lornajarrettblanchard

–11  AP (Aliah Wright). “Eleven Die in Cabin Fire.” Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA, 3-23-1998, p.1.

–11  AP (Aliah D. Wright). “Fire cause a mystery.” Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, 3-24-1998, 1.

–11  AP. “Tragedy may spur push for statewide safety rules.” Daily News, 3-25-1998, p. 8.

–11  Daily Item, Sunbury, PA (Amanda Keister). “A void that time can’t fill. 6-23-2008.

–11  NFPA. The U.S. Fire Problem. “Home fires with ten or more fatalities (1980-2007).”

–11  Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA. “Arson ruled out as cause…cabin fire.” 4-16-1998, A7

 

Narrative Information

 

March 23: “Herndon, PA. (AP) – Members of this small, close-knit community tried to come to grips today with the deaths of 11 young friends in a mountain fire…The 11 victims died early Sunday [March 22] when fire engulfed a hunting cabin on Madisonburg Mountain, 20 miles northeast of State College. Authorities said most of the teens and young adults came from the Herndon area, about 30 miles north of Harrisburg….Police said the cabin was engulfed in flames when they arrived at 5:20 a.m. Sunday. The cause of the fire had not been released by mid morning….[cabin co-owner] said the cabin had many windows and doors. He said he didn’t understand why the victims didn’t get out. ‘Were they asphyxiated? Were they overcome by smoke? Were the kids maybe smoking and one fell asleep?’ he asked….

 

“The two-story oak and pine cabin sat on a secluded, heavily wooded site off a winding two-lane

road. Its crumpled metal roof sat askew on what remained of the cabin’s frame and foundation… Kent Rishel of Madisonburg, a maintenance man at a nearby church camp, was shocked by what he saw when he went by the cabin site Sunday afternoon. ‘Firetrucks were there. Police vans were there. Ambulances were there. But there wasn’t even a resemblance of a building. There wasn’t anything left,’ he said. The students, who were on spring break, arrived at the cabin Friday night and were planning to go home Sunday….” (AP. Aliah Wright. “Eleven Die in Cabin Fire.” Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA, 3-23-1998, p. 1.

 

March 24: “….The victims died from asphyxiation and carbon monoxide poisoning in the swift moving fire, sometime between 3: 10 a.m. and 5:36 a.m. Sunday, officials said.” (AP/Aliah D. Wright. “Fire cause a mystery.” Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, 3-24-1998, pp. 1-2.)

 

March 25: “Harrisburg (AP) – The deaths of 11 people in a smoky mountain cabin point to the need for statewide construction regulations, especially in remote areas where help can be far away, a fire-safety advocate said. Pennsylvania has no statewide requirement that buildings be equipped with smoke detectors or fire extinguishers. That responsibility is ‘at the whim’ of  local governments, said John Brenner, director of the Pennsylvania Fire Services Institute….State police said that no smoke detectors were found in the charred remains of the cabin in Miles Township, near State College. The township does not require smoke detectors to be installed in any buildings, said solicitor John Miller III.

 

“The situation in Miles Township is common in Pennsylvania, Brenner said. About half of the state’s municipalities have no building codes, which set the standards for construction and can include safety features such as smoke detectors, he said. Brenner’s organization for several years has pushed for legislation that would establish statewide standards for construction. A bill that passed the House last year is awaiting action in the Senate.” (AP (Jim Strader). “Tragedy may spur push for statewide safety rules.” Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, 3-25-1998, p. 8.)

 

April 16: “Madisonburg — The cabin fire that killed 11 people on a camping trip in Centre County last month was not deliberately set, state fire officials said. ‘There was just nothing there to support any possibility’ of arson, state police Fire Marshall Terry Miller said Tuesday. ‘We have been able to effectively dispel and disprove that.’….Investigators continue to work on the case. Examinations of the cabin’s heating and electrical systems have yielded no clues. Miller said. State police are still awaiting test results from their crime laboratories in Harrisburg, as well as tests performed at an independent laboratory in Maryland, according to Miller.” (Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA. “Arson ruled out as cause of deadly cabin fire.” 4-16-1998, A7.)

 

2008: “….No cause was ever determined….” (Daily Item, Sunbury, PA (Amanda Keister). “A void that time can’t fill. 6-23-2008.)

Sources

 

Associated Press (Aliah Wright). “Eleven Die in Cabin Fire.” Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA, 3-23-1998, p. 1. Accessed 8-9-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=126636329&sterm

 

Associated Press (Aliah D. Wright). “Fire cause a mystery.” Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, 3-24-1998, pp. 1-2. Accessed 8-9-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/us/pennsylvania/huntingdon/huntingdon-daily-news/1998/03-24/

 

Associated Press (Jim Strader). “Tragedy may spur push for statewide safety rules.” Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, 3-25-1998, p. 8. Accessed 8-9-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=243246576&sterm=madisonburg+fire

 

Daily Item, Sunbury, PA (Amanda Keister). “A void that time can’t fill. 6-23-2008. Accessed 8-9-2015: http://www.dailyitem.com/news/a-void-that-time-can-t-fill/article_737a6ce4-1fed-59c2-9b5b-65a66c05e67b.html

 

National Fire Protection Association. The U.S. Fire Problem. “Home fires with ten or more fatalities (1980-2007).” Accessed 5-26-2016 at:

http://www.nfpa.org:80/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=953&itemID=30981&URL=Research%20&%20Reports/Fire%20statistics/The%20U.S.%20fire%20problem

 

Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA. “Arson ruled out as cause of deadly cabin fire.” 4-16-1998, A7. Accessed 8-9-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=224947056&sterm=madisonburg+fire

 

 

 

 

 

— 12  Grazulis. US Killer Tornadoes of 1998. Tornado Project Online.

— 12  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado. Search Results for All Counties in Georgia.

–10  NCDC. Event Record Detail, Tornado, Georgia, 20 March 1998, Murrayville.

1. Male, 1, mobile home.
2. Male, 6, mobile home.
3. Male, 30, mobile home.
4. Male, 35, mobile home.
5. Male, 51, mobile home.
6. Male, 52, mobile home.
7. Male, 74, mobile home.
8. Female, 12, mobile home.
9. Female, 32, mobile home.
10. Male, 50, vehicle/towed trailer.

—  2  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, GA, White County, March 20, 1998.

1. Female, 4, mobile home.
2. Male, 31, mobile home.

 

Narrative Information

 

Grazulis: “An unexpected morning tornado cut a 10-mile-long, half-mile-wide path, killing 12 people and injuring 103 more in the Gainesville area of Hall County, Georgia. White County was suffered the brunt of the storm. Seven of the deaths occurred in the 45 mobile homes that were destroyed or damaged. About a third of the Lanier Elementary School was destroyed and North Hall High School was partly unroofed. The children had not yet arrived for school. An hour or so later, there would have been hundreds of students in the buildings. One of the deaths occurred directly next to the elementary school, as a man delivering food there was killed when his truck was lifted and dropped onto the school caretaker’s trailer home. A 76-year-old man, his daughter and a grandson were killed in a trailer on the North Hall High School campus. Of the dead, 4 were children. Forty-one homes were “100%” destroyed, and 132 houses were damaged. Some of the damaged homes cannot be lived in. All deaths except the aforementioned vehicular death occurred in mobile homes. Two of the deaths in a mobile home occurred when the home was blown into a pond.”  (Grazulis. Tornado Project Online. US Killer Tornadoes of 1998.)

