recede; during the Blizzard of ’78 there were four successive flooding high tides. One ran into the next, so that for two whole days it seemed to one observer “as if the tide never went out.” With flood tides cresting over 15.2 feet, waves surged over, across, and through seawalls. One Revere woman remembered, “I was sitting in my living room when the waves and the wind were rocking the house. Then, this one wave hit. It was a sound like no other. It roared and whined like a siren. The house groaned and I knew it was time to get out.” Her home, like 2,000 others, was destroyed.

“Away from the coast, the biggest problem was the sheer amount of snow that fell. When dawn broke on Tuesday, February 7th, snow had been falling throughout the night; it continued all day, accumulating an average of one inch every hour. The intensity of the storm caught many meteorologists, and thus many motorists, by surprise. Major arteries around Boston were soon clogged with stranded vehicles and jackknifed tractor-trailer trucks. Tuesday morning, an eight-mile stretch of Route 128 turned into a snow covered parking lot. People were trapped in their vehicles as snow piled up to wheel wells, doors, hoods, even roofs. Many people spent the entire night in their cars. “The snow was so high around the car, I could only see the [state] trooper’s boots outside my window,” one man remembered. “We were so grateful to be alive, to be saved.”

“Not everyone was so lucky. The Blizzard of ’78 claimed 54 lives in New England, 29 of those in Massachusetts. Seventeen thousand Massachusetts residents sought cover in shelters, while emergency workers evacuated another 10,000 people. By the time the storm ended on February 8th, over 11,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Several historical treasures were lost to the sea — the Outermost House on Cape Cod, Motif #1 in Rockport, and the Peter Stuyvesant long moored next to Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant in Boston.

“The storm did have an a positive side. Neighbors came together to help each other — and stranded strangers. The governor ordered all non-emergency vehicles off the roads. With schools, businesses, and roads closed for six days, people got around on skis, snowshoes and sleds. Bostonians remember the quiet and the clean air of their suddenly car-free city. Along the coast, the churning sea threw frozen lobsters and shellfish up on the beach, providing a welcome addition to residents’ dwindling provisions.

“Almost 30 years later, the Blizzard of ’78 still sets the standard for winter storms. People who lived through it can still tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when it hit. Some remember the terror of having their homes flooded by the sea or their cars buried in snow. But most recall the spirit of cooperation — even heroism — that prevailed. An occasional seaside home still displays one of the bumper stickers that once adorned nearly every Massachusetts car: “I survived the Blizzard of ’78.”” (Mass Moments. “Blizzard Paralyzes Massachusetts, February 7, 1978.” Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities.)

NOAA: “The Northeast Blizzard of ’78 was one of the worst of the century. From February 5 to 7, it created havoc along the Eastern seaboard. In New York City, the 17.7-inch snowfall was the sixth largest since records began in 1869. Boston, MA, had over 2 feet, as did Providence, RI. Winds of over 55 miles per hour caused massive snowdrifts, drove seas through seawalls, undermined homes, destroyed beached (including both Rockaway Beaches on Long Island), breached protective dunes, and left many areas from Cape May, NJ, northward open to further damage from spring coastal storms.

“The American Red Cross reported 99 deaths and 4,587 injuries or illnesses attributable to the storm. More than 1,700 single-family dwellings were destroyed or suffered major damage. The Red Cross provided shelter for more than 39,000 persons stranded or forced from their homes by the storm….The State of Massachusetts estimated losses from the storm at $500 million. Maine had an estimated $50 million loss, while total storm damage in New Hampshire was estimated at $14 million, including $1.5 million to highways. Property damage resulting from tidal flooding and beach erosion reportedly reached $44 million in New Jersey and over $40 million in New York. Total Federal assistance for the area affected by the storm, as reported by the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, was $202 million.

“On Friday, February 3, the Eastern portion of the United States was dominated by a high-pressure system with generally fair winter weather. The only indication of a storm was a weak frontal system in the far West near the Canadian border. East Coast conditions changed little until late Saturday night when a weak low-pressure center began moving through the Great Lakes with typical, although significant, snow on the southern shores. The weak front from that low moved slowly through the Mid-Atlantic States during the day on Sunday, February 5. Snowfalls of several inches were recorded in the Appalachians, but it was not a particularly severe storm.

“Late Sunday night…the low which was to create the blizzard was about 150 miles due south of Cape Hatteras. This was first noted by data received via satellite from a NOAA weather buoy near that area. The storm moved rapidly northeastward and was 180 miles due east of the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia Peninsula at noon on Monday, February 6. Major intensification occurred; winds increased to near-hurricane velocity; and the storm center slowed and moved to within 75 miles of the New Jersey coast by 6 p.m. on Monday.

“For the next 24 hours the storm intensified and moved parallel to the Coasts of New Jersey, Long Island, NY, and Rhode Island. At 6 p.m., on Tuesday, February 7, it was about 75 miles due south of Nantucket. The speed increased rapidly, and the storm moved due east away from the coast Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.” (NOAA. Northeast Blizzard of ’78 – February 5-7, 1978. September 1978, p. 1.)

Strauss: “The Great Northeast Blizzard of February 5-7, 1978 occurred 25 years ago this week. This historic Nor’easter was described by the local media as ‘the week the State stood still: February 6-13 1978’ in Rhode Island and ‘awesome’ after Massachusetts State Governor Michael S. Dukakis returned from his helicopter survey.

“Only a few snowstorms over the past century might compare to the February 1978 Great Northeast Blizzard….

“Storm track: The storm formed as a weak extratropical cyclone off the South Carolina Coast Sunday afternoon February 5th. Meanwhile a vigorous upper air disturbance and associated arctic cold front were moving across the Appalachians. These systems ‘phased’ together off the Virginia Capes providing the ingredients for a rapidly intensifying low pressure system Sunday night February 5th into Monday morning February 6th. This low pressure system slowed as it intensified and approached the Southern New England coastal waters Monday night February 6th and Tuesday morning February 7th.

“The combination of strong northeast winds and a slow moving storm system along with astronomically high tides brought in a large fetch of water along coastal communities. This caused serious coastal flooding and beach erosion problems resulting in broken seawalls and massive property loss.

“The strong winds and heavy precipitation also reduced visibilities to near zero and caused travel to become nearly impossible. Major power outages were also the result of the strong winds and heavy precipitation. Eventually the precipitation changed to rain on Cape Cod and the Islands reducing snow totals as the storm’s proximity and strength brought warmer air into coastal sections. The storm finally moved northeast into the Canadian Maritimes Tuesday night and Wednesday but its effects were felt long after its departure. Thousands of people were either stranded or homeless as a result of this storm.

“Storm Statistics: President Carter declared portions of Rhode Island and Coastal Massachusetts Federal Disaster Areas. The National Guard was brought in to help with the cleanup.

“Deaths and injuries reported by the American Red Cross:

“Massachusetts: 73 deaths and 4324 injuries/illnesses
“Rhode Island: 26 deaths and 232 injuries/illnesses.

Vehicles Stranded: 3000 cars and 500 trucks on Rte. 128 in Massachusetts….” (Strauss, Neal. “…The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Remembered 30 Years Later in Southern New England.” NOAA, Eastern Region Headquarters.)

Tougias: “Destruction & Casualties….Medical emergencies were handled by snowmobiles, four-wheel-drive trucks and National Guard helicopters. These same helicopters were also used to ferry food to delivery points, where it would then be distributed to stores and restaurants. The storm revealed just how dependent New England was on trucking as its main means of transporting essential goods.

“Hundreds of houses were destroyed, and almost 6,000 residences were damaged. A handful of homes were consumed by fire because firemen simply couldn’t get to the scene to fight the blaze….

“Although largely forgotten, looting did occur during the storm when thieves took advantage of the abandoned stores. In the first three days of the storm, 125 people were arrested in Boston, most of them on Tuesday night.” (Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Pubs., 2003, p. 79.

USGS: “The first significant flood of 1978 resulted from the February 6 and 7 “Blizzard of 1978.” This storm formed in the Carolinas and moved northward along the Atlantic seaboard. The storm produced record amounts of snow and hurricane-force winds. Record tidal flooding occurred from Boston, Massachusetts, northward to Portland, Maine… Total economic losses from the storm, including damages directly caused by the storm and costs of snow removal, approached $1 billion (Platt and McMullen, 1978 ).” (USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the United States, PR, and the VI, 1970-1989. 2008.)

Connecticut

NCC Storm Data: “Statewide [Feb] 6-7…2 [killed]…Blizzard, flooding. About two feet of snow covered the state as a ‘granddaddy’ northeast coastal storm gusted to 70 miles per hour. Tides 3 to 4 feet above normal caused extensive coastal flooding and wave battery. Hundreds of people were evacuated from Norwalk.

“In old Saybrook, several marinas were seriously damaged. Many roofs collapsed including a large factory in Trumbull and a barn in Oxford. The blowing snow shut down most forms of transportation but trains kept moving. For the first time in 30 years the mail did not get through. In the eastern portions of the state this blizzard is being called the greatest of the century.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 2.)

Delaware

NCC Storm Data: “Storm moved slowly up the coast and brought what was called by many the worst snowstorm in 20 years. Winds gusting to over 50 mph caused 10-foot drifts and virtually paralyzed the state for two days…beginning early on the 6th through the morning of the 7th. Hundreds of motorists were stranded as main highways were drifted over as soon as they were plowed. Due to drifting, measurements were difficult; however, amounts from around one foot, up to as much as 17 inches of snow, were prevalent over he state.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 2.)

Maine

NCC Storm Data: “Coastal [Feb] 6-7…Northeast Blizzard. One of the monster storms of the century smashed into the New England coast the night of the 6th with the maximum period of damaging surf battery and coastal flooding on the 7th. Coastal points from Kittery to Eastport experienced severe damage with the heaviest concentration from York to Knox Counties. Several offshore lighthouses had to be evacuated and offshore islands such as Matinicus and Mohegan reported damages to wharves and buildings that had weathered a century or more of storms. Winds were reported 40-60 knots along the coast with higher winds offshore. The coastal battering and flooding was awesome, affecting areas that had withstood several decades of storms. Damages reached the 25 to 30 million dollar range. Miraculously there was no loss of life. The storm was accompanied by heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and huge drifts. Snowfall ranged from 7 inches along the coast to 1½ feet in the western mountains. Tides at Portland on the 7th reached 14.3 feet, probably the highest in nearly a century, while unofficial tides of 16 to 18 feet were reported along York County shores.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 3.)

Maryland & D.C.

NCC Storm Data: “Eastern Two-thirds [Feb 6]…Snow, Wind. Coastal storm brought from 5 to 10 inches of snow over the west portion of the area and a foot or more over the east portion, with 18 inches of snow at Havre de Grace – necessitating the calling in of National Guard units in that city. Storm said to be worst in a dozen years as near-blizzard conditions blocked roads as fast as they were plowed. Poor visibility responsible for a 23-car pileup near Frederick, in which 10 persons had to be treated for minor injuries. At a rest stop on the Kennedy Expressway, an 87-year-old man suffered a fatal heart attack after attempting to push a car stalled in snow. Poor weather and runway conditions at Baltimore-Washington International Airport forced major airlines to cancel flights.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 3.)

Massachusetts

NCC Storm Data: “Statewide [Feb 6-7…Blizzard. After just being hit by the January blizzard, the state was struck by one of the three most intense, persistent, severe winter storms in the history of records. Before snow began winds were already gusting to 65 MPA. As snow began it stung like lead pellets. Visibility fell to near zero as 2 inches per hour added up. Logan Airport in Boston was closed for the longest period on record as it took nearly a week to clear its areas. All travel was halted as major roads became snow filled. Boston’s outer circumferential artery was jammed with three thousand cars most covered to windshield heights. It took an army of National Guard snow fighting troops three days to open this freeway. People were plucked from their cars by helicopters or rescued by snowmobile.

“The storm moved slowly eastward just south of New England as a circular upper atmospheric low moved over the surface circulation. This persistence coupled with a rather high astronomical tide brought one of the several highest tides of record. Houses in Scituate, Plymouth, Hull, Nantasket, Revere, Nahant, Gloucester and Rockport took a severe beating. Many were completely smashed as tides 3 to 5 feet above normal and waves to 10 feet high broke ashore. In Nahant a man was drowned in his cellar and in Scituate an old man and 5 year old girl drowned as floodwaters swept them from their rowboat as they were being evacuated. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and spend up to 5 days in emergency storm centers. Most people waited in their homes to the last minute hoping that the rising seas would stop. It only became apparent that this storm was an extraordinary occurrence as their windows and doors began breaking in.

“At sea, the drama was even more intense. A 600 foot oil tanker was blown aground off Salem and four brave men [five] in the pilot boat ‘Can Do’ went out to investigate. Zero visibility and 30 foot seas smashed the boat’s radar and windows and finally sunk the boat killing all four aboard. Wind gusts to 79 MPH were recorded at Boston and 92 MPH in Chatham.

“After nearly a week of shoveling, people began returning to normal as the driving ban was lifted. It was enforced for 5 days. Large roofs continued to collapse. A notable failure was a skating rink in Westboro. No injuries occurred. In Winchester, two young boys died of carbon monoxide poisoning as they ran their automobile engine to keep warm.

“The storm finally abated after about 48 hours leaving 2100 houses destroyed and 10,000 damaged.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 4.)

Feb 9: “Looting was a worry for many officials, as many waterfront homes, were stripped of their doors, windows and walls by the force of the storm. Some arrests were reported in Revere, but police at other shore-front communities reported no arrests.” (The Transcript, North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, MA. “NE struggles to regain footing in wake of record blizzard.” 2-9-1978, p. 3.)
New Hampshire

NCC Storm Data: “Statewide [Feb] 6-7…Northeast Blizzard. One of the monster storms of the century smashed into the New England coast the night of the 6th with the maximum period of coastal battery and flooding on the 7th. Hurricane force winds caused tides 3 to 5 feet above normal with widespread destruction of seawalls, homes, and businesses. The greatest destruction was centered around Hampton Beach but affected the entire coast. Route 1A was under four feet of water. Highway damage estimated at 1.5 million. 600-800 people were evacuated from homes. About 270 residences destroyed, another 1500 damaged. Also, 238 businesses were affected. Total storm damage estimated 14 million. Heavy snow with blizzard conditions caused mountainous drifts and paralyzed traffic. 13-20 inches of snow measured along the coast and 24-36 inches in the mountains. Three persons lost their lives related to the storm from exertion and countless injured.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 4.)

New Jersey

NCC Storm Data: “State [Feb] 5-7…Heavy Snow, Blizzard, Tidal Flooding. A weak low moved into Pennsylvania on the 5th causing light snow. A secondary storm developed off the Carolina Coast early on the 6th, intensified rapidly, moved northward to about 60 miles south of eastern Long Island and remained almost stationary for about 12 hours before developing farther eastward on the morning of the 7th. Northeast winds gusted to 50 m.p.h. or more and heavy snow of over one foot up to almost 2 feet covered the state.

“Temperatures were mostly in the 20’s with considerable drifting. Property damage resulted from tidal flooding and beach erosion reached a total of 44 million dollars. The total economic impact will doubtless total in the hundreds of missions.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 5.)

New York

NCC Storm Data: “Coastal (Extreme Southeast) Entire Area [Feb] 6-7…Blizzard, Heavy Snow, Tidal Flooding….Light snow began near midnight on the 6th and became heavy during the day finally tapering off and ending the afternoon of the 7th. Temperatures were in the 20’s and winds gusted to over 50 m.p.h. with blizzard conditions most of the 6th into the morning of the 7th. Snowfall ranged from 14 to 26 inches with considerable drifting. Property damage from tidal flooding and beach erosion reached a total of over 40 million dollars. Metropolitan New York Airports were closed for almost 48 hours and the area was almost totally paralyzed. Economic impact will total in the hundreds of millions.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 5.)

Pennsylvania

NCC Storm Data: “Eastern Penna. [Feb] 5, 6PM EST to [Feb] 7 10 AM EST…Heavy Snow, Wind. One of the worst snowstorms on record hit Eastern Pennsylvania on these days. The snow was accompanied by near blizzard conditions caused by winds gusting to 40 to 50 MPH. The winds reduced visibility to near zero and caused considerable drifting with some drifts as high as 15 to 20 feet. Except for a few locations, all of Eastern Pennsylvania received a foot or more of snow. In Chester and Lancaster Counties some sections had 18 to 21 inches and the higher elevations of the northeast had 20 inches or more in many locations. The highest amount reported was 30 inches at Tobyhanna. Thousands of vehicles were stalled on the highways and combined with the drifting snow to close many roads. Except for a few major highways and some city streets roadways were closed for a period of time during the storm.

“Secondary roads were closed for a considerable period of time. Many motorists had to be rescued from stalled vehicles and taken to shelter until the roads could be opened. Snowmobiles, plows and four wheel drive vehicles were used to reach people with medical or other types of emergencies. Police, National Guard and volunteers carried out these missions as well as transporting essential personnel to work. Many accidents occurred on the snow-covered roads resulting in numerous injuries; one accident involved a buss full of students. A number of roofs collapsed under the weight of snow. One collapse was a portion of the roof on a supermarket. Some roofs did not collapse until a few days after the snow ended. There were also some power outages caused by the snowfall.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, V20/N2, Feb 1978, p. 5.)

Rhode Island

NCC Storm Data: “Statewide [Feb] 6-7…3 [killed]…Blizzard. Two to three feet of heavy wet snow fell during a 30 hour period. The state was immobilized as even snowplows became stuck. A state of emergency was declared and a driving ban was issued for several days. Hundreds of vehicles were abandoned on Interstate 95, the state’s major road. The National Guard and Army flew in men and equipment to fight the snow. Three people died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Several roofs collapsed, the most notable being at a boat company in Bristol, a factory and a club in Woonsocket. Significant beach erosion and pier damage occurred along the entire shoreline.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978, p. 6.)

