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— 29 Aircraft Crashes Record Office (Geneva, Switzerland). Indiana.
— 29 NTSB. Aircraft Accident Report. National Jet Services, Inc. Evansville… 8-17-1978, 1.
— 29 Panama City News-Herald, FL. “College Mourns Crash Victims.” 12-15-1977, p. 3C.

Narrative Information

NTSB Synopsis: “At 1922:22 c.s.t. on December 13, 1977, a Douglass DC-3, N51071, operated by National Jet Services, Inc., as a passenger charter flight to transport the University of Evansville basketball team and associated personnel from Evansville, Indiana, to Nashville, Tennessee, crashed within the boundaries of the Evansville Dress Regional Airport, Indiana. The aircraft departed runway 18 in instrument meteorological conditions. The plane crashed less than 1 minute 30 seconds after takeoff. All 29 persons aboard died in the crash.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the accident was an attempted takeoff with the rudder and right aileron control locks installed, in combination with a rearward c. g. [center of gravity], which resulted in the aircraft’s rotating to a nose-high attitude immediately after takeoff, and entering the region of reversed command from which the pilot was unable to recover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the flightcrew to insure that the passenger baggage was loaded in accordance with the configuration contained on the load manifest. Their failure resulted in a rearward center of gravity that was aft of the optimum range, but forward of the rearmost limit.” (p. 1.)

“Two witnesses on the passenger terminal ramp stated that the DC-3 entered a nose-high, steep climbing left turn shortly after liftoff. One witness estimated that the aircraft was in a 15⁰ to 18” nose-up attitude and said that he ‘didn’t think he could make it, he was going to stall from the attitude of the airplane.’ Both witnesses stated that the aircraft entered a steep climbing left turn at a 45⁰ bank angle about 25 ft above the runway, and the turn began about 2,500 ft beyond the threshold of runway 18….” (p. 3.)

“Survival Aspects

“The accident was not survivable. Except for the pilot and the observer [charter company], all persons were thrown free of the wreckage; most occupants were found down the side of the ravine, on the railroad tracks below, and to the south of the wreckage. According to the rescue workers, most of the passengers remained strapped in their seats. Although four passengers were found alive, three died shortly after being found and the fourth died about 0025 on December 14, after being taken to a hospital….” (p. 12.)

(National Transportation Safety Board. Aircraft Accident Report. National Jet Services, Inc. Evansville Dress Regional Airport, Indiana, December 13, 1977. Washington: NTSB, 8-17-1978.)

Newspaper

Dec 15, Panama City News-Herald (AP): “Evansville, Ind. (AP) — The University of Evansville basketball team, killed in a plane crash, was mourned by once-cheerful fans Wednesday. As the students gathered for the memorial service, federal investigators were sorting through what was left of the ancient DC-3 that was to have carried the Aces to a game in Tennessee.

“Eight of the 14 basketball players killed were freshmen, just months out of high school. The crash killed 29 in all, including the coach of the team, two Evansville boosters and the crew of three.

“The Aces, with a season’s record of 1-3, were en route to Middle Tennessee State University at
Murfreesboro. Their plane had left the airport only a minute before it crashed, scattering wreckage and bodies on both sides of a ravine and down among some railroad tracks.

“It was a fearful night, with visibility only 300 feet and three-quarters of a mile. The ‘go team’ of the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates and determines probable causes of such crashes, was more than two hours late leaving Washington because of the continuing bad weather at Evansville, in the southwest corner of Indiana.

“The bodies were removed during the night in railroad boxcars — the easiest way of getting them out.

“The ill-fated DC-3, a twin-engine propeller craft chartered from National Jet Service of Indianapolis, had taken off on a runway heading south, banked sharply left and had completed about a 270-degree turn when it crashed about a quarter-mile from Dress Regional Airport. ‘It probably was headed in a direction I can’t account for at this time,’ said Philip Hogue, a member of the five-man National Transportation Safety Board.

“A grim scene faced the investigators. The plane’s tail, its American flag and number N51071 unscarred, jutted at the horizon. A propeller was 200 feet away. The embankment on each side of the railroad tracks was littered with electric-blue seats, some of them still with their belts buckled. ‘Every place there was a seat, there was a body,’ said one young man who helped bring out the mangled and torn bodies Tuesday night. A brown suitcase, still locked, was standing upright in a mud puddle. A single brown shoe, its laces tied, was nearby. Two first-aid boxes, one with its contents spilled and the other still closed, also were there. Two bodies still were in the wreckage.

“The bodies were removed to various funeral homes Wednesday after lying in a makeshift morgue at the downtown Community Center, 10 miles from the crash site. Two pathologists from the Civil Aeronautical Medical Institute in Oklahoma City were to conduct autopsies of the pilot and co-pilot.

“There was no ‘black box’ flight recorder in the plane. ‘It is not required in the charter business apparently,’ said Hogue. ‘This whole business is under consideration by the Federal Aviation Administration as to what they’ll consider for charter flights and air taxi operators.’ Hogue said there had been no conversation with the airport tower that indicated the pilots were aware of any problems. Such tapes would be requested routinely by the investigators.

“It was the fifth major air crash this year, which safety board spokesman Bob Buckhorn said has been the worst for commercial air travel fatalities. Last year had the lowest number of deaths in 20 years, he said. The biggest airline fatality total was 578 in the collision of two jumbo jets at Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The other major crashes included a Southern Airways DC-9 that went down near New Hope, Ga., killing 47; the death of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band near Gillsburg, Miss., on Nov. 6, and the crash of a New York Airways helicopter that killed five in July.” (Panama City News-Herald, FL. “College Mourns Crash Victims.” 12-15-1977, p. 3C.)

Sources

Aircraft Crashes Record Office (Geneva, Switzerland). Indiana. Accessed 3/9/2009 at: http://www.baaa-acro.com/Pays/Etats-Unis/Indiana.htm

National Transportation Safety Board. Aircraft Accident Report. National Jet Services, Inc. Evansville Dress Regional Airport, Indiana, December 13, 1977. Washington: NTSB, 8-17-1978 (52 pages). Accessed 9-29-2021 at: http://libraryonline.erau.edu/online-full-text/ntsb/aircraft-accident-reports/AAR78-10.pdf

Panama City News-Herald, FL. “College Mourns Crash Victims.” 12-15-1977, p. 3C. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=162512277

–10 Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look at the Hotel Fire Record.” Fire Journal (NFPA), May 1981, 41.
–10 National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. 1983, p. 138.
–10 Rogers, David L. “Blaze in Bay City,” Firehouse, March 1978, p. 68.
–09 Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI. “Bay City Fire Started by Electric Short,” 12-17-1977, 4.

Narrative Information

Rogers: “In Bay City, Michigan, the Wenonah Park Building, 1 96-year-old landmark hotel which had been converted to 103 apartments caught fire December 10, 1977. The final death toll was 10, and more than 40 were injured….

“There were 24 men on duty with Fire Chief Donald J. Besaw’s department when the first call on the Wenonah fire came at 7:44 A.M., December 10. The temperature stood at just a few degrees above zero, and there was a light covering of snow and ice on streets and buildings in the east-central Michigan town. There were 141 tenants and perhaps 20 guest in the four-story brick structure…

“The fire had about a half-hour start when the first call came in from a woman tenant on the second floor of the building. She was not aware of the blaze and called the police to complain of ‘a disturbance in the hall.’ Although lights on the third floor had flickered about 7:00 A.M. and the fire was discovered by tenants about 7:15 A.M., no one called the fire department. One man had even remarked about the hall smoke to early-morning patrons at the Red Lion restaurant across the street from the apartment building. It was a Saturday morning and the building’s residents were slow in waking up.

“Several persons on the third floor were trying to alert those in other apartments by banging on doors. A man who was driving by spotted flames and rushed inside to help. But still nobody called the fire department. By the time police arrive in response to the trouble call, there was chaos. Screaming residents, some naked in the freezing air, were hanging from windows, pleading for help from passersby….

“The Wenonah, built in 1908 and proclaimed ‘as nearly fireproof as it is possible,’ had no fire alarm boxes, automatic sprinkler system, or even smoke detectors. It had 13 standpipe hose storage closets – one on the ground floor and four on each of the other three floors. There were four fire escapes, accessible only to a few units on each corner.

“When police entered the building, the standpipe hoses were stretched for use on the second floor. One gate valve couldn’t be turned on and another could not be charged. Use of one hose by a civilian allowed some residents time to get out. That was the only fire-suppression effort undertaken in almost the first hour after the fire was reported.

“The Bay City Fire Department’s first response…was estimated to be within a minute after the 7:44 A.M. call, since fire headquarters is only 12 blocks from the old hotel….

“Fire inspectors later determined that the fir was started by a short-circuit in a light fixture on the third floor, about midway down the nearly 200-foot long hall. The fire spread under a dropped ceiling, and by 7:15 A.M. was producing billowing black smoke and flames. The fire quickly spread before the alarm was given, trapping residents who had not escaped immediately. It raced the 155 feet on the L-shaped part of the building on Saginaw Street and turned the corner to a 400-foot stretch on Water Street after engulfing the 200-foot section on Center Avenue.

“The building, which took up three-quarters of a block, included the lobby of the old hotel, a ballroom which had been a center of civic and social activity, a bar, offices, a radio station, and 10 stores and shops on the first floor. The 103 apartments on the other three floors had been converted from 306 former hotel rooms.

“Fueled by non-fire-resistant wood paneling and carpeting in the halls, installed when the apartments were constructed in 1970, the fire moved swiftly up and down the open stairwells….As firefighters arrived, they were immediately caught-up in the rescue efforts. ‘There was no fire suppression; it was all rescue’….

“Many residents of the upper floors were aged pensioners and retarded persons, housed under a state contract that paid rent subsidies. Other residents included a number of divorced women and small families. There were 32 children in the building.

“As flames poured from virtually every window on the upper floors, fire-fighters began to rescue the frantic residents on sills, ledges, and roofs. Firefighters accomplished most of the rescues using the 24-foot extension ladders on the three pumpers and the three 100-foot aerial trucks… A number of persons jumped or fell while hanging on and waiting for rescue. One woman called, ‘Catch my baby!’ to a civilian below. He refused, apparently afraid he would drop the child, and told her to wait for firemen to rescue her. A mother jumped from the roof, leaving three small children to be rescued. She broke both her legs when she hit the ground. A patrolman tried to catch an elderly woman who jumped from a third-floor window but couldn’t reach her in time…The woman survived.

“Fortunately, firefighters were soon assisted by three bucket trucks from Michigan Bell Telephone Co., three city light-department bucket trucks, and even a snorkel unit owned by a tree-service firm….

“Two persons who had jumped were dead and three more bodies were soon found inside the building….

“In addition to…[a] frozen hydrant, the cold weather caused other fire-fighting problems. Water from the hoses froze on the streets and Assistant Chief Ayotte had to call for a salt truck to alleviate the problem. Fire-fighters had to sit on the icy streets to control the hoses. Pump gauges froze and gave false readings. The teams using air packs while searching inside the hotel, came out and could not be sent back in because moisture in the packs froze, rendering them inoperable….

“At 10:15 A.M. the roof collapsed [firefighters were pulled out earlier for fear of a collapse]. About six hours after the fire began, it finally was brought under control….

“The search for bodies resumed with daylight on Sunday and four more victims were found, making a total (at that point) of nine fatalities. The tenth victim died in a hospital burn-unit one month later. One 79-year-old woman had been found lying across her doorway into the hall, A man was found with his hand on the telephone. Others discovered were in their apartment, some still in bed….most of the victims died of smoke inhalation….” (Rogers, David L. “Blaze in Bay City,” Firehouse, March 1978, pp. 68-73.)

Newspapers

Dec 11, United Press International: “Bay City, Mich. (UPI) – A flash fire roared through an aging downtown landmark hotel Saturday, sending flames from every window and forcing scores of screaming residents to leap for their lives in zero-degree temperatures. At least six were killed and 11 others were missing. Authorities said they would wait until Sunday morning before searching for more possible victims beneath the partially collapsed ruins of the four-story Wenonah Park building, a combination apartment building and hotel that housed numerous welfare recipients….

“Sixty others were injured in the blaze, which spread so quickly that numerous barefoot residents clad only in night clothes could not reach the two fire escapes. They clung to window ledges screaming for help before dropping to the ground that was covered with snow and ice. ‘People were jumping from everywhere,’ a police dispatcher said….” (The Salina Journal, KS. “Michigan Hotel Blaze Kills Six; 11 Missing,” Dec 11 1977, p. 1.)

Dec 17, United Press International: “Bay City (UPI) – An electrical short, not arson, was the most likely cause of a flash fire that killed nine residents and injured 60 others at the Wenonah Park Hotel, authorities said Friday. Det. Sgt. Richard Hofmann, a state fire investigator, told a news conference that studies of debris from the 70-year-old downtown landmark revealed evidence of a wiring failure. ‘There was very severe shorting inside a conduit where copper wire melted,’ Hofmann said. ‘This would indicate heat of 2,000 degrees needed to melt the copper, and it appears this could have caused the fire’.” (Record-Eagle (Traverse City, MI). “Bay City Fire Started by Electric Short,” Dec 17, 1977, p. 4.)

Sources

Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look at the Hotel Fire Record.” Fire Journal (NFPA), May 1981, pp. 38-41.

National Fire Protection Association. The 1984 Fire Almanac. Quincy, MA: NFPA, 1983.

Record-Eagle, Traverse City, MI. “Bay City Fire Started by Electric Short,” 12-17-1977, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=64069317

Rogers, David L. “Blaze in Bay City,” Firehouse, March 1978, pp. 68-73.

–17 Casetext.com. “In re Helicopter Crash near Marsh Island, Louisiana, on December 8 1977.”
–17 Planecrashinfo.com. “1977. Accident Details. Petroleum Helicopter, Intracoastal City, LA.
–17 Ruston Daily Leader, LA. “17 Die In Helicopter Crash,” Dec 9, 1977, p. 4.
–17 Assoc. Press. “A look at deadly oil Industry accidents.” Victoria Advocate, TX. 4-21-2010.

Narrative Information

Casetext.com: “This litigation consists of eleven actions pending in three districts: nine in the Western District of Louisiana and one each in the Eastern District of Louisiana and the Eastern District of Texas.

“The actions arose from a helicopter crash on an oil production platform near Marsh Island, Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico on December 8, 1977. Seventeen persons were killed and two persons were injured in the accident. Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI), the owner of the helicopter that crashed, is named as a defendant in all eleven actions. Mission Viking, Inc. (Mission), the operator of the platform on which the crash occurred, is a defendant in all actions except the Texas action. Aerospatiale Helicopter Corporation (Aerospatiale), the manufacturer of the helicopter, is a defendant in seven of the Western District of Louisiana actions. American Home Assurance Company (American), PHI’s and Mission’s insurance company, is a defendant in five of the Western District of Louisiana actions. PHI is accused of negligence in the piloting of the helicopter; Mission is accused of negligence in positioning a crane in close proximity to the landing area on the oil production platform; and Aerospatiale is accused of negligence in the design, manufacture and testing of the helicopter….” (Casetext.com. “In re Helicopter Crash Near Marsh Island, Louisiana, on December 8 1977.” 12-1-1978.)

Planecrashinfo.com: “Collided with cable crane. Crane operator failed to park crane boom in stowed position.” Two survivors.

Newspaper

Dec 9, United Press International: “Lafayette, La. (UPI) — Officials say a helicopter crash in the Gulf of Mexico that killed 17 offshore oil workers may have been caused by a collision between the aircraft and a crane on an oil rig. All but two of the 19 men aboard the twin-engine helicopter were killed in the accident Thursday. None of the bodies have been recovered….

“Pennzoil Co. operates the platform, known as Platform A, which holds both oil and gas wells in 200 feet of water about 90 miles southwest of Morgan City, La….15 of those killed were Pennzoil employees….

“The accident occurred shortly after noon, and PHI [Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.] immediately dispatched several helicopters to the scene to begin rescue operations. The Coast Guard, which was notified about two hours later, sent a carrier, several helicopters and an airplane from Mobile, Ala.

“Winds were ranging from 20 to 30 knots and seas were reported at eight to 10 feet at the time of the accident….” (Ruston Daily Leader, LA. “17 Die In Helicopter Crash,” Dec 9, 1977, p. 4.)

Sources

Associated Press. “A look at deadly oil Industry accidents.” Victoria Advocate, TX. 4-21-2010. Accessed 10-2-2021 at: https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/state/a-look-at-deadly-oil-industry-accidents/article_738b9368-cbdf-55e3-9c41-056408262ed7.html

Casetext.com. “In re Helicopter Crash Near Marsh Island, Louisiana, on December 8 1977.” 12-1-1978. Accessed 10-2-2021 at: https://casetext.com/case/in-re-helicopter-crash-near-marsh-island-louisiana-on-december

Planecrashinfo.com. “1977. Accident Details. Petroleum Helicopter, Intracoastal City, LA…Dec 8, 1977.” Accessed 10-2-2021 at: http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1977/1977-55.htm

Ruston Daily Leader, LA. “17 Die In Helicopter Crash.” 12-9-1977, p. 4. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=139550321

—   116  Blanchard tally based on State and local breakouts below.

—     75  Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2.

—   >71  UPI. “Weather Now Easing in East.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 1.

—   >54  Capital Times, Madison, WI. “At least 54 die in cold weather.” 1-31-1977, p. 1.

—     47  Times Reporter, Dover, OH. “8 die in Buffalo blizzard.” 1-31-1977, p. 1.[1]

—     45  AP. “45 Lives, 1.5 Million Jobs Claimed by Cold.” Syracuse Post-Standard, 1-31-1977, 2.

—   >36  Lima News, OH. “At least 36 dead in storm; job losses feared; fuel…” 1-30-1977, p. 1.

—     29  Schwartz and Schmidlin 2002, “Climatology of Blizzards in the Conterminous US…”

 

Summary of Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Georgia          (     4)

Illinois                        (     6)

Indiana           (   21)

Michigan        (   17)

Minnesota      (     4)

New York       (   31)

Ohio               (   20)

Pennsylvania (     3)

Wisconsin      (   10)

            Total      116

 

Breakout of Fatalities by State and Localities (where we have seen reporting)

 

Georgia          (      4)

–4  By Jan 29. Drownings; people falling through thin ice. Associated Press.[2]

 

Illinois                        (      6)

–1  Alton. Apparent heart attack trying to get stuck car free from the snow; Mathias Feltes, 71.[3]

–1  Joliet area, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded motorist; left car seeking shelter; Helen Tucker, 49.[4]

–1  Oakwood, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded; left car seeking shelter; Larry Williams, 35.[5]

–1  Rt. 78, so. of Rt. 88, Jan 26. Cars collide in “blizzard-like conditions.” Rhoda L. Wilson, 20.[6]

–1  Waukegan, Jan 30. Car overturns on slick and snow-covered road; Joseph D. Morrisey, 19.[7]

–1  Bethany area, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded, left car seeking shelter; Delores Courtney, 40.[8]

 

Indiana           (   21)

–21  State. Anderson Herald, IN. “Roadways a Bit Less Restricted.” 2-1-1977, p. 1.[9]

–21  State. Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2.