 

NCDC: “The tornado began in northwest Hall county and moved into southern White county. Total distance covered was about 13 miles. Aerial and ground surveys by NWS employees showed extensive damage along the path. There was significant damage to Lanier Elementary School and North Hall High School. Houses, trailers, businesses, and agricultural interests (namely the poultry industry) were demolished or damaged. Large areas of forest were flattened. A tractor-trailer truck was thrown 100 feet from the road into a school, killing the driver. All of the other 11 persons killed were in mobile homes. The damage path varied from 50 to 200 yards, but averaged around 100 yards wide.” (NCDC/NOAA. Event Record Detail, Tornado, Georgia, 20 Mar 1998, Murrayville.)

Sources

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. US Killer Tornadoes of 1998. Tornado Project Online. Accessed 1-4-2009 at: http://www.tornadoproject.com/

 

National Climatic Data Center. Event Record Detail, Tornado, Georgia, 20 Mar 1998, Murrayville. NCDC, NOAA, Department of Commerce.  Accessed 2-4-2009 at:  http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~315501

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado. Search Results for All Counties in Georgia, 03/20/1998. Accessed 1-14-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=03&beginDate_dd=20&beginDate_yyyy=1998&endDate_mm=03&endDate_dd=20&endDate_yyyy=1998&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=13%2CGEORGIA

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, GA, White County, March 20, 1998. Accessed 1-14-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5633551

 

 

–42  Grazulis, Thomas. Tornado Project Online. “US Killer Tornadoes of 1998.”

–42  History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, Feb 22, 1998. “Deadly Tornadoes Rip…”

–42  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado. Search Results for all Counties in FL, Feb 22-23.

—  3  Orange County, Feb 22, 23:41-Feb 23 00:00. F3 Winter Garden, tornado. NCDC.

—  Female, 68, mobile home; males, both 80, both in mobile homes.

–25  Osceola County, Intercession City tornado, Kissimmee, Feb 23, 00:40-00:55.[1]

—  Females, 31, 33, 45, 47, 65, 66, 67, and 75, in mobile homes.

—  Males, 1, 22, 23, 30, 38, 50, and 51, in mobile homes.

—  Female, 64, 70, 71 and 85 in vehicles.

—  Males, 33, 51, 51, 69, 71 and 73 in vehicles.

–12  Seminole County, F3, 00:10 to 00:25.[2]

1. Male, 9, mobile home.
2. Male 23, mobile home.
3. Male 26, mobile home.
4. Male, 37, mobile home.
5. Male, 41, mobile home.
6. Male, 49, mobile home.
7. Male, 53, permanent home.
8. Male, 62, mobile home.
9. Female, 11, mobile home.
10. Female, 21, mobile home.
11. Female, 39, mobile home.
12. Female, 40, mobile home.

—  1  Volusia Co., Daytona Beach, F2, Feb 22, 22:55-23:05. Male, 41, mobile home.[3]

—  1  Volusia Co., Osteen vicinity. Feb 23, 00:25-00:28. Male, 53, recreational vehicle.[4]

–42  St. Petersburg Times.  “Storm Q&A.”  February 2, 2007.

 

Narrative Information

 

NCDC, Daytona Beach Volusia County: “The first tornado in a major tornado outbreak set down along Route 92 about 5 miles southwest of Daytona Beach. The category F2 tornado moved about 8 miles to the northeast passing over the junction of Interstate 95 and Interstate 4 and finally lifted in the south part of Daytona Beach west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Six hundred structures were damaged or destroyed. One person was killed in a mobile home and three others were injured.” (NCDC, Storm Events Database. Tornado, FL, Volusia, 2-22-1998.)

 

NCDC, Orange County, Winter Garden: “The Lake County tornado moved into Orange County about 5 miles southwest of Winter Garden moving northeast at 45 mph. It rapidly intensified to a category F3 tornado with estimated winds near 200 mph. The tornado moved through Winter Garden between 11:47 pm and 11:55 pm destroying a mobile home community in Winter Garden. There were three fatalities and 70 injuries. Five hundred structures were either damaged or destroyed.”

 

NCDC, Osceola County Kissimmee: “The deadliest tornado of the outbreak was a category F3 that touched down initially one mile south of Intercession City. The tornado moved northeast at 45 mph and ripped through the town of Kissimmee killing 25 people. The hardest hit areas were the Morningside Acres mobile home community and the Ponderosa Recreational Vehicle Park. In all eight people were killed in recreational vehicles, fifteen in mobile homes and one in an automobile. The tornado continued northeast and moved into Orange County six miles north of St. Cloud. One hundred and fifty people were injured and over 1000 structures were damaged or destroyed.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, FL, Osceola Co., Feb 23, 00:40-00-55.)

 

NCDC, Osceola County, Kissimmee: “The deadliest tornado of the outbreak was a category F3 that touched down initially one mile south of Intercession City. The tornado moved northeast at 45 mph and ripped through the town of Kissimmee killing 25 people. The hardest hit areas were the Morningside Acres mobile home community and the Ponderosa Recreational Vehicle Park. In all eight people were killed in recreational vehicles, fifteen in mobile homes and one in an automobile. The tornado continued northeast and moved into Orange County six miles north of St. Cloud. One hundred and fifty people were injured and over 1000 structures were damaged or destroyed.” (NCDC/NOAA. Event Record Details. Tornado, 23 Feb 1998, 12:40 AM EST)

 

NCDC, Sanford, Seminole County: “The Seminole County category F3 tornado was produced by the same supercell that produced the Winter Garden tornado. It initially set down near Longwood and moved northeast at 45 mph. The tornado passed through several neighborhoods in the southeast portion of Sanford killing 12 people in mobile homes and injuring 70. It continued northeast and crossed into Volusia County 5 miles east of Sanford. The near 200 mph winds of the tornado damaged or destroy 625 structures.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, Florida, Seminole County, Feb 23, 1998, 00:10-00:25.)

 

NCDC, Volusia County: “The Sanford tornado crossed into Volusia County near Highway 46 and the St. Johns River where it killed a 53 year old man in a recreational vehicle at a fish camp. The tornado continued northeast for 2 miles and dissipated in a rural part of south Volusia County.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, FL, Volusia, Feb 23, 00:25-00:28.)

 

Grazulis: “During the first killer tornadoes of the year, three supercells dropped killer tornadoes in Florida around midnight on February 22-23, striking while people slept. The final total seems to be forty-two deaths and about 260 injured. President Clinton toured the damage and declared 14 counties eligible for Federal disaster relief.”  (Grazulis, Tornado Project. “US Killer Tornadoes of 1998.”)

 

9:55 PM: “The tornado touched down near I-95 and I-4 in South Daytona, Volusia County, blowing 4 tractor-trailers off the highway. It damaged many mobile homes in the Colonial Colony South trailer park. A man was killed when his trailer caved in on him. A family whose roof was damaged found one of their roof trusses a few days later, in the trailer park area, about a mile away from their home.” (Grazulis. Tornado Project. “US Killer Tornadoes of 1998.”)

