21st Century

–22 LA Times. “Tracking the deaths from California’s winter storms: At least 22 killed.” 1-18-2023.
–19 Blanchard tally based on County breakouts below.

–1 El Dorado County, Jan. 3, American River South Fork. Drowning; Bruce Gordon, 33.
–2 Mendocino County
–1 Jan 7. Storm repair vehicle in traffic collision; Edgar Castillo, 37.
–1 Jan 9, Fort Bragg. Tree falls onto home on North Hwy. 1; Susan Stever, 68.
–5 Sacramento County.
–3 Jan 1. Levees breached along Cosumnes and Mokelumne rivers.
–1 Mei Keng Lam, 57, from San Leandro, CA
–1 Katherine Martinez, 61, from Orland, CA
–1 Stephen Sampson, 45, from McAlester, OK.
–2 Jan 7. Tree branches fall on tents of homeless people.
–1 Rebekah Rohde, 40.
–1 Steven Sorensen, 61.
–2 San Bernadino County
–1 Jan 1. Christine Flores, 65, loses control of vehicle on Arrowbear Drive, wrecks.
–1 Jan 6. Drowning. Body of Rodrigo Lucero Bonola, 41, found in drainage overflow.
–1 San Francisco. Jan 14. Elderly woman found dead next to a large fallen tree branch.
–1 San Luis Obispo County, Avila Beach. Woman drove vehicle on closed road into floodwater.
–1 San Mateo County, Jan 4. Marta Rivera-Morales, 70, tried to drive through flooded roadway.
–1 Santa Clara County, Jan 1. San Jose, Upper Penitencia Creek. Man found face-down.
–1 Solano County, Jan 4. Car hydroplanes into utility pole; Marmsha Nash, 19.
–2 Sonoma County.
–1 Jan 4. Tree falls on family trailer killing Aeon Tocchini, 2.
–1 Jan 11, Forestville. Drowning. Daphne Fontino, 43, found in submerged car.
–2 Tulare County, Jan 10. Lightning hits tree, which fell into northbound Highway 99 lanes.

Narrative Information

Jan 18, LA Times: “The series of winter storms that has battered California has proved dangerous and deadly, causing at least 22 storm-related deaths across the state…. Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week that the storms had claimed ‘more lives than wildfires in the past two years combined.’

“….There have been five confirmed deaths in Sacramento, two each in Sonoma, Tulare, San Bernardino, Mariposa and Mendocino, and one each in El Dorado, Solano, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Luis Obispo….” (Los Angeles Times. “Tracking the deaths from California’s winter storms: At least 22 killed.” 1-18-2023.)

Source

Los Angeles Times. “Tracking the deaths from California’s winter storms: At least 22 killed.” 1-18-2023. Accessed 3-8-2023 at: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-10/tracking-the-deaths-from-californias-winter-storms

–102 Wikipedia. “December 2022 North American winter storm.” 1-8-2023 edit.
— 1 GA
–43 New York (Otherwise, the numbers shown are the same as ours.)
–102 Blanchard US total from State breakouts below (88) and four deaths in British Columbia.
— 6 Colorado
— 2 Georgia
— 3 Kansas
— 3 Kentucky
— 1 Maryland
— 8 Michigan
— 1 Mississippi
— 1 Missouri
— 1 Nebraska
–42 New York (northwest – Erie County 41 and Niagara County 1.)
–16 Ohio
— 3 Oklahoma
— 1 Oregon
— 1 Pennsylvania
— 3 South Carolina
— 1 South Dakota
— 1 Tennessee
— 1 Vermont
— 1 Washington
— 2 Wisconsin
— 4 British Columbia, Canada

Breakout of Winter Storm Fatalities by State (and locality and cause where noted):

Colorado ( 6)
–6-7 Blanchard total from locality breakouts below. (Denver 2, Colorado Springs 4-5.)
–4 Colorado Springs. The Gazette, Colorado Springs. “Cold weather appeared…” 12-27-2022.
–4 Front Range. Denver Post. “At least 4 people died across the Front Range…” 12-24-2022.
–2 Denver. Exposure outdoors. Denver Post. “At least 4 people died across the Front Range…” 12-24-2022.
–1 Colorado Springs. Exposure? Katelin Anderson, 23, found dead in parking lot on Academy.
–1 Colorado Springs. Exposure? Man, 42, found dead Dec 22, 3600 block of The Citadel mall.
–1 Colorado Springs. Exposure? Man, 40, found in 500 block of Arrawanna St., died in hosp.
–1 Colorado Springs. Exposure? Man found dead in an alleyway camp. (could be man 40 or 42)
–1 Colorado Springs. Exposure? Female, 69, found dead at Park and Ride lot on So. Nevada St.