–14  State. Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

—  9  North IN, Jan 28. Exposure; snow-stranded motorists who left cars; over-exertion/heart attacks.[10]

—  1  Anderson, Jan 29. Heart attack outside apartment in severe cold; Ellis Bell, 59.[11]

—  1  Fort Wayne, Jan 27-29. Suffocation; man falls into snowbank, unable to get out.[12]

—  2  Fowler, Benton Co. CO poisoning; couple in home; malfunctioning furnace or venting.[13]

—  1  Jasper County. Vehicular crash in snowstorm. Associated Press, 1-29-1977.[14]

 

Michigan        (      17)

–17  Blanchard tally based on locality/cause breakouts below.

—  9  Heart attacks related to shoveling snow.[15]

Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting.

–1  Bloomfield Hills, Jan 28. Man killed by snowplow. (NCC. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, p.5.)[16]

–1  Bloomingdale, Jan 28. Shed collapse; snow weight; man killed. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, 5.[17]

–1  Caledonia, Jan 26. Man hit by car during blizzard.   (NCC. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, p. 5.)

–1  Detroit, Jan 28. Exposure; female mental patient found frozen on Detroit River ice.[18]

–1  Georgetown Township, Jan 26. Car crushed between two semi’s in “blinding snowstorm.”[19]

–1  Grand Rapids, Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow; Maryammi Apsitis, 60.[20]

–1  Troy, I-75, Jan 30. Pontiac man (pedestrian) struck by car.[21]

–2  Location and date not noted. Teenagers killed in snowmobile accident.[22]

 

Minnesota      (       4)

–3  Fergus Falls area, Jan 27. Car-truck collision; three women from Albert Lea and Wells.[23]

–1  Jeffers, Jan 27. Two-car collision in “zero visibility” driving conditions; Eric James Tiegen, 18.[24]

 

New York       (   31)

–31  State.      Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2.

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

–29  Grabianowski. “10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time. The Buffalo Blizzard of 1977.”[25]

–29  Western NY. Kolker, Ben (NWS, Buffalo Int. AP); in Rossi. White Death. 1978, p. 285.[26]

–29  Western NY. National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.

–29  National Weather Service, Buffalo, New York. “An Overview of the Blizzard [of ‘77].”

–29  USA Today. “Buffalo remembers infamous blizzard of ’77.” 6-1-2002.[27]

–26  Western NY. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo…” 2-7-1977, 2.   

–23  Western NY. Bahr. The Blizzard. 1980, p. 181

–18  Erie County.

–11  Buffalo.

—  5  Surrounding areas.

–23  Western. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Buffalo named a disaster area.” 2-5-1977, p. 13.

–23      “         Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 modification.[28]

Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:

—  1  Bennington, Wyoming Co., Jan 30. Man, 23, trying to free car from snowbank hit by truck.[29]

–12  Buffalo.  Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “Death toll rises in Buffalo.” 2-22-1977, p. 6.[30]

–13  “Buffalo, N.Y….At least 13 area deaths have been attributed to Western [NY]…”[31]

–11  Bahr 1980, p. 181; Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 modification.[32]

–10   “All were found frozen.”[33]

–10  Blanchard tally of breakouts below.[34]

—  9  Deaths in vehicles in Buffalo and western NY. NCC. Storm Data, 19/1, Jan 1977, 6.

—  8  Hypothermia or CO poisoning; men found stranded/trapped in cars and trucks.[35]

—  7  Jan 28. In cars in snowdrifts. Associated Press, 1-29-1977.[36]

—  1  Heart attack, Feb 1. Buffalo patrolman Carl Reese, 38; after delivering meds to homebound.[37]

—  1  Exposure; body found Feb 19 in snowdrift; James, Ivy, 51; last seen Jan 28.[38]

—  1  Clay, Onondaga Co., Rt. 481 near Rt. 31. 12-vehicle pileup; “blinding snow” icy road.[39]

—  1  Dexter, Jefferson Co., Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow; Stuart D. Christie, 64.[40]

—  7  Erie Co., other than Buffalo. Bahr 1980, 181; Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 mod.[41]

—  1  Cheektowaga. Woman, 42, hit by car during storm, died Feb 7.[42]

—  1  Fishers Landing, Jefferson County. Found Feb 9. Heart attack shoveling snow.[43]

—  1  Greece, Monroe Co. Exposure; William Dunning, 66, found dead Jan 30 in snowbank.[44]

—  1  Massena, St. Lawrence Co. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Clarence Earl Bandy, 62.[45]

—  1  Niagara Falls, Niagara County. Man found Feb 6 frozen in snowbank.[46]

—  2  Parma, Monroe Co. CO poisoning; snow-blower in garage; Gregory Parker, 32, Diana, 6.[47]

—  1  Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co.. Jan 28. Apparent heart attack after shoveling snow. (Sullivan).[48]

—  1  Rochester, Monroe Co. Exposure; body of Robert Lacey, 59, found Jan 30 in snowbank outside home.[49]

—  1  Syracuse, Onondaga Co. Heart attack; Public Works foreman Howard B. Coleman, 42.[50]

 

Ohio               (   20)

–20  Ohio Historical Society. Severe Weather in Ohio. “January 28, 1977: Statewide Blizzard.”

–20  State, Jan 28-29. Schmidlin and Schmidlin 1996, p. 59.

–13  Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.

Breakout of fatalities by locality where we have seen reporting:

–1  Amherst, Jan 28. Heart attack while shoveling snow at home; Conrad Einwachter, 73.[51]

–5  Fostoria vic., Jan 28. Carbon monoxide poisoning in stranded car lost on rural road.[52]

–William P. Loeffier Jr., 18. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.

–Harold E. Newton, 45. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.

–Orville L. Chapman, 44. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.

–Paul R. Lemaster, 47. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.

–Larry D. Perkins, 20. AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.

–1  Lisbon, Jan 29. Heart attack while shoveling snow; W. G. “Cappy” Lewis, 66.[53]

–1  Mercer Co., US 127 near Fort Recovery-Minster Rd. Woman, 47, hit by car.[54]

–1  Milan, Jan 28-29. “…woman froze to death…while trying to walk 3 miles to her home.”[55]

–1  Monroeville, Jan 28. Exposure; trying to walk home from work after car stuck in snow (Ramsey).[56]

–1  Pataskala. Jan 28-29. Exposure; sleep-walking out front door at home; Sally Shelton, 37.[57]

–1  Steubenville, Jan 31. Hypothermia; “…man…found frozen to death in his unheated home.”[58]

–1  Van Wert vic., Jan 27. Man, 72, crushed trying to free snow-stuck vehicle; hit by truck.[59]

 

Pennsylvania (  3)

–1  Altoona, Jan 27. Heart attack shoveling snow; William G. Porta, 75.[60]

–1  Connellsville. Hypothermia; coal furnace fire goes out, temperature drops to freezing, woman, 83.[61]

–1  North Beaver Township, Jan 28. Man hit by car in high wind and zero visibility storm (Kulich).[62]

 

Wisconsin      (10)

–1  Beloit, Jan 27. Heart attack plowing snow; Kenneth P. Howell, 62.[63]

–1  Brookfield, Jan 26. Exposure; woman found by motorist on the ground beside road.[64]

–1  Brookfield, Jan 26 or 27; Heart attack shoveling snow; Roland Scheer, 68.[65]

–1  Brookfield, Jan 26. Motorist drove his truck into side of moving train; blinding snow.[66]

–1  Dodge County, Jan 26 or 27. Weather-related traffic fatality; Gary L. Luebke, 29, of Mayville.[67]

–1  Green Bay, Jan 26 or 27. Exposure; body of man found on Jan 27 in snow bank.[68]

–1  Green Bay, Jan 28. Exposure; man, 61, apparently locked himself out of mobile home, subzero temp.[69]

–2  Milwaukee, Jan 28. CO poisoning; two women, two dogs in car, motor running.[70]

–1  St. Francis (Milwaukee suburb), Jan 28. Heart attack shoveling snow; Phillip Sikorski, 71.[71]

 

Narrative Information — General

 

Jan 27: “Washington (AP) — Distorted winds in the earth’s upper atmosphere are continuing a months-long pattern, pulling air south from the frozen Arctic. And the National Weather Service says there is no relief in sight for the frigid United States. About two-thirds of the nation and much of the rest of the world is experiencing the harshest winter in at least five years. The weather service says there appears to be no long-term warming trend in sight, forecasting lower than normal temperatures over much of the East for at least the next two weeks.

 

“The weather has caused shortages of heating fuels, which has closed businesses and schools in some areas, and President Carter has asked Congress for emergency authority to divert natural gas to hardest hit regions.

 

“Dr. Donald Gilman, head of the weather service’s Long Range Prediction Group, said Wednesday [Jan 26] that Arctic air is moving farther south than usual because of a sustained distortion in upper atmosphere wind patterns. Gilman said earlier that such upper wind distortions, with winds circulating hundreds of miles farther south than normal are not uncommon but that this distortion is different. ‘What is uncommon is that this distortion set in place in September and locked in place for four months,’ he said. Such a pattern allows cold fronts from the Arctic Circle to swing as far south as Texas and Florida….” (Associated Press. “Distorted Wind Pattern Blamed for Arctic Cold.” Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL, 1-27-1977, p. 1.)

 

District of Columbia

 

Jan 28, Storm Data: “Winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph blew large tree across two parked autos. Temperatures dropped 23 degrees in a two-hour period at Washington National Airport.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 4.)

 

Illinois

 

Jan 27-30, Northern two-thirds of state: “Blizzard conditions were felt over much of the state during this period. A 1 to 3 inch snow was accompanied by very high winds causing snow drifts as high as 4-6 feet, closing many major highways. Numerous motorists were stranded for long periods of time. Three such motorists died of exposure as they left their cars to seek shelter. The strong winds blew down power lines, resulting in power outages. Many schools and businesses were forced to close.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.)

 

Jan 29, UPI: “Arctic winds, packing subzero temperatures, pushed a near blizzard across Illinois Friday [Jan 28], paralyzing travel and closing hundreds of schools….Wind-chill factors hit 80 below zero in Moline, 100 below in Freeport, 68 below in Rockford and Springfield and 62 below in Chicago….In De Kalb County, Sheriff Wilbur Scott ordered the arrest of anyone who tried to drive on roads that were closed….” (UPI. “Illinois Survives Blizzard.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 1-29-1977, p. 1.)

 

Indiana:

 

Jan 27-28: “Northern half of Indiana…9 [deaths]…Blizzard…2 to 4 inches of snow fell across norther Indiana late Thursday night [Jan 27] and early Friday morning. By 6 AM blizzard conditions had developed over the norther half with winds of 35-45 mph and gusts to 55 mph. Visibilities were frequently near zero, especially in open areas. Drifts quickly closed most roads. By late morning temperatures were 5 to 10 degrees below zero with wind chill readings 50-70 below. Most activity was at a standstill. Many travelers did not realize the severity of the storm and were stranded on Indiana highways. Conditions were extremely critical near and north of Lafayette. Several deaths resulted from exposure to cold. Other deaths were caused by over-exertion in dangerously cold weather. Some field damage may have occurred due to the strong winds stripping off the top soil. Schools were closed for several days following storm.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.)

 

Jan 29: “Indiana, already in a state of emergency, was virtually paralyzed Friday [Jan 28] by another arctic blast that closed schools and businesses, stranded thousands of motorists and complicated the ever-more serious natural gas shortage. John F. Coppes, director of the Indiana Employment Security Division, estimated that up to 45,000 persons had been laid off in the last two weeks because of the weather-related energy crisis, including 29,000 in the last two days. Officials said that estimate was made before the latest storm dealt Indiana what may be the harshest blow yet.

 

“Gov. Otis R. Brown urged all retail businessmen to curtail their hours and asked retail groceries to observe uniform hours, between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., in all but portions of southern Indiana. Northern Indiana Public Service Co., serving 30 northern Indiana counties, asked all nonresidential customers, except groceries and drug stores, to close until the emergency passes. The utility said that probably won’t be before Tuesday [Feb 2]. That’s when the National Weather Service at Indianapolis said dangerously cold temperatures are expected to leave the state. Temperatures Saturday morning were expected to dip as low as 25 below zero in northern Indiana and around 15 below in central and southern parts of the state.

 

“Winds, gusting up to 50 miles an hour, complicated Friday’s picture, whipping snow across roadways and reducing visibility to near zero at times. Windchill readings, reflecting how cold it feels instead of how cold it really is, went as low a 65 below zero at Fort Wayne.

 

“At least three weather-related deaths were reported, one in a traffic crash in snowbound Jasper County and a Fowler couple believed overcome by furnace fumes in their home.

 

“Gen. Alfred F. Ahner, adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard, said it ‘could potentially become’ the worst disaster in the state’s history, though he cautioned that the situation hasn’t reached that stage yet. ‘It could become real bad should there be a gas failure or an electrical failure,’ the general advised. He ordered open all 71 national guard armories around the state in an effort to set up ‘refugee points’ for stranded persons….” (Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1.)

 

Iowa:

 

Jan 27-28, Northern and Eastern Iowa: “Blizzard. Strong northwest winds gusting to 55 mph combined with sub-zero temperatures and one to two inches of snow to bring blizzard conditions. Visibilities were reduced to near zero in blowing snow. Travel halted as most roads and highways blocked with drifts to 6 feet or more. Wind chill factors of 60 to 90 below were common with many cases of frost bite reported. Numerous reports of frozen and broken water lines.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.)

 

Maryland

 

Jan 28, Western MD: “Afternoon & Evening…Blizzard. Two to four inch snowfall combined with rapidly-falling temperatures and 50-60 mph winds. Motorists, unable to see as visibilities dropped to zero, pulled autos to the side or abandoned them in the middle of roads. Hundreds of travelers were reported stranded for many hours. Temperature dropped from 40 degrees to 12 degrees in Garrett County between noon and 1 pm.” (National Climatic Center/NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 4.)

 

Michigan

 

Jan 26-31, Storm Data: “Blizzards. Winds of 30 to 60 MPH and wind chill of 30 to 50 below zero swept across the state. The worst conditions occurred on the 26^th and 28^th when visibilities were lowered to near zero over large areas for long periods of time causing many multi-car accidents and leaving thousands of abandoned vehicles littering the roads. One man was killed by a car in Caledonia on the 26^th and another man was killed by a snowplow in Bloomfield Hills on the 28^th. Both drivers were unable to see the men due to the low visibilities. A third man in Bloomingdale was crushed to death on the 28^th when a shed collapsed on him under the weight of heavy snow. 41 other people were treated for frostbit. Factories and schools were closed for days. Some rural areas reported people snowbound in their homes from the 26^th to the end of the month. Snow removal crews subcontracted extra people and equipment to remove 10-foot drifts from north-south roads. Some naturally formed drifts were 20-feet high. Hardest hit were Muskegon, Kent, Cass, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Allegan & Monroe Counties.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.)

 

Minnesota

 

Jan 26-29, Storm Data: “Four day windstorm began evening of Jan 25 with low pressure center over Western Ontario, and Canadian cold front approaching northern North Dakota border. By midnight front had already moved to South Dakota with strong pressure gradient and winds gusting to the 60s. Strong winds continued thru Wednesday the 26^th. A new cold front moved into and over State Thursday, 27^th followed again by very strong gradient thru the 28^th and 29^th, winds gradually diminishing the 30^th and 31^st. Most roads in Minnesota closed Thursday due to blowing and drifting snow — numerous traffic accidents — winds combined with subzero temps produced wind chills of 60-80 degrees below zero — Three killed in car-truck collision near Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County — Austin man died in 2-car collision near Windom, Cottonwood County — 3 others hospitalized — Friday, Jan 28 more than 260 schools remained closed due to high winds and low temps…St. Paul water utility crews worked 16 hour shifts to thaw frozen water pipes.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.)

 

New York

 

Grabianowski:  “A modest snowfall and brutal winds averaging 45 mph (72.4 kph), with gusts of 75 mph (120.7 kph) would’ve made for a nasty storm at any time, but an unusually cold and snowy winter had left several feet of packed snow already on the ground. As if that weren’t bad enough, snow covered much of the frozen surface of nearby Lake Erie, giving the wind even more snow to drift and blow. The result was zero visibility and roads blocked by snow. The storm brought intense cold (the temperature dropped more than 20 degrees in just a few hours) and stranded people at work or, worse, in their cars… The conditions led to 29 deaths in Western New York and Southern Ontario. Storm effects were felt into Canada and as far east as Watertown, N.Y.

 

“Although the city of Buffalo generally gets less snow than other nearby cities and has warmer winter temperatures than many northern regions, this one storm cemented Buffalo’s reputation as the blizzard capital of the United States. In fact, 1977 still holds Buffalo’s record for the most snow in one season — 199.4 inches (5.06 m).”  (Grabianowski, Ed. “10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time. #2 The Buffalo Blizzard of 1977.” Howstuffworks.com.)

 

NCC/NOAA on Jan 28-Feb 1 in Jefferson, Oswego, Lewis & St. Lawrence Counties: “Blizzard. A winter storm began about 3:30 PM Friday, January 28^th as a strong cold front moved through the Counties of Lewis, Jefferson, Oswego, and St. Lawrence and became a five-day blizzard which literally buried these counties. Winds were gusting from 50 to 65 MPH and over five feet of snow was reported to have fallen during the five day period in the vicinity of Watertown. Roads were blocked by drifts ranging from 15 to 30 feet and more than 1000 motorists were stranded. Schools and businesses closed and the National Guard, as well as any available volunteers were delivering food, fuel, and supplies to residents as well as the stranded. Three men died of heart attacks while shoveling snow and another suffered a heart attack in his automobile and died. Snow removal costs were estimated to exceed two million. Four dairy barns…collapsed with at least $350,000 worth of damage and in addition, many dairy farmers had to dump approximately $350,000 worth of milk which could not be delivered.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.)

 

NCC/NOAA on Jan 26-27 Western NY: “Strong winds and snow. Strong winds gusting to 54 mph early on the 27^th produced extremely poor visibilities and drifting, blowing snow. Roads and highways were closed. Schools, factories and the Airport closed due to the poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions. 4 inches of snow fell overnight at the Buffalo Airport. (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.)