 

12:10 AM (23^rd):  “ Many structures were destroyed in the Altamonte Springs to Sanford area of Florida, much of it at the Sanford airport. Thirteen people were killed. In one residence, a couple, their daughter and her fiancé were all killed. The young woman’s body was found by divers when they searched the creek behind the home. Her 5-year-old daughter survived. One man who was wearing a life-jacket when he fell asleep in an RV(a practice he followed on stormy nights)at Rod’s Fish Camp was blown into the raging St. Johns River when the vehicle was overturned. He suffered several broken ribs and other injuries, but remained afloat in Lake Harney, clinging to an overturned boat, until rescuers found him about a mile from the RV site. Another man was also blown into the river and was reported missing for several days until his body was found. Wreckage from the half dozen or so trailers was washed as far away as 6 miles up the river. All but one death occurred in mobile homes or RVs.” (Grazulis. Tornado Project.  “US Killer Tornadoes of 1998.”)

 

12:50 AM (23^rd):  “Numerous buildings, mobile homes and an RV park were destroyed from Campbell City to Boggy Creek Road in Kissimmee, Florida(Osceola County). Twenty-five people were killed, all but one of which were in mobile homes, modular homes, trailers or campers. Dogs were used to search the pine woods near the Ponderosa Park campground in the hopes of finding survivors still in the underbrush. An sleeping 18-month-old boy was flung, mattress and all, from his great-grandmothers home into the branches of a fallen oak tree in the yard. He was found a half hour after the tornado struck, tucked safely into the mattress, five feet above the ground, covered by sheetrock, boards, and branches which had blown onto it. The child survived with only a few scratches. The house he was in had been destroyed. A 70-year-old Episcopal priest was asleep in a chair when it was hurled 60 yards across the street. His modular home was destroyed and he was fatally injured. Seven other people in that same residential area were killed. About two miles away, every one of the 163 homes in the Flamingo Lakes subdivision was damaged to some degree. About half of these homes, valued at between $100,000 and $200,000 were “destroyed”, but there were no deaths there.” (Grazulis.)

 

History.com: “Seven tornadoes rip through central Florida on this day in 1998, killing 42 people. This was the deadliest outbreak of twisters in Florida’s history.

 

“The potential for deadly storms in the winter of 1997-98 in Florida was first forecast in October. The El Nino weather system was in full effect, pushing high-altitude jet stream winds further south than normal–right through the middle of Florida. Meteorologists predicted that this would give rise to a significant possibility of tornado activity in Florida, where such events are usually quite rare. A few twisters hit southern Florida on February 2, but were not deadly. On Friday, February 20, officials saw that an unusually warm system arriving from the southeast was set to collide with the jet stream, which suggested that tornadoes were very likely. The public was alerted.

 

“On Sunday, official tornado warnings were issued for counties across the central portion of the state. However, despite the advance notice, many people went to bed and turned off their radios and televisions, missing the detailed warnings that were issued in the evening. The first tornado struck down at about 10:30 p.m.; six more formed over the next several hours.

 

“The most powerful and deadly tornado of the series came down in Kissimmee at 12:40 a.m. It was categorized as an F3 with winds up to 206 miles per hour. The tornado destroyed multiple motor homes in the city’s Ponderosa RV Park, where 10 people died, including a man who was thrown onto the Florida Turnpike. Elsewhere in Kissimmee, an 18-month-old child was pulled right out of its father’s arms by the tornado and killed. In all, 25 people lost their lives in Kissimmee.

 

“The last of the 42 victims died from his injuries on March 5. At least 250 people were seriously injured and approximately 3,000 buildings were destroyed. And it could have been worse–the tornadoes took paths that went just north and just south of the city of Orlando, the most heavily populated part of the region.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, February 22, 1998. “Deadly Tornadoes Rip Through Central Florida.”)

 

Sources

 

Grazulis, Thomas P. Tornado Project Online. “US Killer Tornadoes of 1998.” Accessed 1-4-2009 at: http://www.tornadoproject.com/

 

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, February 22, 1998. “Deadly Tornadoes Rip Through Central Florida.” Accessed 12/07/2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=02/22&categoryId=disaster

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Event Record Details, Tornado, Florida, 23 Feb 1998, 12:19 AM EST.  NCDC: NOAA Satellite and Information Service. Accessed 2-3-2009 at:

http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~314262

 

National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. Tornado. Search Results for all Counties in Florida, Feb 23, 1998. Accessed 1-17-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28C%29+Tornado&beginDate_mm=02&beginDate_dd=23&beginDate_yyyy=1998&endDate_mm=02&endDate_dd=23&endDate_yyyy=1998&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=12%2CFLORIDA

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, Florida, Orange County, Feb 22-23, 1998. Accessed 1-17-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5643841

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, FL, Osceola County, Feb 23, 1998, 00:40-00-55. Accessed 1-17-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5641811

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, Florida, Seminole County, Feb 23, 1998, 00:10-00:25. Accessed 1-17-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5643842

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F2, Florida, Volusia County, Feb 22, 1998, 22:55-23:05. Accessed 1-17-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5643839

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F2, Florida, Volusia County, Feb 23, 1998, 00:25-00:28. Accessed 1-17-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5643843

 

St. Petersburg Times, FL. “Storm Q&A.”  2-2-2007. Accessed at:  http://www.sptimes.com/2007/02/02/State/Storm_QA.shtml

 

 

[1] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, FL, Osceola County, Feb 23, 1998, 00:40-00-55. See, also, NCDC/NOAA. Event Record Details. Tornado, 23 Feb 1998.

[2] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F3, FL, Seminole County, Feb 23, 1998.

[3] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F2, FL, Volusia County, Feb 22, 1998, 22:55-23:05.

[4] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Tornado, F2, FL, Volusia County, Feb 23, 1998, 00:25-00:28.

–1  CNN. “Eric Robert Rudolph Fast Facts.” 9-14-2015.

–1  NYT (Rick Bragg). “Bomb Kill Guard at an Alabama Abortion Clinic.” 1-30-1998.

–1  Pence. “Eric…Rudolph: The losses he caused…Birmingham bombing.” AL.com, 1-29-2015.

–1  WP (Baker). “Blast at Alabama Abortion Clinic Kills a Policeman, Injures Nurse. 1-30-1998.

 

Narrative Information

 

CNN: “January 29, 1998 – A bomb hidden beneath a shrub explodes at the New Woman All Women Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. Robert Sanderson, a 35-year-old off-duty police officer working as a security guard, is killed. Nurse Emily Lyons, 41, is seriously injured. In his 2005 plea agreement, Rudolph admits that he detonated the bomb by remote control, as Sanderson stood over it.” (CNN. “Eric Robert Rudolph Fast Facts.” 9-14-2015.)