Georgia ( 2)
–2 13WMAZ. “‘Mama, I love you,!: Macon woman mourns son’s death…freezing weekend weather.” 12-27-2022.
–1 Macon, Dec 24 or 25. Exposure, James Leon Burch, Jr., homeless; ~Pio Nono Circle.
–1 Macon, Dec 23 or 24. Exposure, John Ragin, found on Cherry St., downtown Macon.

Illinois ( 1) No detail. Not included in that we have not been able to corroborate.

Kansas ( 3)
–3 CNN. Weather-related traffic accidents according to Kansas Highway Patrol Dec 23rd.

Kentucky ( 3)
–4 Blanchard total from locality breakouts below.
–3 Reuters. “Seven dead in Buffalo as Arctic system freezes eastern U.S.” 12-25-2022.
–3 Gallatin Co., I-71. Vehicular deaths. Fox19, Cincinnati, OH. 12-24-2022. Cites Gov. Beshear.
–1 Western KY. Car accident “because of extreme winter weather.” Gov. Beshear.
–1 Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Dec 23. Car crash east of Lexington.
–1 Louisville. Exposure? Person without housing died according to Gov. Beshear.

Maryland ( 1)
–1 Thurmont area (4 miles west), tree falls on car near Rt. 77 and Tower Road intersection.

Michigan ( 8)
–8 Dec 22-28, mid-Michigan. Chief Investigator, Office of the Medical Examiner.
–3 Elderly persons found outside in the snow.
–1 Bath Township, Dec 23. Woman, 83, found outside assisted living facility.
–3 Cardiac arrest related to shoveling snow or snow-blowing.
–1 Carbon monoxide poisoning in car; man.
–1 Hypothermia? Man found dead in an unheated garage.

Mississippi ( 1)
–1 Pearl River Co., south MS, Dec 25. Exposure; Charles Wilson Ligon Jr., 57, found dead in woods.

Missouri ( 1)
–1 Kansas City. Caravan slid off icy road into frozen creek according to KS City Police Dept.

Nebraska ( 1)
–1 Locale not noted. Vehicular crash “connected to the storm…” The Weather Channel. Dec 24.

New Hampshire ( 1)
–1 Franconia. Exposure? Hiker find dead Dec 25 morning.

New York (42)
–>42 Western. WIVB, Buffalo. “Two more…storm-related deaths bring total…WNY to 42.” 1-3-2023.
–17 found outside
–11 in homes
— 4 in cars
— 4 shoveling snow or snow-blowing
— 3 Delayed emergency service responses
— 2 storm-related injuries
— 42 Blanchard tally from Erie and Niagara county breakouts below.
— 41 Erie County. WIVB, Buffalo. “Two more…storm-related deaths bring total…to 42.” 1-3-2023.
— 1 Niagara County.
Breakout of Erie County deaths by locality (where and when we have located data):
— 4 Amherst.
–3 ABC7, NYC. “25 dead in severe winter storm…whiteout in Buffalo.” 12-26-2022.
–1 WIVB, Buffalo. “Two more confirmed storm-related deaths bring total…to 42.” 1-3-2023.
–27 Buffalo city. Kazinform Int. News Agency. “Death toll in US winter storm climbs to 63.” 12-29-2022.
–Dec 24. Exposure. Monique Alexander, 52; partly buried in snow; Delaware Ave.
–Dec 24. Exposure. William Clay, 56; body found frozen in a snowbank.
–Power out; oxygen dependent Carolyn Eubanks, 63, with heart condition, dies.
–Dec 23. Hypothermia in car having “ventured out;” Stanislawa Jóźwiak, 73.
–Date not noted. Exposure? Body of Melissa Morrison, found ~Tim Horton Coffee House.
–Exposure. Body of Demetrius Robinson, 58, found in snowbank.
–Dec 24. Hypothermia. Abdul Sharifu, 26, outside, after car stranded in snow.
–Dec 24. Exposure. Anndel Nicole Taylor, 22, found dead in snowed in car.
–Dec 24. Exposure? Body found in the snow at Bailey and Kensington Avenue.
— 3 Cheektowaga. ABC7, NYC. “25 dead in severe winter storm…whiteout in Buffalo.” 12-26-2022.
–2 Separate medical incidents; roads not accessible to EMTs.
— 1 Locality not noted. Death “attributed to an EMS delay.”
— 1 Niagara Co., Lockport. CO poisoning; snow blocked furnace flue; Timothy M. Murphy, 27.