 

NCC/NOAA on Jan 28-Feb 1, Western NY: “All Counties. Hardest hit were: Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus…29 [killed]…Blizzard…

 

“A rapidly developing low pressure system, moving eastward just north of the Lower Lakes Region, moved into Quebec, decelerated and turned northward, keeping Western New York in a very strong flow of cold Arctic air. As the associated cold front moved across the area, blizzard conditions arrived suddenly and completely paralyzed the area. Visibility dropped from three-quarters of a mile at 11:20 a.m. to zero at 11:38 a.m. Officially the visibility stayed at zero until 12:50 a.m. on the 29^th, when it increased to three- eighths of a mile. The rapid drop in visibility trapped Airport snow removal crews in their plows, while they were working on runway snow removal at Buffalo. 5 plows were abandoned as the crews got into one plow and slowly worked their way back to the garage. An airline mechanic, emerged from a plane parked on the ramp and got lost on his way to the terminal; he wandered onto the runway and into one of the abandoned plows. Thousands of motorists experienced the same fate and abandoned their vehicles and took any nearby shelter. Churches, fire halls, police stations, restaurants, and private homes became emergency shelters.

 

“The wind gusted to 69 mph on the 28^th and gusts over 50 mph were recorded each day of the storm. Snowdrifts over 25 feet high were reported with buildings and thousands of cars being buried. Many roads and highways remained closed over a week later, as drifts were too high and the snow packed too tightly for plow removal, so front loaders and other earth moving equipment was utilized. Four wheel drive vehicles and snowmobiles were the only reliable vehicles operating. The Mayor of the City of Buffalo and a few other communities issued bans on vehicle operation, with only emergency and essential personnel able to travel.

 

“Wind chill temperature remained at minus 50 degrees or lower much of the time. Losses in excess of 250 million dollars were estimated to have occurred, in storm damage, snow removal costs, lost wages, recovery assistance such as food stamps and lost production. The Counties of Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus were declared Major Disaster areas gy President Carter. The Federal Disaster Assistance Agency, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard, Army Engineers from Fort Bragg, N.C., and heavy equipment operators assisted local crews in snow removal. The City of New York sent snow blowers and the City of Toronto, Canada sent two large snow melters to help out.

 

“Weather records showed this to be the most severe blizzard on record. At the Buffalo Airport 12.2 inches of snow fell during the period. The excessively high drifts resulted from the snow pack of 33 inches that had been accumulating since late November, with little thawing and freezing to provide an ice crust. Communities adjacent to Lake Erie were buried as the snow blew onshore off the ice covered Lake. Twenty-nine persons lost their lives in storm related incidents. At least 9 of these were found in snow buried automobiles. The cold temperatures coupled with a heating gas shortage resulted in numerous factories, all schools, many public buildings, and commercial establishments closing or curtailing hours of operation.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 6.)

 

NWS on Buffalo:  “….On the 27th of January, low pressure crossed Lake Erie and moved to James Bay in Canada. During the 5 days that followed, this huge storm system became stalled east of James Bay then actually moved back west over James Bay before finally moving east to the Canadian Maritimes.

 

“The storm began on the 28th of January as snow started falling at 5 am. As winds freshened from the south ahead of a strong cold front, about two inches of new powder had accumulated on top of the 33 inch snowpack and drifts from previous storms dating back before Christmas! During the morning, the temperature rose rapidly from five degrees at midnight to 26 degrees at 11 am.  At 11:35 am however, the storm hit with a ferocity that many in this snow-savvy city had never before seen.  As the cold front passed through Buffalo, the visibility dropped from 3/4 mile to zero and the wind shifted and increased to southwest at 29 mph with gusts to 49 mph. The temperature fell 26 degrees to zero in just over four hours!

 

“The blizzard reached its worst severity during the late afternoon as winds at the Buffalo airport averaged 46 mph and gusted to 69 mph.  Gusts of 75 mph were recorded at the Niagara Falls airport, about 20 miles north of Buffalo. Wind chills reached 50 to 60 degrees below zero.  Thousands were stranded in office buildings, schools, police stations, fire halls, and factories.  Cars were stalled everywhere and roads became impassable.

 

“When a fire broke out on Whitney Place in the heart of the city, fire fighting equipment was initially unable to get through.  Six homes were completely destroyed and fifty people were left homeless. Nearly all transportation in and out of Buffalo stopped.

 

“In addition to Erie county [NY], states of emergency were declared in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties.[72] All roads were closed in Wyoming and Livingston counties as well.   Blizzard or near blizzard conditions prevailed on and off for the next three days, ending around midday on February 1st. Daily peak Gusts of 51, 52, 58, and 46 mph were recorded from the 29th through the 1st.

 

“On Saturday the 29th, while blizzard conditions prevailed the Buffalo Courier Express could not publish it’s morning paper for the first time in 143 years. The federal government issued a declaration of Emergency which allowed their agencies to come in and provide whatever was needed to restore normalcy to the region. By the 30th, Federal officials had taken over snow removal operations and before the end of the storm over 500 national guardsmen were helping in the disaster.  Offers for aid and relief came from as far away as mainland Europe as the news spread worldwide.

 

“It was estimated that snow removal costs alone exceeded 20 million dollars.  Snowmobilers and those with four wheel drive became invaluable as they delivered emergency food and medical supplies.

 

“Sadly, 29 deaths Were blamed on the storm, many found frozen in their half buried cars during the four day ordeal.  In addition, looting of businesses and stranded cars also took place beginning on the 29th with nearly one hundred arrested.

 

“When the sun finally came out for good on the 1st of February, its cold light revealed a scene of incredible desolation in Buffalo and over the seven western county area. The city as well as most other communities banned traffic for several days. The army was called in from Fort Bragg, NC to augment the national guardsmen. Some of the eastern suburbs of Buffalo, particularly Lancaster, were buried to the roofs of homes in some cases.

 

“The storms toll was felt by all. Factories and industries were closed for over a week. Retailers reported millions in lost sales as stores remained closed. At the Buffalo Zoo, over 20 animals perished in the storm and damage was estimated at nearly a half a million dollars….

 

“President Carter declared seven western counties federal disaster areas, the first time ever for a snowstorm in the United States.  Ironically, the snow at Buffalo totaled only about 12 inches from January 28th to February 1st.  However, most of the snow was believed to be from existing snow lying on the frozen surface of Lake Erie that was blown across Buffalo and the surrounding areas and redeposited.

 

“Buffalo was not the only area in the Eastern Great Lakes Region to feel the brunt of this epic storm.  Immediately to the west, across the Niagara Peninsula in southern Ontario, Canada, conditions were just as bad.  Well to the east of Buffalo across the northern New York counties of Lewis and Jefferson, which includes the city of Watertown the tremendous winds were accompanied by very heavy lake effect snows.”  (National Weather Service, Buffalo, New York. “An Overview of the Blizzard [of ‘77].”)

 

Feb 2: “Buffalo, N.Y….Police say looting has become a problem….with looters who were hitting abandoned cars and stores.” (Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Blizzards bury Buffalo.” 2-2-1977, p. 3.)

 

Feb 3: “Buffalo, N.Y. (AP)….The city was just beginning to dig out from the storm, which left thousands laid off from jobs, at least seven persons frozen to death in their cars, and 59 persons arraigned on charges of looting stores….” (Herald-Star, Steubenville, OH. “Buffalo Blizzard Strands Ohioans.” 2-3-1977, p. 14.)

 

Feb 22: “Buffalo (AP) — The city’s death toll from the Jan. 28 blizzard rose to 12 after another victim was found frozen in a snowbank.  The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office said on Sunday that James Ivy, 51, of Buffalo, died from “exposure to cold.”  Authorities said his body was found in a kneeling position on Saturday by two boys playing in the snow near his home.  Ivy, known as “Cramps” around the apartment complex where he lived, was last seen when he left his apartment during the blizzard for a trip to a liquor store.” (Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “Death toll rises in Buffalo.” 2-22-1977, p. 6.)

 

Ohio

 

NCC Storm Data, Jan 28-29: “Blizzard and Unusual Cold. A blizzard with winds to 60 mph moved into Ohio in the early morning of the 28^th and continued until early a.m. the 29^th. Snowfall amounts ranged from 4 inches to over a foot. The temperature fell to 10 to 20 below zero in the night of Friday the 28^th. Five men froze to death in a stranded car near Fostoria in Seneca County. A woman froze to death in Milan while trying to walk 3 miles to her home. Another woman was found frozen to death on the morning of the 29^th outside her home in Pataskala in Licking County. She had apparently been sleep walking. Many people were treated for frostbite and there was considerable freeze damage around the state.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.)

 

NCC Storm Data, Jan 31: A cold airmass moved into the state dropping temperatures below zero. A man was found frozen to death in his unheated home in Steubenville. There were many cases of frostbite treated and there was considerable freeze damage done around the state.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.)

 

OH Historical Society: “National Weather Service forecasters called for a blizzard warning across Ohio early on Friday, January 28, 1977. The cold wave and high winds swept across the state at dawn. Temperatures fell from 20 degrees to 5 to 10 degrees below zero during the day. High winds and blowing snow accompanied the cold wave. Winds of 35 to 45 mph, gusting to 60, blew new snow and snow already on the ground into huge drifts and obscured visibility.

 

“Ohio was shut down by the blizzard Friday afternoon with no improvement into Saturday. Schools were closed across the state Friday, as were most of the major airports. Drifts blocked many state highways and some counties were entirely isolated. Stores, factories, and government offices not already closed by natural gas shortages were shut down by the blizzard. Heroic actions performed by the Ohio National Guard, police and fire crews, and hundreds of ordinary citizens saved dozens of lives and gave comfort to hundreds more. These actions kept the death toll to 20 in the blizzard. Kidney dialysis patients and stroke victims were flown to hospitals in National Guard helicopters. Hundreds of stranded Fayette County residents were airlifted to shelter. By Sunday, most roads were opened and most stores and businesses opened Monday morning.” (Ohio Historical Society. Severe Weather in Ohio. “January 28, 1977: Statewide Blizzard.”)

 

Schmidlin and Schmidlin: “Severe winter weather in Ohio during January 1977 culminated with a statewide blizzard on Friday, 28 January….Temperatures at Toledo fell from 20 to -2 degrees in just ninety minutes and settled to -7 degrees at noon…The other element of a blizzard, high winds and blowing snow, came with the frigid air Friday morning and continued into Saturday.  Only two to four inches of new snow came with the storm, but previous snow-falls had left six to twelve inches of snow over all of Ohio as the blizzard began.  Winds of thirty-five to forty-five miles an hour, gusting to sixty, lifted the snow into the air, obscuring visibility and creating huge drifts….Ohio was shut down by Friday afternoon, and little improvement came until late Saturday….

 

“Governor James Rhodes called on the Ohio National Guard with their heavy vehicles and helicopters to rescue stranded persons, provide medical evacuations, and clear roads.  Kidney dialysis patients and stroke victims were flown to hospitals in National Guard helicopters.  Two National Guard trucks carried ninety-eight schoolchildren home from snowbound Lake County schools.  Hundreds of stranded Fayette County residents were airlifted to shelter by National Guard helicopters….

 

“Efforts of rescue and comfort held the death toll to twenty in the blizzard, according to the Toledo Blade.  In the most dramatic tragedy, five Springfield men died of carbon monoxide in their car stuck along Buckley Road near Fostoria.  They were found by snowmobilers Friday evening, the exhaust pipe of their car blocked by a snowdrift.” (Schmidlin, Thomas W. and Jeanne Appelhans Schmidlin.  Thunder in the Heartland:  A Chronicle of Outstanding Weather Events in Ohio.  Kent State University Press, 1996, p. 59.)

 

Pennsylvania

 

NCC Storm Data, Jan 28: “A strong cold front moved across the state accompanied by strong winds, snow squalls and plunging temperatures. Wind gusts reached 60 mph over much of the area and combined with snow squalls to bring near blizzard conditions. This resulted in many traffic accidents and many stalled automobiles as snow already on the ground drifted out onto roads. The high winds downed power and telephone lines….Some of the wind gusts reported were: Lancaster and Allentown, 67 MPH; Philadelphia, Pottstown and Schuylkill County, 60 MPH; Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, 59 MPH; Reading 58 MPH; Montgomery County, 50 MPH. The winds flipped over and damaged 3 airplanes at Reading Airport. Temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s ahead of the front dropped as much as 15 to 20 degrees in one hour, 25 to 30 degrees in two hours and up to 40 degrees in five hours.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.)

 

Wisconsin

 

NCC, Jan 26: “A strong Arctic cold front swept across Wisconsin January 26 and caused very strong winds, plunging temperatures and blinding visibilities in snow and blowing snow. Although snowfall amounts were generally light, winds gusting to around 50 mph whipped the fallen and previous snow on the ground and reduced visibilities to near zero in many areas. Considerable drifting of the snow occurred and many rural roads became impassable for a time. A motorist drove his truck into a side of a moving locomotive. Apparently blowing snow reduced the visibility so that the driver could not see the flashers at the crossing nor the train. A Brookfield woman in Waukesha county died of apparent exposure. She was found knelling along a roadside by a passing motorist. When the motorist went up to aid her she collapsed and died.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 9.)

 

Jan 28: “Today’s blistering cold weather, a minus 11 degrees in Janesville at 11 a.m., may seem like a real heat-wave before the weekend is over. The latest cold spell, which has everyone talking about the weather and none of it complimentary, is being caused by a frigid arctic air mass making its way, slowly, across the upper Midwest. The National Weather Service predicts Wisconsin temperatures will plunge to between 20 and 30 degrees below zero tonight in the northwest and between 10 and 20 below in the southeast.

 

“Another light snow fell in Janesville Thursday night and the outside temperature actually warmed up before midnight. The Wisconsin Power and Light Co. substation reports the mercury climbed to 14 degrees above zero about 10 p.m. and then quickly plummeted to an overnight low of minus 18 degrees. The cold temperatures were coupled with winds of 20 miles per hour which resulted in a wind chill factor of minus 60 degrees or lower early this morning.

 

“Schools throughout Rock and area counties were closed today [Friday] and very few adults could be seen walking anywhere early today.

 

“For the second day in a row the wind-blown snow created many problems for highway crews and those hardy souls that attempted to travel out of town. Rock County Highway Department personnel described the road conditions in the county as ‘lousy.’ Durlin Harnack, highway commissioner, said the north-south roads are ‘terrible’ and unsafe to drive. He said the roads have bad visibility and most of them are plugged with drifts of snow. On top of the bad road conditions the highway department is experiencing a lot of mechanical breakdown trouble. ‘Our equipment is having iron fatigue, trucks are breaking down faster than we can fix them,’ Harnack said. He added that a few cars have been fund stranded on county roads, but most people are getting the idea not to travel. Harnack said he expects all north-south roads in the county to be blocked and in bad driving conditions all day. East-west roads and I-90 are reported to be in fair shape today. Inside the city limits city street crews are having trouble keeping some outlying streets open due to the heavy drifting. Plows are busy trying to keep S. Oakhill, N. Crosby and some areas along Milton Avenue open.

 

“The weekend outlook is even worst. The weather service predicts some parts of Wisconsin will have temperatures dropping to 40 to 50 degrees below zero and the previous record low for the state of 60 degrees below may be in jeopardy.

 

“The Rock County Sheriff’s Department reported many cars stuck in snow drifted ditches Thursday night. ‘Snow drifts and cars are all over,’ a deputy said…

 

“The deaths of two women Thursday night from apparent asphyxiation by uto exhaust fumes were blamed on the severe weather….” (Janesville Gazette, WI. “Cold Hangs On.” 1-28-1977, p. 1.)

 

Sources

 

Alton Telegraph, IL. “Man dies in what may be first weather death in area.” 1-31-1977, A2. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-jan-31-1977-p-2/

 

Anderson Herald, IN. “Roadways a Bit Less Restricted.” 2-1-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-feb-01-1977-p-1/

 

Anderson Sunday Herald, IN. “No Relief in Sight. Hundreds Stranded Here.” 1-30-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-jan-30-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “7 Counties in State Still Under Road Emergencies.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 5. Accessed 11-26-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-feb-02-1977-p-5/

 

Associated Press. “8 die in Buffalo blizzard.” 1-31-1977, p. 1. Times Reporter, Dover, OH. Accessed 12-29-2012: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=122220882&sterm

 

Associated Press. “45 Lives, 1.5 Million Jobs Claimed by Cold.” Syracuse Post-Standard, 1-31-1977, 2. Accessed 11-27-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-31-1977-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Death toll rises in Buffalo,” Daily Star, NY, 2-22-1977, p. 6. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer/?img=153555397&sterm

 

Associated Press. “Distorted Wind Pattern Blamed for Arctic Cold.” Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL, 1-27-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sterling-daily-gazette-jan-27-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Elderly Woman is Found Dead.” Gettysburg Times, PA, 2-2-1977, p. 2. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/gettysburg-times-feb-02-1977-p-2/

 

Associated Press, “Emergency declared in Buffalo. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 2-1-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-feb-01-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Fierce winds slash Buffalo as death toll climbs to 12.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-jan-31-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Fuel Situation Said Better.” Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. 1-31-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/edwardsville-intelligencer-jan-31-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Seven found dead in Buffalo blizzard.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-jan-29-1977-p-17/

 

Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Subzero cold still plaguing most of state.” Alton Telegraph, IL. 1-31-1977, B8. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-jan-31-1977-p-22/

 

Associated Press. “Subzero Weather Remains.” Herald-Times-Reporter, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, WI. 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/herald-times-reporter-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Thousands stranded, isolated by blizzard.” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/middletown-journal-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Travel not recommended in Wisconsin.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI, 1-28-1977, p. 2. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/stevens-point-daily-journal-jan-28-1977-p-12/

 

Associated Press. “Two Die on Illinois’ Blizzard Swept Roads.” Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-vernon-register-news-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

Bahr, Robert. The Blizzard. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1980.