 

Jan 30, NYT: “Birmingham, Ala., Jan. 29 — In what is believed to be the first fatal bombing of an abortion clinic in the United States, an off-duty police officer was killed and a nurse critically wounded in a blast early today at a clinic on Birmingham’s south side. The explosion at the New Woman, All Women Health Care Clinic, long a target of protesters, went off at about 7:30 A.M., just as the clinic was opening, said the city’s police chief, W.M. Coppage.

 

“The bomb, believed to have been a small homemade device planted somewhere just outside the front of the clinic, killed Robert D. Sanderson, 35, an eight-year police veteran who was working part time as a guard at the clinic. The blast also badly injured Emily Lyons, a 41-year-old nurse who was opening the clinic. Ms. Lyons, in surgery all day today, was wounded in one eye and her face, and both legs were seriously injured….” (NYT (Rick Bragg). “Bomb Kill Guard at an Alabama Abortion Clinic.” 1-30-1998.)

 

Sources

 

CNN. “Eric Robert Rudolph Fast Facts.” 9-14-2015. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/us/eric-robert-rudolph—fast-facts/

 

New York Times (Rick Bragg). “Bomb Kill Guard at an Alabama Abortion Clinic.” 1-30-1998. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/30/us/bomb-kills-guard-at-an-alabama-abortion-clinic.html

 

Pence, Gregory. “Eric Robert Rudolph: The losses he caused and those who narrowly escaped the Birmingham bombing.” AL.com, 1-29-2015. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/memories_of_eric_rudolph_the_l.html

 

Washington Post (Donald P. Baker). “Blast at Alabama Abortion Clinic Kills a Policeman, Injures Nurse. 1-30-1998. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/abortviolence/stories/atlanta2.htm

 

–56  U.S. and Canadian fatalities. NCDC. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

–45    “ (Ice Storm only)  RMS. The 1998 Ice Storm: 10-Year Retrospective. 2008, p. 2.

–28  Canadian deaths.[1]

–17  U.S. deaths.

–36  Blanchard tally of State breakouts below.

–28  Flooding & Ice Storm total, U.S. NCDC. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

–17  Ice Storm-related, U.S. Lecomte, Eugene L. Ice Storm ’98. ICLR, Dec 1998, p. 1.

 

Summary of Causes of Death

 

Southern Flash Flooding and Flooding (Drownings)        (15)

— 2  AL

— 1  AR

— 1  KY

— 1  LA

— 2  NC

— 1  SC

— 7  TN

 

Ice Storm-Related (Northern NY and New England)       (21)

 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning           (8)        — 3  Maine

— 1  New Hampshire

— 4  New York

Falls                                                    (2)       — 2 New York

 

Fire (woodstove)                                (1)        — 1  New York

                       

Heart Attack                                      (1)       — 1  New York

           

Hypothermia                                      (4)       — 3  Maine

— 1  New York

Roof Collapse                                    (1)       — 1  Maine

 

Tree/branch fall                                (2)       — 1  Maine

— 1  Vermont

Vehicular                                           (2)       –1? New Hampshire

–1  NY (bucket truck holding tree-limb cutter slides

down icy road, throwing him)

 

Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Alabama                     (2)        Flash Flood-Related

— 1  Flood-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

— 2  NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood Search Results all Counties Alabama.

— 1  Okatuppa Creek ~Gilbertown, Jan 7. Male, 32, drowned; vehicle washed into creek.[2]

— 1  Shelby Co., Jan 7. Girl, 5, drowning; sucked into storm drain. NCDC SED.

 

Arkansas                    (1)        Flash Flood-Related

— 1  St. Paul vic., Jan 5. Madison Co. sheriff drowned; patrol car swept off low-water bridge.[3]

 

Kentucky                   (1)        Flash Flood-Related

— 1  Flood-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

— 1  Bath, Jan 7. Drowning; female, 62, fell from foot bridge into flooded creek. NCDC SED.

 

Louisiana                   (1)        Flash Flood-Related

— 1  Natchitoches, LA 120 ~Flora, Jan 7. Male, 72, drove around barricade into high water.[4]

 

Maine                         (8)

–8  State. Three direct and five indirect. NWS Eastern Region. The Ice Storm…1998, B17. [5]

–3  Carbon monoxide.

–3  Hypothermia.

–1  Roof collapse.

–1  Tree/branch fall.

–5  Ice storm-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

–1  Newport, Jan 9. Carbon monoxide poisoning; male, 73, generator, unventilated basement.[6]

–2  Waterville, Jan 9. Carbon monoxide poisoning; man & wife, generator, unvented basement.[7]

 

New Hampshire         (2)

— 2  DeGaetano. “Climatic Perspective…Impacts of the 1998…,”[8] Bulletin of the AMS, p. 247.

— 2  Ice storm-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

–1? Auto accident.[9]

–1  Carbon monoxide poisoning. Jensenius. “Remembering the ice storm of 1998.”[10]

 

New York                   (10)

–10  Ice storm-related. DeGaetano. “Climatic Perspective…Impacts of the 1998…,” p. 247.[11]

— 4  Carbon monoxide poisoning.

— 2  Falls due to poor lighting.

— 1  Fire started from wood stove after power was lost.

— 1  Heart attack suffered while clearing storm debris.

— 1  Hypothermia.

— 1  Trauma; worker thrown from tree-removal truck bucket during electric restoration.

–10  Ice storm-related. RMS. The 1998 Ice Storm: 10-Year Retrospective. 2008, p. 8.

—  9  Ice storm-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.[12]

—>1  Clinton County, by Jan 11. Carbon monoxide poisoning.[13]

—  1  Clinton County, Plattsburgh, Jan 12. Joseph Hamilton (noted as 4^th CO poisoning death).[14]

—>1  Franklin County, by Jan 11. Carbon monoxide poisoning.[15]

—  1  Franklin County. Elderly male; from heart attack while clearing storm debris from road.[16]

—  1  Jefferson Co., Clayton, Jan 10. Bucket truck holding tree limb cutter slides down icy road.[17]

—  1  Jefferson County. (No details; notes only there were “Two storm-related fatalities…”)[18]

—  1  St. Lawrence County, Jan 12. Female falls down icy stairs.[19]

—  4  Carbon monoxide poisoning (three of which are noted above).[20]

—  1  Fire started by a woodstove after power was lost; location not noted.[21]

—  1  Hypothermia; location noted only as northern NY.. NWS Burlington, VT Appendix.[22]

 

North Carolina          (  2)      Flash Flood-Related

— 2  Flood-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

–1 Drowning; male, 25, fell from boat into rain-swollen French Broad River.[23]

 

South Carolina          (  1)      Flash Flood-Related

— 1  Flood-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

— 1  Pickens County, Jan 7. Drowning; male, 19; road washed out, car swept into lake. NCDC.

 

Tennessee                   (  7)      Flash Flood-Related

— 7  Flood-related. NCDC, NOAA. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 4-12-1999.