Ohio (16)
–16 Blanchard tally from locality breakouts below.
–10 AP. “Death Toll Climbs to 28 From Frigid Monster Storm in US.” VOA, 12-25-2022.
— 8 CNN. “Prolonged winter storm causes at least 26 deaths…thousands without power.” 12-25-2022.
— 1 Cleveland Heights, Dec 26. Exposure; woman, 72, outside assisted living facility.
— 6 Newcomerstown, Dec 26. Home fire thought caused by alternative heating methods for warmth.
— 1 Pedro area. Electrocution; Utility worker Blade Rodgers, 22, seeking to repair lines.
— 4 Sandusky County, Ohio Turnpike/I-75, Dec 23. 46-vehicle pileup.
— 4 Locales not noted. “…weather-related auto crashes…” (Other than the 4 deaths in pileup.)

Oklahoma ( 3)
–3 KOCO News, Oklahoma City. “Troopers respond to three deadly crashes after winter weather hits Oklahoma.” 12-23-2022.
–1 Gage area, State Highway 15, vehicular accident, Dec 22. Samuel Scott Kraft, 32.
–1 Luther area, Turner Turnpike, vehicular accident, Dec 22.
–1 Paden, 3-vehicle accident, Dec 22. Adelfino Alaniz of Freer, TX.

Oregon ( 1)
–1 Locale not noted. Vehicular crash “connected to the storm…” The Weather Channel, Dec 23.

Pennsylvania ( 1)
–1 Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, Route 29. Tree falls on car; male, 44.

South Carolina ( 3)
–1 Ashley Downs area, Dec 24. Power out; oxygen dependent male, 73, dies before readying backup.
–1 Anderson County. Male, 91, who went outside Dec 25 to fix broken water pipe.
–1 Anderson County Dec 25. Hypothermia? Man in his home which had lost power.

South Dakota ( 1)
–1 Todd County. Exposure; male, 65, “died from cold in his home, which was without heat.”

Tennessee ( 1)
–1 Memphis, Midtown, Dec 23rd. Apparent exposure. Man found dead outside; no foul play.

Vermont ( 1)
–1 Castleton. Tree falls on house; woman killed, according to police chief.

Washington ( 1)
–1 Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Dec 21. Woman, 76, found dead in parked car Walmart lot.

Wisconsin ( 2)
–1 Janesville area, Rock River. Woman falls through river ice.
–1 Fatal vehicular crash due to winter weather according to Wisconsin State Patrol, Dec 22.

Canada ( 4)
–4 Merritt area, British Columbia. Bus rolled over on icy road.

Narrative Information

Time, Dec 24: “A massive winter storm sweeping across the U.S. has caused at least 15 fatalities, left more than a million utility customers without power and impacted millions of Americans traveling for the holidays. Bitter cold temperatures are being recorded across the midwest, great plains and south. Airports in Chicago and Denver are seeing severe delays, and Seattle airport closed and reopened after a runway had to be de-iced. As of Saturday morning, more than 1,700 flights were canceled nationally.

“The storm has officially reached bomb-cyclone criteria— a meteorological term that means that the pressure of a cyclone dropped 24 millibars (a unit of pressure) within 24 hours— and over 183 million people nationwide are under wind chill advisories and warnings….

“The majority of the fatalities came from vehicular accidents on dangerous roads, including two in Kentucky, according to Gov. Andy Beshear, four in Ohio, according to Gov. Mike DeWine, one in Wisconsin, according to the state patrol, three in Kansas, according to state highway patrol and one in Missouri, according to Kansas City police. Other storm victims included people with medical emergencies who couldn’t be reached by medical personnel in time, due to the storm….

“ ‘Stay off the roads. The last-second shopping is not worth it if it would cost you your life,’ Beshear said at a briefing on Friday after reporting two deaths from car accidents and the death of an unhoused person.

“By Saturday, power outages swept the nation, hitting North Carolina the hardest with more than 477,000 households, businesses and other electricity customers left in the dark.