 

Capital Times, Madison, WI. “At least 54 die in cold weather.” 1-31-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-jan-31-1977-p-1/

 

Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Deep Freeze returns to Wisconsin.” 1-27-1977, p. 55 of 58. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-capital-times-jan-27-1977-p-55/

 

Chicago Tribune. “No fuel may keep workers idle.” 2-2-1977, p. 2. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/chicago-tribune-feb-02-1977-p-2/

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Blizzards bury Buffalo.” 2-2-1977, p. 3. Accessed 12-29-2012: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=30234182&sterm=blizzard

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Deaths.” 1-29-1977, p. 12. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-jan-29-1977-p-12/

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “‘Little Lady, I need help—I’m cold; voice pleaded.” 2-1-1977, p. 3. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=30233326&sterm

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Weekend conservation eases pinch, crisis continues.” 1-31-1977, p. 3. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=30233384&sterm

 

Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL. “Mt. Carroll Woman Dies in Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sterling-daily-gazette-jan-27-1977-p-1/

 

Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “7 state counties put on disaster list.” 2-5-1977, p. 1. Accessed 12-29-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=155477227&sterm

 

Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “Death toll rises in Buffalo.” 2-22-1977, p. 6. Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=153555397&sterm

 

Grabianowski, Ed. “10 Biggest Snowstorms of All Time.” Howstuffworks.com. Accessed 12-28-2012: http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/10-biggest-snowstorms.htm

 

Herald-Star, Steubenville, OH. “Buffalo Blizzard Strands Ohioans.” 2-3-1977, p. 14. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=134676183&sterm=blizzard

 

Holland City News, MI. “Joan Vannette Dies in Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/holland-city-news-jan-27-1977-p-1/

 

Janesville Gazette, WI. “Cold Hangs On.” 1-28-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-gazette-jan-28-1977-p-1/

 

Janesville Gazette, WI. “Southern Wisconsin Obituaries.” 1-28-1977, p. 2. Accessed 11-28-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-gazette-jan-28-1977-p-2/

 

Janesville Gazette, WI. “Weather Is All Bad.” 1-27-1977, p. 2. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/janesville-gazette-jan-27-1977-p-2/

 

Journal News, Hamilton, OH. “Dear Lord…`give us heat…’.”1-30-1977, p.1. Accessed 12-29-2012: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=81632204&sterm

 

Lima News, OH. “2 killed after leaving cars in storm.” 1-28-1977, p. 1. Accessed 12-29-2012: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=16202806&sterm=blizzard

 

Lima News, OH. “At least 36 dead in storm; job losses feared; fuel sources sought.” 1-30-1977, p. 1. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=16202910&sterm

 

National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977. Asheville, NC: NCC, Environmental Data Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Accessed 11-25-2018 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html?_finish=0.7629379855320323

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Buffalo, New York. “An Overview of the Blizzard [of ‘77].” Accessed 12-28-2012 at: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/buf/blizzard/bliz1sum.html

 

New Castle News, PA. “Snow creates road havoc, 1 dead.” 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/new-castle-news-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

Ohio Historical Society. Severe Weather in Ohio. “January 28, 1977: Statewide Blizzard.” Accessed 12-29-2012: http://ww2.ohiohistory.org/etcetera/exhibits/swio/pages/content/1977_blizzard.htm

 

Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Deaths. Robert D. Brady.” 2-11-1977, p. 7N. Accessed 11-25-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-feb-11-1977-p-30/

 

Rossi, Erno.  White Death: The Blizzard of ’77.  Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada:  Seventy Seven Publishing, 1978, Millennium Edition, 1999.

 

Salem News, OH. “Heart Attack Claims Lisbon Auto Dealer. While Shoveling Snow.” 1-31-1977, p. 8. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salem-news-jan-31-1977-p-8/

 

Sandusky Register, OH. “Monroeville Woman Freezes to Death.” 1-31-1977, p. 5. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-jan-31-1977-p-5/

 

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

 

South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. “Area Death Attributed to Snow.” 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/south-haven-daily-tribune-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

Syracuse Herald-American, NY. “Blizzard exertion fatal to C. E. Bandy.” 1-30-1977, p. 59. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-american-jan-30-1977-p-146/

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Buffalo named a disaster area.” 2-5-1977, p. 13. Accessed 12-29-2012: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=38901673&sterm=blizzard

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo begins return to normalcy.” 2-7-1977, p. 2. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=38901750&sterm=blizzard

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Woman killed in pile-up.” 2-1-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-feb-01-1977-p-1/

 

Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Carl W. Sullivan Services Are Today.” 1-31-1977, 7A. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-31-1977-p-22/

 

Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Emergencies in NNY.” 1-31-1977, p. 31 of 32. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-jan-31-1977-p-31/

 

The Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Cold sticks to Midwest, East; 2 million jobless.” 1-31-1977, p. 3. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/arlington-heights-herald-jan-31-1977-p-3/

 

Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “News From Around Here.” 1-28-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tyrone-daily-herald-jan-28-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Arctic Cold Grips Michigan.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI, 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/holland-evening-sentinel-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Blizzard continuing in Western NYS after taking 10 lives, closing traffic.” Adirondack Daily Enterprise, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-27-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/saranac-lake-adirondack-daily-enterprise-jan-31-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Buffalo still battling weather.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 2-1-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-27-2018: https://newspaperarchive.com/wellsville-daily-reporter-feb-01-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Illinois Survives Blizzard.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL, 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/freeport-journal-standard-jan-29-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Toll.” Ludington Daily News, MI. 1-31-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ludington-daily-news-jan-31-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Weather Now Easing in East.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 1. Accessed 11-26-2018 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/holland-evening-sentinel-feb-02-1977-p-1/

 

United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). “Operation snow go”: Blizzard of 77. UDACE, 1977, 150 pages.

 

USA Today. “Buffalo remembers infamous blizzard of ’77.” 6-1-2002. Accessed 12-29-2012 at: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/wbufbliz.htm

 

Wikipedia. “Blizzard of 1977.” 11-22-2012 modification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_of_1977

 

 

[1] “At least 47 weather-related deaths were reported since the most recent cold weather hit late last week.  Some of the deaths, however, were attributed to malfunctioning home heaters which caused suffocations or house fires…”

[2] Associated Press. “Fuel Situation Said Better.” Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[3] Alton Telegraph, IL. “Man dies in what may be first weather death in area.” 1-31-1977, A2.

[4] UPI. “Great Deep Freeze of ’76 continues across Illinois.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 1-30-1977, p. 36. Victim lived in Bethany.

[5] Associated Press. “Subzero cold still plaguing most of state.” Alton Telegraph, IL. 1-31-1977, B8.

[6] Daily Gazette, Sterling, IL. “Mt. Carroll Woman Dies in Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1.

[7] Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. “Joseph Morrisey Dies in Accident.” 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[8] UPI. “Great Deep Freeze of ’76 continues across Illinois.” Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL, 1-30-1977, p. 36.

[9] “The latest blizzard and sub-zero temperatures reportedly resulted in the deaths of 21 persons in Indiana, state police officials announced Monday [Jan 31].”

[10] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 3.

[11] Anderson Sunday Herald, IN. “No Relief in Sight. Hundreds Stranded Here.” 1-30-1977, p. 1.

[12] Associated Press. “Fuel Situation Said Better.” Edwardsville Intelligencer, IL. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[13] Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[14] Associated Press. “State Paralyzed by Arctic Blast.” Anderson Herald, IN. 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[15] “The series of…storms, starting Wednesday [Jan 27], claimed the lives of at least nine persons who suffered fatal heart attacks while trying to shovel snow…State Police reported several traffic deaths in crashes blamed on the weather.” (AP. “7 Counties in State Still Under Road Emergencies.” Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 5.)

[16] Victim was Lawrence David, 75. (UPI. “Arctic Cold Grips Michigan.” Holland…Sentinel, MI, 1-29-1977, p. 1.)

[17] Newspaper report noted that, according to a Medical Examiner, James William Henry, 66, died from exposure and multiple injuries received when a small building collapsed on top of him. (South Haven Daily Tribune, MI. “Area Death Attributed to Snow.” 1-29-1977, p. 1.)

[18] UPI. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[19] Mrs. Joan Vannette, 44, on I-196. Holland City News, MI. “Joan Vannette Dies in Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1.

[20] UPI. “Arctic Cold Grips Michigan.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI, 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[21] United Press International. “Toll.” Ludington Daily News, MI. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[22] United Press International. “Toll.” Ludington Daily News, MI. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[23] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Three Local Women Die in Fergus Falls Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1. Killed were Mrs. Warren Behrends, 52, of rural Albert Lea, Mrs. Ruby Kuechenenmeister, 67 of Wells, her daughter, Diane Kuechenmeister, 42, of Wells. Notes collision was in I-94 just north of junction with US-59, and notes: “The Minnesota Patrol said visibility was near zero at the crash scene, as high winds whipped snow. Troopers said a semi trailer truck and the car collided…” See also: NCC/NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.

[24] Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. “Three Local Women Die in Fergus Falls Crash.” 1-27-1977, p. 1. See also: NCC/NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 5.

[25] Western NY and Southern Ontario, Canada.

[26] Article focuses on Buffalo with some coverage of Western NY. States “There were twenty-nine people who died in some way and most of them died from being trapped in their cars.  It was either monoxide poisoning or exposure that killed them  If you stayed out very long in those conditions you were dealing with wind chill factors down to forty and fifty degrees below zero and if you were exposed to that cold for very long, you were finished.”

[27] In that the story focuses on Buffalo, the inference is that the 29 reported deaths were in Buffalo vicinity. This does not appear to be the case, though it may be the case for western NY.

[28] Cites. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Snow Go 1977. USACE Buffalo District, p. 38.

[29] Rossi. White Death. 1999, p. 344. Truck hit Alexander Barron’s [23]  car which then ran over him. (AP. “Fierce winds slash Buffalo as death toll climbs to 12.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.)

[30] Another source writes: “Buffalo (AP) — With the death toll at 12, Buffalo Mayor Stanley Makowski declared his city in a state of emergency today from the worst storm of the worst winter in the history of his city.” (AP, “Emergency declared in Buffalo. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 2-1-1977, p. 1.)

[31] United Press International. “Buffalo still battling weather.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 2-1-1977, p. 1. (We are unsure of the distribution of fatalities between Buffalo and other “western” areas.

[32] Cites. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Snow Go 1977. USACE Buffalo District, p. 38.

[33] UPI. “Disaster declared; death toll mounts.” Sunday Record, Middletown, NY. 1-30-1977, 4.

[34] We count eight deaths of men found dead in vehicles (though there are reports of nine or ten, one or more of these could have been outside of Buffalo, but still within Erie County). We also note Feb 1 heart attack victim and exposure victim found Feb 18 in snowdrift.

[35] United Press International. “Buffalo still battling weather.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY. 2-1-1977, p. 1.

[36] Associated Press. “Seven found dead in Buffalo blizzard.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY, 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[37] AP. “U.S. Sends $3 Million to Aid Embattled Buffalo.” Palladium-Times, Oswego, NY. 2-2-1977, p. 1. Notes that this death brought “the death tool since the storm began Friday…to 13.” However, it is not clear if Buffalo and Erie County, other than Buffalo, fatalities, are being combined.

[38] Associated Press. “Death toll rises in Buffalo,” Daily Star, NY, 2-22-1977, p. 6. Noted as 12^th Buffalo death.

[39] Victim identified as Delores H. Mitchell, 28 of Clay. Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Woman killed in pile-up.” 2-1-1977, p. 1. Wind was blowing snowdrift across the road.

[40] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Emergencies in NNY.” 1-31-1977, p. 31 of 32.

[41] Cites. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Snow Go 1977. USACE Buffalo District, p. 38.

[42] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo begins return to normalcy.” 2-7-1977, p. 2.

[43] Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Deaths. Robert D. Brady.” 2-11-1977, p. 7N

[44] UPI. “Blizzard continuing in Western NYS after taking 10 lives, closing traffic.” Adirondack Daily Enterprise, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[45] Syracuse Herald-American, NY. “Blizzard exertion fatal to C. E. Bandy.” 1-30-1977, p. 59.

[46] Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. “Businesses open as Buffalo begins return to normalcy.” 2-7-1977, p. 2.

[47] AP. “Fierce winds slash Buffalo as death toll climbs to 12.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[48] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Carl W. Sullivan Services Are Today.” 1-31-1977, 7A.

[49] UPI. “Blizzard continuing in Western NYS after taking 10 lives, closing traffic.” Adirondack Daily Enterprise, NY. 1-31-1977, p. 1.

[50] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY. “Emergencies in NNY.” 1-31-1977, p. 31 of 32.

[51] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Deaths.” 1-29-1977, p. 12.

[52] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “‘Little Lady, I need help—I’m cold; voice pleaded.” 2-1-1977, 3. Another source notes the men had a CB radio they used to try to get help, but they didn’t know their location. When found dead it was discovered that they were 10 feet from a mailbox that would have provided a location. (The Herald, Arlington Heights, IL. “Cold sticks to Midwest, East; 2 million jobless.” 1-31-1977, p. 3.)

[53] Salem News, OH. “Heart Attack Claims Lisbon Auto Dealer. While Shoveling Snow.” 1-31-1977, p. 8.

[54] “…Shirley Werling, of Coldwater…was struck by a car as she was exiting from the driver’s side of her car, apparently to aid other motorists who had skidded into a ditch.  Investigation…has been hampered because witnesses were forced to leave the scene because of severe weather conditions…” Lima News, OH. “2 killed after leaving cars in storm.” 1-28-1977, 1.

[55] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7. Victim identified as Bessie Ransey, 34, who was said to have been found outside her home after trying to return from neighbor’s house. (AP. “Thousands stranded…” Middletown Journal, OH, 1-29-1977, 1.)

[56] Coroner ruled cause of death of Bessie Ramsey, 34, as freezing, secondary to exposure. (Sandusky Register, OH. “Monroeville Woman Freezes to Death.” 1-31-1977, p. 5.) Notes windchill factor was “about 40 below…”

[57] Victim was Sally Shelton, 37. Journal News, Hamilton, OH. “Dear Lord…`give us heat…’.”1-30-1977, p.1.

[58] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 7.

[59] Otis L. Denney-during “blizzard conditions.” Lima News, OH. “2 killed after leaving cars in storm.” 1-28-1977, 1.

[60] Tyrone Daily Herald, PA. “News From Around Here.” 1-28-1977, p. 1.

[61] UPI. “Weather Now Easing in East.” Holland Evening Sentinel, MI. 2-2-1977, p. 1. Victim was identified as Edna Lamont who was found Feb 1 by visiting minister on hallway floor bundled in several sweaters. Was 28 degrees in the house when she was found. It is written she had “refused to leave her sparsely heated home for an emergency shelter over the weekend.” (AP. “Elderly Woman is Found Dead.” Gettysburg Times, PA, 2-2-1977, p. 2.)

[62] Michael B. Kulich, 66, was driving car; became stuck in snow; got out, went to back of car, was hit by another car in “zero visibility” driving conditions. (New Castle News, PA. “Snow creates road havoc, 1 dead.” 1-29-1977, p. 1.)

[63] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Southern Wisconsin Obituaries.” 1-28-1977, p. 2.

[64] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 9.

[65] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Weather Is All Bad.” 1-27-1977, p. 2.

[66] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 1, Jan 1977, p. 9. Victim identified as Raymond A. Brouilette, 26 of Newburg. (Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Deep Freeze returns to Wisconsin.” 1-27-1977, p. 55 of 58.)

[67] Capital Times, Madison, WI. “Deep Freeze returns to Wisconsin.” 1-27-1977, p. 55 of 58.

[68] Janesville Gazette, WI. “Weather Is All Bad.” 1-27-1977, p. 2.

[69] UPI. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[70] UPI. “Nation Keeps up Effort to Stay Warm.” Freeport Journal-Standard, IL. 1-29-1977, p. 1. Victims identified as Debra Viljevac, 25, and Sharon Klemme, 30. (AP. “Travel not recommended in Wisconsin.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI, 1-28-1977, p. 2,) Writes: “Police said the car was stopped with its motor running and with signal lights flashing, and officers said wind apparently forced exhaust fumes into the vehicle through a rust home in a spare tire compartment.”

[71] Assoc. Press. “Subzero Weather Remains.” Herald-Times-Reporter, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, WI. 1-29-1977, p. 1.

[72] “President Carter has declared seven snow-battered western New York counties and two in northern New York as a major disaster area….He identified the counties as Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Orleans, Wyoming and Genesee, all in western New York, and Jefferson and Lewis in the north country.”  (Daily Star, Oneonta, NY. “7 state counties put on disaster list.” 2-5-1977, p. 1.)

—>114  Blanchard tally[1] based on State breakouts below.[2]

—    44  AP. “44 Deaths Linked to Zero Weather.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-10-1977. 1.

—    15  UPI. “At Least 15 Deaths Attributed to Weather,” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport IN, 1-11-1977, 27.[3]

 

Summary of State Breakouts Below

 

Arkansas                    (  2)     (Dec 8)

Illinois                        (19)     (Dec 5-10)

Indiana                       (  9)     (Dec 5-10/11)

Iowa                            (  9)     (Dec 5-10)

Kentucky                   (  3)     (Dec 7)

Maine                         (  1)     (Dec 10)

Massachusetts           (  2)     (Dec 11)

Michigan                    (14)     (Dec 8-12)

Missouri                     (  4)     (Dec 5-8)

New Hampshire        (  2)     (Dec 6-11)

New York                   (  7)     (Dec 5 {6 deaths} and 8)

North Dakota             (  1)     (Dec 6)

Ohio                           (22)     (Dec 5-12, especially Dec 8-9/16 deaths.)

Pennsylvania             (10)     (Dec 5-10)

Wisconsin                  (  8)     (Dec 6-9)

 

Cause of Death Summary

 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in snowbound vehicle                                 (  1)

Exposure/Hypothermia                                                                               (17)

Fall on Icy Surface                                                                                        (  1)

Heart attacks shoveling/removing snow/or otherwise related to snow   (56)

High Wind (mobile home and vehicular)                                                   (  3)

Sledding, Snowmobile, Snow-Removal Fatal Accidents                           (11)

Vehicular Accidents related icy or snow-covered roads/surfaces           (23)

Other  (Parked car with heater running for heat bursts into flames)             (  1)

 

[State and locality breakouts begin on page 2. Some narrative context begins on page 8.]
Breakout of Winter Weather-Related Fatalities by State and Locality (where noted):

 

Arkansas                    (  2)     (Dec 8)

–1  Stuttgart area, Dec 8. Strong winds associated with cold front destroys mobile home; woman.[4]

–1  Wynne area, US Hwy. 64, Dec 8. Wind associated with fast cold front blows truck into car.[5]

 

Illinois                        (19)     (Dec 5-10)

–19  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–16  AP. “16 die when bitter cold, snow strike.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-10-1977, p. A-7.[6]

Breakout of Illinois weather-related fatalities by locality, where noted:

–1  Belleville, Dec 6. Heart attack after sweeping snow in front of home; Alfonse Kling, 78.[7]

–1  Bloomington, McLean County, Dec 9. Heart attack shoveling snow; Paul Steilow, 74.[8]

–1  Chicago, ~Dec 6. Heart attack shoveling snow; male, 74.[9]

–1  Chicago, Dec 6. Three-car accident “blamed on icy pavement; Gerda Schmidt, 32.[10]

–8  Chicago area, Dec 8-10.[11]

–1  Blue Island, St. Francis Hospital, Dec 8-10. Heart attack shoveling snow.[12]

–1  Chicago, Dec 8. Heart attack shoveling snow; Fred Ahlfeld, 73.[13]

–1  Chicago, Dec 9. Fire. Kerosene lantern used to heat home, knocked over; woman.[14]

–1  Chicago Heights, Dec 8. Heart attack? Became ill after shoveling snow; Michael Hovis, 34.[15]

–1  Harvey, Ingalls Memorial hospital, Dec 8-10. Heart attack shoveling snow.[16]

–1  Lockport, Will County, Dec 8. Snowmobile hits tree; Elizabeth Rodman, 27.[17]

–1  Palatine, Dec 9. Slipped/fell, icy Chicago & North Western RR tracks; Linda Raffaelli, 28.[18]

–1  Palos Heights, ~Dec 8-10. Heart attack shoveling snow.[19]

–1  Galesburg, Dec 8. Heart attack shoveling snow; Delbert C. Anderson, 57.[20]

–1  Galesburg, Dec 9. Heart attack shoveling snow; Willie C. Strader, 63.[21]

–1  Lee Center, Dec 5. Girl throwing snowballs in street hit by pickup; Joan Elizabeth Wellman, 15.[22]

–1  Palatine, Dec 9. Slipped/fell on icy Chicago & North Western RR tracks; Linda Raffaelli, 28.[23]

–1  Rockford, Dec 9. Exposure? Body found partially snow-covered near front door; John Buss, 76.[24]

–2  Royalton area, Dec 10. Exposure after car goes off RR trestle, 10-ft upside-down into water.[25]

 

Indiana                       (  9)     (Dec 5-10/11)

–9  Associated Press. “71-Year-Old Frozen To Death.” Anderson Herald, IN, 12-13-1977, p.2.[26]

–9  Blanchard tally based on locality and/or cause-of-death breakouts below.