— 7  Carter County, Jan 7. Male, 37, in water; males 59, 73; females 12, 33, 49, 65, vehicular.[24]

 

Vermont                     (1)       Tree Fall

— 1  Milton, Jan 8. Tree falls on truck; man in coma three months before dying on May 22.[25]

 

Narrative Information

 

NCDC overview: “During the week of January 5-9, 1998, the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada were severely effected by a storm system with a very deep southerly flow and abundant moisture. This resulted in flooding rains from the lower Mississippi valley through the southeast and into the northeast, several tornadoes, and a severe ice storm in parts of the northeast/New England and into Canada. The death toll for the event:

 

Flood-related:             Tennessee–7
North Carolina–2

South Carolina–1

Kentucky–1
Alabama–1

 

Ice storm-related:        New York–9

Maine–5
New Hampshire–2

 

“The heaviest rains and most severe flooding occurred in the mountains of North Carolina and northeast Tennessee, where up to 16 inches fell in a 2-day period….Surveys indicate over 500 homes destroyed or with severe damage in North Carolina, and over 200 homes severely damaged or destroyed in Tennessee. Damages exceeded $15 million for western North Carolina and $20 million for eastern Tennessee. Tornado touchdowns produced some damage in Dublin, Georgia and Easley, South Carolina. Flooding also was a problem in parts of the lower Mississippi valley and upstate New York.

 

“The severe ice storm mainly affected upstate New York, northern New Hampshire and Vermont, much of Maine, and southeast Canada. Some locations received over 3 inches of rain (as freezing rain), with radial ice thickness of one inch or more. Canada reported over 3 million utility customers without power immediately after the storm, while the northeast through New England reported over 500,000 customers without power. 80% of Maine’s population lost electrical service. Overall damages approached $3 billion for Canada and were at least $1.4 billion for the U.S.” (Nat. Climatic Data Ct. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. 12 Apr 1999.)

 

Flash Flooding Alabama

 

NCDC, Choctaw County: “Three to five inches of rain caused extensive flooding and road closures throughout the county. Most of the roads that had to be closed were secondary dirt roads. One death was attributed to the flooding. Two persons were driving along a county road six miles east of Gilbertown. Their automobile became stranded near a bridge across Okatuppa Creek. The rapidly rising current flowing across the road washed the automobile into the creek. One of the passengers was able to swim to shore and the other drowned.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Alabama, Choctaw County, Jan 7, 1998.)

 

NCDC, Shelby County: “A strong low pressure system move over Alabama from the Gulf of Mexico, bringing heavy rain to the state. Rivers, creeks and ditches were all out of their banks. Numerous streets were closed due to water over the road. Bridges were washed out in Cullman, Etowah, and Marshall counties. A five year old girl was killed in Shelby county when she was playing in a storm drain and was sucked in and couldn’t get out. There were numerous traffic accidents due to wet roads and several motorist were stranded on top of there cars while trying to cross flooded roads. The following counties were affected by the flooding. Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Limestone, Lawrence, Morgan, Madison, Jackson, Marshall, DeKalb, Marion, Winston, Cullman, Blount, Etowah, Lamar, Fayette, Walker, Jefferson, St. Clair, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Shelby, Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Chilton, Coosa, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery, Cherokee, Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega, Clay, Randolph, Tallapoosa, Chambers, Lee, Elmore, Macon, Russell, Bullock, Barbour, and Pike. Every county received over two inches with several counties receiving over six inches.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Alabama, Shelby County, Jan 7, 1998.)

 

Flash Flooding — Kentucky

 

NCDC: “Heavy rain of up to 6 inches resulted in flash flooding in areas from Somerset to Flemingsburg. In many areas streams were out of their banks and numerous roads were flooded. In Pulaski County, near Bronston, a car was swept away by flood waters and several houses were surrounded by water. In Bath County, a 62 year old woman fell from a foot bridge, and was drowned in a flooded creek.” NCDC. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, KY, Bath, 1-7-1998.

 

Flash Flooding – South Carolina

 

NCDC: “A powerful winter storm brought flooding rain, high winds, and a tornado to the Upstate from the evening of the 7th into the early morning of the 8th. Rainfall between 4 and 7 inches during a 2-day period across the mountains and foothills resulted in significant flooding. Many roads and bridges were covered or washed out. A wash out in Pickens county resulted in one fatality. Thunderstorms raced north through the area adding to the deluge as well as creating or enhancing strong to damaging winds. An F2 tornado touched down near Easley. Meso-scale high winds behind the complex of thunderstorms moved across the northern half of Greenville county and blew down trees and power lines. Severe thunderstorm winds combined with strong gradient winds to down trees and power lines in York county as well. Excessive rain fell just north of Pickens causing raging water flowing into a lake to wash out a road. Two cars drove into this washout around 2300 EST and then were swept into the lake, killing one young man and injuring three…” NCDC. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, SC, Pickens, 1-7- 1998.)

 

Flash Flooding — Tennessee

 

NCDC: “Heavy rain over several hours triggered flash flooding. The heaviest rain fell between 1900 EST, January 7 and 0100 EST, January 8, where two to five inches fell during the period. Nearly 8 inches of rain fell in 24 hours in a rain gage in the headwaters of the Doe River, enabling the Doe River at Elizabethton, TN to reach its record flood stage of 10.92 feet. Approximately one foot of snow in the mountains had melted the previous day, adding to runoff problems. Several tributaries of the Doe River flooded and caused damage. The water system in Roan Mountain was heavily damaged. Twelve bridges along with several sections of roadway were rendered unusable. Over two hundred mobile homes and more than a dozen houses were destroyed. Nearly two hundred other houses and buildings, and six businesses were severely damaged.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, TN, Carter Co., Jan 7, 1998.)

 

Flooding — Louisiana

 

NCDC: “LA 120 near Flora was barricaded due to flooding. A 72 year old male ran the barricades and continued for approximately one mile before his vehicle stalled in high water. He then left his vehicle and continued on foot until he disappeared according to witnesses. A rescue team with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs Office found the man drowned. It is not know if he stepped into a hole or was swept off the road by the current.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database. Flood, Louisiana, Natchitoches Parish. Jan 7, 1998.)

 

 Ice Storm, New England and Northern New York

 

NWS Eastern Region (Bohemia, NY): “Executive Summary, Event Overview. A catastrophic ice storm and flood event struck northern New England and northern New York during the first two weeks of January 1998. Heavy rain associated with a warm moist airmass overspread a shallow but dense layer of cold air producing ice accumulations in excess of three inches. The heavy rainfall, exceeding four inches in some areas, combined with significant runoff from the melting snowpack to produce record flooding. The ice coated all outdoor surfaces, destroying the electric power infrastructure, toppling trees, collapsing outdoor structures, and threatening the lives of a large, distributed population. The flooding exacerbated the icing problems by forcing the evacuation of more than 1,000 homes and forcing the closure of numerous roads. A record crest was observed on the Black River at Watertown, NY, where the river crested two feet above the previous flood of record.

 

“Conservative damage estimates approach one-half billion dollars. More than three million people in four states and two Canadian provinces were without electricity. In Maine, 80% of the state’s population lost electrical service, some for more than two weeks. Residents were forced to find alternative means of heating their homes, pumping water, traveling, and communicating. Tens of thousands of trees were downed or severely damaged. Agricultural losses exceeded one million dollars as farmers were unable to milk their cows without electricity. National Guard units were activated and many counties in Maine (16), New York (6), Vermont (6), and New Hampshire (9) were declared federal disaster areas. Despite its severity, duration, and scope, only seven fatalities were directly attributed to the event….”[26] (NWS Eastern Region. The Ice Storm and Flood of January 1998 (Service Assessment). June 1998, p. 1.)