Feb 9: “….In Rhode Island, the state of emergency continued, with scattered looting reported in Providence. Some 4,500 people were still stranded in shelters around the state, where the blizzard dumped up to 40 inches of snow.” (The Transcript, North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, MA. “NE struggles to regain footing in wake of record blizzard.” 2-9-1978, p. 3.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Blizzard Paralyzes East.” Lawton Constitution, OK, 2-7-1978, pp. 1 & 4. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lawton-constitution-feb-07-1978-p-4/

Boston.com. “A look back at the Blizzard of 1978.” 1-31-2008. Accessed 5-14-2020 at: http://archive.boston.com/news/weather/gallery/013108_78blizzard/

Bowling, Matt. The Blizzard of ’78 (website). “In Memoriam.” Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://www.blizzardof78.org/deaths-during-blizzard-of-78.php

Celebrate Boston. Boston Disasters. “The Blizzard of 1978.” Accessed 10-2-2009 at: http://www.celebrateboston.com/disasters/storms/blizzardof1978.htm

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Record snow, winds buffet Northeast.” 2-8-1978, section 3, p. 12. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago-feb-08-1978-p-32/

Faich, Gerald, MD, MPH, and Richard Rose, MD. “Blizzard Morbidity and Mortality: Rhode Island, 1978.” American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 69, No. 10, Oct 1979, pp. 1050-1052. Accessed 5-14-2020 at: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.69.10.1050

Glass, Roger I., Philip O’Hare, and J. Lyle Conrad. “Health Consequences of the Snow Disaster in Massachusetts, February 6, 1978.” American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 69, No. 10, October 1979, pp. 1047-1049.

Haraden, Christopher J. Storm of the Century: New England’s Great Blizzard of 1978. Hanover, MA: Times Square Books, 2003.

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, February 8, 1978. “New England Digs Out After Blizzard.” Accessed 12-6-2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=02/08&categoryId=disaster

Kramer, Michael. “Remembering the Blizzard of ’78, 35 years later.” The Enterprise, Brockton, MA. 2-5-2013. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://www.enterprisenews.com/article/20130205/NEWS/302059590

Mass Moments. “Blizzard Paralyzes Massachusetts, February 7, 1978.” Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities. Accessed 12-28-2012: http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=45

National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 2, Feb 1978. Asheville, NC: NCC, Environmental Data Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-35670923-E9DF-4BA3-80FD-5C3122428628.pdf

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Northeast Blizzard of ’78 – February 5-7, 1978 (Natural Disaster Survey Report 78-1). Rockville, MD: NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, September 1978. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://www.weather.gov/media/publications/assessments/Northeast%20Blizzard%20of%201978.pdf

Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Troops battle snows.” 2-10-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=133888736&sterm

Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. “Troops dig out East.” 2-11-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=133888750&sterm

Pletcher, Larry. “The Great Whiteout 1978.” Chapter 20, in Massachusetts Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival. Guilford, CT: Insiders’ Guide, 2006.

Rondinone, Nicholas. “40 Years Ago, Blizzard of ’78 Walloped Connecticut.” Hartford Courant, 2-6-2018. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://www.courant.com/weather/hc-br-blizzard-of-78-40-years-ago-20180206-story.html

Snow, Edward Rowe. Adventures, Blizzards, and Coastal Calamities. NY: Dodd, Mead, 1978.

Snow, Edward Rowe. Tales of Terror and Tragedy. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1980.

Strauss, Neal. “…The Great Northeast Blizzard of 1978 Remembered 30 Years Later in Southern New England.” NOAA, Eastern Region Headquarters. Accessed 10-2-2009 at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/papers/blizzard78/mainblizzardof78.htm

The Northeast Blizzard of 1978 (website). Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://www.hurricanes-blizzards-noreasters.com/78blizzard.html

The Register, Orange County, CA. “Blizzard Paralyzes States in Northeast.” 2-7-1978, pp. 1-2. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-evening/1978-02-07

The Transcript, North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, MA. “Frozen boy examined.” 3-1-1978, p. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=188602186&sterm=uxbridge

The Transcript, North Adams, Adams, Williamstown, MA. “NE struggles to regain footing in wake of record blizzard.” 2-9-1978, p. 3. Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=188829691&sterm=blizzard+death+dead

Tougias, Michael. The Blizzard of ’78. Yarmouth Port, MA: On Cape Publications, 2003.

United Press International. “Blizzard Blasts New England…” Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 2-9-1978, p.1. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-walton-beach-playground-daily-news-feb-08-1978-p-1/

United Press International. “Federal Disaster Area Declared in Northeast.” Leader-Times, Kittanning, PA. 2-11-1978, p. 1. Accessed 5-14-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kittanning-leader-times-feb-11-1978-p-1/

United Press International. “Federal troops set out to fight New England’s wintry enemy.” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 2-8-1978, p. 8. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-tribune-feb-08-1978-p-8/

United Press International. “N.E. digs out of blizzard blitz,” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 2-9-1978, p. 6. Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-tribune-feb-09-1978-p-46/

United Press International. “New England struggles in history-maker’s wake.” Journal-Tribune, Biddeford, ME. 2-10-1978, p. 5. Accessed 5-14-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-tribune-feb-10-1978-p-5/

United States Geological Survey/Russell A. Gadoury. Coastal Flood of February 7, 1978 in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire (Water-Resources Investigations 79-61). Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. Boston, MA: USGS, 1979, Accessed 5-13-2020 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/1979/0061/report.pdf

United States Geological Survey. Summary of Significant Floods in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, 1970 Through 1989 (Water-Supply Paper 2502). USGS Kansas Water Science Center, Sep 17, 2008. Accessed 11-12-2016 at: http://ks.water.usgs.gov/pubs/reports/wsp.2502.contents.html#HDR1

Additional Reading

Platt, Rutherford H., and George M. McMullen. Post-flood Recovery and Hazard Mitigation: Lessons from the Massachusetts Coast (Publication No. 115). Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Water Resources Research Center, May 1980.

— 20 Best. “The Coates House Hotel Fire..” Fire Journal, Vol. 72, No. 4, July 1978, p. 23.
— 20 Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look At The Hotel Fire Record.” Fire Journal, May 1981, p. 41.
— 20 Jones. “1978 Multiple-Death Fires: Smoking Materials…” Fire Journal, July 1969, p. 34.
— 20 National Fire Sprinkler Association. F.Y.I. 1999, 7.
— 18 Ward. “Hotel Fires: Landmarks in Flames…,” Firehouse, March 1978, p. 40.

Narrative Information

Best. “The Coates House Hotel Fire..” Fire Journal, Vol. 72, No. 4, July 1978:
“….All of the 220 rooms had high ceilings….The south wing…was almost totally destroyed by the fire, and the areas that remained were razed in the process of recovering bodies….

“The hotel was 143 feet by 180 feet and was U-shaped…with one main stairway serving all floors…Another stairway at the east end of the south wing was reportedly open, with no cutoff between floors. It was along this stairway that the fire is believed to have spread; this stairway was destroyed in the fire. The stairs reportedly were open or had non-fire-rated doors, if any….On the upper floors, a masonry wall was provided between the main corridor and stairs, with two labeled, metal, self-closing fire doors at openings. The top-floor access to the main stairway consisted of a single door that opened against the direction of exit travel.

“The only other way out of the building was by open metal fire escapes located at the east ends of each wing and at the north and south ends of the main corridor. Access to the fire escapes was through windows, and required climbing over windowsills to reach the fire-escape balconies. The fire escapes were not protected against fire in the hotel; i.e.; a fire on the lower floors could render the fire-escape stairs impassable before the occupants on upper floors would have time to use them.

“The ground and first floors of the hotel were mostly vacant….The first floor had suffered fire damage at an earlier date and had never been repaired for occupancy. The second through fifth floors of the building were occupied by approximately 150 to 200 guests on the day of the 1978 fire. Fifty single rooms were located on each on the upper floors. The larger suites of the original hotel layout had been subdivided at some time to form single rooms about 9½ feet by 18 feet….

“Although the Coates House Hotel was an elegant landmark at the turn of the century, the hotel had deteriorated over the years; at the time of the fire, it was occupied by transients and elderly people in low-cost rooms, was inadequately heated, and was in general disrepair….

“….A fire alarm system was provided, but the extent of coverage could not be determined. There were no pull stations observed in the building, and apparently the only means of activating the alarm system was on the first floor at the hotel clerk’s desk. The system may not have covered all floors….

“There was no evidence of emergency lighting systems or illuminated exit sights on any floors, and no air-conditioning or ventilating systems.

“The Fire

“An occupant of the fourth floor of the hotel (in Room 405) heard someone running in the corridor sometime around 3:30 or 4:00 am on Saturday morning January 28, and went to the door of his room to investigate. He saw a ball of flame shooting up over his head. Shouting to his wife to get out, he then ran down the south-wing corridor to within ten feet of the main corridor. There was smoke at the ceiling level at that location. He latter said that he had seen fire at the east end of the south-wing corridor in the area of the storage rooms.

“The desk clerk turned on the building heat at about 3:45 am [was 6⁰-7⁰ outside], and at approximately 3:50 someone came down the stairs and reported a fire on the fourth or fifth floor. The clerk called the hotel manager, and the manager instructed him to call the fire department, which he did.

“The Kansas City Fire Department received a telephone report of the fire at 4:12 am. First-alarm companies were dispatched, and apparatus arrived at the hotel within three minutes after notification. By that time, the upper floors of the hotel were untenable. As the battalion chief arrived at the fire, he could see heavy smoke on the top floors of the south wing; about four people were hanging out of windows on the west (front) and south sides.

“When the deputy chief arrived at 4:21 am, he could see eight to ten people hanging out of windows on the north side of the hotel. He saw several more people handing out of windows on the back side of the hotel, and also noted heavy fire involvement on the fourth and fifth floors extending down the entire sough wing.

“The walls began to buckle due to the intense heat. Truck Number 7 was set up at the southeast corner of the building, and fire fighters rescued four people by way of the aerial ladder. As they did so, four other people jumped to their deaths from the south wall. At this time, pieces of the wall began to fall. The south wall collapsed, sending ignited debris into the air.

“Approximately 25 persons were rescued by aerial ladders from the fourth and fifth floors on the east side of the building, and at least seven persons were rescued from the fire escapes. Approximately 150 persons were rescued or evacuated by fire fighters, policemen, and some occupants who assisted. Fire fighters were hampered by 6⁰ to 7⁰ temperatures and 12- to 13-knot winds out of the northwest. A total of 14 engines, eight ladder trucks, and approximately 90 fire fighters were required to complete rescue operations and bring the fire under control….

“Analysis

“Kansas City adopted the 1976 edition of the Uniform Building Code, effective June 1, 1977. Because the Coates House Hotel was an existing building, requirements in the Uniform Building Code to improve the alarm system and stair enclosure could not be applied. The NFPA Life Safety Code is not enforced by the Kansas City Codes Administration. The Kansas City Fire Protection Code incorporates by reference NFPA 101-1970, but the Code is enforceable only where it is determined that there is distinct hazard to life.

“The analysis and conclusions in this report are primarily based on the application of the 1976 Life Safety Code, so that conditions at the conditions at the Coates House Hotel on the date of the fire could be compared to the latest edition of the Life Safety Code. It is recognized that the 1976 Life Safety Code was not in effect in Kansas City during the operation of the Coates House Hotel or prior to the fire.

“The 1976 Life Safety Code requires that exits shall be so arranged that from any corridor room door, exits will be accessible in at least two different directions. None of the rooms in the Coates House Hotel had access to a second acceptable type of exit. Fire escapes and sub-standard stairways provided the only alternate means of egress to the central stairway. Open metal fire escapes, unshielded against fire in the structure to which that are attached, are not recognized by the Life Safety Code as exits. These escapes are actually considered a menace, as they are utterly inadequate and give a false sense of security.

“Because of the unacceptable fire escape exits, travel distance to the nearest exit was excessive. Another egress problem involved the main stairway to the ground floor. The stairway was open between the ground and first floors, and did not lead directly to the street.

“The Life Safety Code requires that doors between hotel guest rooms and corridors be self-closing and have a fire-protection rating of at least 20 minutes, except that in existing buildings previously approved, 1¾-inch solid bonded wood core doors can remain in use. Transoms are required by the Code to be fixed in the closed position, and covered or otherwise protected to provide a fire-resistance rating at least equivalent to that of the wall in which they are installed. Doors at the Coates House Hotel were wood-panel doors, not self-closing. Transoms above the doors to sleeping rooms in the hotel were covered by metal or hardboard in some areas, but were merely painted glass in other areas.

“The 1976 Life Safety Code also requires that hazardous areas be separated from other parts of the building by construction having a fire-resistance rating of at least one hour, and that communicating openings be protected by approved automatic or self-closing fire doors, or that such areas be equipped with automatic extinguishing systems. Rooms on the north side of the central stairway and on the east end of the south wing were used for storage of mattresses and other combustible materials, and should have been separated from other parts of the building or equipped with an automatic suppression system.

“The alarm system at the Coates House Hotel was not properly installed according to the Life Safety Code. The system apparently had not been installed throughout the building, and did not function properly at the time of the fire. Manual pull stations were not observed in the building. The desk clerk reported that he was on the upper floors, but did not hear the alarm system until he reached the second floor. He also stated that the alarm system was heard during the fire in the north end of the hotel, but not in the south end.

“The Life Safety Code requires that every stairway and elevator shaft opening be enclosed or protected to prevent the spread of fire or smoke. Stairways at the southeast and northwest corners of the hotel were not properly enclosed or protected. The types of doors provided at the elevator openings could not be determined because of the complete destruction of that portion of the building….None of the roll-type fire doors that were located immediately7 south of the main stairwell activated during the fire. It was not verified that the doors were arranged for automatic operation. The Life Safety Code requires emergency lighting in hotels with more than 25 rooms, and illuminated exit signs in all hotels. Neither emergency lighting systems nor illuminated exit signs were provided at the Coates House Hotel….”

Jones. “1978 Multiple-Death Fires: Smoking Materials…” Fire Journal, July 1969:
“The largest loss of life fire in 1978 was the Coates House Hotel fire in Kansas City, Missouri, which killed 20 people on January 28, 1978.” (p. 34.)

“The Seven 1978 Fires Taking Ten or More Lives” (box on p. 38):
“Residential….
“Hotel, Kansas City, Missouri…
“On January 28, 1978, 20 occupants of this 92-year-old hotel died in a fire of undetermined origin. The six-story building had no automatic sprinkler protection and no smoke or heat detection systems. Sub-standard means of egress, an ineffective alarm system, unprotected vertical openings, and an unsafe arrangement of storage contributed to the large loss of life in this fire.”

Ward: “At least 18 residents were killed in a fire that that swept through the historic Coates House in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, on January 28. Four of them leapt to their deaths from upper-story windows where they were trapped by flames. The once-elegant hotel house 147 people, many elderly and with limited incomes. The Coates House, opened in 1867, had housed three presidents: William McKinley, Grover Cleveland, and Theodore Roosevelt, during its proud past. It was included in the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior.

“One hundred men and 23 pieces of apparatus fought the fire in five-degree weather. The search for victims continued for days.” (Ward. “Hotel Fires: Landmarks in Flames…,” Firehouse, March 1978, p. 40.)

Le: “The Coates House Hotel was partially destroyed, and many area residents assumed that remains were to be demolished, instead replaced by a parking lot to meet the demand of new downtown jobs. In 1979, the Historic Kansas City Foundation (HKCF) bought the ruined hotel in July of 1979, seeking to preserve the heritage and history of the building citing a number of dignitaries that stayed in the past and, “The Coates House is symbolic in nature….and was ‘THE’ place in Kansas City.” The HKCF owned the building for more than five years until a developer bought the building. Renovations were complete in 1987 and the former Coates House Hotel became the Quality Hill Apartments. Additionally, after the problems faced during the fire, the fire department changed many of its procedures. For example, on a ‘high-rise’ response, the department now sends ten companies right-off the bat instead of the one sent the morning of. Additional changes were made to fire safety codes to keep older buildings fire safe.

“As of now, the northern part of the Coates House Hotel still stands as the Quality Hill Apartments. Thanks to the efforts of the HKCF, the exterior of the building remains largely the same. Other than the HKCF’s preservation of appearance of the building there is only one plaque with mention of the existence of the Coates House Hotel, outside of the building on the corner of 10th and Broadway is a plaque that commemorates April 11, 1912 , the when the first Sertoma International meeting took place at the hotel. Additionally, there is also a plaque dedicated to Kersey Coates, the man who developed the hotel, detailing his accomplishments and his work for developing Quality Hill. Since the renovation of the former Coates House Hotel, there have been no additional attempts made to commemorate the hotel’s significance. Though there is no explicit memory site that commemorates the event of the fire, the restoration of part of the hotel remains as one of Kansas City’s great architectural jewels.”

Sources

Best, Richard. “The Coates House Hotel Fire. 20 Die, 36 Rescued Down Ladders in 92-Year-Old Kansas City Hotel.” Fire Journal, Vol. 72, No. 4, July 1978, pp. 23-29.

Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look At The Hotel Fire Record.” Fire Journal, May 1981, pp. 38-41. Boston: National Fire Protection Association.

Jones. “1978 Multiple-Death Fires: Smoking Materials Lead Ignition Sources.” Fire Journal, Vol. 73, No. 4, July 1969, pp. 33-40.