“Power outages prevalent in the Eastern U.S. are accompanied by high winds that threaten to knock over powerlines, trees and other structures. The weight of snow and the acute cold also work to stiffen power lines and technicians have trouble reaching their destinations for repairs. Tennessee, Maine, South Carolina and New York each have more than 70,000 customer outages too, and electrical grids in the Northeast are suffering the most, according to poweroutage.us….

“So far, Oklahoma has declared a state of emergency under hazardous road conditions, Louisiana’s governor is asking residents to prepare for life-threatening temperatures, Arkansas is anticipating flash-freezing today and Pierre Regional Airport in South Dakota’s capital has closed due to the weather. On Friday, more than 2,900 flights were delayed in the U.S. and over 3,600 were canceled, according to FlightAware.

“The storm began moving through the Northwest on Monday night [Dec 19], bringing snow to Washington, more than a foot in the Olympic and Cascade Mountain regions. By Thursday morning, the storm hit the Northern Central and Midwestern parts of the country, where frigid temperatures remain well below freezing, like less than negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of Montana and Wyoming. With strong winds, it will feel closer to negative 30 or even 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Blizzard-like conditions hit with about 6 inches of snowfall as the storm moved towards the Great Lakes late Thursday. Snow and sleet piled up on highways, so officials have advised against driving as accidents are being reported all over the country.

“Some municipalities in New York and New Jersey have banned driving, or at least nonessential and commercial driving. Public transportation is also suffering from inclement weather and operations have halted or faced delays nationwide. Package deliveries are also facing widespread delays, especially impacting last-minute holiday shopping.

“Some communities, including Portland, Oregon, Buffalo, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio, have opened up warming centers–short-term, emergency shelters for unhoused people to spend the storm in. ….

“As of Saturday , the National Weather Service had weather advisories and storm watches in effect in every state except New Mexico, Utah and Arizona….” (Time. “At Least 15 Deaths Attributed to Bomb Cyclone.” 12-21-2022, 12-24-2022 update.)

Dec 25, AP: “Buffalo, New York — Millions of people hunkered down against a deep freeze Sunday to ride out the winter storm that has killed at least 28 people across the United States and is expected to claim more lives after trapping some residents inside houses with heaping snow drifts and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses.

“The scope of the storm has been nearly unprecedented, stretching from the Great Lakes near Canada to the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico. About 60% of the U.S. population faced some sort of winter weather advisory or warning, and temperatures plummeted drastically below normal from east of the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, the National Weather Service said.

“Travelers’ weather woes are likely to continue, with hundreds of flight cancellations already and more expected after a bomb cyclone — when atmospheric pressure drops very quickly in a strong storm — developed near the Great Lakes, stirring up blizzard conditions, including heavy winds and snow. Some 1,707 domestic and international flights were canceled by midday Sunday [25th], according to the tracking site FlightAware.

“The storm unleashed its full fury on Buffalo, with hurricane-force winds and snow causing whiteout conditions, paralyzing emergency response efforts. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said almost every fire truck in the city was stranded Saturday. Officials said the airport would be shut through Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service said the snow total at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport stood at 109 centimeters [3′ 6”]at 7 a.m. Sunday.

“Daylight revealed cars nearly covered by 180 centimeters snowdrifts and thousands of houses, some adorned in unlit holiday displays, dark from a lack of power. With snow swirling down untouched and impassable streets, forecasters warned that an additional 30-60 centimeters of snow was possible in some areas through early Monday morning amid wind gusts of 60 kph.

“Two people died in their suburban Cheektowaga, New York, homes Friday when emergency crews could not reach them in time to treat their medical conditions, and another died in Buffalo. Four more deaths were confirmed overnight, bringing the total to seven in Erie County. County Executive Mark Poloncarz warned there may be more dead. ‘Some were found in cars, some were found on the street in snowbanks,’ said Poloncarz. ‘We know there are people who have been stuck in cars for more than 2 days.’

“Freezing conditions and day-old power outages had Buffalonians scrambling to get to anywhere that had heat amid what Hochul called the longest sustained blizzard conditions ever in the city. But with streets under a thick blanket of white, that wasn’t an option for people like Jeremy Manahan, who charged his phone in his parked car after almost 29 hours without electricity. ‘There’s one warming shelter, but that would be too far for me to get to. I can’t drive, obviously, because I’m stuck,’ Manahan said. ‘And you can’t be outside for more than 10 minutes without getting frostbit.’….