 

Maine (with references to NH)

 

Hampson: “On January 7, 1998, a severe ice storm struck the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Over 600,000 Maine residents lost electrical power, some for up to 2 weeks. Hospitals across the state evaluated 400 cases of CO poisoning. Analysis of data from 4 hospitals identified 100 total cases, 5 treated with HBO 2 , and 1 fatality. Patients presented to the ED [Emergency Department] for 13 days after the storm struck.  Of the total group, 70% presented on days 2 thorough 5… Individuals were poisoned in 42 incidents, 6 of which involved two sources of CO. The most common sources included generators (71% of incidents), space heaters (26%), and charcoal briquettes (5%).” (Hampson, N. B., Stock, A. L. “Storm Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Lessons Learned from Recent Epidemics.”  Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine, Vol. 33, No. 4, 2006, pp. 258-259.)

 

Jensenius: “….Auto accidents were responsible for both deaths and injuries during the event. In addition, carbon monoxide poisoning, falling debris, hypothermia, and structural failures also contributed to the death toll.

 

“At least two people in Maine and one from New Hampshire died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Many more were treated at hospitals for the poisoning.

 

“The Maine State Health Bureau estimated that between 300 and 400 people statewide suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning. In New Hampshire, one utility worker was partially paralyzed when he was struck by a falling tree while making repairs to a line. Another person was killed while cleaning up fallen debris when he was struck by a tree. Three people died from hypothermia. An elderly man died in his unheated home after falling down a flight of stairs in his home at night in the dark. An elderly couple died of hypothermia when they drove to get their mail and their car got stuck on their driveway about 100 yards from their garage. They apparently were unable to return to their home safely due to the icy conditions. Finally, one person was killed when the roof over a gas station island collapsed under the weight of snow and ice….” (Jensenius, John. “Remembering the ice storm of 1998.” Scarborough Leader, ME, 1-18-2013.)

 

NOAA: “By Wednesday morning, areas of central interior Maine were reporting generally 1/8 to 1/4 inch of ice accretion with some localized areas with up to ½ inch of ice accretion. Steadier and heavier freezing rain and freezing drizzle developed over portions of central and southern Maine during Wednesday afternoon and evening, January 7, 1998 and continued through Friday, January 9th, as a quasi-stationary front remained south of the state. To the north of the front, cold air remained entrenched near the ground as warm moist air moved northward from the mid-Atlantic states over the wedge of colder air. Severe icing occurred over most of southern and central Maine. By Saturday morning, January 10, the precipitation had ended over Maine with 1 to 3 inches of ice accretion to wires, poles, branches, etc., over most of central and southern Maine.” (NOAA 5 Jan 98).

New Hampshire

 

PSR: “From January 7 to 16, 1998, a series of freezing rainstorms brought much of New Hampshire to a halt, as well as Vermont, Maine, New York, and three Canadian provinces. The ice storm of 1998 is the worst storm on record for New Hampshire and meteorologists have compared it to the great hurricane of 1938. Natural resource losses are estimated at over $1 billion. The ice developed when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico flowed over cold, dense Arctic air, cooling and freezing as it fell. Up to three inches of ice fell, damaging 700,000 acres in New Hampshire, including parts of the White Mountain National Forest.

 

“Seventeen deaths were reported in New York and New England, many due to carbon monoxide poisoning and asphyxiation from improper ventilation of power generators.[27]

 

“Damage estimates in New Hampshire run about $20 million for public property alone.[28] The federal government appropriated $6 million in emergency funds in May 1998. Nine counties including 140 towns in New Hampshire sustained enough damage to require disaster assistance.[29] Over the four-state region affected, approximately 1.5 million people were without electricity for up to three weeks.[30]….

 

“In three hospitals surveyed [apparently in Maine]…carbon monoxide poisonings increased from zero to 101 cases. Other increases reported were associated with cold exposure, burns, lower respiratory tract disease, and cardiac complaints.” (Dupigny-Giroux. “Impacts and consequences of the ice storm of 1998 for the North American north-east.” Weather, 55/1, Jan 2000, pp. 6-7 sidebar.)

Sources

 

Associated Press. “Ice melting, but power still out across Northeast.” Amarillo Sunday News Globe, TX. 1-11-1998, 7B. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=255425180&sterm=ice+storm

 

CNN. “Ice storm devastates parts of Canada, U.S. Northeast.” 1-10-1998. Accessed 1-19-2016: http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/9801/09/weather.wrap/

 

DeGaetano, Arthur T. “Climatic Perspective and Impacts of the 1998 Northern New York and New England Ice Storm.” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Vol. 81, No. 2, Feb 2000, pp. 237-254.  Accessed 1-20-2016 at: http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0477%282000%29081%3C0237%3ACPAIOT%3E2.3.CO%3B2

 

Dupigny-Giroux, Lesley-Ann. “Impacts and consequences of the ice storm of 1998 for the North American north-east.” Weather, Vol. 55, Issue 1, Jan 2000, pp. 7-15. Accessed 1-20-2016 at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.1477-8696.2000.tb04012.x/pdf

 

Hampson, N. B., Stock, A. L. “Storm­ Related Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Lessons Learned from Recent Epidemics.” Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine, Vol. 33 No. 4, 2006. 257-263.  At:  http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/dspace/bitstream/123456789/5054/1/17004412.pdf

 

Jensenius, John. “Remembering the ice storm of 1998.” Scarborough Leader, ME, 1-18-2013. Accessed 1-20-2015 at: http://ml.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-01-18/In_the_Know/Remembering_the_ice_storm_of_1998.html#.Vp_Fa1Igh14

 

Lecomte, Eugene L. with Alan W. Pang and James W. Russell. Ice Storm ’98. Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), Institute for Business & Home Safety, December 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.meteo.mcgill.ca/extreme/Research_Paper_No_1.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center. Eastern U.S. Flooding and Ice Storm. NCDC, National Weather Service, NOAA, 4-12-1999 Update. At: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/janstorm/janstorm.html

 

National Climatic Data Center. NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Alabama, Choctaw County, Jan 7, 1998. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5628372

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Alabama, Shelby County, Jan 7, 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5628562

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Arkansas, Madison County, Jan 5, 1998. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5631439

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Kentucky, Bath County, Jan 7, 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5629359

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, South Carolina, Pickens County, Jan 7, 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5627426

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Tennessee, Carter County, Jan 7, 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5627163

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flood, Louisiana, Natchitoches Parish. Jan 7, 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5627226

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. The El Nino Winter of ’97-’98 (Technical Report 98-02). Asheville, NC: NCDC, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, April 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/techrpts/tr9802/tr9802.pdf

 

National Weather Service Eastern Region. The Ice Storm and Flood of January 1998 (Service Assessment). Bohemia, NY: NWS Eastern Region, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, June 1998. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/iceflood.pdf

 