Le, Karen. “The Coates House Hotel Fire.” Clio: Your Guide to History. December 11, 2019. Accessed June 14, 2021 at: https://www.theclio.com/entry/89037

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

Ward, Neale. “Hotel Fires: Landmarks in Flames, History’s Famous Hotel Fires,” Firehouse, March 1978, pp. 40-45.

–143-150  Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.

–129  Assoc. Press. “129 national deaths blamed on blizzard.” Lima News, OH. 1-31-1978, p. 4.

–>90  Wisconsin State Journal, WI. “Blizzard’s gone; problems remain.” 1-29-1978, p. 1.

—  73  Schwartz and Schmidlin. “Climatology of Blizzards…” Journal of Climate, 15-13, 2002.

—>73  UPI. “27,000 Remain Without Power.” Evening Review, Liverpool, OH. 1-28-1978, p. 1.

—  72  UPI. “Recovery From Blizzard of ’78 Will Take Weeks.” Greensburg IN, 1-28-1978, 1.

–<70  NWS, Weather Forecast Office Milwaukee. Biggest Snow Storms… 2005.

–>68  AP. “Thousands stranded, millions digging out.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3.

 

Summary of Fatalities by State

 

Alabama        (       3)

Georgia          (       2)

Illinois            (     20)

Indiana           (     11)

Iowa                (       1)

Kentucky       (       8)

Maine             (       1)

Maryland       (       1)

Michigan        (17-20)

Minnesota      (       2)

Missouri         (       2)

Ohio               (51-55)

Pennsylvania (       1)

South Carolina (    2)

South Dakota (       1)

Tennessee       (       1)

Virginia          (       1)

West Virginia (      1)

Wisconsin      (     17)

 

       Total:    143-146

 

Breakout of Fatalities By State (and localities where noted)

 

Alabama        (  3)

–3  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Forestdale, Jefferson County, Jan 25. High wind blows tree over killing boy, 15. Storm Data.[1]

–2  Birmingham, Jefferson County, Jan 26. Traffic accident on icy overpass. Storm Data.[2]

 

Georgia          (  2)

–2  AP. “Add floods and tornadoes to nation’s weather woes.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 1-27-1978, 1.

–2  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

 

Illinois            (20)

–20  UPI. “27,000 Remain Without Power.” Evening Review, Liverpool, OH. 1-28-1978, p. 1.[3]

–12  AP. “Thousands stranded in blizzard’s wake.” Jacksonville Journal, IL. 1-28-1978, p. 28.

—  9  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:

–2  Ashkum area, I-57, Jan 26. CO poisoning; couple in car found by rescuers searching stranded cars.[4]

–1  Grand Ridge area, La Salle Co. Exposure; woman left snowbound car to walk home.[5]

–1  Kennard, Jan 26. Exposure; mother tried to carry Michael Kimble, 1, to heated neighbor’s home.[6]

–1  Lawrenceville, Lawrence Co, Jan 25. Exposure; snowbound car; woman tries to walk to safety.[7]

–1  Morrison area, US-30, Jan 26. Car slides into path of semi, killing female driver of car.[8]

–1  Northbrook, Jan 26 missing, Jan 30 found. Boy, 14, found frozen after going out to shovel snow.[9]

–1  Oakwood truck-stop, Jan 28 (body found). CO poisoning; trucker Bruce Donaldson, 36 of IN.[10]

–1  Prospect Heights, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow; Harvey A. Hayden, 61.[11]

 

Indiana           (11)

–11  Statewide. National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 5.

–11  Statewide. Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:

–1  Arcadia, Jan 26. Cause not noted; Dana Lockwood, found near his car, parking lot at work.[12]

–1  Greenfield, Jan 27. Heart attack shoveling snow; Richard Dean Jefford, 56.[13]

–1  Hamlet, Jan 27. Stroke; plowing snow from driveway; Richard R. Stephani, 69.[14]

–1  Huntington, Jan 26. Exposure; John A. Gill, 54, died walking home through snow.[15]

–1  Kokomo, Jan 28. CO poisoning or heart attack; man shovels snow, gets in car, starts it; found with fumes in car.[16]

–1  La Porte, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow; Stanley Goulach, 66.[17]

–1  Lafayette, Jan 26. Exposure; Robert Bickett, 48, found dead on a city sidewalk.[18]

–1  Noblesville, Jan 16. Heart attack, helping move neighbor who had lost heat; Floyd Guilkey, 72.[19]

–1  Shelbyville area, Jan 26. Exposure; Robert Tingle, 52; body in snowbank between work and home.[20]

–1  South Bend, Jan 26 or 27. Heart attack victim; ambulance on way to hosp. stuck in snow.[21]

–1  Springville, Jan 26. Heart attack; clearing neighbor’s drive with tractor. Lavern Patton, 39.[22]

 

Iowa                (  1)

–1  Clare area; Exposure; car went into ditch; couple tried to walk away; wife died in snowbank.[23]

 

Kentucky       (       8) (Additionally, 5 died on Jan 24 in traffic accidents, after freezing rain.)[24]

–8  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–7  AP. “Sunshine is Welcome Sight to Kentuckians.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-29-1978, 8.

–5  AP. “Frozen…Kentucky is at Virtual Standstill…” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-27-1978, p. 1.[25]

–4  UPI. “Recovery From Blizzard of ’78 Will Take Weeks.” Greensburg News, IN, 1-28-1978, 1.

Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:

–1  Buffalo. Exposure (according to Larue County Coroner); Offo Thompson.[26]

–1  Caldwell County. Tractor overturns on Harold Capps, 35, while clearing snow.[27]

–1  Eddyville. Heart attack while shoveling snow on sidewalk at home; Willie Jackson, 73.[28]

–1  Hodgenville, Jan 26. Heart attack while shoveling snow; Lewis O’Bryant, 70.[29]

–1  Jefferson County. Heart attack after walking about a mile through snow from stuck snow.[30]

–1  London area, US-25, Jan 26. Heart attack after putting snow chains on truck; Willard Alsip, 47.[31]

–2  Paducah area, TN River. Drowning; 5-foot swell swamps tugboat Missouri; two overboard.[32]

 

Maine             (       1)

–1  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Presque Isle, Jan 26. Roof collapse due to heavy snow, Potato Service, Inc; Paul Corbin, 62.[33]

 

Maryland       (       1)

–1  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Glen Arm, Baltimore County, Jan 26. Drowning; woman in car when bank gives way. NCC.[34]

 

Michigan        (17-20)[35]

–~20  Snider, C.R., Meteorologist in Charge, National Weather Service, Ann Arbor, MI, report.[36]

—  17  Blanchard tally.[37]

—  16  United Press International. “Back to normal.” Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. 1-30-1978, 1.[38]

–10  Heart attacks.

—  13  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

—    9  AP. “State of emergency declared. State residents…digging out.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 1-28-1978, 1.

—    8  Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “Milliken declares state of emergency.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

—    6  AP. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p6.

—    5  Statewide. National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 7.

–3  Exposure

–1  Car hits pedestrian; driver blinded by snow.

–1  Baby dies when parents are unable to reach a hospital due to blizzard conditions.

Breakouts of fatalities by locality where I have seen reporting:

–1  Cheboygan Co., Jan 26 (found Jan 29). Exposure; car stuck in snow; man tries to walk for help.[39]

–1  Coleman, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow.                                    Manley Bentley, 69.[40]

–1  Detroit, Jan 26. Man slips off top of snowbank into path of bus.         Carnall McLoud, 26.[41]

–1  Jackson, Jan 26. Heart attack while driving snowmobile to work.       Walter Vaughn, 52.[42]

–1  Leelanau County, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow.                       Eugene Flaska, 43.[43]

–1  Marshall, Jan 27. Heart attack victim dies awaiting medical assistance hampered by snow.[44]

–1  Marshall, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow at his home.                 Gardella Nice, 59.[45]

–1  Marysville, Jan 25 or 26. Pedestrian hit by car; poor visibility conditions. James Stewart, 26.[46]

–1  Midland, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow.                                     Elvin Farrier, 61.[47]

–1  Saginaw, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow.                                     William Neuman, 84.[48]

–1  Shelby, Jan 26. Heart attack/seizure, trying to push car in driveway.   Lloyd McClellan, 61.

–1  Suttons Bay area. Heart attack after being snowmobiled to perform surgery. Dr. Frank Power, 70.[49]

–1  Traverse City, Jan 26. Girl trapped in snow avalanche into creek.       Sandra Schaub, 11.[50]

 

Minnesota      (  2)

–1  Northrop area, Jan 26. Apparent heart attack shoveling pickup out of snow; Richard D. Leiding, 60.[51]

–1  Shieldsville area, Hwy. 21. Pickup and car collide head-on in zero visibility storm. NCC.[52]

 

Missouri         (  2)

–2  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Hayti, Jan 26. Exposure; lightly clad man slipped on ice, “fell and froze to death.” UPI.[53]

 

Ohio               (51-55)

–55  Associated Press. “Snow removal aid unlikely.” Xenia Daily Gazette, OH, 3-2-1984, p. 2.[54]

–51  National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 9.

—  1  Flooding (elderly man in flooded basement).

—  2  Storm-related. Structures blown down by wind.[55]

–22  Structures collapsing from snow weight or being blown down. (We do not use.)[56]

–22  Walking outdoors seeking help, from homes and stranded vehicles.

—  3  Exposure, outside, but not for the reason of seeking assistance.

–13  Hypothermia; in stranded vehicles.

–13  Hypothermia; found in unheated houses.

–76  Total from narrative description (while 51 is noted as death toll in description line).

–51  Nat. Weather Ser. Wilmington, OH Weather Forecast Office. The Great Blizzard of 1978.[57]

–22  Exposure; people who left snowbound vehicles as well as homes without heat.

–13  Hypothermia within snowbound vehicles.

–13  Hypothermia within homes with no heat.

—  2  Collapse of structures under the weight of heavy snow.

—  ?  “Falls and heart attacks caused by snow shoveling were among the other causes of death…”

–51  Schmidlin and Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland. 1996, 65 (cite NCC, NOAA).

–49  Blanchard tally of fatalities from locality breakouts below.

—  5  Carbon monoxide poisoning.

—  1  Drowning (elderly man in flooded home basement).

–27  Exposure/hypothermia.

—  1  Fire (blizzard blew out window; furnace burned hot and caused fire).

—  9  Heart attacks (4 from shoveling snow, 2 related to disaster response, 3 others).

—  3  Inability to access medical assistance.

—  2  Structural failures.

—  1  Vehicular accident (snowmobile runs into fence, killing operator).

–36  OH Adjutant General’s Department. Blizzard ’78 After Action Report. 3-24-1978, p. 7.

Breakout of fatalities by locality where I have seen reporting:

–1  Adams County, Jan 27 missing (body found Jan 30 on hillside about 1 mile from car); Horton.[58]

–1  Alger, Harden Co. Exposure; found dead on steps of home; Donald Underwood, 60.[59]

–1  Amherst, Lorain County, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow; Donald Long, 62.[60]

–1  Bellefontaine. Baby born with respiratory problem; train meant to move child stopped by snow.[61]

–1  Bellevue, Sandusky Co., Jan 26. Exposure after leaving snowbound car; Thelma Nearhood, 62.[62]

–1  Bellville, Richland County. Heart attack shoveling snow; George Kuhn, 69.[63]

–1  Bloomdale, Wood County. Exposure/freezing; near home; Jacob Hilt.[64]

–1  Clark County, Apparent exposure; person found dead in car on Interstate.[65]

–1  Clyde, Sandusky Co, Jan 27. House lost power/heat; man tried to walk to neighbor; Max Kollot, 77.[66]

–1  Columbus. Apparent CO poisoning in car seeking refuge from cold apt., Janet Kindy, 40.[67]

–1  Dalton, Wayne County. Exposure; Leslie Cooley, 60.[68]

–1  Elyria, Jan 26. CO poisoning; car buried under drifting snow at work parking lot; Kim Kelly, 21.[69]

–1  Elyria, Jan 26. Apparent exposure; woman found dead in snowdrift near home. (Battenhouse).[70]

–1  Elyria, Jan 26. Heart attack; emergency assistance delay due to weather “contributed.”[71]

–1  Elyria, Lorain County, Jan 26. Heart attack; motorist on Rt. 2.[72]

–1  Fairborn, Jan 26. Weather-related trailer fire; storm blew window out; furnace affected.[73]

–2  Findlay, Hancock County. Apparent exposure; persons found dead.[74]

–1  Forest, Rt. 2, Hardin Co., Jan 26. Hypothermia? Found dead in car near home; Melvin Seabert, 31.[75]

–1  Fremont, Jan 26. Heart attack; victim died in snowbound ambulance; Robert Bruce, 50.[76]

–1  Green Springs, Seneca County. Exposure; trying to walk to friend’s house;[77] Earl Roberts, 79.[78]

–1  Huron, Erie County. Exposure after leaving snowbound car; Veronica S. Wright, 47,[79] or 48.[80]

–1  Jerry City, Wood County. Exposure/freezing; found in barn; Clayton Krassow of Cygnet.[81]

–1  Kenton, Harden County. Found dead in car after work shift; Melvin Seabart Jr., 31.[82]

–1  Lima, Allen Co. Hypothermia; falling tree knocked out power to home; Bessie Fisher, 72.[83]

–1  Lorain County. Apparent exposure; person found dead.[84]

–1  Mansfield, Richland Co. CO poisoning in truck after house lost heat; Watt Clayton Carroll.[85]

–1  Mansfield, Richland County. Heart attack shoveling snow; Leo Gilbert, 73.[86]

–1  Mansfield, Richland County. Porch collapse due to heavy snow; kills John Tarlett, 23.[87]

–1  McClure area, Henry Co., Jan-26-27. CO poisoning; propane space heater in snowbound semi.[88]

–1  McComb, Hancock County, Jan 29. Exposure; found outside near home; Otis Sickle, 75.[89]

–1  Middletown, Butler Co., Jan 26. Hypothermia; man found dead, wrapped in blanket, in car.[90]

–1  Milan area, OH-113,[91] Erie County, Jan 27. Hypothermia; heatless home; Otis Peat, 83.[92]

–1  Miller City, Putnam County. Heart attack after rescue work; vol. fireman Joe Kern, 48.[93]

–1  Monroeville area,[94] Huron Co. ~Rt 547, Jan 27 (found in field). Exposure; Edgar Heyman, 83.[95]

–1  Morefield Twp., Clark County. Exposure outside home; Anna Epper, 71.[96]

–1  Morrow County. Corn crib either collapsed or was blown over, killing woman.[97]

–1  Perkins Township, Erie Co., Jan 27. Exposure; found frozen near car; Paul E. Blankenship, 59.[98]

–2  Portage, ~ Bowling Green, Wood Co. Exposure in field; Michael Roe & Pamela Sue Clark.[99]

–1  Putnam County. Apparent exposure; person found dead in car on Interstate.[100]

–1  Richland County, Jan 28. Snowmobile hits fence; Doug Walters, 20s.[101]

–1  Sandusky Co. Rd 175, Jan 26. Apparent heart attack, home front yard; Edna Hodgkinson, 80.[102]

–1  South Vienna area. Heart attack; truck driver during blizzard; Morbert C. Rineair, 56.[103]

–1  Sunbury, Kingston Twp., Delaware Co. Heart attack while delivering medical supplies.[104]

–1  Sycamore, Wyandot County. Exposure after leaving snowbound car; Charles Smith, 42.[105]

–1  Van Wert, Van Wert County. Heart attack shoveling snow; John Miller, 40.[106]

–1  Wood Co., Jan 27. Hypothermia; county hwy. worker found frozen near his snowplow.[107]

–1  Locality not noted. Drowning; elderly man in flooded basement. NCC. Storm Data, 20/1, p9.

Pennsylvania (   1)

–1  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Philadelphia, Jan 25. High wind blows crane over; man in nearby small bldg. killed. NCC.[108]

 

South Carolina (2)

–2  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Aiken, Jan 25-26. “Weather related” in “High Winds. Flash Flooding” event. Storm Data.[109]

–1  Woodruff, Jan 25-26. “Weather related” in “High Winds. Flash Flooding” event. NCC.[110]

 

South Dakota (   1)

–1  Mobridge, Jan 26. Exposure; female patient, 71, wanders outside and dies.[111]

 

Tennessee       (  1)

–1  UPI. “Blizzard batters the Midwest.” Independent-Journal, CA. 1-26-1978, pp. 1 and 4.

–1  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Alamo area, Jan 25. Car slides on ice off TN hwy. 54; Terry Miller, 16, of Humboldt killed.[112]

 

Virginia          (  1)

–1  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Quantico, Stafford Co., Jan 26. Tornado hits trailer court; boy, 3. NCC Storm Data, p. 13.[113]

 

West Virginia (  1)

–1  UPI. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

–1  Laurel Park area, Harrison County. Drowning, man falls into swift moving Tug Fork Riv.[114]

 

Wisconsin      (17)

–17  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

–17  Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, WI. “Weather Watch,” 1-28-1978, p. 2.

–15  Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Storm blamed for 15 deaths.” 1-28-1978, p. 1.

–10  UPI. “Recovery From Blizzard of ’78 Will Take Weeks.” Greensburg News, IN, 1-28-1978, 1.

—  9  AP. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, 6.