–8  Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “Bitter Cold Here Continues.” 12-10-1977, p. 14.[27]

–7  Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed…” 12-9-1977, p. 12.

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

–1  Covington, Dec 10/11. Exposure in wooded area shack with fireplace and wood but no fire.[28]

–1  Dubois Co. Rd. 400 So., Dec 5-6 Pickup hits bridge railing during snow on snow-covered road.[29]

–1  Fort Wayne, Allen Co., ~Dec 7-8. Heart attack removing snow; Irwin Zollinger, 82.[30]

–1  Indianapolis, ~Dec 7. Exposure; female, 77, fell into ditch outside home; could not get up.[31]

–1  Indianapolis, Marion County, ~Dec 8. Heart attack removing snow; Arvel J. Ringham, 74.[32]

–1  Lake County, IN-8. Car skids on icy road into pole, throwing driver out; Jack Ellis Jr., 21.[33]

–1  New Haven, Allen Co., ~Dec 7-8. Heart attack removing snow; Clarence Hugenard, 78.[34]

–1  Sheridan, Hamilton County, ~Dec 8. Heart attack removing snow; C. Gaylord Shook, 55.[35]

–1  Locale not noted, by Dec 10. Exposure.[36]

 

Iowa                            (  9)     (Dec 5-10)

–9  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–5  Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm…Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

–1  Cedar Rapids, Dec 5. Heart attack shoveling driveway; John J. DeMuth, 69.[37]

–1  Cedar Rapids, Dec 5. Heart attack clearing snow from driveway; Ralph N. Schissel, 63.[38]

–1  Cedar Rapids, Dec 5. Snowmobile collides with car; Dennis J. Healy, 37 (snowmobile).[39]

–1  Dubuque, Dec 10 (from Dec 8 heart attack after shoveling snow); Vincent Snyder, 72.[40]

–1  Edgewood, Dec 5. Tractor plowing snow from driveway turns over; Robert W. Kirby, 22.[41]

–1  Janesville area, Dec 9. Snowmobiler his parked car; Michael Megan, 18, of Cedar Falls.[42]

–1  Marengo, Dec 6. Snowmobile passenger thrown into path of grader; Julie Ann Belden, 18.[43]

–1  Peoria, Dec 5. Tractor falls down snow-covered ditch, overturning; Martin Vos, 59.[44]

–1  Richland, Dec 7. Apparent heart attack just after clearing snow from driveway; Floyd D. Smith, 78.[45]

 

Kentucky                   (  3)     (Dec 7)

–2  Louisville, Dec 7. Exposure in parked car on used car lot; two men.[46]

–1  Louisville, Dec 7. Exposure in unheated shack; male.[47]

 

Maine                         (  1)     (Dec 10)

–1  Hallowell, Dec 10. Heart attack shoveling snow; Leslie E. Gray, 79.[48]

 

Massachusetts           (  2)     (Dec 11)

–2  Boston, Dec 11. Exposure in abandoned apt. bldg., Betty Clements, 43, Vernon Charles, 58.[49]

 

Michigan                    (14)     (Dec 8-12)

–14  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

—  2  Dec 8-11. Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Snow, bitter cold leaves 15 dead.” 12-11-1977, E-4.

Breakout of Michigan winter weather-related fatalities by locality, where noted:

–1  Bergland, Dec 9. Snowmobile/auto accident; Daniel Younk, 13.[50]

–1  Birch Run Township, Dec 10. Snowmobiler runs into steel cable; Charles Montague, 21.[51]

–3  Detroit area, Dec 9. Heart attacks shoveling snow; men.[52]

–1  Detroit area, Dec 9. Heart attack plowing snow with a tractor.[53]

–1  Detroit area, Dec 9. Heart attack while starting a snowblower.[54]

–1  Detroit, Dec 11. CO poisoning, car left running after getting stuck in snow; Reginald Jones, 5.[55]

–1  Grand Rapids, Dec 10, after snow sled collided with park bench; William Ollam, 13.[56]

–1  Hamilton, Dec 12. Two-car crash blamed by Allegan Co. Sheriff’s deputies on slush on the road.[57]

–1  Ishpeming Twp., Dec 11. Snowmobiler strangled; scarf caught in flywheel; Kenneth Eckloff, 14.[58]

–1  Lapeer area, MI 24, Dec 8. Crash; “The snow was blamed for the death of Lloyd Jakubos, 48…”[59]

–1  Lenawee County, Dec 10-11. Snowmobile crash in intersection; Ralph Croninger, 42.[60]

–1  Manitowoc, Dec 8. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Carl Johanson, 67.[61]

 

Missouri                     (  4)     (Dec 5-8)

–1  Clark area, Hwy 63, Dec 5. Car goes out of control on snow-covered road into another car.[62]

–1  Ironton, MO 21, Dec 8. Two cars go out of control on icy road; collide; passenger killed.[63]

–1  St. Joseph’s area, Dec 8. Driver of car on slick and icy US 59 loses control, hits truck.[64]

–1  Sullivan area, I-44. ~Dec 6. Wind gust causes truck driver to lose control, skid into car.[65]

 

New Hampshire        (  2)     (Dec 6-11)

–1  Guild, Dec 6. Exposure; found dead in snowbank near home; Anna Targ, 83.[66]

–1  Jaffrey, Dec 11. Exposure; body found outside her apartment; Rose Nolan.[67]

 

New York                   (  7)     (Dec 5 {6} and 8)

–7  Dec 6. AP. “New Yorkers begin snow removal effort.” Bradford Era, PA, 12-7-1977, p. 15.

–7  Dec 5-8. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–6  Dec 5. AP. “Severe Storm…11 Dead in 3 States.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 12-6-1977, 1.

–5  Dec 5. AP. “East Battered by Big Snow.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-6-1977, p1.

–1  Dec 5. AP. “Howling Winds Drive Storm Across Nation.” Circleville Herald, OH, 12-6-1977, 2.

Breakout of New York winter weather-related fatalities by locality, where noted:

–1  Albany, Dec 5. Heart attack trying to push car out of snow bank; Gerald Starer.[68]

–3  Buffalo area, Dec 5. Heart attacks shoveling snow.[69]

–1  Granby, Dec 5. Motorist lost control of car on snow-covered road in snowstorm, hits car.[70]

–1  Hartland, Dec 8. Snowmobile collides with car; Niagara Co. man;[71] Dennis M. Guyette, 25.[72]

–1  Penfield, Rochester area, Dec 5. Heart attack operating snow plow; man.[73]

 

North Dakota             (  1)     (Dec 6)

–1  McKenzie area, Dec 6. Exposure; rancher overcome seeking help after car was snowbound.[74]

 

Ohio                           (22)     (Dec 5-12, especially Dec 8-9/16 deaths.)

–23  Dec 1-12. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–11  Dec 9. Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

Breakout of Ohio winter weather-related deaths by locality:

–1  Athens, Dec 8. Heart attack; coroner attributed it “to the cold weather and…hard work.” Bailey.[75]

–1  Bedford, Dec 9. Heart attack? Found dead in snow outside home; Anthony Loparo, 60.[76]

–1  Caesar’s Creek Reservoir, ~Dec 9. Exposure after leaving snow-stranded Jeep; Kevin Moran, 20.[77]

–1  Cannons Mill area, Dec 8. Cars collide on “snow-covered and slippery road” (State Police).[78]

–9  Cleveland area, Dec 9. Heart attacks shoveling snow; men.[79]

–1  Brooklyn Heights, Dec 9. Heart attack using snow blower; Fred Laskowski, 67.[80]

–1  Cleveland, Dec 9. Heart attack after shoveling snow; William Ferrene, 56.[81]

–1  Cleveland, Dec 9. Heart attack shoveling snow from driveway; Ed Heck, 77.[82]

–1  Cleveland, Dec 9. Heart attack shoveling snow; Frank Ratajack.[83]

–1  Cleveland, Dec 9. Heart attack after shoveling snow; Ted Rolland, 63.[84]

–1  Huron, Dec 9. Heart attack shoveling snow; William J. Lander, 73.[85]

–1  Olmstead Falls, Dec 9. Heart attack after shoveling snow; John Benko, 80.[86]

–1  Parma, Dec 9. Heart attack operating snow blower; Fred Briggs, 68.[87]

–1  Rocky River, Dec 9. Heart attack after shoveling snow; James Gorman, 71.[88]

–1  Columbus Grove, Dec 11. Heart attack while shoveling snow; J. Cletus Rooney, 79.[89]

–1  Dayton, Dec 9. Exposure; body found frozen on front porch; screen handle torn off; Hollaway.[90]

–1  Delphos, Dec 9. Heart attack walking to house after her car was snowbound; Frances Kill, 67.[91]

–1  Hamler, Dec 8. Heart attack shoveling snow at home; Arthur H. Imbrock, 52.[92]

–1  Litchfield Township, Dec 9. Car skids into path of train at icy crossing; James A. Cook, 34.[93]

–1  Lorain, Dec 5. Parked car, motor running for heat, overheats, bursts into flames; Frank Harris, 51.[94]

–1  Miller City, Dec 5. Car slides into pond after freed from snow drift; Herman C. Beckman, 64.[95]

–1  Tiffin, Dec 7. Exposure/heart attack shoveling snow, too weak to get up; Korenne Brunner, 79.[96]

–1  Van Wert, Dec 5. Apparent heart attack shoveling snow at home; Mrs. Nora Tickles, 78.[97]

 

Pennsylvania             (10)     (Dec 5-10)

–10  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

—  5  National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 7.

Breakout of Pennsylvania weather related fatalities by locality, where noted:

–2  Bethlehem area, Dec 5. Car skids off icy road through telephone pole into tree; young men.[98]

–1  Dublin, Plumstead Twp., Dec 6. Car/camper collision, icy Rt. 313; Watson W. Soden, 60.[99]

–1  Eastern PA, Dec 8-9. Snow-related hazardous driving conditions; motorist.[100]

–1  Erie County (northwest PA), Dec 5. Car slides off snow-covered Route 6; motorist.[101]

–1  Linesville, Dec 7. Heart attack after working with snow blower; Paul Britton, 77.[102]

–1  Meadville, Dec 7. Heart attack after clearing snow with snowblower; Dale, Hovis, 64.[103]

–1  Meadville area, Dec 10. Car slides on snow-covered Rt. 322 into another car.[104]

–1  Pittsburgh, Dec 7. Car and tractor-trailer collision “blamed [on] icy road conditions.”[105]

–1  Stoystown, Dec 6. Tractor trailer jackknifes on “extremely icy and snow covered” Rt. 30.[106]

 

Wisconsin                  (  8)     (Dec 6-9)

–8  Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.

–3  Dec 8-10. Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Snow, bitter cold leaves 15 dead.” 12-11-1977, p. E-4.

Breakout of Wisconsin winter weather-related deaths by locality where we have seen reporting

–1  Blanchardville, Dec 9. “…accident removing snow.” Richard (Buff) Olson, 23.[107]

–1  Kenosha, Dec 6. Motorist loses control of car on icy street, skids into pedestrian; Kasputis, 83.[108]

–1  Kenosha, Dec 9. Heart attack shoveling snow; Peter P. Dziaugis (Jokas), 70.[109]

–1  Manitowoc, Dec 8. Heart attack shoveling snow; Carl Johanson, 67.[110]

–1  New Berlin area, Dec 8. Exposure. NCC. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 9.

–1  Oregon area, Dane County Trunk MM, Dec 6. Milk van crash on icy road; David Schewe, 18.[111]

–1  St. Cloud area, Dec 8. Snowmobiler runs into back of car stopped in middle of road.[112]

–1  West Bend area, Dec 9. Exposure; body found in snowdrift a mile from snowbound car.[113]

 

Narrative Information

 

Dec 5: “A late autumn snow storm blasted Iowa Monday [5^th], closing hundreds of schools and nearly paralyzing traffic in all but the extreme northwest corner of the state. The Department of Public Safety was advising everyone without an urgent need to travel to stay home. Virtually every road in Iowa was reported snowpacked and icy by mid-morning. Travelers in central Iowa reported hundreds of cars in ditches. Many minor accidents contributed to the traffic snarl in the urban areas.

 

“The storm system that dumped freezing rain on much of the state before letting go with the snow was followed by a cold front carrying heavy northwest winds, leading to a prediction of considerable drifting snow into early Tuesday, at least.

 

“Hardest hit by the snow were cities in a belt running from Minnesota border through the Waterloo and Ottumwa areas. Officials at the Ottumwa airport, which like many other small fields was closed down, said eight inches of new snow had fallen by 10 a.m. The Des Moines Municipal Airport was open, but a tower official said only instrument flights were moving and few of those. At least five inches of snow fell on the Des Moines area….

 

“Overnight lows reached to low teens in the northwest and mid 20s in central and southeast areas.” (AP. “Snow Storm Closes Schools, Halts Traffic.” Carroll Daily Times Herald, IA, 12-5-1977, p. 1.)

 

Dec 6: “Howling winds drove a severe Midwestern storm into the East, dumping up to 15 inches of snow and causing at least nine deaths in a sweep over three states. Five deaths attributed to the storm were reported Monday in New York, two in Pennsylvania and two in Ohio. Most were heart attack victims shoveling snow or those caught in traffic accidents on slick roads. Burralo International Airport in New York was closed because of the storm. The snow line extended from northern Michigan through northern Pennsylvania and into northwestern New York and New England. An additional three or four inches of snow was expected today in many areas. Six to seven inches of snow was common from St. Louis across Illinois, Indiana and into Ohio. Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire had up to six inches by early today with more in the northern sections of those states. Western Massachusetts had up to two inches of snow and the Boston area also had about two inches before the snow changed to rain Monday night.” (Assoc. Press. “East Battered by Big Snow.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-6-1977, p. 1.)

 

Dec 7: “The minds of millions of Midwesterners flashed back to the winter of the century, which really wasn’t so long ago. ‘It’s started just like last year,’ said a shivering receptionist in a suburban Chicago optometrist’s office…Displacing the heavy snowstorms that blitzed across the upper half of the nation to open the week, a bitterly cold arctic air mass pushed into the Midwest Tuesday [6^th] and temperatures dipped well below zero in the far North early today.

 

“In northern New England, lingering storms dumped a foot or more of snow and whipped up gales along the Atlantic coastline and the eastern Great Lakes. Travelers advisories extended from eastern Kentucky and the mountains of North Carolina to the lower Great Lakes. More than 18 inches of snow fell on parts of New England and deep drifts stranded more than 100 motorists in Indiana. Businesses in cities from the Midwest to the Northeast allowed employees to leave early or come in late….

 

“The cold even penetrated the Deep South and Southwest. Temperatures plunged to near freezing in south Texas, the scene of sizzling record readings in the 90s Monday. Likewise, the mercury dropped 60 degrees or more in the Florida Panhandle, but citrus industry officials said they were not worried about a recurrence of last year’s disastrous orange crop freeze….

 

“A foot of snow in the St. Lawrence River Valley temporarily immobilized St. Lawrence Seaway shipping. An official of the seaway authority said many of the 133 sea-going vessels trapped in the Great Lakes by severe weather may be forced to winter in Canada when the seaway closes Dec. 15….

 

“The snow and bitter cold took a toll in human suffering. At least five people were killed in weather-related accidents. A 74-year-old man shoveling snow in Chicago died of a stress-induced heart attack, doctors said. Searchers mounted snowmobiles to look for a missing teenage boy and girl near Nevada, Iowa. A school bus carrying 40 students skidded off a snowy road near Waukesha, Wis., and 11 persons sustained minor injuries….” (Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Midwest Gets Chilling Memory of Last Winter.” 12-7-1977, p. 3.)

 

Dec 8-9: “Raw icy winds sent fresh snow swirling across sections of the Midwest and Northeast today, stranding motorists on clogged highways and forcing schools and businesses to close. Temperatures plummeted as the storm, born of a low pressure system in the Rockies and fed by frigid Arctic air, sliced through the nation’s midsection. In Dallas, the mercury dropped from a record high of 80 in midafternoon to 30 this morning. Temperatures were below the freezing mark in the Panhandle.

 

“In the Dakotas, temperatures of 25 to 30 below zero combined with winds of 15 to 25 mph for wind-chill indices of 60 to 80 below. Temperatures of 40 below were predicted today for both states. ‘The freeways are a mess,’ said a Michigan state police dispatcher in Detroit on Thursday. ‘Rush-hour traffic is bad enough on a good day. Today it’s horrible.’ Dozens of abandoned cars lined freeway shoulders, most buried under snow from passing plows. Detroit’s zero-degree reading Thursday set a record for the coldest Dec 8 since 1882. The snow was blamed for the death of Lloyd Jakubos, 48, of Lapeer, Mich., in a crash on state route, 24, state police said.

 

“The new snow, added to the crusty accumulations of the past week, buried some communities in snow as deep as 36 inches. Up to four more inches were forecast today for Michigan, northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, extreme northern West Virginia and most of New York. Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine were to get between four and eight inches. Near blizzard conditions exist today in Minnesota, where roads are blocked in the western and southern portions of the state. Temperatures–well below zero in most of the state–are not expected to top 10 below today.

 

“Thursday’s [Dec 8] heaviest snow, four to nine inches, was across the southern Great Lakes region. Meadville, tucked in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, was still digging from beneath 30 inches received since Monday when the new storm began, piling up new snow at a rate of an inch an hour. State police said many tractor-trailer rigs and private vehicles were abandoned on Interstates 79 and 90 in Erie County. Three to seven inches of new snow fell on southwestern Pennsylvania, including the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Six more inches of snow piled up in Indiana, seven in most of Illinois where the cities of Pittsfield and Winchester were reported snowbound. Combinations of rain, snow and freezing rain glazed roads in the Ohio Valley and northern Appalachians.” (AP. “Cars Stranded as Snow, Cold Zero In.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-9-1977, p. 1.)