RMS (Risk Management Solutions, Inc.). The 1998 Ice Storm: 10-Year Retrospective. 2008. Accessed 1-20-2016: http://forms2.rms.com/rs/729-DJX-565/images/wtr_1998_ice_storm_10_retrospective.pdf

 

Rowley, Dale D. The State of Maine Endures Ice Storm 1998. Accessed 1-18-2016 at: http://www.uninets.net/~dsrowley/Ice%20Storm%2098.pdf

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal (Scott Scanlon), NY. “Bitter cold hits North as recovery continues. 92,400 without power, storm claims seventh [NY] victim.” 1-14-1998, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2016: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=29461466&sterm=ice+storm

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal (Frederic Pierce), NY. “Blackouts may last a month.” 1-12-1998,  p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2016 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=29460561&sterm

 

Syracuse Herald-Journal (Mark Weiner), NY. “Much of North remains powerless.” 1-13-1998, p. 1. Accessed 1-19-2016: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=29460840&sterm

 

 

[1] “Southeastern Ontario and southern Québec provinces suffered the most extensive damage and disruption from the 1998 storm, including 28 deaths linked to the event, primarily due to trauma or hypothermia associated with the loss of electrical power. Over 100 people were treated in emergency rooms for the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning from indoor generator use and improper ventilation.”

[2] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Alabama, Choctaw County, Jan 7, 1998. Vehicle stranded near a bridge across Okatuppa Creek. “The rapidly rising current flowing across the road washed the automobile into the creek. One of the passengers was able to swim to shore and the other drowned.”

[3] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Arkansas, Madison County, Jan 5, 1998. Sheriff, aged 58, drowned in the White River. The bridge was on County Road 112. Over 3 inches of rain in 24 hours.

[4] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flood, Louisiana, Natchitoches Parish. Jan 7, 1998.

[5] NWS Forecast Office, Gray (Portland), Maine, County Warning Area, appendix.

[6] Associated Press. “Ice melting, but power still out across Northeast.” Amarillo Sunday News, TX, 1-11-1998, 7B.

[7] Associated Press. “Ice melting, but power still out across Northeast.” Amarillo Sunday News, TX, 1-11-1998, 7B.

[8] AMS editor notes that Arthur T. DeGaetano was with the Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell U., Ithaca.

[9] Warning coordination meteorologist John Jensenius writes in his Scarborough Leader, ME, article, “Remembering the ice storm of 1998,” concerning deaths in Maine and New Hampshire, that “Auto accidents were responsible for both deaths and injuries during the event.” In that we have seen no reference to an auto accident fatality in Maine, and in that we have seen references to two ice storm-related deaths in NH, only one of which we have been able to identify (a carbon monoxide poisoning death), we assume that the second NH death was probably an auto accident.

[10] Scarborough Leader editor notes that John Jensenius is a warning coordination meteorologist.

[11] AMS editor notes that Arthur T. DeGaetano was with the Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell U., Ithaca. DeGaetano writes that “Based on newspaper accounts, the loss of electric power was indirectly responsible for all but one death in New York.”

[12] Also: Dupigny-Giroux. “Impacts and consequences of the ice storm of 1998 for the North American north-east.” Weather, Vol. 55, Issue 1, Jan 2000, p. 10.

[13] Syracuse Herald-Journal (Frederic Pierce), NY. “Blackouts may last a month.” 1-12-1998, Suburban Edition,  p. 1. Article notes “Three people died in Franklin and Clinton counties from carbon monoxide fumes leaking from improperly used electric generators, state emergency management officials said Sunday [Jan 11].”

[14] Syracuse Herald-Journal (Scott Scanlon), NY. “Bitter cold hits North as recovery continues.” 1-14-1998, p. 1. Writes that the CO poisoning death was from an improperly used portable generator.

[15] Syracuse Herald-Journal (Frederic Pierce), NY. “Blackouts may last a month.” 1-12-1998, Suburban Edition,  p.1. Article notes “Three people died in Franklin and Clinton counties from carbon monoxide fumes leaking from improperly used electric generators, state emergency management officials said Sunday [Jan 11].”

[16] Syracuse Herald-Journal (Frederic Pierce), NY. “Blackouts may last a month.” 1-12-1998, Suburban Edition, p.1.

[17] Victim identified as Delraine R. Reed, 45, professional tree trimmer from PA. When the truck slid down the road he was the truck’s bucket, 40 feet in the air, and was thrown to the ground. (Syracuse Herald-Journal (Frederic Pierce), NY. “Blackouts may last a month.” 1-12-1998, Suburban Edition,  p. 1.)

[18] NWS WFO, Buffalo, NY County Warning Area Appendix in: NWS Eastern Region. The Ice Storm and Flood of January 1998 (Service Assessment). Bohemia, NY, 1998, B8.

[19] Syracuse Herald-Journal (Mark Weiner), NY. “Much of North remains powerless.” 1-13-1998, p. 1.

[20] NWS Eastern Region. The Ice Storm and Flood of January 1998 (Service Assessment). Bohemia, NY, 1998, B12.

[21] DeGaetano. “Climatic Perspective…Impacts of the 1998…,” Bulletin of the AMS, p. 247

[22] NWS Eastern Region. The Ice Storm and Flood of January 1998 (Service Assessment). Bohemia, NY, 1998, B12.

[23] CNN. “Ice storm devastates parts of Canada, U.S. Northeast.” 1-10-1998. Notes this was “the second death in North Carolina attributed to the flooding.”

[24] NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Flash Flood, Tennessee, Carter County, Jan 7, 1998.

[25] Dupigny-Giroux, Lesley-Ann. “Impacts and consequences of the ice storm of 1998 for the North American north-east.” Weather, Vol. 55, Issue 1, Jan 2000,

[26] Carbon monoxide poisoning, for example, is not considered a direct death by the National Weather Service.

[27] Preliminary summary of 1999 workshops. New England Regional Assessment, courtesy of Barrett Rock, University of New Hampshire.

[28] Conversation with Jim Van Dungen, public information officer, New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management, October 28, 1999.

[29] New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Do’s and don’ts for storm damage cleanup. Environmental News, May-June 1998.

[30] Preliminary summary of 1999 workshops. New England Regional Assessment, op. cit.

–420 CDC Wonder. (Average hypothermia death rate was 0.15 per 100,000 population.)

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

Arizona 16 0.33
California 25 0.08
Colorado 11 0.27
Georgia 10 0.13
Illinois 23 0.19
Indiana 12 0.20
Maryland 11 0.21
Michigan 12 0.12
Minnesota 12 0.25
Missouri 12 0.22
New Mexico 19 1.06
New York 13 0.07
North Carolina 12 0.15
Pennsylvania 20 0.16
South Carolina 10 0.26
Texas 18 0.09
Virginia 26 0.38
Washington 12 0.21
Wisconsin 10 0.19

Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. CDC WONDER On-line Database, compiled from Compressed Mortality File CMF 1968-1988, Series 20, No. 2A, 2000 and CMF 1989-1998, Series 20, No. 2E, 2003. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/cmf-icd9.html on Aug 27, 2021 6:19:31 PM

–1,724  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. ICD-9 code[1] 487.0[2] influenza).