—>9  Heart attacks attributed to the effects of the cold and snow. WI State Journal. 1-27-1978, 1.[115]

Breakout of fatalities by locality where I have seen reporting:

–1  Black Earth, Dane Co., Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling driveway snow; Edwin Olson, 73.[116]

–1  Dane Co. Truck driver checking on rig. snow-slicked Interstate ramp, caught by churning wheels.[117]

–1  Edgerton, Route 3, Jan 27. Heart attack shoveling car from snow; Jefferson R. Gilley, 46.[118]

–1  Hurley, Jan 28 (body found). Truck goes into snowbank; coroner noted probably heart attack.[119]

–1  Kenosha, Jan 26. Heart attack using snow-blower, rescue squad hindered in response; (Roberts).[120]

–1  La Crosse. Jan 26. Body of woman with heart disease history found in alley near home.[121]

–1  Madison, Jan 27. Heart attack operating snow blower; Linden Anderson, 79.[122]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Julius Kovenski, 52.[123]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Richard Leffler, 64.[124]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Joseph Manthey, 64.[125]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Ethan Moericke, 76.[126]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Emil Schultz, 65.[127]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Alvin Stephen, 63.[128]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); Harold Wagner, 72.[129]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack shoveling snow (Medical Examiner); George Zamka, 45.[130]

–1  Milwaukee, Jan 26. Heart attack? Body of man found beside his car, city street (Med Ex.).[131]

–1  Oshkosh rural area, Jan 26. Exposure; female, 27, on snowmobile, became lost.[132]

 

Narrative Information

(General)

 

NWS: “A tremendous blizzard struck Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Illinois, western Pennsylvania and southeast Wisconsin. One to three feet of snow was common throughout this area with 50 to 70 mph winds whipping up 10 to 15 foot drifts. Ohio was hardest hit with 100 mph winds and 25 foot drifts! Much of the affected area was paralyzed for several days. This very intense “Lower Mississippi Valley” type storm tracked from Mississippi to Lake Huron and deepened to 960 mb as it neared Detroit, Michigan. Over 70 deaths were blamed on this storm. Milwaukee measured nearly a foot of snow from this large and very intense storm system.” (NWS WFO Milwaukee/Sullivan, 2005)

 

Jan 25: “Associated Press. A warming trend in its second day resulted in flash flood watches due to melting snow across the Tennessee Valley and much of the Southeast today, while heavy rains from the Gulf Coast moved in a northeasterly direction adding to the flood concerns. Flash flood watches were in effect over Alabama, northern Georgia, eastern Tennessee, the Carolinas, southwestern Virginia and West Virginia. Light rains extended northward into the Appalachians and Ohio valley with some freezing rain in Pennsylvania.

 

“The Gulf Coast system spread snow from the Texas Panhandle across Oklahoma into the middle Mississippi Valley. There was also some snow in northwestern Indiana, Lower Michigan and northern New York.

 

“A surge of arctic air moved south through the northern Plains, dropping temperatures along the way. Snow fell in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Montana and Wyoming with gusts up to 40 miles an hour creating a lot of blowing and drifting snow. Wind chill actors in North Dakota were 50-below zero to 60-below zero Tuesday…” (Associated Press. “East is Watching for Flash Floods.” Ada Evening News, OK, 1-25-1978, p. 2.)

 

Georgia

 

NCC, NOAA: “Entire State. [Jan] 25. 6 pm-midnight…Wind Storm. “An intense storm passed just west of Atlanta during the evening, setting an all time low pressure reading (29.06) in the city. The trailing cold front produced wind gusts between 50 and 75 mph nearly everywhere in the state. Practically every county in th state reported some damage. The strongest gust reported was 75 mph at Statesboro, in Bulloch County. Athen’s airport recorded 68 mph….Many weak structures suffered damage, several trees were uprooted, and power was cut-off to 150,000 people during th night.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 5.)

 

Illinois

 

NCC, NOAA: “Entire State [Jan] 25-27…Blizzard…A raging blizzard affected most of Illinois. Heaviest accumulations were in the northeastern portion, where up to 14 inches fall. Strong winds caused immense drifts, which resulted in thousands of stalled cars and closed highways over wide areas of the state. Numerous schools and airports were closed by the storm O’Hare International Airport in Chicago was closed for only the third time in its history as snow removal crews struggled to clear runways. There were 2 deaths directly attributed to the blizzard. A woman died from exposure January 25 in a snowdrift at Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, as she tried to walk to safety from her snowbound car. Another woman died from exposure on a rural route about 3½ miles north of Grand Ridge in La Salle County, attempting to walk from her stalled car to her home. Numerous people were reported to have suffered from frostbite after being exposed to this storm.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 5.)

Illinois Newspapers

 

Jan 26: “A fierce overnight blizzard, packing heavy snow and winds up to 50 mph dumped 8-foot snowdrifts on Illinois today, closing roads and hundreds of schools. At least two weather-related deaths were reported. Some areas reported six inches or more of new snow. But even areas with little or no actual snowfall were paralyzed by wing-shipped drifts. Only minor delays were reported in air traffic into and out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

 

“North-south roads were most seriously affected, state police said. But Interstate 70 was virtually abandoned because entry ramps were drifted over.

 

“The wind-chill factor at Mount Carmel dropped to 46 below zero with the mercury at zero.

 

“State police at Effingham reported 8-foot drifts throughout the county today even though it stopped snowing shortly after noon. Wednesday wind gusts of up to 40 mph were commonplace. All schools in the area were closed….Rural roads throughout central Illinois were closed and impassable. State police said Interstate 57 from Effingham to Cairo was closed to all traffic at one time and open only to trucks for several hours this morning before persistent snow-plowing crews forced the highway open to all traffic.

 

“Stranded motorists managed to trudge to nearby towns forcing a motel crisis throughout the eastern two-thirds of the state. Hardly an item of furniture in hotel and motel lobbies went unoccupied during the night….An Illinois National Guard armory in Pontiac was used as a shelter for dozens of motorists unable to find rooms to rent. A Salvation Army shelter in Bloomington also was pressed into shelter service….

 

“Temperatures dipped to zero or lower in the Sterling-Dixon area and points southwest to Quincy where the wind-chill factor was an icy 60 below.

 

“Snowdrifts of up to 4 feet were reported in the Marion area and around Waukegan. The wind-chill factor at Marion was 55 below. Wind gusts in the area reached 55 mph to go with a 3-inch snowfall…All roads in Coles County were closed and at least 100 motorists were stranded before they were rescued..

 

“The fatalities included a woman who died on U.S. 30 near Morrison when her car slid into the path of an oncoming semi and another woman who died of exposure near Lawrenceville.” (UPI. “Blizzard crushes area.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 27: “A blizzard Thursday [Jan 26] brought the Northwest suburbs to a near total standstill. Hundreds of motorists were stranded in their vehicles as winds whipped snow drifts across the area, forcing roads to close along with schools and most businesses….About 150 victims of the storm spent the night at Kemper Insurance in Long Grove. At least 50 persons were stranded at Harper College in Palatine, and several other school and public buildings served as make-shift quarters for motorists.

 

“At 10 p.m. Thursday night the National Weather Service was predicting that 2 more inches of snow would be added to the 11 inches already on the ground at O’Hare and Midway airports…O’Hare Airport was forced to closed for only the third time in its history, after the blowing snow reduced visibility to near zero.

 

“At least one death was blamed on the blizzard. Harvey A. Hayden, 61, Prospect Heights, was pronounced dead on arrival at Holy Family Hospital in Des Plaines. He had been shoveling snow and apparently had a heart attack…” (Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Suburbs [Chicago] skid to halt.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 28: “Thousands of stranded motorists jammed 24-hour diners, churches, schools and hotels Friday [Jan 27] waiting for much of the state to dig out of a mid-winter, killer snowstorm. Many of those fortunate enough to find a way home during the height of the storm Thursday night stayed there on Friday as many businesses and schools remained closed or reported high absenteeism.

 

“The storm, with blizzard conditions in many areas, began Wednesday night and before it ended 24 hours later dumped more than a foot of snow on many spots and piled drifts up to eight feet deep. Bitter cold moved in behind the snow and high winds, however, and the temperature was forecast to dive to below zero in many areas Friday night.

 

“Twelve deaths in Illinois were blamed on the weather. Several were from heart attacks suffered while shoveling or were traffic-related….

 

O’Hare International Airport, which closed about 2 p.m. Thursday for only the third time in its history, reopened nearly 24 hours later but it would be some time before thousands of stranded travelers would be able to make their way to their destinations.

 

“More than 1,000 stranded motorists jammed snow-chocked Effingham, a major commercial crossroads in south central Illinois waiting for weather to thaw a way out….Bolingbrook, a far western suburb of Chicago, sheltered some 1,600 stranded motorists at schools, a shopping center and firehouse and about 25 persons were put up overnight at the McHenry County jail.” (AP. “Thousands stranded in blizzard’s wake.” Jacksonville Journal, IL. 1-28-1978, p. 28.)

 

Indiana

 

NCC, NOAA: “Indiana. Statewide. [Jan] 25-27…11 [killed]…Blizzard. A Blizzard Warning was issued at 1545 [3:45] EST Wednesday [25th]. Winds gusted to upwards of 50 mph by late Wednesday night over the state. Peak winds of over 55 mph were recorded Thursday, January 27. Wind chill was near 50 below zero. Snow accumulated to from 20 inches Central and south to 40 inches north by Friday, January 27. Damage included several roof collapse in northern Indiana, warehouses and factories and a school near Muncie. Snow drifts of 12 feet in St. Joseph County. Federal state of emergency was declared. Looting occurred….” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 5.)

 

NOAA NWS WFO, Indianapolis: “Beginning Wednesday January 25, 1978, Indiana was paralyzed by a snow storm that came to be known as the Blizzard of 78, the worst blizzard on record for the Hoosier state. When the blizzard ended early in the morning of the 27th, several Indianapolis snow records were set and have yet to be broken. The 15.5 inches of snowfall was the most for a single storm. The 20 inch maximum snow depth during the storm was the most ever recorded on the ground. The 30.6 inches of snow for January 1978 was the most for any month in Indianapolis history. Maximum snow amounts from the storm reached 20 inches over parts of Central and Southern Indiana and up to 40 inches over parts of Northern Indiana.

 

“The weight of the snow caused several factory and warehouse roofs to collapse. The roof of a school near Muncie also collapsed and a Shelby county man was found dead in a snow drift between his house and his office. The Indianapolis International Airport was closed as 350 travelers became stranded in the terminal for three days along with pilots, other airline employees, airport workers, and the staff at the National Weather Service….

 

“On day one, January 25, a heavy snow warning was issued at 430 am and was upgraded to a blizzard warning at 345 pm that afternoon. The day began with five inches of snow on the ground. Only one inch was added by 7 pm, but by 10 pm, snowfall became heavy. Arctic air blasted in just before midnight with frequent gusts above 35 mph creating blizzard conditions. These conditions continued unabated for the next 24 hours.

 

“On day two, just a half hour after the arctic front blasted through, the Indianapolis International Airport was closed due to whiteout conditions. At 3 am, the blizzard produced peak winds of 55 mph. Temperatures dropped to zero that morning. Wind chills remained a bone chilling 40 to 50 below zero nearly all day.

 

“The governor declared a snow emergency for the entire state the morning of the 26th. Snow drifts of 10 to 20 feet made travel virtually impossible, stranding an Amtrak train and thousands of vehicles and weary travelers. During the afternoon of the 26th, the Indiana State Police considered all Indiana roads closed….” (NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Indianapolis, IN. Blizzard of 1978. 7-16-2008 modification.)

 

Indiana Newspapers

 

Jan 26: “Gov. Otis R. Bowen Thursday [Jan 26] declared a snow emergency for Indiana, which buckled under a blizzard the National Weather Service described as ‘monstrous’ and of extremely dangerous magnitude. Bowen earlier had offered the support of the Indiana National Guard, to include the opening of armories and use of Guard vehicles and personnel. Col. Arthur Goldman, operations officer for the National Guard, said the emergency order was mostly to give state police more leeway in their support operations in aiding stranded motorists and helping local officials meet the emergency. Col. Goldman said that at 6 a.m. Thursday some 26 armories had been opened around the state. These included those in Jasper, Remington, Bloomington, Bedford, Anderson, Elwood, Delphi, Logansport, Danville, Salem, Crawfordsville, Fort Wayne, Frankfort, Rensselaer, Washington, New Albany, Attica, Lafayette, Boswell, Scottsburg, Indianapolis, Evansville, Marion and Greenfield. He said in excess of 100 Guard personnel were on duty. The big problem he said ‘is getting emergency crews into the armories and into here (the state operations center at Indianapolis) to work.’ He said in many areas four-wheeled and other military vehicles were needed but were waiting for the drivers to get in.

 

“An estimated 100 to 150 cars were stranded on and along Indiana 66 east of Evansville and the occupants began arriving at the Evansville armory around 4:30 a.m. CST. IT took rescuers about four hours to retrieve victims…

 

“Virtually all of Indiana was shut down today, the victim of a ‘monstrous’ storm characterized by dozens of officials as the worst in memory….The storm hit with such intensity, in some areas dropping one inch of snow an hour, that many persons were stranded as they tried to get home. IN Indianapolis, dozens of tie-ups resulted on snow-covered roads as factory workers on late evening shifts tried to drive home Wednesday night. Major roads were closed as highway crews lost the battle against drifts swept by the blizzard conditions. In southern Indiana, Interstates 64 and 65 were closed….

 

“Temperatures fell to around zero in the west and into the low teens east. Snow and blowing snow driven by the strong northwest winds produced extremely hazardous weather conditions….” (AP. “Indiana buckles under ‘monstrous’ storm.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 26: “The worst blizzard of the century left Kokomo, as well as most other Indiana cities, smothered in about 16 inches of wind-blown snow Thursday night. A state of emergency had been declared by 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the city by Mayor Arthur J. LaDow, and in Howard County, by Sheriff Robert Sargent. Vehicles were banned from city and county streets when stranded autos blocked emergency routes….” (Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Fierce storm smothers Kokomo.” 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

Iowa

 

NCC, NOAA: “Iowa. Northern and Eastern. [Jan] 26-27…1 [killed]…Wind – Cold. Winds gusting to 50 MPH whipped powder dry snow already on the ground into huge drifts to 13 t. high. Extreme cold pushed wind chill factor to 70 degrees below zero. The drifts closed most roads including I-35. Thousands of trucks and cares were stalled with many going into ditches. An elderly woman and her husband went into a ditch near Clare. They left the car and began walking. He was found in a snow bank and was hospitalized in Fort Dodge. The woman was found dead in another snow bank.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 6.)

Iowa Newspapers

 

Jan 26: “It looked and felt like Siberia in Hawk Eyeland Thursday morning [26^th], with 35 mph winds whipping snow into blizzard conditions. The overnight low was a minus three and the wind chill factor fluctuated around 40-below at mid-morning. And the weekend forecast promises more of the same, with temperatures of 10 to 15 below zero expected Thursday night.

 

“Although only a trace of snow fell Wednesday night, winds that gusted to more than 40 mph reduced visibility to near zero on several area highways. Thursday is the 63^rd consecutive day of snow cover in Burlington.

 

“Des Moines county sheriff’s deputies said that although highways 61 and 99 were mainly clear, patches of the road in open areas were almost impassable because of poor visibility. The most treacherous stretch of road was 61 between Burlington and Mediapolis. Early this morning, Burlington police warned residents not to drive before daylight….Mediapolis canceled school, as did Southern community school district in Illinois….” (Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. “Siberian experience.” 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

Kentucky

 

Jan 27: “Due to the heavy rain that changed to snow late Wednesday night [Jan 25] and the high winds that gusted over the state Thursday the Governor declared a state of emergency and closed all highways in all directions last night. State Police were directed to cite motorists with traffic violations if found driving unnecessarily. At noon today, the interstate reopened for all vehicles except trucks with dead axles.

 

“The National Guard Armory in London was opened around 5:30 last night, and this morning Jack Hendrix, with the Guard and Red Cross, reported a full house of 118 stranded motorists finding comfortable bedding and food courtesy of local citizens. The local REACT team combined efforts with the 14 guardsmen on duty and the Laurel Rescue Squad to transport stranded motorists from the interstate to the shelter. London churches have also opened their doors to aid travelers and the London City Police are transporting doctors and nurses to work and supplying medicine and groceries to those unable to obtain these supplies themselves….” (Corbin Times Tribune, KY. “Rescue. London Armory is Temporary Home for Stranded Motorists.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.)

 

Maine

 

NCC, NOAA: “Statewide [Jan] 25-26…Southeast Rain Storm. Heavy rain lashed the state leaving 1 to 2 inches of rain adding to swollen rivers and streams. High winds lashed the coast with heavy seas just off the coast. Heavy snow caused collapse of roofs. Urban flooding and flash flooding reported on rivers and streams. Winds of more than 50 mph reported.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 6.)

 

Michigan

 

Deedler, NWS WFO, Detroit/Pontiac: “As with the huge snowstorm of December 1974 another even more powerful (in terms of intensity/extent) storm is of strong interest to all meteorologists who have studied winter storms in the Great Lakes. This storm is also of interest and remembrance to many longtime residents of the Great Lakes, the Upper Ohio Valley and Ontario, Canada who had to deal with winter’s full fury late in January of 1978….With the 25th anniversary of this Great Blizzard at hand, it is worth taking a step back in time…

 

“While there are several contenders for the worst blizzard ever to hit the Great Lakes in relatively modern times (since 1870 when records began in Detroit), the immense and intense Blizzard of January 26-27th 1978 must rank at or near the top along with the Great White Hurricane of 1913…

 

“The incredible Blizzard of January 26-27th, 1978 evolved out of a winter that was infamous for cold and storms. The Winter of 1977-78 thus far had been one the coldest, since records began, in many areas from the Rockies eastward to the Appalachians. Mammoth blizzards occurred late in January and early February from the Midwest to the East Coast as strong Arctic plunges dove south into the country and met up with the warmer winds from the deep south. The winter of 1977-78 was similar to its predecessor (1976-77) in terms of cold. The main difference between the two winters, however, came in February. In 1977, temperatures moderated rapidly during February, while in 1978, the cold actually worsened – with several locations reporting their coldest recorded February to date. The Winter of 1977-78 is written down in the record books as Detroit’s seventh coldest winter, Flint’s fifth coldest and Saginaw’s sixth. West of the Rockies, it was a different story as a dominant upper ridge of high pressure provided a relatively mild winter, with some stations even reporting one of their warmest winters on record.