 

Dec 9-10: “Below-zero temperatures and snow spanned an area from the upper Midwest through the Northeast today, and were blamed for at least 44 deaths in five states. Most of the deaths in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio Friday [Dec 9] were attributed to heart attacks while persons shoveled snow or to traffic accidents. One woman in Illinois was killed by a train as she walked into a railroad crossing with her face shielded by a scarf against a bitter wind.

 

“Nine Cleveland-area men collapsed and died while shoveling snow Friday as more wind-blown snow and frigid air brought the winter miseries to northern Ohio. And in Medina County, authorities said a 34-year-old man was killed when his car skidded into a moving railroad train at an icy crossing. Killed in the accident at an Akron, Canton & Youngstown Railroad crossing in Litchfield Township was James A. Cook of Litchfield. The Highway Patrol reported almost all highways in Ohio open but snow covered. Interstate 71 north of Akron was closed for several hours Friday morning, the patrol said, because of a large number of mostly minor accidents and a shortage of salt to melt the ice….

 

“A Chicago woman whose gas had been turned off because of failure to pay utility bills, burned to death after kicking over a kerosene lantern used to heat her home, police said. ‘This is an emergency,’ Chicago Circuit Judge John F. Hechinger furiously declared. ‘Get out there and turn on the heat!’ he added, while ordering Peoples Gas, Light and Coke Co. to restore heat immediately to the apartment of another Chicago woman, Wendy Courts, 24, after testimony revealed that her two children were suffering from the mumps. Lawyers for the utility argued that she first would have to pat a $350 bill left by a former tenant….” (Associated Press. “44 Deaths Linked to Zero Weather.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-10-1977. p. 1.)

 

Dec 10: “Deep cold held on from North Dakota east to Maine Saturday [10^th] and down the coast to Florida, but the heavy snows of Friday slacked off….” (Associated Press. “Deep Cold Continues Its Grip.” Herald Star, Steubenville, OH. 12-11-1977, 2A.)

 

Dec 10: “An late-autumn snowstorm that shackled much of the Midwest lumbered east Saturday [10^th], leaving flesh-freezing cold in its wake. Savage winds howled over the snow-laden midlands, piling up road-clogging drifts that made travel difficult or impossible in many areas of Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.

 

“The three-day onslaught of snow and bitter cold left at least 15 persons dead — 8 in the Chicago area, 3 in Wisconsin and 2 each in Ohio and Michigan. Most of the deaths were attributed to auto accidents on snow-slicked roads or heart attacks caused by shoveling snow.

 

“National Guardsmen and snowmobile rescue units retrieved stranded travelers from dozens of snow-logged Midwest highways. Motels and even churches in the storm area were jammed with weather-weary motorists.

 

“Many major highways and most secondary roads in the storm area were closed by drifting snow. Segments of Interstate 55 were closed by snowdrifts in Illinois and a 180-mile stretch of Interstate 57 from the Kankakee, Ill., area to Effingham, Ill., also was closed by drifting snow. A Highway Department spokesman said the department tried to reopen Interstate 57 early Saturday. ‘But it was drifted closed again as soon as we opened it up.’

 

“The biting wind combined with sub-zero temperatures in much of the upper Midwest to produce wind chill factors in the 40 below zero to 60 below zero range — cold enough to freeze exposed flesh. Temperatures slipped below zero from Montana across the upper Mississippi Valley into portions of the northern Appalachians. Warroad, Minn., reported a temperature of 36 below zero and the temperature fell to 34 below at International Falls, Minn. Subzero temperatures and strong winds pushed the wind chill index to around 40 below zero range as workmen prepared floats for the Chicago’s Christmas parade….

 

“The Chicago Motor Club reported numerous calls from motorists whose cars refused to start in the cold weather. Midwesterners seeking refuge from the cold used enormous quantities of gas and electricity. Commonwealth Edison Co., which serves 2.8 million customers in the Chicago area, reported a record winter peak electrical demand of 10.5 million kilowatts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday. The previous record was set only last Tuesday when another frigid blast hit. The energy situation was similar throughout the upper Plains and the upper Midwest but there were no predictions of fuel shortages.

 

“Snow swept over Buffalo, N.Y., Friday night and early Saturday. Fifteen inches of new snow was reported, bringing the snow depth to more than two feet. Light snow spread over much of the Northeast Saturday.” (UPI. “At Least 15 Deaths Attributed to Weather,” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport IN, 1-11-1977, p. 27.)

 

Sources

 

Anderson Herald, IN. “…Residents Shiver.” 12-8-1977, p. 4. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-dec-08-1977-p-4/

 

Associated Press. “2 Storms Bring Bitter Cold Days.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-8-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-dec-08-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “16 die when bitter cold, snow strike.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-10-1977, p. A-7. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/alton-telegraph-dec-10-1977-p-7/

 

Associated Press. “44 Deaths Linked to Zero Weather.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-10-1977. p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-dec-10-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “71-Year-Old Frozen To Death.” Anderson Herald, IN, 12-13-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/anderson-herald-bulletin-dec-13-1977-p-4/

 

Associated Press. “Arctic cold numbs most of west-central Illinois.” The Tribune, Terre Haute, IN, 12-7-1977, 21. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/terre-haute-tribune-dec-07-1977-p-21/

 

Associated Press. “Bradford Fifteen Inches Snow.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Cars Stranded as Snow, Cold Zero In.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-9-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-dec-09-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Deep Cold Continues Its Grip.” Herald Star, Steubenville, OH. 12-11-1977, p. 2A. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/herald-star-dec-11-1977-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “East Battered by Big Snow.” Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-evening-standard-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Fumes Kill Boy, 5, in Stalled Car.” Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI, 12-12-1977, p. 18. Accessed 3-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-herald-palladium-dec-12-1977-p-17/

 

Associated Press. “Howling Winds Drive Storm Across Nation.” Circleville Herald, OH, 12-6-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/circleville-herald-dec-06-1977-p-18/

 

Associated Press. “Icy Mix Forecast For Ohio.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-8-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-times-dec-08-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Icy weather plagues state.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-8-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sedalia-democrat-dec-08-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Jaffrey woman found dead.” Portsmouth Herald, NH, 12-12-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/portsmouth-herald-dec-12-1977-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Michigan Can Expect Break in Snowstorm.” Ludington Daily News, MI, 12-10-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ludington-daily-news-dec-10-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “New Yorkers begin snow removal effort.” Bradford Era, PA, 12-7-1977, p. 15. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/bradford-era-dec-07-1977-p-15/

 

Associated Press. “NW Penna. Hit.” The Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-8-1977, p. 13. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/uniontown-evening-standard-dec-08-1977-p-13/

 

Associated Press. “Road conditions still hazardous.” Daily Capital News, MO, 12-7-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-capital-news-dec-07-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Severe Storm Appears to be Easing, 11 Dead in 3 States.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 12-6-1977, 1. Accessed 3-16-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/dubois-courier-express-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Snow Storm Closes Schools, Halts Traffic.” Carroll Daily Times Herald, IA, 12-5-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-19-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/carroll-daily-times-herald-dec-05-1977-p-1/

 

Associated Press. “Snowmobiler killed.” Fort Madison Democrat, IA. 12-10-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fort-madison-evening-democrat-dec-10-1977-p-2/

 

Associated Press. “Snowmobile Mishaps Kill Two Riders.” Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI, 12-12-1977, p. 18. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-herald-palladium-dec-12-1977-p-17/

 

Associated Press. “Storm turns nation into giant icebox.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 12-9-1977, p. 6. Accessed 3-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-herald-journal-dec-09-1977-p-6/

 

Atchison Daily Globe, KS. “Local Nun Dies in Crash.” 12-8-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/atchison-daily-globe-dec-08-1977-p-1/

 

Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm brings death, bitter cold. Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/cedar-rapids-gazette-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Elyria, area deaths.” 12-10-1977, p. C-2. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-dec-10-1977-p-18/

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Frigid air to hover here at least a few more days.” 12-10-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-dec-10-1977-p-1/

 

Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Snow, bitter cold leaves 15 dead.” 12-11-1977, p. E-4. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/elyria-chronicle-telegram-dec-11-1977-p-40/

 

Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Area and Other Deaths.” 12-9-1977, p. 14. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-dec-09-1977-p-16/

 

Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm.” 12-10-1977, p. 12. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-dec-10-1977-p-12/

 

Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/defiance-crescent-news-dec-10-1977-p-1/

 

Daily American, Somerset, PA. “Snow, Wind Freeze Area.” 12-7-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/somerset-daily-american-dec-07-1977-p-1/

 

Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Midwest Gets Chilling Memory of Last Winter.” 12-7-1977, p. 3. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/connellsville-daily-courier-dec-07-1977-p-3/

 

Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Dublin man dies as auto, camper collide near bypass on icy road.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Daily News-Bulletin, Brookfield, MO. “Services Set for Dr. Dorrell.” 12-6-1977, p. 7. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brookfield-daily-news-bulletin-dec-06-1977-p-7/

 

Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel, IL. “Howling winds chill northern-central Illinois.” 12-9-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-18-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-carmel-daily-republican-register-dec-09-1977-p-1/

 

Des Moines Sunday Register, IA. “Dubuquer, 72, dies after shoveling snow.” 12-11-1977, p. 12D. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/des-moines-register-dec-11-1977-p-50/

 

Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL. “One area fatality during storm.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/dixon-evening-telegraph-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Galesburg Register-Mail, IL. “Deaths and Funerals.” 12-9-1977, p. 15. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/galesburg-register-mail-dec-09-1977-p-15/

 

Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Holland Woman Dies in Crash.” 12-13-1977, p. 14. Accessed 3-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/benton-harbor-herald-palladium-dec-13-1977-p-14/

 

Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Funerals.” 12-12-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-globe-dec-12-1977-p-2/

 

Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Winter Storm Blasts Range, U.P., Most of Wisconsin.” 12-9-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ironwood-daily-globe-dec-09-1977-p-2/

 

Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Leslie E. Gray.” 12-12-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kennebec-journal-dec-12-1977-p-2/

 

Kenosha News, WI. “Blame icy streets for traffic death.” 12-7-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-dec-07-1977-p-2/

 

Kenosha News, WI. “Cold puts the bite on Kenosha.” 12-7-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-dec-07-1977-p-2/

 

Kenosha News, WI. “Deaths.” 12-12-1977, p. 21. Accessed 3-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/kenosha-news-dec-12-1977-p-41/

 

Lima News, OH. “Deaths.” 12-12-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-dec-12-1977-p-4/

 

Lima News, OH. “Putnam man drowns as car slides in pond.” 12-6-1977, p. 4. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-dec-06-1977-p-4/

 

Lima News, OH. “Storm lashes area.” 12-6-1977, p. 6. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lima-news-dec-06-1977-p-4/

 

Morris Daily Herald, IL. “Mercury rises; predict snow.” 12-7-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/morris-daily-herald-dec-07-1977-p-1/

 

Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. “Two Die from Exposure.” 12-12-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mount-vernon-register-news-dec-12-1977-p-1/

 

National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/sd/sd.html

 

Ottumwa Courier, IA. “Storm leaves 12-inch snow and cold.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-courier-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Park Forest Star, IL. “Suburbs Lambasted by Snow, Wind, Cold.” 12-11-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/park-forest-star-dec-11-1977-p-1/

 

Post -Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Accident Blamed on Weather.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Salem News, OH. “28th Road Death Recorded in Crash Near Liverpool.” 12-9-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salem-news-dec-09-1977-p-1/

 

Sandusky Register, OH. “This Weekend is Going to be Bitter Cold.” 12-10-1977, p. A2. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/sandusky-register-dec-10-1977-p-1/

 

Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed Again.” 12-9-1977, p. 12. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seymour-daily-tribune-dec-09-1977-p-12/

 

Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “Bitter Cold Here Continues.” 12-10-1977, pp. 1 and 14. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/seymour-daily-tribune-dec-10-1977-p-1/

 

Star-Herald, Tinley Park, IL. “Snow, Wind, Cold Sock Area…” 12-11-1977, p. 5. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/tinley-park-star-herald-dec-11-1977-p-5/

 

Syracuse Post-Standard, NY “Snowmobiler’s Services Today.”. 12-12-1977, 7C. Accessed 3-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/syracuse-post-standard-dec-12-1977-p-26/

 

The Herald, Jasper, Dubois County, IN. “James L. Haller killed in wreck.” 12-6-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jasper-herald-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

The Messenger, Athens, OH. “Area death notices.” 12-9-1977, p. 8. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/athens-messenger-dec-09-1977-p-8/

 

The Sun, Lowell, MA. “Frigid weather to break tomorrow.” 12-12-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun-dec-12-1977-p-1/

 

Times-Bulletin, Van Wert, OH. “County Digs Out of Heavy Snowstorm.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-15-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/van-wert-times-bulletin-dec-06-1977-p-1/

 

Titusville Herald, PA. “Erie County Storm Misses This Area.” 12-12-1977, p. 5. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/titusville-herald-dec-12-1977-p-5/

 

United Press International. “At Least 15 Deaths Attributed to Weather,” Pharos-Tribune, Logansport IN, 1-11-1977, p. 27. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-dec-11-1977-p-21/

 

United Press International. “Cold Weather.” Salem News, OH, 12-13-1977, p. 14. Accessed 3-16-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/salem-news-dec-13-1977-p-14/

 

United Press International. “Five die in state accidents.” Marshall evening Chronicle, MI. 12-12-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-20-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/marshall-evening-chronicle-dec-12-1977-p-2/

 

United Press International. “Gusting winds pile snow clogging roads.” Jacksonville Courier, IL, 12-9-1977, p.32. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/jacksonville-courier-dec-09-1977-p-28/

 

United Press International. “Heavy snow sweeps over East, Midwest.” Columbia Missourian, 12-6-1977, p. 11. Accessed 3-20-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/columbia-missourian-newspaper-dec-06-1977-p-11/

 

United Press International. “Storm again closes schools and roads.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY, 12-9-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-17-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/wellsville-daily-reporter-dec-09-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Storm claims woman, 83.” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 12-7-1977, p. 2. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/biddeford-city-edition-journal-tribune-dec-07-1977-p-2/

 

United Press International. “Wind Fells Wall, Worker Killed.” Evening Review, East Liverpool, OH, 12-2-1977, p.4. Accessed 3-15-2019: https://newspaperarchive.com/east-liverpool-evening-review-dec-02-1977-p-11/

 

United Press International. “Another wintry blast creates new problems.” Linton Daily Citizen, IN. 12-8-1977, 1. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/linton-daily-citizen-dec-08-1977-p-1/

 

United Press International. “Woman killed on snowmobile.” Morris Daily Herald, IL, 12-9-1977, p. 1. Accessed 3-18-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/morris-daily-herald-dec-09-1977-p-1/

 

Washington Evening Journal, IA. “Deaths of the Week.” 12-10-1977, p. 5. Accessed 3-19-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/washington-evening-journal-dec-10-1977-p-5/

 

Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Death notices.” 12-12-1977, section 4, page 5. Accessed 3-21-2019 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/madison-wisconsin-state-journal-dec-12-1977-p-53/

 

[1] Compiled March 2019 by B. Wayne Blanchard for addition to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com

[2] We note “>” 114 (at least 114) even thought our tally is exactly 114, in that there are shortcomings in our search routine in newspapers. First we need to choose key words to search for. It is quite possible that this does not return all winter weather-related deaths. Secondly, we search newspapers that have been scanned into the newspaper archive service with which we subscribe. We think it probable that other papers, not covered by this archive, note yet other winter weather-related fatalities during December 5-12, 1977.

[3] “The three day [Dec 8-10] onslaught of snow and bitter cold left at least 15 persons dead — 8 in the Chicago area, 3 in Wisconsin and 2 each in Ohio and Michigan. Most of the deaths were attributed to auto accidents on snow-slicked roads or heart attacks caused by shoveling snow.”

[4] National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 2.

[5] “9 Miles West of Wynne on U.S. Highway 64 — Cross County…Strong winds associated with a fast moving cold front blew a tractor-trailer rig into the path of an oncoming Arkansas State Police car. The State Police Trooper was killed and the truck driver was injured.” (National Climatic Center. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 2.)

[6] “Sixteen persons are dead in raw arctic cold that followed 7-inch snows in which travelers and farm families were stranded from Effingham [south IL] to Elgin [north IL]….Paul Steilow, 74, collapsed and died as he shoveled snow Friday [9^th] outside his Bloomington home. A Rockford newsboy found the body of John Buss, 76 or rural Rockford, partially covered by drifting snow not far from his front door. Authorities said 14 persons died in the six-county region around Chicago. A Palatine woman was killed by a train as she walked into a railroad crossing with her face shielded by a scarf against a wind-chill factor nearing 50 below. A Chicago woman, without gas for failure to pay bills, burned to death after kicking over a kerosene lantern used to heat her home. Others died in winter-related traffic accidents and while shoveling snow.”

[7] Morris Daily Herald, IL. “Mercury rises; predict snow.” 12-7-1977, p. 1.

[8] Associated Press. “16 die when bitter cold, snow strike.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-10-1977, p. A-7.

[9] Daily Courier, Connellsville, PA. “Midwest Gets Chilling Memory of Last Winter.” 12-7-1977, p. 3.

[10] Associated Press. “Arctic cold numbs most of west-central Illinois.” The Tribune, Terre Haute, IN, 12-7-1977, 21.

[11] “The three-day onslaught of snow and bitter cold left at least 15 persons dead — 8 in the Chicago area…” Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Snow, bitter cold leaves 15 dead.” 12-11-1977, p. E-4.

[12] Star-Herald, Tinley Park, IL. “Snow, Wind, Cold Sock Area…” 12-11-1977, p. 5. Notes that St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island reported “at least one heart attack fatality incurred by patients shoveling snow.”

[13] Daily Republican-Register, IL. “Howling winds chill northern-central Illinois.” 12-9-1977, p. 1.

[14] Associated Press. “44 Deaths Linked to Zero Weather.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-10-1977. p. 1.

[15] Park Forest Star, IL. “Suburbs Lambasted by Snow, Wind, Cold.” 12-11-1977, p. 1.

[16] Star-Herald, Tinley Park, IL. “Snow, Wind, Cold Sock Area…” 12-11-1977, p. 5. Notes that Ingalls Memorial in Harvey reported “at least one heart attack fatality incurred by patients shoveling snow.”

[17] United Press International. “Woman killed on snowmobile.” Morris Daily Herald, IL, 12-9-1977, p. 1.

[18] United Press International. “Gusting winds pile snow clogging roads.” Jacksonville Courier, IL, 12-9-1977, p.32. Another account also notes she slipped and fell, but adds: “Police said she was crossing the track with her head down to keep the snow out of her eyes and apparently did not see the freight train until its engineer sounded the horn.” (Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel IL. “Howling winds chill northern-central Illinois.” 12-9-1977, p. 1.) Highlighted in yellow to denote this death is recorded separately under Palatine.

[19] Star-Herald, Tinley Park, IL. “Snow, Wind, Cold Sock Area…” 12-11-1977, p. 5. Notes that the Palos Community hospital reported “at least one heart attack fatality incurred by patients shoveling snow.”