“The storm knocked out power in communities from Maine to Seattle. But heat and lights were steadily being restored across the U.S. According to poweroutage.us, less than 200,000 customers were without power Sunday at 3 p.m. EDT – down from a peak of 1.7 million….

“In North Carolina, less than 6,500 customers had no power – down from a peak of 485,000. Across New England, power has been restored to tens of thousands with just under 83,000 people, mostly in Maine, still without it. In New York, about 34,000 households were still without power Sunday, including 26,000 in Erie County, where utility crews and hundreds of National Guard troops battled high winds and struggled with getting stuck in the snow.

“Storm-related deaths were reported in recent days all over the country: seven in Erie County, New York; 10 in Ohio, including an electrocuted utility worker and those killed in multiple car crashes; six motorists killed in crashes in Missouri, Kansas and Kentucky; a Vermont woman struck by a falling branch; an apparently homeless man found amid Colorado’s subzero temperatures; a woman who fell through Wisconsin river ice.

“In Jackson, Mississippi, city officials on Christmas Day announced that residents must now boil their drinking water due to water lines bursting in the frigid temperatures. While in Tampa, Florida, the thermometer plunged below freezing for the first time in almost five years, according to the National Weather Service — a drop conducive to cold-blooded iguanas falling out of trees….”
(Assoc. Press. “Death Toll Climbs to 28 From Frigid Monster Storm in US.” VOA, 12-25-2022.)

Sources

13WMAZ. “‘Mama, I love you,!: Macon woman mourns son’s death in freezing weekend weather.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/macon-georgia-mother-mourns-sons-death-in-freezing-weekend-weather/93-ca410bfb-d723-4b70-aa37-011af6656aac

ABC7, NYC. “25 dead in severe winter storm that caused whiteout in Buffalo.” 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://abc7ny.com/buffalo-snowfall-snow-dead-snowstorm-storm/12615828/

ABC24, Memphis. “Man found dead from the cold in Midtown, Memphis Police say.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/local/man-found-dead-from-cold-midtown-memphis/522-925824ec-bdcf-4db7-b55f-0f7ba68fec41

ABC News. “Buffalo storm victims: What we know about the lives lost.” 12-29-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/buffalo-storm-victims-lives-lost/story?id=95887294

Accuweather.com. “Death toll rises in wake of Buffalo blizzard, unrelenting bomb cyclone.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-28-2022 at: https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/death-toll-rises-in-wake-of-buffalo-blizzard-unrelenting-bomb-cyclone/1430923

Associated Press News. “Death toll climbs as blizzard-battered Buffalo area digs out.” 12-29-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://apnews.com/article/weather-buffalo-natural-disasters-new-york-city-storms-6cb9f31599be5f698a927fa971fcf019

Associated Press. “Death Toll Climbs to 28 From Frigid Monster Storm in US.” VOA News, 12-25-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.voanews.com/a/death-toll-climbs-from-frigid-monster-storm-in-us-/6890847.html

Associated Press. “Frigid monster storm across US claims at least 34 lives.” 12-25-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/frigid-monster-storm-across-us-claims-at-least-34-lives/

Associated Press. “”Heating methods eyed in Ohio fire after family of 6 killed.” Spectrum News1.” 12-28-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2022/12/28/heating-methods-eyed-in-ohio-fire-after-family-of-6-killed

Associated Press. “Homeless man died in cold weather trying to get to family.” CIproud.com, 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-30-2022 at: https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/national/ap-homeless-man-died-in-cold-weather-trying-to-get-to-family/

Associated Press. “Western NY death toll rises to 28 from cold, storm chaos.” 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://apnews.com/article/weather-canada-business-storms-winter-f1efe43064cdae9eb2042db45491b56f

BBC News. “US Storm: Dozens dead as big freeze grips North America.” 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64091560

CNN. “December 23, 2022 winter storm news.” 12-23-2022, updated 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-27-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/winter-storm-christmas-weather-forecast-12-23-2022/h_52e3d73922dce17cb15c51a7d8ca292e

CNN. “Prolonged winter storm causes at least 26 deaths and leaves thousands without power.” 12-25-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/25/weather/christmas-arctic-winter-storm-power-outages-sunday/index.html

CNN. “Snow-inundated Buffalo faces more challenges in the aftermath of storm that left 31 dead in area.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-27-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/27/weather/arctic-winter-storm-new-york-blizzard-tuesday/index.html