 

“The Great Storm….A Winter Storm Watch was posted as early as Tuesday night, the 24th, for the southern half of the Lower Peninsula for Wednesday Night into Thursday. Gale Warnings for the Great Lakes were hoisted the following Wednesday morning, along with the Watch…. After Tuesday’s snow, the headline on the Special Weather Statement that was issued by the NWS Tuesday evening read as follows: “Another Winter Storm Threatens Lower Michigan” and thus, a second Winter Storm Watch was officially posted.

 

“….As with the “White Hurricane of 1913,” the massive storm actually began as two smaller but distinct storms. A strong low pressure with an attending arctic airmass was entering the Northern Plains by way of Northern Minnesota on Tuesday evening (24th). At the same time, another developing low pressure system was taking shape over the eastern Texas/Louisiana area.

 

“The phasing of two distinct jet streams aloft proved to be the key as to the subsequent strength and massive extent of the storm. A very strong and energetic Arctic impulse surged almost due south and plowed the Arctic front through the Northern Plains late on the 24th. At the same time, another very strong upper wind impulse surged south through southern Arizona. These two jet streaks made up the larger North American jet stream as a huge upper ridge of high pressure along the West Coast of the U.S. diverted the powerful Pacific Jet north into Northern Canada. This northern jet (containing a wind max of 110 knots) then dove due south, like on a giant roller coaster, across the western U.S. as the second, subtropical jet (with an even stronger wind max of 130 knots) surged across southwestern states. On Wednesday (25th), a deepening area of low pressure made its way east across the Gulf States into Georgia by evening (surface / 500mb). Meanwhile, across the north, the Arctic front barreled east across the Upper Midwest into the Western Lakes by Wednesday evening.

 

“….a rapid deepening of the surface low over the southeast portion of the country…commenced on Wednesday evening. As the low intensified over Alabama and Georgia, Atlanta registered its lowest barometric pressure ever late on the 25th. At the same time, further north in Michigan, snow was falling over much of the Lower Peninsula. In and around the Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit, the snow mixed with or changed to light rain Wednesday night as slightly warmer air surged northwest into that area ahead of the deepening storm. While the storm was organizing in the lower levels of the atmosphere over Georgia, the Subtropical and Arctic jet aloft began to merge and phase over the Southeast part of the country. This merging of jet streaks contained a wind max of 150 knots which helped induce a rapid intensification of the Georgia Low as it surged northward into West Virginia early on the 26th. Record low barometric pressures were set all along its path as an ominous track (trough) began to materialize toward the Eastern Great Lakes.

 

“Bands of heavier snow spread north into much of Southern Lower Michigan during the very early morning hours of the 26th. Rain continued to fall, however, over the extreme southeast corner of Lower Michigan. At 1 AM EST, rain was observed at Detroit Metro Airport with the temperature comfortably above freezing at 36 degrees. Further north at Flint, however, sleet and freezing rain were falling as the temperature hovered around freezing. Air pressure tendencies were noted as falling rapidly /PRESFR/ and continued that way for several hours (in fact, several stations in this storms path had to re-adjust their barographs for station pressures traces that were BELOW initial chart scale).

 

“….As the low moved out over Lake Erie, the Arctic cold front over Southeast Lower Michigan was pulled sharply east into it’s mammoth cyclonic circulation. Any residual rain over Southeast Lower Michigan quickly changed to heavy snow and blowing snow during the pre-dawn hours of the 26th. As the Arctic front plowed through the Cleveland area, the wind gusted to an incredible 82 mph! As the Arctic air flooded the Cleveland area, the temperature dropped from a relatively balmy 44 degrees at 4AM EST to a bitterly cold 7 degrees by 1000 AM EST….

 

“As the Arctic air circulated throughout the storm while it made its way over Lake Huron, the lowest pressure was reached around 950 millibars or a hurricane-like 28.05 inches! “A Great Storm is Upon Michigan” read the headline of the 800 AM EST Special Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Ann Arbor that Thursday /26th/ morning. Heavy snow and blizzard conditions were extensive as wind gusts in excess of 35 mph whipped the snow into huge drifts across much of Southeast Lower Michigan. Other areas of Eastern Michigan, Indiana and Ohio reported near hurricane-force winds, heavy snow and temperatures hovering between zero and 10 above, resulting in extreme blizzard conditions. These conditions later expanded further east into Pennsylvania and West Virginia and prevailed into the night (26-27th) across much of the Eastern Great Lakes, Southern Ontario and the Upper Ohio Valley. With the storm generating copious amounts of snow and very strong winds, whiteout conditions were widespread. All land and air traffic came to a stand still in the affected regions. Several major roads were closed for at least two to three days, if not longer, while clean up got underway….

 

“….Record 24 hour snowfall totals from the storm included, 16.1 inches at Grand Rapids, 15.4 inches at Houghton Lake and 12.2 at Dayton, OH. Snowfalls for the entire storm (25-27th) included a whopping 30.0 inches at Muskegon (some of which was Lake Michigan enhanced), 19.3 inches at Lansing and 19.2 at Grand Rapids. Snowfalls were less over Southeast Lower Michigan (mainly because of the rain that fell for a period) and included 9.9 inches at Flint and 8.2 inches at Detroit.

 

“The following is a quote from the summary written about the storm by Meteorologist in Charge, C.R. Snider on January 30th, 1978 at the National Weather Service Ann Arbor:

 

“The most extensive and very nearly the most severe blizzard in Michigan history raged throughout Thursday January 26, 1978 and into part of Friday January 27. About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile. Many were hospitalized for exposure, mostly from homes that lost power and heat. About 100,000 cars were abandoned on Michigan highways, most of them in the southeast part of the state.”

….

(Deedler, William R. (Weather Historian, National Weather Service, Detroit/Pontiac, MI). “A Great Storm Us Upon Michigan.” The Great Blizzard of 1978! NOAA’s National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Detroit/Pontiac, MI. 1-21-2003.)

 

NCC, NOAA: “Statewide. [Jan] 26-27…5 [killed]…Blizzard and Heavy snow. A massive low pressure area packing 50 to 70 mph winds and blinding snows moved through the area. 12 to 34 inches of snow was dumped during a two day period. Winds piled the snow into drifts as high as 50 feet stranding thousands of travelers and virtually bringing the state economy to a halt. 120,000 cars and trucks were abandoned including some trucks loaded with live cattle and hogs. Many rural farms were snow bound for up to 4 days. 3 people died of exposure and a fourth was hospitalized for frostbite. One man died after being hit by a car whose driver was blinded and a baby died when its parents were unable to reach a hospital. An 806 foot Lake freighter was blown around in the St. Mary’s river near Sault Ste. Marie and a maritime academy vessel was sunk while chained to the pier at Traverse City. 38 buildings across the Lower Peninsula suffered partial or total roof collapse including 6 manufacturing plants, 7 warehouses, 4 schools, 2 bowling alleys, a hockey rink in Mount Clemens, and a theater in Kalamazoo.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 7.)

 

Michigan Newspapers

 

Jan 26: “A 14-inch thick blanket of snow buttressed by high winds, whipped over Hillsdale County and all of southern Michigan today, closing schools and businesses and making driving nearly impossible. The National Weather Service said southwest Lower Michigan was hardest hit, with six inches of new snow on the ground in Grand Rapids before daybreak and northwest winds raking the area in gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour.

 

“But Hillsdale County topped that. It was difficult to tell just how much snow had fallen because of the blowing snow piling up. ‘Visibilities will be reduced to near zero and roads will become drifted over,’ the weather service said, warning of ‘near impossible driving conditions.’ Observers said some roads were closed by drifts four feet high. All Hillsdale County Schools and practically all Hillsdale County businesses halted for the day. Road crews couldn’t even get from their homes to the Hillsdale County Road Commission office.

 

“A blizzard warning is in effect for southern Michigan so the worst could be yet to come. The official weather service forecast called for additional accumulations of four to eight inches in most of Lower Michigan before the storm bated Friday.

 

“The weather service blamed the storm on an extremely deep low pressure area which began moving northward through the Ohio Valley Wednesday coupled with bitter cold air moving into the Great Lakes region from the northwest….The weather service said a band of heavy snow began spreading into the southwest corner of the state around midnight. The storm dumped three inches of snow on South Bend and Fort Wayne, Ind., over six hours Wednesday evening, the weather service said.

 

“Winds whipping around the low were clocked at 60 miles per hour in some locations, and the weather service predicted a wind chill index of 40 below when the gusts combined with the cold air front as the day progressed….

 

“The Associated Press weather forecaster said it will be very windy with heavy snow today. There will continue to be considerable blowing and drifting. Steady or slowly falling temperatures are expected. It will be windy and colder tonight and Friday. Lows tonight will be from 5 to 10 degrees. Highs Friday will be in the teens….

 

“All state office buildings in Lansing were shut for the day. The city of Lansing declared a state of emergency, shutting all businesses in the city. In Detroit,, steady rain yielded to snow around 4 a.m. as temperatures fell below freezing and winds picked up. The morning rush hour was a nightmare for motorists who braved streets flooded by slush-clogged drains, stalled cars and nearly opaque windshields. Rural travel in the state was near impossible, according to the Michigan Auto Club. A Club check of road conditions found Interstate 94 at Ypsilanti barely passable. At Jackson and Battle Creek, state police said the freeway’s ramps were shut and the road was drifted shut in many places.

 

“At Houghton Lake in northern Lower Michigan, the barometer fell to 28.59, the lowest on record, and still was falling at 8:20 a.m. said Charles Eggleton at the National Weather Service there. The previous low was 28.83 in April 1975. The weather service says the normal barometric pressure is 29.92. The lower the pressure, the more intense the storm.” (Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “More snow, cold temps in weather picture.” 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 27: “The death toll from a winter blizzard climbed to six as a storm packing 60 mph winds pummeled Michigan for the second straight day, piling up 12-foot drifts and nearly sinking an ore freighter. Hundreds of motorists were marooned in stuck cars until rescue units arrived from the National Guard. Thousands more simply abandoned their vehicles and struck out on foot.

 

“In the hard-hit Kalamazoo area, Kalamazoo Township firemen early today at the Lear-Siegler Co. plant where the roof began collapsing under the weight of the snow. No injuries were reported….The storm dumped 18½ inches of snow on Kalamazoo…National Weather Service…

 

“At the height of the storm Thursday afternoon, 160,0000 electric customers were blacked out for several hours. Gov. William Milliken declared a state of emergency after mobilizing the National Guard. Fifty officers and 350 enlisted men trundled along closed state freeways in troop carriers, pulling cars from snowdrifts. More than a dozen counties asked the state to send in the troops…Milliken himself was taken from the Governor’s Mansion to his office in a National Guard truck. The emergency declaration allows the state to apply for financial aid from federal government to help defray costs of the storm.

 

“The storm caused the 806-foot freighter Charles M. Beeghly to run aground and nearly sink in the St. Mary’s River near Sault Ste. Marie. The ore carrier slammed to a halt in howling wind gusts shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported. The freighter, loaded with taconite ore, suffered a punctured hull and was resting in 32 feet of water, the guard said. Its ballast pumps were handling the water and it was not in danger of sinking, observers said, although only six feet of freeboard — the distance between the deck and the water — remained.

 

“Hundreds of school districts cancelled classes and dozens more sent students home early. In Detroit, hotels were booked to capacity as office workers stayed overnight.

 

“An avalanche of emergency declarations came from counties and municipalities. Several newspapers could not publish.

 

“The blackouts were blamed on high winds that snapped snow-laden power lines. Linemen at Consumers Power Co. rode snowmobiles to…downed power lines…to restore service….

 

“Two dozen counties issued ‘red alerts’ or declared a state of emergency, banning all but essential travel.

 

“With visibility near zero, airports were forced to suspend operations across the state. Detroit Metropolitan Airport was closed until at least 6 a.m. today.

 

“The Blue Water Special, an Amtrak passenger train between Port Huron and Chicago, was stranded at Battle Creek when a replacement crew was unable to make it to the station because of the snow.

 

“Forecasters at the National Weather Service described the storm as extraordinarily intense because it resulted from one storm moving from the south joining another moving in from the northwest….

 

“On the outskirts of Saginaw, authorities said a Greyhound bus with 15 passengers on board spun out of control and into a ditch about 3 p.m. Nobody was injured, and the passengers were put up at emergency shelters.

 

“State offices were closed today for the second straight day.

 

“Close to 150,000 auto workers were idled until at least midday today in southeast Michigan. General Motors Corp. shut down all facilities in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties until Monday’s first regular shift, affecting more than 100,000 workers. Twenty-five Ford Motor Co. plants were closed Thursday afternoon. Some were tentatively scheduled to re-open at midnight and others on Friday’s first shift, weather permitting. All Chrysler Corp. assembly plants lost some time because of storm-caused parts shortages.

 

“Fatalities blamed on the storm included a 26-year-old Marysville man who state police said was struck by a car and killed while walking in the rain along Michigan 46 east of Kingston in Tuscola County. Police blamed poor visibility for the death of James Stewart. In Jackson, police said Walter Vaughn, 52, was found shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday slumped over his snowmobile. Police said Vaughn was trying to make it to work when he died of an apparent heart attack. Authorities in Oceana County, north of Muskegon, said Lloyd McClellan, 61, of Shelby, suffered a fatal seizure after trying to push his car out of his driveway. In Saginaw, authorities said 84-year-old William Neuman collapsed while shoveling snow and died of an apparent heart attack. Manley Bentley, 69, of Coleman in Midland County, suffered a fatal heart attack Thursday while shoveling snow outside home. Elvin Farrier, 61, of Midland, died of a heart attack shoveling snow, police reported….” (Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.)

 

Jan 28: “President Carter declared a state of emergency for Michigan on Friday night [Jan 27] in the waning hours of one of the worst blizzards in the state’s history. The declaration makes Michigan eligible for immediate aid from the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration. State police, acting through Michigan Gov. William Milliken, immediately asked federal officials for snow removal equipment. State police also requested either direct or financial assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. State police and federal officials will meet Saturday to outline additional requests. Carter signed the declaration of emergency at 6:20 p.m. Friday…fhe declaration makes Michigan the third state to come under the emergency designation. The others are Ohio and Indiana.

 

“Meanwhile, Michigan residents prepared to spend the weekend with snow shovel in hand, attacking snow drifts of up to 12 feet. Some 20 inches of snow hit the Grand Rapids area, with a few more inches forecast. The storm slammed into the western side of the state on Wednesday night and continued to rake parts of the state at Midday Friday. Scattered snow was expected to continue this weekend.

 

“The death toll climbed to nine, and medical emergencies abounded. The Red Cross asked for blood donors to replenish depleted supplies. At least five roofs collapsed under the weight of the snow.

 

“Milliken also asked for army bulldozers to clear clogged highways. ‘All state and local resources have been expended but are unable to cope with the magnitude of the problem,’ Milliken said. More than 40 counties had asked for help from the National Guard, put on standby Thursday by Milliken. Nearly 800 guardsmen were put to work rescuing motorists, escorting medical personnel and removing abandoned cars that littered roadsides by the thousands.

 

“Emergency crews managed to restore power to most communities, but thousands of citizens remained stranded at temporary shelters and most roads remained closed….

 

“By Friday afternoon, the storm center had crawled to western Quebec and was weakening, the National Weather Service said.

 

“Among the fatalities blamed on the storm was Dr. Frank Power, 70, of Suttons Bay, who was en route by snowmobile Friday to perform surgery at Traverse City and suffered a heart attack after switching from the snowmobile to a county sheriff’s car….” (Associated Press. “State of emergency declared. State residents are digging out.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 1-28-1978, p1.)

 

Minnesota

 

Jan 27: “Bitter cold gripped Minnesota today in the wake of a snowstorm which brought up to 11 inches of snow to the state, closing highways and schools and apparently figuring in at least one death. Major highways had been opened this morning and the state Department of Transportation reported most were in fair to good winter driving condition. Numerous secondary roads remained impassable, however, canceling school bus runs and forcing numerous schools to open late or remain closed.

 

“Temperatures plunged well below zero throughout most of the state overnight. The only low not in the minus range was Duluth’s even zero. The lowest of the lows was the 17 below at Alexandria, in western Minnesota. The National Weather Service said highs today would range from 5 below in western Minnesota to 5 above in the east. Mostly clear skies were seen for the west, but local blowing and drifting snow were expected to continue in the extreme south….

 

“Richard D. Leiding, 60, Fairmont, was found clutching a snow shovel in front of his pickup near Northrop Thursday morning [Jan 26]. Authorities said Leiding apparently suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow and died in the freezing temperatures.

 

“Grand Marais, in the north-eastern tip of Minnesota, reported 11 inches of snow in the Wednesday and early Thursday storm. Nearby Tofte had 1- inches. Much of the middle one-third of the state didn’t catch the brunt of the storm. Brainerd got only about one-half of snow and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area got by with a two-inch snowfall. Very little snow fell in the state after dawn Thursday….” (Associated Press. “Bitter Cold has Grip on State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 1-27-1978, p. 1.)