 

Alabama                     15        0.34

Arizona                       12        0.25

Arkansas                     29        1.10     (Yellow highlight denotes higher than average death rate.)

California                 213        0.65

Colorado                     21        0.51

Connecticut                23        0.68

Florida                        20        0.13

Georgia                       12        0.15

Hawaii                        10        0.82

Idaho                           19        1.52

Illinois                        63        0.51

Indiana                                    25        0.42

Iowa                            78        2.69

Kansas                        11        0.41

Kentucky                    11        0.28

Louisiana                    17        0.38

Maine                          48        3.81

Maryland                    17        0.33

Massachusetts            37        0.59

Michigan                  110        1.12

Minnesota                   99        2.06                 Pennsylvania              54        0.44

Missouri                     78        1.41                 South Dakota              25        3.35

Montana                      60        6.72                 Tennessee                   45        0.81

Nebraska                     16        0.94                 Texas                          31        0.15

New Hampshire          23        1.91                 Vermont                      11        1.83

New Mexico               13        0.72                 Virginia                      20        0.29

New York                 128        0.68                 Washington                23        0.40

North Carolina            27        0.35                 West Virginia             23        1.27

Ohio                            76        0.67                 Wisconsin                 103        1.94

Oklahoma                   13        0.38                 Wyoming                    11        2.24

 

Blanchard note: States and DC not shown indicate that the “total” function was “disabled” because there were fewer than 10 deaths. Puerto Rico is not included in CDC Wonder.

 

Source:

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1999-2016 on CDC Wonder Online Database, released June 2017. ICD-10 codes J09-J11.8, Influenza, 2000. Accessed 11-2-2018 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov

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

[2] 487.0 (influenza with pneumonia), 487.1 (with other respiratory manifestations), 487.8 (with other manifestations).

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

 

California      13        Death rate 0.04          (Higher than average death rate.)

 

Narrative Information

 

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

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998 on CDC WONDER Online Database, released 2003. ICD-9 code 036.0, Meningococcal Meningitis, 1998. Accessed 11-4-2018 at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/

 

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

 

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

–1,112  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File, 1979-1998. ICD-9[1] code 010-018.

 

Alabama                      28      0.64     (Yellow highlighting denotes above average death rate.)

Arizona                         24      0.49

Arkansas                       18      0.69

California                   168      0.51

Colorado                       14      0.34

Connecticut                  11      0.33

Florida                          72      0.46

Georgia                        35      0.44

Illinois                          64      0.52

Indiana                                      23      0.38

Kentucky                      15      0.38

Louisiana                      32      0.72

Maryland                      13      0.25

Michigan                      33      0.33

Mississippi                   15      0.53

Missouri                       18      0.33

New Jersey                   31      0.37

New York                     81      0.43

North Carolina              45      0.58

Ohio                              35      0.31

Oklahoma                     14      0.41

Pennsylvania                31      0.25

South Carolina              18      0.46

Tennessee                     30      0.54

Texas                          108      0.54

Virginia                        21      0.30

Washington                  14      0.24

Wisconsin                     15      0.28

 

Blanchard note: States and DC not listed indicates that death toll was under ten. In that case, the number is not accessible via CDC Wonder. Puerto Rico is not included by CDC.

 

Narrative Information

 

Tuberculosis: “Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.

 

“TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

 

“TB is NOT spread by:

 

Shaking someone’s hand.

Sharing food or drink.

Touching bed lines or toilet seats.

Sharing toothbrushes

Kissing.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

“…former President Andrew Jackson died of tuberculosis.”  (Tennessee State Library and Archives. Disasters in Tennessee. “Epidemic Scourges in Tennessee.” Nashville.)

 

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1979-1998. CDC Wonder Online Database, released June 2017. ICD-9 Codes 010-018, Tuberculosis (1998). Accessed 11-3-2018 via: https://wonder.cdc.gov

 

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

 

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

 

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

–342  CDC Wonder. Compressed Mortality File 1999-2016. ICD-9 code 009.0[1]

 

(Yellow highlighting indicates higher than US average death rate.)

 

California                   44        0.133

Florida                        24        0.155

Georgia                       15        0.191

Illinois                        20        0.191

Maryland                    10        0.192

Michigan                    14        0.142

Missouri                     10        0.181

New Jersey                 12        0.145

New York                   16        0.085

North Carolina            12        0.154

Pennsylvania              12        0.098

South Carolina            10        0.255

Texas                          28        0.139

Total             342        0.124   (Average death rate, 276,032,848 population.)

 

Narrative Information

 

Colitis (infectious): “Infectious colitis is diagnosed in someone with diarrhea and one or more of the following: fever and/or dysentery, stools containing inflammatory markers…or positive stool culture for an invasive or inflammatory bacterial enteropathogen[2] including Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) or Clostridium difficile,[3] or colonic inflammation by endoscopy….” (DuPont, H. L. “Approach to the patient with infectious colitis.” Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, Vol. 28, No 1, pp. 39046, Jan 2012.)

 

Colitis: “There are many types of colitis. The most common include….Infectious colitis (food poisoning caused by infections, and infections caused by parasites or bacteria).” (emedicinehealth. “Colitis (Symptoms, Types, and Treatments).” 2018.)

 

Enteritis: Inflammation of the intestine, especially the small intestine, usually accompanied by diarrhea.

 

Gastroenteritis: “Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water. If you’re otherwise healthy, you’ll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly….Although it’s commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t the same as influenza. Real flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system… nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines….

 

“There’s no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. In addition to avoiding food and water that may be contaminated, thorough and frequent hand-washings are your best defense…

 

“Causes. You’re most likely to contract viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water, or if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who’s infected…. Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within one to three days after you’re infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days….” (Mayo Clinic. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu). 12-2-2014.)

 

WebMD: “Gastroenteritis….The most common cause…is a virus. Gastroenteritis flu can be caused by many different kinds of viruses. The main types are rotavirus and norovirus…There are many ways gastroenteritis an be spread: Contact with someone who has the virus; Contaminated food or water; Unwashed hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper.” (WebMD. Gastroenteritis.)

Sources

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Compressed Mortality File 1999-2016. CDC Wonder Online Database, released June 2017. ICD-10 code A09, Diarrhoea and Gastroenteritis of infections origin, 2000. Accessed 11-3-2018 at:

https://wonder.cdc.gov

 

DuPont, H. L. “Approach to the patient with infectious colitis.” Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, Vol. 28, No 1, pp. 39046, Jan 2012. Accessed 11-5-2018 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22080825

 

emedicinehealth. “Colitis (Symptoms, Types, and Treatments).” 2018. Accessed 11-5-2018 at:

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/colitis/article_em.htm#what_is_the_outlook_for_a_person_with_colitis )

 

Mayo Clinic. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu). 12-2-2014. Accessed 10-15-2018 at:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/viral-gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378847

 

WebMD. Gastroenteritis.) Accessed 10-15-2018 at: https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/gastroenteritis#1

 

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

[2] Any organism that causes disease of the intestinal tract.

[3] “Clostridium difficile…often called C. difficile…is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.” (Mayo Clinic. C. difficile infection. Accessed 11-5-2018.)