[20] Galesburg Register-Mail, IL. “Deaths and Funerals.” 12-9-1977, p. 15.

[21] Galesburg Register-Mail, IL. “Deaths and Funerals.” 12-9-1977, p. 15.

[22] Dixon Evening Telegraph, IL. “One area fatality during storm.” 12-6-1977, p. 1. Driver said his vehicle skidded when he tried to stop on snow-packed road.

[23] United Press International. “Gusting winds pile snow clogging roads.” Jacksonville Courier, IL, 12-9-1977, p.32. Another account also notes she slipped and fell, but adds: “Police said she was crossing the track with her head down to keep the snow out of her eyes and apparently did not see the freight train until its engineer sounded the horn.” (Daily Republican-Register, Mt. Carmel IL. “Howling winds chill northern-central Illinois.” 12-9-1977, p. 1.)

[24] Associated Press. “16 die when bitter cold, snow strike.” Alton Telegraph, IL, 12-10-1977, p. A-7.

[25] Victims identified as Steven Davison, 19, of Christopher (driver), and Jeffrey Friend, 21, of Mulkeytown, IL. (Mt. Vernon Register-News, IL. “Two Die from Exposure.” 12-12-1977, p. 1.)

[26] Referring to the Covington area exposure death the night of Dec 10/11, the AP notes this was “the ninth death in Indiana attributed to an early-winter storm that sent temperatures plunging below zero.”

[27] “State police counted eight weather-related deaths–two in crashes on icy roads, four from heart attacks while shoveling or plowing snow and two from exposure.”

[28] Associated Press. “71-Year-Old Frozen To Death.” Anderson Herald, IN, 12-13-1977, p.. 2. Victim identified as Edith Bernice Devenish, 71. AP notes that victim’s “sister stopped by the shack late Saturday afternoon [10th] and urged Miss Devenish to stay with her overnight or at least build a fire. ‘She just absolutely wouldn’t’ DeVerter said….That night, the temperature dropped to nine degrees below zero. The sister returned the next afternoon and found Miss Devinish frozen to death, her body wrapped in three layers of clothing and lying on a bed.”

[29] The Herald, Jasper, IN. “James L. Haller killed in wreck.” 12-6-1977, p. 2. Wreck occurred late 5^th or early 6^th.

[30] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed…” 12-9-1977, p. 12.

[31] Anderson Herald, IN. “…Residents Shiver.” 12-8-1977, p. 4. Notes temperatures fell to below zero. Victim identified elsewhere as Goldie Kelly, 77, and notes that the Marion County coroner conducted an autopsy and concluded she died of exposure and heart disease. Also notes she fell outside her daughter’s home. (Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed…” 12-9-1977, p. 12.)

[32] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed…” 12-9-1977, p. 12.

[33] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed Again.” 12-9-1977, p. 12.

[34] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed…” 12-9-1977, p. 12.

[35] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “All Area Roads are Icy, Schools Closed…” 12-9-1977, p. 12.

[36] Seymour Daily Tribune, IN. “Bitter Cold Here Continues.” 12-10-1977, p. 14. “State police counted eight weather-related deaths…two from exposure.” We note one exposure death in Indianapolis ~Dec 7.

[37] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm brings death…cold. Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[38] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm brings death…cold. Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[39] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm brings death…cold. Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[40] Des Moines Sunday Register, IA. “Dubuquer, 72, dies after shoveling snow.” 12-11-1977, p. 12D.

[41] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm brings death…cold. Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p.1 & 3.

[42] Associated Press. “Snowmobiler killed.” Fort Madison Democrat, IA. 12-10-1977, p. 2.

[43] Cedar Rapids Gazette, IA. “Storm brings death…cold. Five deaths reported in Eastern Iowa.” 12-6-1977, p.1 & 3.

[44] Ottumwa Courier, IA. “Storm leaves 12-inch snow and cold.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[45] Washington Evening Journal, IA. “Deaths of the Week.” 12-10-1977, p. 5.

[46] Associated Press. “2 Storms Bring Bitter Cold Days.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-8-1977, p. 1.

[47] Associated Press. “2 Storms Bring Bitter Cold Days.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-8-1977, p. 1.

[48] Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME. “Leslie E. Gray.” 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[49] The Sun, Lowell, MA. “Frigid weather to break tomorrow.” 12-12-1977, p. 1.

[50] Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Funerals.” 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[51] United Press International. “Five die in state accidents.” Marshall evening Chronicle, MI. 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[52] Associated Press. “Michigan Can Expect Break in Snowstorm.” Ludington Daily News, MI, 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[53] Associated Press. “Michigan Can Expect Break in Snowstorm.” Ludington Daily News, MI, 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[54] Associated Press. “Michigan Can Expect Break in Snowstorm.” Ludington Daily News, MI, 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[55] Associated Press. “Fumes Kill Boy, 5, in Stalled Car.” Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI, 12-12-1977, p. 18.

[56] United Press International. “Five die in state accidents.” Marshall evening Chronicle, MI. 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[57] Herald-Palladium, Benton Harbor, MI. “Holland Woman Dies in Crash.” 12-13-1977, p. 14. Victim identified as Pamela Vanderkolk, 19, of Holland, MI.

[58] United Press International. “Five die in state accidents.” Marshall evening Chronicle, MI. 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[59] Associated Press. “Cars Stranded as Snow, Cold Zero In.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-9-1977, p. 1.

[60] United Press International. “Five die in state accidents.” Marshall evening Chronicle, MI. 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[61] Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Winter Storm Blasts Range, U.P., Most of Wisconsin.” 12-9-1977, p. 2.

[62] Daily News-Bulletin, Brookfield, MO. “Services Set for Dr. Dorrell.” 12-6-1977, p. 7.

[63] Victim identified as Arlene Ruth Casteel, 46, of Annapolis. (Associated Press. “Icy weather plagues state.” Sedalia Democrat, MO. 12-8-1977, p. 1.)

[64] Atchison Daily Globe, KS. “Local Nun Dies in Crash.” 12-8-1977, p. 1. Victim identified as Sister Avina Martinez. Paper cites law enforcement for stating slick and icy conditions were probably the cause of the accident.

[65] Associated Press. “Road conditions still hazardous.” Daily Capital News, MO, 12-7-1977, p. 1. The tractor-trailer truck driver killed in this “weather-related death” was William M. Palmer, 45, of St. Louis.

[66] United Press International. “Storm claims woman, 83.” Journal Tribune, Biddeford, ME, 12-7-1977, p. 2. “Police said the woman apparently wandered from her house.”

[67] Associated Press. “Jaffrey woman found dead.” Portsmouth Herald, NH, 12-12-1977, p. 2.

[68] Associated Press. “New Yorkers begin snow removal effort.” Bradford Era, PA, 12-7-1977, p. 15.

[69] Associated Press. “New Yorkers begin snow removal effort.” Bradford Era, PA, 12-7-1977, p. 15.

[70] Victim identified as Richard K. Dodge, 40 of Syracuse. The out-of-control car hit a second car which hit Dodge’s car. (Post -Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Accident Blamed on Weather.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.)

[71] United Press International. “Storm again closes schools and roads.” Wellsville Daily Reporter, NY, 12-9-1977, 1.

[72] Syracuse Post-Standard, NY “Snowmobiler’s Services Today.”. 12-12-1977, 7C.

[73] Associated Press. “New Yorkers begin snow removal effort.” Bradford Era, PA, 12-7-1977, p. 15.

[74] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 6.

[75] The Messenger, Athens, OH. “Area death notices.” 12-9-1977, p. 8. Victim was Leslie H. Bailey, 54.

[76] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[77] UPI. “Cold Weather.” Salem News, OH, 12-13-1977, p. 14; Nat. Climatic Ctr., Storm Data, 19/12, Dec 1977, p. 6. UPI article notes his body was not found until several days later. He had left some companions to look for help.

[78] Victim identified as Paul H. Villnave, 57, of East Liverpool. (Salem News, OH. “28^th Road Death Recorded in Crash Near Liverpool.” 12-9-1977, p. 1.)

[79] Associated Press. “44 Deaths Linked to Zero Weather.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-10-1977. p. 1.

[80] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[81] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[82] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm.” 12-10-1977, p. 12.

[83] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, pp. 1 and 12.

[84] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[85] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Elyria,, area deaths.” 12-10-1977, p. C-2.

[86] Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH. “Frigid air to hover here at least a few more days.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[87] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[88] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm Deaths Hit 11.” 12-10-1977, p. 1.

[89] Lima News, OH. “Deaths.” 12-12-1977, p. 1.

[90] Emma Hollaway, 86. Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm.” 12-10-1977, p. 12.

[91] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Storm.” 12-10-1977, p. 12.

[92] Crescent-News, Defiance, OH. “Area and Other Deaths.” 12-9-1977, p. 14.

[93] Associated Press. “44 Deaths Linked to Zero Weather.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-10-1977. p. 1.

[94] Lima News, OH. “Storm lashes area.” 12-6-1977, p. 6; National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, V19, N12, Dec 1977, p. 6. The Lima News articles writes that the victim “got to work early…and apparently stayed in his car in a parking lot with the motor running to keep warm. Authorities said he many have lost consciousness. The car overheated and burst into flames…”

[95] Lima News, OH. “Putnam man drowns as car slides in pond.” 12-6-1977, p. 4. National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, V19, N12, Dec 1977, p. 6.

[96] Associated Press. “Icy Mix Forecast For Ohio.” Portsmouth Times, OH, 12-8-1977, p. 1.

[97] Times-Bulletin, Van Wert, OH. “County Digs Out of Heavy Snowstorm.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[98] Associated Press. “Bradford Fifteen Inches Snow.” Courier-Express, DuBois, PA, 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[99] Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Dublin man dies as auto, camper collide…on icy road.” 12-6-1977, p. 1.

[100] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 7.

[101] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 7.

[102] Associated Press. “NW Penna. Hit.” The Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-8-1977, p. 13. Also: Storm Data.

[103] Associated Press. “NW Penna. Hit.” The Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-8-1977, p. 13. Also: Storm Data.

[104] National Climatic Center, NOAA. Storm Data, Vol. 19, No. 12, Dec 1977, p. 7.

[105] Story cites Pittsburgh police and identifies victim as Edward Klippi, 55, of West Leisenring, Fayette County. Associated Press. “NW Penna. Hit.” The Evening Standard, Uniontown, PA, 12-8-1977, p. 13. Newspaper account identified victim as Curtis E. Lemons, 34 of Cochranton, RD 1. Paper notes victim’s “car went out of control and skidded across the centerline of the four-lane highway, striking an oncoming car.” (Titusville Herald, PA. “Erie County Storm Misses This Area.” 12-12-1977, p. 5.)

[106] Victim identified as James Jury, 51. Daily American, Somerset, PA. “Snow, Wind Freeze Area.” 12-7-1977, p. 1.

[107] Wisconsin State Journal, Madison. “Death notices.” 12-12-1977, section 4, page 5.

[108] Kenosha News, WI. “Blame icy streets for traffic death.” 12-7-1977, p. 2.

[109] Kenosha News, WI. “Deaths.” 12-12-1977, p. 21.

[110] Associated Press. “Storm turns nation into giant icebox.” Syracuse Herald-Journal, 12-9-1977, p. 6.

[111] Kenosha News, WI. “Cold puts the bite on Kenosha.” 12-7-1977, p. 1.

[112] Ironwood Daily Globe, MI. “Winter Storm Blasts Range, U.P., Most of Wisconsin.” 12-9-1977, p. 2. Victim identified as Michael F. Birshbach, 17, of rural St. Cloud.

[113] Sandusky Register, OH. “This Weekend is Going to be Bitter Cold.” 12-10-1977, p. A2.

— 13 USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in…US…PR…VI, 1970 Through 1989. 2008.
–12-13 Blanchard count of identified deaths in NC and TN from breakouts below.

North Carolina (11)
–11 Blanchard count from locality breakouts below.
–11 Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. “Flood victims Cut Off.” November 9, 1977, p. 1.
–10 Kingsport Times, TN. “Federal Aid May Be Asked For Flooded-Out Co’s.,” 8 Nov 1977.
— 8 Gastonia Gazette, NC. “Mountain Flooding Fatal to 8,” Nov 7, 1977, p. 1.
Locality breakout, where noted:
— 3 Buncombe County, Enka-Chandler area. Drowning; mother and two children swept away.
— 3 Burke County, Morganton. Drowning; bodies of three teenagers found in flooded creek.
— 1 Burke Co., Morganton. Drowning; body of elderly man apparently seeking refuge found.
— 1 Madison County, Laurel Creek. Vehicular; missed curve in rain; Conley Blakenship, 71.
— 1 McDowell County, Catawba River. Drowning; pickup in river; Steven Roger Allison, 30.
— 1 Polk County. Drowning; boy, 4, with family trying to reach high ground, fell, was lost.
— 1 Watauga County, Boone. Man, 28, drowns after falling from log near home into stream.

Tennessee ( 1)
–1 Unicoi County, South Indian Creek, 4 miles south of Erwin. Drowning; Roger Williams.

Narrative Information

Neary and Swift: “In early November 1977, a storm system that formed in the Gulf of Mexico moved northeastward into the Appalachian Mountains. It produced intense (as much as 102 mm/hr) and heavy (200-300 mm) rainfall that set off debris avalanching in steep terrain of the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina. Antecedent rainfall during September and October was 177 percent of normal and the wettest on record for these 2 months. The storm began on 2 November, and rainfall was relatively continuous and even (20-50 mm/day) for the next 3 days. The long-duration rainfall was capped by intense convective downpours the night of 5-6 November when debris avalanching occurred. Peak intensities measured at 15 gauges near Asheville, North Carolina, ranged from 21 to 102 mm/hr, with nearly half exceeding 75 mm/hr. Return intervals for peak intensity rainfall in the range of 75 to 102 mm/hr are 50 to 200+ yr. Total storm rainfall for these gauges ranged from 35 to 250 mm, with peak 24-hr rainfalls of 30 to 180 mm. Rainfall intensities for 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hr periods at a gauge near one avalanching site were 69,137,159,164, and 180 mm, respectively. Development of the storm was monitored by GOES infrared satellite imagery in real time, and flash flood warnings were issued. Debris avalanching and high stormflow produced peak stream flows with return periods ranging from 20 to 100+ yr. The largest debris avalanches occurred on steep slopes (70% +), started at high elevations (900-1,100 m) in shallow residual soils (less than 1 m deep), had tracks commonly greater than 700 m, and carried a volume of material averaging 2,500m per avalanche.” (Neary/Swift. “Rainfall Thresholds for Triggering a Debris Avalanching Event in the Southern Appalachian Mountains,” Reviews in Engineering Geology, Vol. VII, 1987, p. 81.)

USGS: “The Eastern and Southeastern States were plagued by flood-producing rains during the months of October and November. Most of the flooding occurred on the west side of the Appalachian Mountains. Floods were especially severe in the headwaters of the Kanawha and Tennessee Rivers in eastern Tennessee, western Virginia, and North Carolina. The Holston River Basin in western Virginia and eastern Tennessee received excessive rainfall on October 2-3 and again on November 6-7, and several maximum discharges of record occurred on streams in the basin.

“The November 6-7 floods were especially severe along the New River in Tennessee. As much as 14 in. of total rainfall occurred in parts of North Carolina (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1977), creating floods that were said to be the among the worst in history in North Carolina. Recurrence intervals greater than 100 years were reported for four streamflow-gaging stations in North Carolina.

“The floods were responsible for 13 deaths, 3,600 homeless, and 9,000 unemployed. The floods destroyed 384 homes and 91 bridges, and caused 12 dams to fail. Fifty million dollars in damages were reported for North Carolina alone (Paulson and others, 1981). Sixteen counties in North Carolina, eight in Virginia, and six in Tennessee were declared Federal disaster areas.”
(USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the…[US…PR…VI], 1970 Through 1989. 2008.)

Newspapers

Nov 7, AP: “By the Associated Press [Nov 7, 1977] North Carolina mountain communities began cleaning up today after storm-spawned floods that raged through dozens of towns Sunday, carrying off mobile homes, smashing businesses and killing eight persons, including six children. The toll rose to eight when the Burke County Sheriff’s Department reported that the bodies of three boys, apparently teen-agers, were found at 5:30 a.m. today in a rain-swollen creek at Morganton.

“In other cases, two children and their mother died in the Enka-Candler area of Buncombe County west of Asheville when the swollen North Hominy Creek tore their mobile home from the ground and broke off one end. Mrs. Carolyn Morgan Hendrix and two boys, aged four and five, were pitched into the water about 4 p.m. Her husband and another child were at the other end of the home and didn’t even get wet.

“In Polk County another family that lived in a mobile home was trying to get away through waist-deep flood waters, and 4-year-old Bryan Scott Hart fell and disappeared.

“Drowns at Boone. The fifth victim was Michael Charles Townsend, 28, of Boone, who drowned while he tried to use a log to cross a flooded stream to safely near his home.

“The flash flooding was caused by thunderstorms that moved across the state from the west Sunday, dumping as much as five inches of rain in six hours tune in some areas. The rains turned every stream, valley and hollow into a danger area, and the situation grew worse when several small dams were unable to take the strain and collapsed.

“Highway officials and county sheriff’s departments also reported a number of bridges washed out, including several on dead end roads to residences that were left isolated.

“Authorities In Hot Springs and Marshall in Madison County reported water reached depths of up to seven feet in city streets before starting to recede, carrying merchandise from smashed store windows and leaving many businesses with thick layers of mud on their floors.

“Nursing home evacuated. Similar reports came from Boone, where residents of the Watauga Nursing Home were evacuated to hospitals and schools. Several other towns reported homes evacuated from regions near flooded streams.

“Three houses were destroyed north of Boone when the Tater Hill Dam on Howard’s creek collapsed and the 52-acre reservoir emptied. About 100 persons were evacuated from homes near Asheville where authorities said a dam had developed a crack. A dam on Reems Creek in Madison County was reported broken.

“The thunderstorms moved eastward across the state Sunday, setting off lesser flooding in some Piedmont and coastal areas. A half dozen persons had to be evacuated from Chocowinity south of Washington, N.C., and a shopping center roof in Goldsboro was partially caved in by heavy rains.” (Gastonia Gazette, NC. “Mountain Flooding Fatal to 8,” Nov 7, 1977, p. 1.)

Nov 8, Kingsport Times: “Gov. Ray Blanton on Wednesday is expected to ask for federal disaster help for five upper East Tennessee counties still recovering from flood waters that claimed its first victim Monday.

“County chairmen in Washington, Unicoi, Johnson, Carter and Greene counties reported state civil defense inspectors had viewed much of the damage and would be heading to Nashville this evening with their recommendations.

“In nearby western North Carolina. Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. likewise said he would request federal assistance after viewing by helicopter what he estimated was $40 million in damage to highways alone.