 

Missouri

 

Jan 26: “St. Louis (AP) — Winter winds, gusting up to 46 miles an hour, lashed sections of eastern Missouri today, driving the wind chill index to an icy 50 degrees below zero or lower. Blowing across a thick blanket of snow, the winds turned the great outdoors into an ice box. Forecasters predicted bitter cold temperatures through the end of the week. Early morning readings were near zero throughout the state, but the wind chill index fell to about 63 below at Macon, 53 below at St. Louis, 42 below at Jefferson City, 37 below at Kansas City and 31 below at Springfield. Scattered school closings were reported in eastern Missouri, including many in St. Louis County, because of drifting snow from a major storm Tuesday night and Wednesday. Some schools in the northeast part of the state were closed because of bitter cold…. ‘This is a dangerous weather pattern,’ said Forest Varvie, a weather service spokesman. ‘It stretches all the way up through Canada to the Arctic. There will be high winds and temperatures down to about five above. People caught out in the open could easily freeze.’

 

“On Wednesday [Jan 25], much of Missouri was hit by a snow storm that was at its freakish best in St. Louis, were, following a helter-skelter pattern, up to 12 inches fell in a band 20 miles wide. The storm tied up traffic for hours on major highways, stranding hundreds of travelers on U.S. 40 in west St. Louis County…” (Associated Press. “Wind chill drops to 50 below.” Daily Standard, Sikeston, MO, 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

 

New York

 

NCC, NOAA on Central/Eastern NY: “Area-wide. [Jan] 25-27…Wind & Freezing Rain. The fifth major storm this month moved from Texas on the 24^th thru Tennessee and Northward across Lake Erie on the 26^th. It was one of the most intense storms of record and while it’s effects on the Ohio Valley were about the most damaging of record, it brought only blustery winds, freezing rain and rain to Eastern New York. Rain totaling 1-2 inches caused ice to buckle and jam on streams and some flash flooding ensued. Ice jam flooding at Prattsville caused one farmer to lose 46 head of cattle. Most other flooding was minor with little damage. Strong winds caused many trees to topple and this resulted in downed wires and power outages in scattered areas.”  (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 9.)

 

Ohio

 

NCC, NOAA: “Ohio…Entire State [Jan 26-27]…52 [killed]…Severe Blizzard. The worst blizzard of the century moved into Ohio during the early morning hours of the 26^th. Snowfall in excess of 10 inches was blown into drifts up to 25 feet deep. Winds averaged 50 to 70 miles an hour and peak gusts were in excess of 100 miles an hour. Winds subsided somewhat late in the day on the 26^th but remained strong through the 27^th. Visibilities were near zero much of the 26^th and 27^th. Temperatures were in the 40s just prior to the blizzard and dropped steadily to below zero by the night of the 26^th. Some flooding occurred in southeast Ohio during the early morning hours of the 26^th before temperatures dropped below freezing. One death was caused by flooding. An elderly man drowned in water in his basement. The strong winds, low visibilities, drifting snow, and cold temperatures disrupted utilities, stranded travelers and hampered rescue activities.

 

“Two storm-related deaths were from structures being blown down or collapsing from the weight of the snow. Twenty-two deaths were from structures being blown down or collapsing from the weight of the snow. Twenty-two deaths were people walking out of doors seeking help, either from homes with no heat or stranded vehicles. There were a few freak accidents. A man froze walking to a doctor’s appointment, another man froze while working on a chicken coup, and a woman frozen while walking her dog. Thirteen people were found frozen in stranded vehicles. Thirteen more people were found frozen in unheated houses.

 

“The storm caused tremendous economic losses throughout the state. The agricultural industry lost over $60 million dollars in lost production and livestock deaths.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 9.)

 

NWS, Wilmington, OH WFO: “Several decades ago, the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes were paralyzed by one of the worst winter storms to ever sweep across the region. Transportation, schools, and businesses were shut down for days. The “Great Blizzard of 1978” dumped vast amounts of snow across the region and caused widespread near-hurricane strength wind gusts that heaped snow into enormous drifts. A legend to those who lived through it, this once-in-a-lifetime storm will always be the standard by which the severities of all future winter storms to hit this region are judged.

 

“This severe blizzard was the result of a relatively rare merger of two distinct upper level waves (one over Texas and one over the Northern Plains) that caused an explosive intensification of a surface low pressure system moving north from the Gulf Coast into Kentucky and Ohio. The resultant massive and powerful storm system produced some of the lowest pressure readings ever recorded in the United States mainland that were not associated with hurricanes. In fact, several weather stations in the storm’s path had to readjust their barographs as station pressures fell below the initial chart scale. On January 26th, the barometric pressure dropped to 28.46 inches of mercury at Columbus, 28.68 inches at Dayton, and 28.81 inches at Cincinnati. These readings set new records for the lowest sea level pressures ever recorded at each station. Even more impressive was Cleveland’s record low pressure reading of 28.28 inches, which remains the lowest pressure ever recorded in Ohio and one of the lowest pressure readings on record within the mainland United States (not associated with a hurricane).

 

“Rain and fog were widespread across the region during the evening hours of January 25, 1978 with temperatures generally in the 30s and 40s. National Weather Service offices across the Great Lakes and Upper Ohio Valley had issued blizzard warnings for most of the region by late evening on January 25th. Early the next morning, an arctic airmass pushed into the area with bitter cold temperatures and howling winds. Blizzard conditions arrived in Cincinnati around 1 AM January 26 and reached Dayton and Columbus within the next couple hours. By 7 AM, blizzard conditions extended all the way to Cleveland. Visibilities were near zero for much of the day and even into the 27th. Temperatures rapidly plunged from the 30s to bitter-cold single digits in just a few hours. Wind gusts averaged 50 to 70 mph for much of the day on the 26th, reaching 69 mph at Dayton and Columbus and 82 mph in Cleveland. An ore carrier stranded in thick ice on Lake Erie just offshore from Sandusky reported sustained winds of 86 mph with gusts to 111 mph that morning! Extremely cold wind chills around minus 50 degrees or lower continued throughout the day, making it especially dangerous to venture outside. While snowfall was difficult to measure due to the strong winds, official storm-total snowfall amounts from January 25-27 ranged from 4.7 inches in Columbus to 6.9 inches in Cincinnati to 12.9 inches in Dayton. Other areas across the region saw well over a foot of snow from the storm.

 

“The powerful winds and snow caused major complications across the entire region. Widespread wind damage occurred as thousands of trees and many miles of electric/telephone lines were blown down. As a result, hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power and heat, and many important communication lines were disconnected. Gusty winds also caused numerous other instances of structural damage as well as massive snowdrifts reaching 15 to 25 feet in height. In addition to reaching the rooftops of houses and businesses and causing many roof collapses, these huge drifts brought practically all means of air, rail, and highway transportation to a complete standstill for 24 hours or more. Cars were easily buried and many individuals were left stranded in their vehicles. Numerous closures of interstates and highways resulted, including Interstate 75 which was closed for three days, a portion of Interstate 475 near Toledo which was shut down for six days, and the entire length of the Ohio Turnpike which was closed for the first time in its history. These prolonged highway closures resulted in food shortages in many areas, and the Red Cross and armed forces stepped in to help distribute food to those in need.

 

“Fortunately, the early morning arrival of this severe blizzard prompted officials to close nearly all schools on the 26th, which prevented children from being stranded at school or on buses. In fact, Ohio schools did not reopen until early the following week. President Carter declared a federal disaster in Ohio on the 26th and in Indiana the following day. Meanwhile, area governors activated the National Guard in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Thousands of men and women on active duty put in many long hours to help clear roadways, restore power, perform emergency rescues and evacuations, deliver food and medicine, and transport medical personnel to hospitals. In many instances, the only means of rescuing individuals with medical emergencies was by helicopter. All across the region, thousands of volunteers with snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles also risked their lives to transport emergency personnel and utility workers and to deliver medical necessities to those in need. Radio stations suspended regular programming to provide storm information and to serve as communication links where other means of communication had failed and highway travel was impossible.

 

“The death toll from this epic winter storm rose to over 70 across the region. This included 5 in Kentucky, 11 in Indiana, and 51 in Ohio. Of the Ohio fatalities, 22 were the result of exposure as individuals abandoned their stranded vehicles or homes with no heat. Thirteen individuals died from the cold while trapped inside their vehicles, and another 13 died inside their homes after losing power and heat. Two others died in buildings that collapsed under the weight of heavy snow. Falls and heart-attacks caused by snow shoveling were among the other causes of death across the region. Fortunately, with so many highways closed, there were no traffic-related deaths in Ohio that weekend. Agricultural losses from the storm totaled around $73 million in Ohio as the result of dead livestock, lost production, property damage, and milk/egg losses. Unable to store or transport milk because of highway closures, farmers were forced to dump the vast majority of milk produced in the days following the blizzard.

 

“To be considered a blizzard, a winter storm must produce sustained winds or frequent gusts greater than 35 mph and be accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow that frequently reduces visibility to less than 1/4 mile for 3 hours or more. Generally, temperatures will be 20 degrees or lower with a blizzard. A severe blizzard is characterized by wind speeds of 45 mph or higher accompanied by a great density of falling and/or blowing snow that frequently reduces visibilities to near zero, along with temperatures generally 10 degrees or lower. The powerful winter storm of 1978 was a severe blizzard.” (National Weather Service, Wilmington, OH Weather Forecast Office. The Great Blizzard of 1978.)

 

OH Adjutant General Report: “…The overall effect of the ‘Blizzard of ‘78’ on Ohioans and their property could be compared to a statewide nuclear attack from an immobilization standpoint. All eighty-eight counties accrued extreme wind and snow damage amounting to almost 210 million dollars. The storm brought 12-14 inches of new snow, accompanied by 50-70 mph winds and a wind chill factor of minus 70 degrees. Thousands of motorists were stranded and over 175,000 users were without electric power for as many as four days. Many National Guard armories could not be reached for several hours. Governor James A Rhodes mustered every available resource within State government, as well as requesting and receiving federal aid and assistance. A peak strength of 5,005 troops on State Active Duty was reached on 28 January 1878….” [p. 4]

 

“The Governor ordered every National Guard armory in the state to be prepared to house and shelter stranded persons. Over 1,300 people were housed in Guard armories across Ohio on the first night….

 

“The Ohio National Guard pressed into service nearly 800 of its vehicles and 45 helicopters to evacuate people stranded in their homes who wer without heat, electricity or food. It’s estimated that over 10,000 Ohioans were rescued during this period. Helicopter missions alone totaled over 2,700 sorties.

 

“Ohio National Guard helicopter operations were supplemented by Active Army pilots and their crews from Fort Campbell, Kentucky with ten helicopters and five helicopters from the 83^rd US Army Reserve Command headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The helicopters worked around the clock on medevac, rescue and resupply missions averaging over 200 flights a day during the peak period…. [p. 5]

 

(State of Ohio, Adjutant General’s Department. Blizzard ’78 After Action Report. Worthington, OH, 3-24-1978.)

 

Schmidlin and Schmidlin: “The death toll of fifty-one reported in the January 1978 issue of Storm Data made this one of the deadliest winter storms known in Ohio. There were twenty-two deaths among persons walking outdoors leaving their stranded vehicles or homes without heat.   Another thirteen people were found dead in stranded automobiles, thirteen died in unheated homes, and two persons were killed in buildings that collapsed under the weight of snow.”  (Schmidlin and Schmidlin 1996, 65.)

 

Newspapers

 

Jan 26: “Gov. James A. Rhodes declared a state of emergency today as the state was battered by ‘the worst blizzard in the history of Ohio.’ The National Weather Service said in a statement that the storm has proved to be the strongest to pass over the area since weather records were begun 100 years ago. Rhodes called out the National Guard for Licking, Brown, Miami, Knox and Crawford counties and the communities of Newark, Bellefontaine, Covington, Winchester and Marysville. Earlier, Rhodes closed state offices for the second time in less than a week. Offices were closed Friday after a winter storm dumped 6 to 8 inches of snow over the Buckeye State. Cleveland Hopkins, Toledo Express Mansfield and Cincinnati Lunken airports were closed due to high winds and blowing snow which reduced visibility to zero….

 

“The blizzard with winds gusting in excess of 75 mph caused power outages throughout the state, completely blacking out the communities of Circleville, Piqua and Frankfort and a large portion of the state capital. Officials were evacuating elderly residents in Frankfort in Ross County whose homes were left without heat. All but one of Columbus’ radio stations temporarily were knocked off the air by power failures which left 20,000 homes in the city without electricity.” (Associated Press. “State Emergency. ‘The worst in history.’” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 27: “Seven persons have died in the cold, at least two utilities have instituted voltage reductions, roads have been buried in snow drifts, and everything from shopping centers to train lines have closed in the high winds of a blizzard…Nearly 3,500 Ohio National Guard members with 600 snowplows, snowmobiles and four-wheel drive vehicles were waded through drifts and 40-mile-an-hour winds to evacuate cold, hungry people from heatless homes. They were also recuing motorists from stranded cars that lined closed state roads and interstates.

 

“Thousands across the state remain without electricity because of downed power lines. In northwest Ohio, convoys of Toledo Edison Co. trucks were touring blocked roads to make repairs.

 

“The Norfolk and Western Railway said it was virtually shut down in the midwest by the blizzard and hardest hit were runs between Decatur, Ill., and Cleveland to Portsmouth, Ohio. The Chessie System said it is ‘virtually paralyzed in Ohio’ with trains stalled ‘all over because of snow drifts.’

 

“President Carter’s declaration Thursday night [Jan 26] of a federal emergency in Ohio was being translated Friday into Army Corp of Engineers and extra equipment contracted by the corp to reinforce the Guard. Men and equipment were also on the way to dig out completely snow-bound areas of Pickaway and Hamilton counties. State and federal crews were also dispatched to the Philo Lock and Dam where an ice jam below the dam on the Muskingum River was threatening about 150 residents between Philo and McConnelsville. They were to be evacuated.

 

“….Besides the National Guard and Army Corps, Adj. Gen. James Clem urged Friday that the combine include ‘all males in Ohio between the ages of 18 and 62, in good health, with previous military service and able to operate heavy equipment.’ Clem asked for volunteers in an ‘unorganized militia’ to aid in massive recovery efforts.

 

“The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for areas of Morgan and Muskingum counties along the Muskingum River. The Ohio River was reported close to flood stage at Pomeroy and one road in Meigs County was covered by the rapidly rising river. The National Weather Service said ‘very strong and gusty winds’ would continue to plague Ohio through Friday night [27^th] with new snow accumulations of up to three inches forecast for some areas. Up to 12 inches of snow has fallen since the storm started Thursday morning.” (United Press International. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4.)

 

Pennsylvania

 

NCC, NOAA: “Western Pennsylvania…Wind, snow. High winds, snow, and blowing snow along with plunging temperatures combined to produce near blizzard conditions across the region. Peak wind gusts of 6h mph (4:42 am) at the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and 78 mph (8:25 am) at the Erie Airport were recorded. Four large plate glass windows were blown in at a Sears store in Oil City and merchandise in the store was damaged. The roof of a United Parcel Service building in Seneca was blown off. In the vicinity of Ellwood City, siding was blown off a manufacturing plant while high winds also demolished a mobile home and heavily damaged the roofs of two homes. In Butler county strong winds destroyed two mobile homes. Hight winds and heavy snow cover combined to collapse the roof of a furniture warehouse in McConnellsburg (Fulton county). In general, many business and residential structures sustained damages due to the high winds throughout Western Pennsylvania. Widespread electrical outages resulted when power lines and poles were downed and transformers damaged. At least 80,000 customers were without electrical power at some time during the day in the Allegheny county region. Widespread school closings occurred, and travel was hazardous due to the high winds, snow, and blowing snow especially in the northwestern portion of Western Pennsylvania.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 11.)

 

South Carolina

 

NCC, NOAA: “Statewide [Jan] 25-26…2 [deaths]…High Winds, Flash Flooding. A very intense winter storm developed in the Gulf Coast area and moved northwestward with center passing just west of Appalachians causing winds of 60 to 70 mph across S.C. between 9 P.M. and midnight with winds occasionally above 40 kts on 25^th. Lowest pressure in many years at most reporting points. Rains of 2 to 4 inches on already soaked soils produced flash flooding in higher elevations of northwestern South Carolina. A weather related death occurred in Aiken and near Woodruff. Also 2 people injured in Cherokee Co. when mobile home overturned. Extensive wind damage to trees, utilities, roofs, and many farm and other small buildings throughout state. Several marinas damaged on lakes in state.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 11.)

Tennessee

 

NCC, NOAA: “Johnson City, Washington County [Jan] 26…High wind. High winds tore a hole in the fabric-air-pressure-supported roof of the Milligan College’s Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. The fiberglass dome is Teflon coated. A very strong low pressure system was moving through the area, and strong winds had buffeted the dome for quite a while. One gust of wind was measured at 70 mph. The strong wind and rapid drop in atmospheric pressure and temperature contributed to the depressurization of the building.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 11.)

West Virginia

 

NCC, NOAA: “Statewide [Jan] 26^th-27^th…1 [death]…Flooding. Rapidly developing low pressure over Alabama moved northward passing west of the state on the 25^th and 26^th. The combination of rain, warm temperatures, and high winds contributed to a rapid snowmelt. Ten rivers exceeded flood stage. The most serous flooding occurred along the Little Kanawha and the lower Tug Fork Rivers. Initial estimates along the Little Kanawha list flood damage in excess of $700,000. At least six bridges in the state road system were washed out. Statewide, 3,000 persons were forced to evacuate their homes. A man of the Laurel Park area of Harrison County fell into the swift moving waters of the Tug Fork River and drowned. Two men were treated for exposure when a rescue boat they were in capsized.”

 

“Statewide. 26^th. Daylight into early evening hours. Windstorm. Intense storm moved north through Ohio. Wind gusts averaged 55 to 65 miles per hour across the state. Winds gusted to 75 miles per hour at Clarksburg. Numerous power lines were downed. Several roofs were blown off…many were damaged.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, V20, N1, Jan 1978, p. 13.)

 

Wisconsin

 

NCC, NOAA: “Wisconsin. Southeast [Jan] 25-27. 1 [killed]…Heavy snow and blizzard. A deep low pressure system tracking northeastward from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Huron during the 25^th and 26^th resulted in heavy snow with blizzard conditions across the southeast half of Wisconsin. The storm, described by the Wisconsin press as ‘The Blizzard of 78’ dumped from 6 to 12 inches of snow in the south and east with 1 to 3 inch totals in the northwest. Milwaukee’s total of 11.8 inches was greatest for a major reporting point. Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph were reported during the 26^th with gusts up to 58 mph logged at both Green Bay and Madison. The combination of high winds and snow resulted in numerous highway closings in the southeast with 5 to 15 foot drifts reported across primary and secondary roads by mid day. State police requests for no travel were ignored in many instances as numerous multi-car accidents were reported south and east of a line from Dubuque, Iowa to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Visibility was reported near zero in this area. By nightfall of the 26^th, stranded travelers were reportedly filling up schools, churches, motels, and restaurants over much of southeast Wisconsin. In addition to numerous secondary school closings, the University of Wisconsin at both the Madison and Milwaukee locations suspended classes on the 26^th. Milwaukee’s Mitchell Field was also closed on the 26^th which sent scores of additional stranded travelers in search for rooms.

 

“In rural Oshkosh in Winnebago County a tragic exposure death occurred when a 27 year old woman lost her bearings while traveling by snowmobile to a neighbor’s home during the afternoon of the 26^th. Zero visibility was reported in the area at the time of the incident. By the morning of the 27^th additional problems developed as blocked highways forced farmers to dump hundreds of thousands of pounds of milk. At the same time this was occurring, snowmobilers were reportedly transporting groceries and milk to communities isolated by the enormous drifts built by the storm. The ‘Blizzard of 78’ will be remembered by Wisconsin residents for the massive traffic tie-ups it caused as well as its effect on many a communities snow removal budgets which were reportedly wiped out for the entire 77-78 season.” (National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 13.)

 

Wisconsin Newspapers

 

Jan 26: “A blizzard brought the Madison area to its knees today, forcing schools and factories to close and causing the cancellation of most evening meetings and sports events. The Dane County Highway Department announced at noon that all county roads had virtually been closed because snow plows simply could not keep up with snow whipped by winds of up to 50 miles an hour. State Highways 19 and 51 also were reported closed at noon, s was 12 and 18 from Yahara Hills Golf Course to Cambridge.

 

“Numerous injuries from traffic accidents and exposure to the icy cold winds were reported at hospitals throughout the city. Madison General alone reported that it had treated 10 persons, including two police officers, by noon.

 

“Schools in most outlying areas shut down for the day, while the Madison public schools planned to close at 2 p.m….

 

“The heavy winds whipped snow through the air, severely limiting visibility and contributing to many accidents, traffic officials said. In addition, blowing and drifting snow made several area roads, especially east-west routes, impassable. Snow drifts of up to 10 feet were reported on some roads, according to National Weather Service forecaster Gene Przekurat. ‘It just can’t get any worse than this,’ Przekurat said.

 

“Madison police reported 24 accidents in a three-hour period this morning. Elsewhere in Dane County, it was worst. The county traffic office was a ‘madhouse,’ according on one officer, and there were so many accidents on county roads that officers couldn’t keep track of them all….”

(Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Blizzard closes roads, schools.” 1-26-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 27: “Life was slowly — very slowly — returning to Kenosha County Friday morning after heavy snows and blinding winds buried streets and highways, closed schools and industry and created countless emergency situations. There was one storm related death, in addition to reports of people stranded throughout the county. City plow crews have cleared all the main city streets and have been on the road since 3 a.m. Thursday. County roads are still blocked, with highways 50 and 158 the only roads open to the Interstate, Warren Gross, foreman for the east end of the county, said this morning. ‘I’ve been here for 30 years and never say anything like this before,’ Gross said. ‘It will be days before we get to some of the people.’ Gross reported that blinding snow driven by winds up to 50 mph forced all county plows off the road at 10 p.m. Thursday. The plows returned at 7 a.m. Friday.

 

“Plows in both the city and the county have been hampered by abandoned cars blocking many roads and side-streets. City plowing efforts were further hindered by residents blowing snow back into cleaned streets and existing snow banks along the curb line. ‘There’s no place to put it (the snow),’ Jerome Frederick, superintendent of the street garage, said. ‘We just can’t push the snow on some of the side streets. They’ll stay closed until we can get the blower in there.’ The Kenosha Pollution Control Center reported 8½ inches of snow, but blowing winds made the figure useless. In the county, Gross said that as much s 14 inches of snow fell during the blizzard.

 

“The Coast Guard station reported wind gusts of up to 50 m.p.h. early this morning with steadily dropping temperatures. The wind chill factor was 48 below at 10 a.m. with winds gusting to 30 m.p.h. and the temperature at 6 degrees.

 

“Winds are expected to diminish throughout the day and temperatures are forecast to fall between 0 and 5 below tonight. There is a 20 per cent chance for additional snow tonight.

 

“Doran Hughes, director of Emergency Government for the county, reported that 10 members of the Civil Air Patrol are out in 4-wheel drive vehicles attempting to get through to stranded people. A snowmobile force is also out assisting people in the county.

 

“In the only reported storm related death to date, Hayman Roberts, 54, 1925 87^th St., died of a heart attack while using a snow-blower. The city’s rescue squad was unable to reach Roberts due to blocked roads, and he was reported dead by the time the squad got him to Kenosha Memorial Hospital….” (Kenosha News, WI. “Close Encounters of the Snow Kind…” 1-27-1978, p. 1.)

 

Jan 28: “The battle over Wisconsin’s snow-battered countryside — after a blizzard which was blamed for causing 15 deaths — continued today as men and machines fought to reclaim the state’s roadways, cities and farms. Although hampered by hundreds of abandoned cars, plow crews cleared most of Wisconsin’s major roads by late Friday and plunged into the weekend with hopes of dismantling snowdrifts constructed by Thursday’s storm. ‘The biggest problems are the cars that are in our way,’ Dane County Highway Maintenance Supt. Cliff Schlough said of the struggle to plow through roads blocked by drifts reaching 12 feet. County traffic officers estimated up to 500 stalled or abandoned vehicles were left behind in the wake of the blizzard. ‘In some cases, we can’t do a thing until those cars are moved,’ said Schlough, who estimated the last of the county’s snow-clogged highways would be partially cleared by today. ‘We hope to have them open tonight (Friday), or at least one lane.’

 

“The most stubborn drifts were on Highway 73 north of Marshall; Highway 113 near Waunakee; parts of Highway 51 north of Madison; Highway 12 near Cambridge and Highway 151 between Madison and Columbus. In some cases only one lane of traffic was open late Friday. ‘The north-south roads are the worst for drifts,’ Schlough said. ‘A lot of the town roads are still closed.’

 

“County traffic officers investigated at least 75 snow-related accidents Thursday and Friday, with 13 resulting in mostly minor injuries. About 20 of those accidents were of the ‘chain-reaction’ variety. ‘It’s going to be a while before this mess is cleared up,’ County Traffic Investigator George Miller said.

 

“Although most streets in Madison, Middleton and Monona were open for traffic by Friday morning, the task of clearing roads in the county’s townships will last through the weekend….”

(Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Storm blamed for 15 deaths.” 1-28-1978, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press. “129 national deaths blamed on blizzard.” Lima News, OH. 1-31-1978, p. 4. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-jan-31-1978-p-4/

 

Associated Press. “Add floods and tornadoes to nation’s weather woes.” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH, 1-27-1978, 1. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Bitter Cold has Grip on State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, 6. Accessed 12-1-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-jan-27-1978-p-6/

 

Associated Press. “East is Watching for Flash Floods.” Ada Evening News, OK, 1-25-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ada-evening-news-jan-25-1978-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Freezing Rain Was Menace..” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-25-1978, p. 15. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-jan-25-1978-p-15/

 

Associated Press. “Frozen…Kentucky is at Virtual Standstill Again Today.” Corbin Times-Tribune, 1-27-1978, pp. 1, 8. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Hoosier storm-related deaths listed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-daily-bulletin-jan-28-1978-p-3/

 

Associated Press. “Hoosiers tackle awesome cleanup.” Anderson Herald, IN, 1-28-1978, p. 3. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-jan-28-1978-p-3/

 

Associated Press. “In the State…” Janesville Gazette, WI, 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 5. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-gazette-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Indiana buckles under ‘monstrous’ storm.” Kokomo Tribune, IN. 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-29-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Man Slips Under Bus Wheels, Dies.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 1-28-1978, p. 5. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-jan-28-1978-p-5/

 

Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-jan-27-1978-p-6/

 

Associated Press. “Snow removal aid unlikely.” Xenia Daily Gazette, OH, 3-2-1984, p. 2. Accessed 12-10-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/xenia-daily-gazette-mar-02-1984-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Snow, Rain, Wind, Floods, Outages,” Burlington Times-News, NC, 1-26-1978, 6C. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-jan-26-1978-p-24/

 

Associated Press. “State Emergency. ‘The worst in history.’” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “State of emergency declared. State residents are digging out.” Escanaba Daily Press, 1-28-1978, 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/escanaba-daily-press-jan-28-1978-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Sunshine is Welcome Sight to Kentuckians.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-29-1978, p. 8. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-daily-tribune-jan-29-1978-p-8/

 

Associated Press. “Thousands stranded in blizzard’s wake.” Jacksonville Journal, IL. 1-28-1978, p. 28. Accessed 11-29-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-daily-journal-jan-28-1978-p-28/

 

Associated Press. “Thousands stranded, millions digging out.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-jan-28-1978-p-3/

 

Associated Press. “Traffic Victim Identified.” Albert Lea Tribune, MN. 1-27-1978, p. 7. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-jan-27-1978-p-7/

 

Associated Press. “Wind chill drops to 50 below.” Daily Standard, Sikeston, MO, 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sikeston-daily-standard-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Blizzard closes roads, schools.” 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Blizzard’s gone, but not forgotten.” 1-28-1978, p. 17. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-jan-28-1978-p-36/

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “`White hurricane’ subsides. Storm leaves 5 dead, hundreds stranded in area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Corbin Times Tribune, KY. “Rescue. London Armory is Temporary Home for Stranded Motorists.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corbin-times-tribune-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Defiance Residents Dig Out After Blizzard Buries Area.” 1-28-1978, pp. 1, 16. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-28-1978-p-1/

 

Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Defiance Residents Dig Out After Blizzard Buries Area.” 1-30-1978, pp. 1 and 12. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-jan-30-1978-p-1/

 

Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Suburbs [Chicago] skid to halt.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-29-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-herald-suburban-chicago-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel. IL. “Couple found dead.” 1-27-1978, p. 8. Accessed 11-29-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-carmel-daily-republican-register-jan-27-1978-p-8/

 

Daily Republican Register, Mt. Carmel, IL. “Woman dies of exposure.” 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-29-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-carmel-daily-republican-register-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Deedler, William R. (Weather Historian, National Weather Service, Detroit/Pontiac, MI). “A Great Storm Us Upon Michigan.” The Great Blizzard of 1978! NOAA’s National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Detroit/Pontiac, MI. 1-21-2003. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://web.archive.org/web/20061009122340/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/dtx/stories/blizzard1978.php

 

Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, WI. “Weather Watch,” 1-28-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eau-claire-leader-telegram-jan-28-1978-p-2/

 

Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. “Siberian experience.” 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “Blizzard” (continued from page 1). 1-30-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hillsdale-daily-news-jan-30-1978-p-2/

 

Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “Milliken declares state of emergency.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hillsdale-daily-news-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “More snow, cold temps in weather picture.” 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/hillsdale-daily-news-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Obituaries…Emil W. Sorvala.” 1-30-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-jan-30-1978-p-2/

 

Janesville Gazette, WI. “Fight to Open Roads is a Continuing One.” 1-28-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-gazette-jan-28-1978-p-1/

 

Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME. “Collapse.” 1-27-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-journal-tribune-jan-27-1978-p-22/

 

Kenosha News, WI. “Close Encounters of the Snow Kind…” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Death, food shortages follow storm.” 1-29-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-jan-29-1978-p-1/

 

Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Fierce storm smothers Kokomo.” 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Sunny skies break forth over Indiana.” 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 3. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kokomo-tribune-jan-27-1978-p-3/

 

Lima News. “Misery, death. 5 local, area fatalities are blamed on storm…” 1-30-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-jan-30-1978-p-1/

 

Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Emergency over; ‘Blizzard ‘78’ fading; efforts gigantic.” 1-30-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-jan-30-1978-p-1/

 

Middletown Journal, OH. “Deaths and funerals.” 2-2-1978, p. 2. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-feb-02-1978-p-2/

 

Middletown Journal, OH. “Man found dead in car.” 1-26-1978, p. 9. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-jan-26-1978-p-9/

 

National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978. Asheville, NC: NCC. Accessed 11-29-2018 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html?_finish=0.3498708119379633

 

National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI. Biggest Snow Storms in the United States From 1888 to Present (Excluding the Mountains of the West and Lake-Effect Snows). NOAA, NWS, 11-2-2005. At: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/climate/big.php

 

National Weather Service, Wilmington, OH Weather Forecast Office. The Great Blizzard of 1978. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://www.weather.gov/iln/19780126

 

NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Indianapolis, IN. Blizzard of 1978. 7-16-2008 modification. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://web.archive.org/web/20081029110245/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ind/?n=blizzardof78

 

Norwalk Reflector, OH. “3 Lives Lost. Power Restored in County.” 1-30-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwalk-reflector-jan-30-1978-p-1/

 

Norwalk Reflector, OH. “Find Man Frozen in Area Field.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwalk-reflector-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Sandusky Register, OH. “Area Death Toll From Storm Stands At Nine.” 1-31-1978, p. A-12. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-31-1978-p-12/

 

Sandusky Register, OH. “Blizzard Claims Five in Area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Schmidlin, Thomas W. and Jeanne Appelhans Schmidlin. Thunder in the Heartland: A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio. Kent State University Press, 1996, 362 pages.

 

Schwartz, Robert M. and Thomas W. Schmidlin. “Climatology of Blizzards in the Conterminous United States, 1959–2000.” Journal of Climate, Vol. 15, Issue 13, July 2002, pp. 1765-1772.  Accessed at:  http://ams.allenpress.com/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1175%2F1520-0442(2002)015%3C1765%3ACOBITC%3E2.0.CO%3B2

 

State of Ohio, Adjutant General’s Department. Blizzard ’78 After Action Report. Worthington, OH, 3-24-1978. Accessed 12-2-2018: http://www.ohiomemory.org/cdm/ref/collection/p267401coll32/id/26698

 

United Press International. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4. Accessed 12-1-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-27-1978-p-4/

 

United Press International. “52 Dead in Wake of Raging 2-Day Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH, 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-1-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwalk-reflector-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

United Press International. “27,000 Remain Without Power.” Evening Review, Liverpool, OH. 1-28-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-liverpool-evening-review-jan-28-1978-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Blizzard batters the Midwest.” Independent-Journal, CA. 1-26-1978, pp. 1 and 4. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-rafael-independent-journal-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Blizzard crushes area.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-29-2018 at:: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-carmel-daily-republican-register-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Boy’s frozen body found near home.” Kenosha News, WI. 1-31-1978, p. 21. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-jan-31-1978-p-20/

 

United Press International. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/norwalk-reflector-jan-30-1978-p-4/

 

United Press International. “Hoosier Trucker Dies.” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-29-1978, p. 15. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-jan-29-1978-p-15/

 

United Press International. “Raging blizzard batters Midwest to paralysis.” The Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-26-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-hawk-eye-jan-26-1978-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Recovery From Blizzard of ’78 Will Take Weeks.” Greensburg Daily News, IN, 1-28-1978, p. 1. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/greensburg-daily-news-jan-28-1978-p-1/

 

United Press International. “State’s blizzard warning expires, snow emergency continues.” Princeton Daily Clarion, IN, 1-27-1978, p. 7. Accessed 11-30-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/princeton-daily-clarion-jan-27-1978-p-7/

 

Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Blizzard closes roads, schools, businesses, strands hundreds.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-27-1978-p-1/

 

Wisconsin State Journal, WI. “Blizzard’s gone; problems remain.” 1-29-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-29-1978-p-1/

 

Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Storm blamed for 15 deaths.” 1-28-1978, p. 1. Accessed 12-3-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-jan-28-1978-p-1/

 

Xenia Daily Gazette, OH. “Fairborn fire fatal to one.” 1-27-1978, p. 16. Accessed 12-2-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/xenia-daily-gazette-jan-27-1978-p-16/

[1] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 2. Victim identified as William James Turman Jr. Tree fell in his backyard. (Associated Press. “Snow, Rain, Wind, Floods, Outages,” Burlington Times-News, NC, 1-26-1978, 6C.)

[2] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 2.

[3] “Illinois reported 20 weather deaths.”

[4] Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel. IL. “Couple found dead.” 1-27-1978, p. 8. Paper cites State police as source for carbon monoxide poisoning as the probable cause of death. Victims identified as Judith K. Louich, 19, of Park Ridge, and John I. Sorensen, 24, of La Grange.

[5] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 5.

[6] UPI. “State’s blizzard warning expires, snow emergency continues.” Princeton Daily Clarion, IN, 1-27-1978, p. 7.