“Tennessee’s first fatality — joining 10 others who lost their lives in North Carolina Sunday and Monday — was tallied Monday when Unicoi County deputies found the body of Roger Williams in the South Indian Creek, four miles south of Erwin. Williams’ car, Sheriff Roby Osborne said, apparently went off the road into the creek and said deputies were searching capsized cars in numerous creeks south of Erwin hoping to find as many as three persons not yet accounted for.

“The death toll in North Carolina, meanwhile, rose to 10 when Morganton rescue workers found the body of an elderly man who drowned while seeking refuge from the storm in an empty building.

“Though damage reports were slowly, coming, a Stale Civil Defense worker estimated that damage to bridges and roads operated by the county and the state in Unicoi County approached $3 million.” (Kingsport Times (TN). “Federal Aid May Be Asked For Flooded-Out Co’s.,” 8 Nov 1977, 1B.)

Nov 9, Associated Press: “By The Associated Press — Hundreds of flood victims were still cut off by damaged roads and bridges today and hundreds more remained homeless three days after flash flooding devastated western North Carolina. Damage estimates in the millions of dollars began coming in Tuesday as the sun shined for the first day since the flooding and state-paid workers helped flooded communities scrape away the mud. The flooding, spawned by violent thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday, has claimed 11 lives. The latest victim was Conley Blakenship, 71, found Tuesday in Madison County’s Laurel Creek, where he landed after apparently missing a curve in Saturday’s rain.

“Red Cross officials said floods destroyed as many as a dozen homes and 38 mobile homes, not counting hundreds more damaged and temporarily abandoned.

“Deputies in Yancey County were trying without success Tuesday to reach hundreds of people they said were still stranded. “We have families we haven’t even heard from,” said deputy R.B. Edwards. “We have no roads in two sections of the county. We can’t even get through to estimate what damage we do have. Edwards said four-wheel drive vehicles had been unable to penetrate the isolated regions, and the only contact had been through a National Guard helicopter which was surveying the damage and had removed some heart attack victims. Edwards added that between 300 and 400 were still unable Tuesday to return home and were being housed in homes and schools. The deputy complained that neither the Red Cross nor any state agency had provided help.

“Much of Yancey County remained without phone or power service Tuesday and Burnsville’s water supply was severely curtailed.

“Red Cross officials said they were still sheltering 25-30 families in Buncombe County, where damage was estimated at $12 million, not counting more millions in damage at the textile plant in flood-ravaged Enka.

“Thirteen primary and hundreds of secondary roads were still closed Tuesday and many more had only one lane open to traffic, the state Transportation Department said.” (The Robesonian (Lumberton, NC). “Flood victims Cut Off.” November 9, 1977, pp. 1-2.)

Sources

Gastonia Gazette, NC. “Mountain Flooding Fatal to 8,” November 7, 1977, pp. 1 & 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=77852213

Kingsport Times, TN. “Federal Aid May Be Asked For Flooded-Out Counties,” Nov 8, 1977, 17. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=74879298

Neary, D. G. and L. W. Swift, Jr. “Rainfall Thresholds for Triggering a Debris Avalanching Event in the Southern Appalachian Mountains,” Reviews in Engineering Geology, Volume VII, 1987, pp. 81-92. Accessed 11-12-2016 at: http://coweeta.uga.edu/publications/623.pdf
Reassessed 10-2-2021 at: https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/books/book/790/Debris-Flows-Avalanches

The Robesonian, Lumberton, NC. “Flood victims Cut Off.” November 9, 1977, p. 1. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=103704251

United Press International. “Heavy Rains Cause Floods in Mountain States. North Carolina Called Disaster.” News Journal, Radford, VA, p. 2. Accessed 10-2-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/radford-news-journal-nov-08-1977-p-2/

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

Tennessee Valley Authority. Memorandum: November 6-7, 1977 Flood – Elizabeth Area.” 7-24-1978, 63 pages. Accessed 10-2-2021 at: https://fris.nc.gov/downloads/public/Redelineations/Ashe/TVA-FIELD%20REPORTS-1177.pdf

–39 Clarke. “The Johnstown Flood: the Worst Dam Failure in U.S.…” ABC News, 3-2- 2007.
–39 History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, November 6, 1977. Dam Gives Way in GA
–39 Sanders and Sauer, “Kelly Barnes Dam Flood of Nov 6, 1977, near Toccoa, GA” 1979.
–39 US DHS. Dams Sector: Estimating Loss of Life for Dam Failure Scenarios. 2011, p. 78.
–39 USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the US…PR…VI, 1970 Through 1989. 2008.
–38 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 82.
–37 Gastonia Gazette (NC). “Flood From Dam Break Fatal to 37,” Nov 7, 1977, pp. 1 & 5.
–35 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, pp. 308-309.

Narrative Information

DHS: “Kelly Barnes Dam was located in northeast Georgia, approximately 0.5 stream miles upstream from Toccoa Falls and 2.5 air miles northwest of the City of Toccoa. The dam was earthfill over a rock crib. It was originally built for power generation, but in the years before failure was being used for recreational purposes.

“Kelly Barnes Dam failed at approximately 1:20 am on Sunday, November 6, 1977. The dam was completed in 1899 with subsequent modifications. Parts of the dam were 78 years old when it failed. Failure of the dam was caused by heavy rains resulting in saturation of the embankment which led to downstream slope failure.

“The dam had a height of 40 feet and the reservoir volume at the time of failure was approximately 630 acre-feet. The drainage area upstream of the dam was 4.6 square miles (Atlas HA-613).

“‘Two volunteer firemen, associated with the [Toccoa Falls Bible] college, were sufficiently concerned to examine the dam shortly after midnight, November 6. They could see nothing. However, continued rain caused them to become alarmed. They were warning the residents in the flood plain below the dam of the potential for trouble when the dam broke” (USCOLD, 1977: 14). Other information indicates that the observation was made about 10:30 pm and the volunteer fire chief reportedly told a fellow fireman, ‘It’s as normal as ever. I’ve seen it much higher many times’ (Foster: 36). Dam failure warnings were not issued to the people at risk. Some environmental cues existed, but these did not give most people time to get out of harm’s way during the dark of night. Two volunteer firemen died in the flooding and immediate family members of two other volunteer firemen also died.

“A peak discharge of 24,000 ft3/s occurred near Forrest Hall college dorm, where the 10-year peak is approximately 1,175 ft3/s. Flooding was approximately 25 feet deep immediately downstream of the dam and 8 to 10 feet deep 1 mile downstream of the dam….

“Physical damage was confined to an area below Toccoa Falls to a path approximately 200 to 500 feet wide and 1.5 miles long. Nine houses, 18 trailer homes, and two college buildings were demolished. Four houses and five college buildings were damaged (Sanders, 1979: 2). The number of people at risk was approximately 250. There were 39 fatalities, all of which occurred in the first 1.5 miles downstream of the dam. Three of the deceased had been in Forrest Hall, 18 in permanent residences, 17 in trailer homes, and a volunteer fireman who did not live in the flooded area (Foster, 1978: 157 and Toccoa Record, 1977)….

“Although only three people died in Forrest Hall dormitory (with approximately 75 occupants at the time of the flood), there was an average of approximately one fatality per flooded trailer and more than one fatality per flooded permanent residence. In 5 residences at ‘residence row,’ where the dam failure increased flood levels by 10 to 12 feet from pre-failure levels, 13 of the 22 people in the homes when the dam failure flood arrived died in these homes or in the process of escaping….” (US DHS. “Kelly Barnes Dam, Georgia – Failed in November 1977,” pp. 77-79 in: US DHS. Dams Sector: Estimating Loss of Life for Dam Failure Scenarios. 2011.)

History.com: “Ninety miles north of Atlanta, the Toccoa (Cherokee for “beautiful”) Falls Dam was constructed of earth across a canyon in 1887, creating a 55-acre lake 180 feet above the Toccoa Creek. In 1911, R.A. Forrest established the Christian and Missionary Alliance College along the creek below the dam. According to legend, he bought the land for the campus from a banker with the only $10 dollars he had to his name, offering God’s word that he would pay the remaining $24,990 of the purchase price later.

“Sixty-six years later on November 5, a volunteer fireman inspected the dam and found everything in order. However, just hours afterward, in the early morning of November 6, the dam suddenly gave way. Water thundered down the canyon and creek, approaching speeds of 120 miles per hour.

“Although there was a tremendous roar when the dam broke, the residents of the college had no time to evacuate. Within minutes, the entire community was slammed by a wave of water. One woman managed to hang onto a roof torn from a building and ride the wave of water for thousands of feet. Her three daughters, however, were not so fortunate: They were among the 39 people who lost their lives in the flood.” (History.com. Nov 6, 1977. “Dam Gives Way in Georgia.”)

Sanders and Sauer: “The Kelly Barnes Dam on Toccoa Creek near Toccoa, Ga., failed at approximately 1:30 a.m., November 6, 1977, after a period of intensive rain. Thirty-nine people were killed and damages were estimated at $2.8 million by the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development….

“Kelly Barnes Dam was about 400 feet long, 20 feet wide at the crest, and 40 feet high at the maximum section. The dam was concave upstream….

“The history of the dam as determined by the Federal Investigative Board (1977) is summarized as follows: The dam went through various stages of development, first as a rock crib dam and then with subsequent stages as an earth dam. The rock crib dam was completed about 1899 to impound water for a small hydroelectric plant located near the foot of the falls. About 1937, the Toccoa Falls Bible Institute, which later became Toccoa Falls College, was interested in developing a more dependable power source and decided to build an earth dam over the rock crib dam with equipment provided by a local manufacturer.

“After World War II, the earthfill was raised to a point where an earth spillway on the left side of the valley (facing downstream) could be utilized, and a low point on the rim on the right side away from the dam would serve as a secondary spillway during high flows. This installation served as a power source for the Toccoa Falls Bible Institute until 1957. At that time, power generation was stopped but the lake continued to be used for recreation….

“Flood profile.- Water-surface profiles, determined from a field survey of high-water marks left by the flood of November 6…[show] Average depths in the main channel above Toccoa Falls were about 17 feet. Depths in the vicinity of the college ranged from about 21 feet at Forrest Hall Dormitory to about 18 feet at the trailer village. Depths downstream from Georgia Highway 17 averaged about 15 feet….

“Approximately nine houses, 18 house trailers, two college buildings, and many motor vehicles were completely demolished. Four houses and five college buildings were damaged by water. Only two houses downstream from Georgia Highway 17 were damaged.

“The embankment at Toccoa Falls Drive, the oxidation pond above Georgia Highway 17, and parts of the main channel were scoured. Two bridges on Toccoa Falls Drive and the culvert at County Farm Road were completely destroyed. The highway embankments at Georgia Highway 17 were washed out at both ends of the bridge, and one of the bridge abutments at Highview Road was destroyed. The water-supply pipe for the city of Toccoa was broken and the city’s water supply was contaminated for several days.” (Sanders and Sauer, “Kelly Barnes Dam Flood of November 6, 1977, near Toccoa, Georgia.” U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA-613, 1979)

USGS: “Rainfall of 5 to 7 in. caused severe flooding on small streams in northern Georgia on November 2-6 and eventually caused the failure of the Kelly Barnes Dam in Toccoa, Georgia. The dam failed at 1:30 a.m. on November 6, resulting in a 25-ft wave of water rushing down the narrow canyon toward the Toccoa Falls Bible College. The campus was inundated within minutes. One dormitory had 8 ft of water on the ground floor. A trailer park associated with the college was destroyed as 10 ft of water rushed through it. Thirty-nine deaths and $2.8 million in damages occurred during this flash flood (Paulson and others, 1991 ).” (USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the United States, PR, and the VI, 1970-1989. 2008.)

Newspaper

AP: “Toccoa, Ga. (AP) – – The campus of a small, northeastern Georgia college lay in ruins after an earthen dam broke and sent torrents of water rushing through the sleeping community of Toccoa. At least 37 persons, including 20 children, were killed in flooding that followed the dam break Sunday morning. Two others were reported missing….

“Gov, George Busbee inspected the damage and said later that the dam that broke above Toccoa Falls was one of 84 such earthen embankments in Georgia that had been declared high-hazard dams by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The hazard designation does not mean the dams are structurally unsafe but that if they broke, damage would be significant, a corps spokesman said…

“Busbee said federal and state inspections were being made of other dams in northern Georgia to prevent another disaster. First lady Rosalynn Carter, a Georgia native, flew lo the community from Washington Sunday. She told Toccoa’s 9,000 residents and the Bible College students that President Carter had promised federal assistance.

“Crews worked into the night searching for victims and cleaning up debris. The community was without electricity or natural gas service because of damage to major distribution lines. Water was scarce, some of it carried into the city by neighboring residents. Officials said they expected
the college to remain closed for at least a week.

“Weakened by two days of heavy rain, the dam — which held back tons of water in an 80-acre lake above the scenic Toccoa Falls — gave way about 1:30 a.m.

“Picks up speed. The water picked up speed as it dropped over the 186-foot falls and smashed Into the valley, demolishing or severely damaging at least a dozen houses and some 15 mobile homes. Most of the damage occurred in the low-lying campus housing area.

“Three volunteer firemen also were killed. They were in the area to warn residents that a creek meandering through campus was near flood stage. ‘There was this awful screaming and the ripping of metal,” said Bill Stacy, 10, who lived in a mobile home with his parents, two brothers and a sister. “It is a miracle, but we all got out, and my parents helped hunt for the bodies later.”

“The dam, built by the college about 1940, was last inspected three days ago, said Bible College president Kenn Opperman. He did not say who conducted the inspection. Opperman said the only previous problem in hi four years in office occurred about a year ago, when water spilled over the dam and caused some $100,000 damage, mostly to roads and land.” (Gastonia Gazette (NC). “Flood From Dam Break Fatal to 37,” November 7, 1977, pp. 1 & 5.)

Sources

Clarke, Connie. “The Johnstown Flood: the Worst Dam Failure in U.S. History — The Kaloko Dam Disaster Has Many Antecedents.” ABC News, March 2, 2007. Accessed at: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2918360&page=1

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

Gastonia Gazette, NC. “Flood From Dam Break Fatal to 37,” November 7, 1977, pp. 1 & 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=77852213

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, November 6, 1977. “Dam Gives Way in Georgia.” Accessed at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=11/06&categoryId=disaster

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

Sanders, C. L. and Vernon B. Sauer. Kelly Barnes Dam Flood of Nov 6, 1977, near Toccoa, GA. United States Geological Survey Hydrologic Atlas 613. 1979; webpage modified 11-30-2016. Accessed 5-21-2020 at: https://pubs.usgs.gov/ha/ha613/

United States Department of Homeland Security. Dams Sector: Estimating Loss of Life for Dam Failure Scenarios. Washington, DC: DHS, September 2011, 94 pages. Accessed 12-2-2017 at: https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=726315

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

–24 AP. “24 Now Known Dead in Helicopter Crash.” The Register, Orange Co., CA. 10-22-1977, A2.
–24 Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant losses since 1908. 1999, p. 125.
–24 National Museum of the Marine Corps. 10-22-2013.

Narrative Information

Gero:
Date: 21 October 1977 (c.10:30)
Location: Mindoro, the Philippines
Operator: US Marine Corps
Aircraft type: Sikorsky CH-53D (157139)

“The turbine-engine helicopter, carrying a load of troops and also lifting with an external sling an empty water container, or ‘bull’, crashed and burned in mountainous terrain 80 miles (130km) south-west of Manila. Killed in the accident were 24 of the 37 American servicemen aboard the aircraft, including the entire crew of four, while the 13 surviving passengers and a US Navy corpsman who came to the scene to help suffered injuries.

“After it began to life the water trailer off the ground, the rotorcraft yawed to the right, whereupon the crew released the container. At that point, the CH-53 appeared to stabilize momentarily, but then continued wi6th increasing speed in its clock-wise rotation, while in a nose-high attitude. During this time, a number of occupants were ejected from the rear cargo door. Still spinning, the aircraft descended until it struck the terrain 300ft (100m) below the saddle from which it had picked up the water trailer, the impact shearing off its tail rotor and a large portion of the tail assembly. It finally nosed down and slammed to earth, rolling over at least twice before coming to rest generally up-right.

“….It was the opinion of the officer in charge of the investigation that the high gross weight of the aircraft and the density altitude conditions in which it had been operating, requiring high power while both hovering and lifting an external load, exceeded the authority of the tail rotor to counter the torque effect of the main rotor and thus maintain directionally-controlled flight. The external load was jettisoned in an unsuccessful attempt to regain control, and it appeared that the crew then lowered the collective pitch, reducing the power applied to the rotor system, and further tried to fly down the slope of the hill in order to effect recovery, without success. There was no evidence of any mechanical failure factoring in the accident.

“The investigating officer further express the opinion that with proper restraint, all of those killed except the two pilots would have survived the crash, and a number of serious injuries would have been prevented. Though highly experience, the flight crew was considered negligent in trying to lift a load under the prevailing conditions, and the crew chief for not requiring the passengers to use the seat belts that were available; the pilots apparently also failed to supervise him in this respect. With regard to the latter factor, one of the recommendations made in the accident report was that Marine personnel wear helmets and use seat belts when riding as passengers aboard rotary-wing aircraft.” (Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant losses since 1908. 1999, p. 125.)

National Museum of the Marine Corps: “On 21 October 1977, a CH-53 crashed in Mindoro, Philippines during sling load operations due to a design flaw in the tail rotor drive; 31 US Marines serving in Operation Fortress Lightning were killed.” [A list of the victims is contained.]
(National Museum of the Marine Corps. 10-22-2013.)

Newspaper

Oct 22: “Manila, The Philippines (AP) – Rescue workers hacked through jungle to reach the wreckage of a U.S. Marine helicopter today and pulled out 14 more bodies, the Navy said. The new discoveries brought to 24 the number of dead from the crash on a central Philippines island. The Navy said 14 injured servicemen were being treated at U.S. military hospitals on the main island of Luzon. One was a Navy medical corpsman hurt during the rescue operation.

“The CH53-D Sea Stallion helicopter, carrying a crew of four and 33 passengers, crashed Friday in the mountains of Mindoro island, about 80 miles southwest of Manila, as the Navy and Marine Corps ended a two-week training exercise described as the largest amphibious operation in the Pacific since World War II.” (AP. “24 Now Known Dead in Helicopter Crash.” The Register, Orange County, CA. 10-22-1977, A2.)

Sources

Associated Press. “24 Now Known Dead in Helicopter Crash.” The Register, Orange County, CA. 10-22-1977, A2. Accessed 3-12-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/orange-county-register-oct-22-1977-p-2/

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant losses since 1908. The UK: Patrick Stephens Limited, 1999.

National Museum of the Marine Corps. 10-22-2013. Accessed 3-12-2020 at: https://www.facebook.com/USMCMuseum/posts/on-21-october-1977-a-ch-53-crashed-in-mindoro-philippines-during-sling-load-oper/10151794259227880/