[7] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 5. Identified as Zelma Lorane Catt, 51. (Daily Republican Register, Mt. Carmel, IL. “Woman dies of exposure.” 1-26-1978, p. 1.) The newspaper notes that after her car became stuck in a snow drift on the way home from nightshift job that ended at 11:00 pm, she walked to a service station which was closed, and sought some protection under a parked semi. In the morning, the driver, who had been sleeping in the rig, found her dead under his truck.

[8] UPI. “Blizzard crushes area.” Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL, 1-26-1978, p. 1.

[9] Victim identified as John F. Lustman, who “was found in a basement window well of a house next door to his own…four days after he disappeared while shoveling snow. Lustman, who had asthma, apparently died from exposure…” (UPI. “Boy’s frozen body found near home.” Kenosha News, 1-31-1978, p. 21.)

[10] United Press International. “Hoosier Trucker Dies.” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, IN, 1-29-1978, p. 15.

[11] Daily Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Suburbs [Chicago] skid to halt.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[12] Associated Press. “Hoosier storm-related deaths listed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3.

[13] Associated Press. “Hoosier storm-related deaths listed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3.

[14] Associated Press. “Hoosier storm-related deaths listed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3.

[15] Associated Press. “Hoosier storm-related deaths listed.” Anderson Daily Bulletin, IN. 1-28-1978, p. 3.

[16] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Death, food shortages follow storm.” 1-29-1978, p. 1.

[17] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Sunny skies break forth over Indiana.” 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 3.

[18] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Sunny skies break forth over Indiana.” 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 3.

[19] Associated Press. “Hoosiers tackle awesome cleanup.” Anderson Herald, IN, 1-28-1978, p. 3.

[20] Kokomo Tribune, IN. “Sunny skies break forth over Indiana.” 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 3.

[21] AP. “Hoosiers tackle awesome cleanup.” Anderson Herald, IN, 1-28-1978, p. 3. Victim id’d as Joseph Vacval, 82.

[22] Associated Press. “Hoosiers tackle awesome cleanup.” Anderson Herald, IN, 1-28-1978, p. 3.

[23] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 6.

[24] AP. “Freezing Rain Was Menace..” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-25-1978, p. 15. Notes: “Five fatalities and scores of traffic accidents were attributed to Tuesday’s [Jan 24] freezing rain, which turned highways around Kentucky into sheets of ice…In Tuesday’s fatal traffic accidents attributed to the weather, two women were killed when a car and coal truck collided on U.S. 68 about 20 miles south of Maysville, police said. The victims were identified as Mary Vice, 30, of Dover, driver of the car, and her sister-in-law, Barbara Vice, 44, of Maysville. Another collision, in Bourbon County, took the lives of two men, police said.”

[25] “Though the night was milder than had been feared, most of Kentucky remained frozen to a standstill today and the weather was blamed for at least five deaths.”

[26] AP. “Frozen…Kentucky is at Virtual Standstill Again Today.” Corbin Times-Tribune, 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 8.

[27] Associated Press. “Sunshine is Welcome Sight to Kentuckians.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-29-1978, p. 8.

[28] Associated Press. “Sunshine is Welcome Sight to Kentuckians.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-29-1978, p. 8.

[29] AP. “Frozen…Kentucky is at Virtual Standstill Again Today.” Corbin Times-Tribune, 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 8.

[30] Victim identified as Carl D. Parris, 57. (Associated Press. “Sunshine is Welcome Sight to Kentuckians.” Corbin Times-Tribune, KY, 1-29-1978, p. 8.)

[31] AP. “Frozen…Kentucky is at Virtual Standstill Again Today.” Corbin Times-Tribune, 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[32] AP. “Frozen…Kentucky is at Virtual Standstill Again Today.” Corbin Times-Tribune, 1-27-1978, pp. 1 and 8. Notes the body of Harold Edwards, 27, of Brockport, IL was recovered Jan 26 and the body of Marty Gates, 23, of Ledbetter, KY, was being sought.

[33] Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME. “Collapse.” 1-27-1978, p. 2.

[34] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 6.

[35] I explain in the footnote to the Blanchard tally of 17, how I derive that number. The number twenty derives from a NWS, Ann Arbor, MI summary written on Jan 30, 1978, stating that “About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm.” We do not know if that was an approximation derived from knowledge of 17 or 18 or 19 deaths or was this a “guesstimate” of 20? Thus we resort to using what we perceive to be a reasonable range.

[36] “About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile.” Snider is quoted in: Deedler, William R. (Weather Historian), National Weather Service, Detroit/Pontiac, MI, 1-21-2003, “A Great Storm is Upon Michigan.” The Great Blizzard of 1978!

[37] We note thirteen deaths by locality. While we show nine heart attack deaths, the UPI on Jan 30 reported there had been ten. Additionally, the NCC/NOAA noted three exposure deaths in January’s Storm Data, while we have only been able to identify one. Finally we did not locate in the press the NCC/NOAA Storm Data report of a baby’s death when the parents were unable to get to a hospital due to the blizzard. If these reports are accurate, then there would be seventeen deaths. The UPI reports at least 16 deaths. A MI NWS report at the time notes “about 20.” If 20, one would expect that to have been written — but we do not know that it was meant to indicate something less than 20.

[38] “Thursday’s blizzard, called the worst in state history, dumped as much as 20 inches of snow in some areas and was blamed for at least 16 deaths, including 10 heart attacks.”

[39] Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “Blizzard” (continued from page 1). 1-30-1978, p. 2. Victim identified as Orville Sennell, 50 of Petoskey, a town to the west of Cheboygan County, when the man owned a bar.

[40] Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[41] Associated Press. “Man Slips Under Bus Wheels, Dies.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 1-28-1978, p. 5.

[42] Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[43] Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “Milliken declares state of emergency.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[44] Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Emergency over; ‘Blizzard ‘78’ fading; efforts gigantic.” 1-30-1978, p. 1. Victim identified as Roland Chichester.

[45] Marshall Evening Chronicle, MI. “Emergency over; ‘Blizzard ‘78’ fading; efforts gigantic.” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[46] Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[47] Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[48] Associated Press. “Michigan Still Reeling From Blizzard, 6 Die.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[49] AP. “State of emergency declared. State residents…digging out.” Escanaba Daily Press, MI, 1-28-1978, p. 1.

[50] Hillsdale Daily News, MI. “Milliken declares state of emergency.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[51] Associated Press. “Bitter Cold has Grip on State.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[52] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 7. This appears to be a reference to a death identified in the press of Kevin Simon, 19, of Vesseli, MN, who was killed in a crash which “occurred when vision on the road was obscured by a cloud of snow in the wake of a snowplow.” (Associated Press. “Traffic Victim Identified.” Albert Lea Tribune, MN. 1-27-1978, p. 7.)

[53] United Press Int.. “Raging blizzard batters Midwest to paralysis.” Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-26-1978, p. 1.

[54] “go. Richard Celeste…called it [storm of late Feb 1984] the worst snowstorm in Ohio since the blizzard of 1978 claimed 55 lives.”

[55] Causes of death highlighted in green denote a match with the National Weather Service Wilmington, OH WFO report noted below. These total to 50 and do not include deaths such as heart attacks shoveling snow.

[56] We believe this is a mistaken entry and thus do not include. If included, the total would be 76, and not the 51 in the description line on the storm (not including leads to a total of 54, which is still 3 higher than the given total).

[57] The total for the causes of deaths numbered by cause totals to 50, without consideration of the add-on line of other deaths due to falls and heart-attacks caused by snow shoveling.

[58] Victim identified as James Lester Horton, 40, of Middletown. (Middletown Journal, OH. “Deaths and funerals.” 2-2-1978, p. 2.)

[59] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4. Another source notes death of Ronald Underwood, 67, Rt. 1. Alger. (Lima News. “Misery, death. 5 local, area fatalities…” 1-30-1978, 1.)

[60] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4. Also: Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “White hurricane subsides…leaves 5 dead…in area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[61] “Other storm victims included: A tiny baby born with a respiratory problem in a Bellefontaine hospital. A train rigged to take the child to a Springfield hospital was stopped by blowing snow.” (UPI. “27,000 Remain Without Power.” Evening Review, Liverpool, OH. 1-28-1978, p. 1.)

[62] Cook at Bellevue Hospital, where she was trying to get. (Sandusky Register, OH. “Blizzard Claims Five in Area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.) Also: UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[63] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[64] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[65] United Press Int. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4.

[66] Sandusky Register, OH. “Area Death Toll From Storm Stands At Nine.” 1-31-1978, p. A-12. Gives address as Seneca County Road 34, and notes the victim was found three days later in a field.

[67] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[68] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[69] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “White hurricane subsides…leaves 5 dead…in area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[70] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “White hurricane subsides…leaves 5 dead…in area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. Victim was identified as Mrs. Frances R. Battenhouse.

[71] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “White hurricane subsides…leaves 5 dead…in area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[72] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “White hurricane subsides…leaves 5 dead…in area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[73] Neighbor identified victim as a man. News report cites Fairfield Fire Chief Robert Johnson that the death was “storm-related.” (Xenia Daily Gazette, OH. “Fairborn fire fatal to one.” 1-27-1978, p. 16.) Fairborn is in Greene Co.

[74] United Press Int. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4.

[75] Lima News. “Misery, death. 5 local, area fatalities are blamed on storm…” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[76] Sandusky Register, OH. “Blizzard Claims Five in Area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1; also UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[77] Sandusky Register, OH. “Area Death Toll From Storm Stands At Nine.” 1-31-1978, p. A-12. Notes the victim lived at 5108 North Township Road 71 in rural Green Springs and that his body was found along Township Rd. 70.

[78] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[79] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[80] Norwalk Reflector, OH. “3 Lives Lost. Power Restored in County.” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[81] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[82] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[83] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4. Age taken from: Lima News. “Misery, death. 5 local, area fatalities are blamed on storm…” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[84] United Press Int. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4.

[85] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[86] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[87] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[88] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Defiance Residents Dig Out After Blizzard Buries Area.” 1-28-19789, pp. 1, 16. Another source identifies victim as Charles Crace, 41 or rural Napoleon. (Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Defiance Residents Dig Out After Blizzard Buries Area.” 1-30-1978, pp. 1 and 12.)

[89] Lima News. “Misery, death. 5 local, area fatalities are blamed on storm…” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[90] Middletown Journal, OH. “Man found dead in car.” 1-26-1978, p. 9.

[91] Sandusky Register, OH. “Area Death Toll From Storm Stands At Nine.” 1-31-1978, p. A-12.

[92] Sandusky Register, OH. “Blizzard Claims Five in Area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[93] Lima News. “Misery, death. 5 local, area fatalities are blamed on storm…” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[94] Another source notes the rural Bellevue farmer was found off Ohio 547 near the Bellevue Reservoir. (Sandusky Register, OH. “Area Death Toll From Storm Stands At Nine.” 1-31-1978, A-12.) Bellevue is west of Monroeville.

[95] United Press Int. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4;  Sandusky Register, OH. “Blizzard Claims Five in Area.” 1-27-1978, p. 1; Norwalk Reflector, OH. “3 Lives Lost. Power Restored in County.” 1-30-1978, p. 1.

[96] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[97] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[98] Norwalk Reflector, OH. “Find Man Frozen in Area Field.” 1-27-1978, p. 1. The Reflector notes age as 60 on Jan 30: (Norwalk Reflector, OH. “3 Lives Lost. Power Restored in County.” 1-30-1978, p. 1.) Notes his body was on the 4900 block of Columbus Avenue. Mr. Blankenship lived at 5002 Hartford Avenue.

[99] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[100] United Press Int. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4.

[101] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[102] Sandusky Register, OH. “Area Death Toll From Storm Stands At Nine.” 1-31-1978, p. A-12.

[103] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[104] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4. Victim identified as Marshall Pittman, a Kingston Township trustee.

[105] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[106] UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.

[107] UPI. “7 Dead, Voltage Reductions, Closings Cover State.” Sandusky Register, 1-27-1978, A4. Victim id’d as Charles Lee of Haskins. (UPI. “Here Are Ohioans Who Died In Storm.” Norwalk Reflector, OH. 1-30-1978, p. 4.)

[108] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 10.

[109] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 11.

[110] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 11.

[111] United Press Int.. “Raging blizzard batters Midwest to paralysis.” Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA, 1-26-1978, p. 1. Also: National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 11.

[112] Associated Press. “Snow, Rain, Wind, Floods, Outages,” Burlington Times-News, NC, 1-26-1978, 6C.

[113] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 13.

[114] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 13.

[115] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Blizzard closes roads, schools, businesses, strands hundreds.” 1-27-1978, p1.

[116] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Blizzard closes roads, schools, businesses, strands hundreds.” 1-27-1978, p1.

[117] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6

[118] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Fight to Open Roads is a Continuing One.” 1-28-1978, p. 1.

[119] Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Obituaries…Emil W. Sorvala.” 1-30-1978, p. 2. Mr. Sorvala was 67.

[120] Kenosha News, WI. “Close Encounters of the Snow Kind…” 1-27-1978, p. 1.

[121] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6

[122] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Blizzard’s gone, but not forgotten.” 1-28-1978, p. 17.

[123] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[124] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[125] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[126] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[127] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[128] Associated Press. “In the State…” Janesville Gazette, WI, 1-27-1978, p. 5 of 1 and 5.

[129] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[130] Associated Press. “Blizzard Blamed for 9 Deaths in Wisconsin.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI, 1-27-1978, p. 6.

[131] Associated Press. “In the State…” Janesville Gazette, WI, 1-27-1978, p. 5 of 1 and 5.

[132] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 20, No. 1, Jan 1978, p. 13. Victim identified as Janis Radig, 27. (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, WI. “Weather Watch,” 1-28-1978, p. 2.)

–267  CDC WONDER search for ICD-8 E900 code excessive heat/hyperthermia, 1978.

                       US death rate 0.12; population 222,282,083

Alabama                       7        0.18     Yellow Highlight denotes above average US death rate.

Arizona                       31        1.23

Arkansas                       3        0.13

California                   27        0.12

Colorado                       1        0.04

Connecticut                  3        0.10

District of Columbia     1        0.15

Florida                          6        0.07

Georgia                       15        0.28

Illinois                          8        0.07

Indiana                                      2        0.04

Iowa                              2        0.07

Kansas                          6        0.26

Kentucky                      5        0.14

Louisiana                      5        0.12

Maryland                      2        0.05

Massachusetts               5        0.09

Michigan                      5        0.05

Minnesota                     2        0.05

Mississippi                   4        0.16

Missouri                     12        0.25

Montana                        1        0.13

Nebraska                       2        0.13

Nevada                          1        0.14

New Hampshire            3        0.34

New Jersey                   3        0.04

New Mexico                 2        0.16

New York                   11        0.06

North Carolina              5        0.09

Ohio                              7        0.06

Oklahoma                   11        0.38

Pennsylvania                8        0.07

South Carolina              9        0.30

Tennessee                     1        0.02

Texas                          43        0.32

Virginia                        2        0.04

Washington                  1        0.03     Wisconsin       `             5        0.11

 

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1968-1978. ICD-8 E900 code for excessive heat/hyperthermia. CDC WONDER On-line Database, 2000. Accessed 6-10-2019 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/cmf-icd8.html

 –4,052  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File 1968-1978. ICD-8 codes[1] 470-474[2] influenza.[3]

Alabama                     101      2.63     (Yellow highlight denotes higher than average death rate.)

Arizona                         34      1.35

Arkansas                       88      3.93     U.S. population base noted: 222,282,083

California                   224      0.98

Colorado                       43      1.55

Connecticut                  55      1.78

Delaware                         2      0.33

District of Columbia       3      0.45

Florida                        160      1.75

Georgia                        95      1.80

Hawaii                            3      0.32

Idaho                             35      3.83

Illinois                        206      1.80

Indiana                                    148      2.72

Iowa                              83      2.84

Kansas                        109      4.67

Kentucky                      89      2.46

Louisiana                      68      1.67

Maine                            56      5.02

Maryland                      36      0.85

Massachusetts               82      1.43

Michigan                    175      1.90

Minnesota                   100      2.49     Oregon                                    39        1.55

Mississippi                   62      2.49     Pennsylvania            219        1.85

Missouri                     193      3.96     Rhode Island               10        1.04

Montana                        19      2.42     South Carolina            67        2.20

Nebraska                       53      3.39     South Dakota              30        4.34

Nevada                            3      0.42     Tennessee                   67        1.50

New Hampshire            21      2.35     Texas                        213        1.58

New Jersey                   71      0.97     Utah                            19        1.39

New Mexico                 17      1.36     Vermont                      13        2.61

New York                   187      1.05     Virginia                      66        1.25

North Carolina            119      2.07     Washington              105        2.70

North Dakota                17      2.61     West Virginia             43        2.24

Ohio                            171      1.58     Wisconsin                 158        3.41

Oklahoma                     66      2.26     Wyoming                      9        2.08

Narrative Information:

 

Influenza (CDC): “The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.” (CDC. Influenza (Flu). “Key Facts About Influenza (Flu).” 10-3-2017 update.)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 on CDC Wonder Online Database, 2003. ICD-9 code 487.0, Influenza, 1979. Accessed 4-29-2019 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza (Flu). “Key Facts About Influenza (Flu).” 10-3-2017 update. Accessed 6-17-2018 at: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] ICD-8 is the 8^th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, a medical classification list by the World Health Organization.

[2] 470 (influenza, unqualified), 471 (influenza with pneumonia), 472 (influenza with other respiratory manifestations), 473 (influenza with digestive manifestations), and 474 (influenza with nervous manifestations).

[3] Codes 470-474 for influenza are differentiated from deaths due to pneumonia (ICD-8 codes 480-486, which in 1978, were 54,267 pneumonia deaths (death rate of 24.41 per 100K).