CNN. “‘He was an angel in our community.’ These are the stories…victims of the Buffalo Blizzard.” 12-29-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/29/us/buffalo-blizzard-victims-stories/index.html

CNN. “Winter storm and severe cold sweeps across US.” 12-24-2022 update. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/winter-storm-christmas-weather-forecast-12-24-2022/h_8b3310e0fe0b3b32ec7f8dbc710c0767

Denver Post. “At least 4 people died across the Front Range during historic cold front, authorities say.” 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://www.denverpost.com/2022/12/24/cold-front-severe-weather-deaths/

Fox19, Cincinnati, OH. “Ohio, Kentucky give updates on winter weather damage.” 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.fox19.com/2022/12/25/ohio-kentucky-give-updates-winter-weather-damage/

Fox News. “Ohio 46-car pileup leaves at least 4 dead in winter storm ‘whiteout’ crash.” 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.foxnews.com/us/ohio-46-car-pileup-three-dead-winter-storm-whiteout-crash

HeraldNet, Everett, WA. “Cold snap left at least 1 dead in Snohomish County. 1-4-2023. Accessed 1-8-2023 at: https://www.heraldnet.com/news/cold-snap-left-at-least-1-dead-in-snohomish-county/

Illinois News. “Winter Storm death toll reaches 50 in freezing temperatures: report. 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://localtoday.news/il/winter-storm-death-toll-reaches-50-in-freezing-temperatures-report-132567.html

Kazinform International News Agency. “Death toll in US witn4r storm climbs to 63.” 12-29-2022. Accessed 12-28-2022 at: https://www.inform.kz/en/death-toll-in-us-winter-storm-climbs-to-63_a4017513

Keloland.com, Sioux Falls, SD. “1 weather-related death in Todd County, coroner says.” 12-22-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/1-weather-related-death-in-todd-county-coroner-says/

KOCO News, Oklahoma City. “Troopers respond to three deadly crashes after winter weather hits Oklahoma.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-luther-turner-turnpike-deadly-crash/42318503

Lansing State Journal, MI. “Elderly resident dies after being fund outside assisted living center in bitter cold.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/12/23/greater-lansing-storm-snowfall-wind-frigid-temps-to-continue-travel-flights-canceled/69753334007/

Lansing State Journal, MI. “Officials: Deaths of 8 people in mid-Michigan linked to snow and cold.” 12-28-2022. Accessed 1-8-2023 at: https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/12/28/cold-snow-blamed-for-at-least-8-mid-michigan-deaths/69758304007/

Lexington Herald Leader, KY. “3 deaths in Kentucky confirmed because of severe winter weather, Gov. Beshear says.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/education/article270375922.html

NBC News (Mithil Aggarwal and Melissa Chan). “Death toll rises to at least 55 as freezing temperatures and heavy snow…” 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/winter-storm-freezing-temperatures-heavy-snow-killed-deadly-buffalo-rcna63226

NBC News. “Live updates: Deadly winter storm brings blizzards and dangerous wind chills to much of the U.S.” 12-25-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/live-blog/winter-storm-live-updates-rcna63150

New York Post (David Propper). “Death toll in western New York from brutal winter storm reaches 17.” 12-25-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://nypost.com/2022/12/25/deaths-in-buffalo-and-region-reach-17-from-winter-storm/

New York Times (Michael Gold and Mihir Zaveri). “27 Dead in Western New York Blizzard, With More Snow on Way.” 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/26/nyregion/blizzard-storm-snow-deaths.html

New York Times. “‘It Was Just a Crying Day’: Families Mourn Those Killed in the Storm.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-27-2022 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/nyregion/buffalo-western-new-york-winter-storm.html

New York Times. “The Storm’s Victims: An Expectant Parent, a Doting Daughter, a Refugee.” 12-29-2022. Accessed 12-30-2022 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/28/nyregion/winter-storm-deaths-buffalo-new-york.html

News 5, Cleveland. “72-year-old woman found dead outside assisted living facility in Cleveland Heights, officials say. Appears to have succumbed to cold weather, city officials say.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/72-year-old-woman-found-dead-outside-assisted-living-facility-in-cleveland-heights-officials-say

NPR. “At least 50 people have died across the U.S. in ‘once-in-a-generations storm’” 12-26-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://www.npr.org/2022/12/26/1145518196/us-massive-winter-storm-deaths-weather

PBS Newshour. “Winter storm death toll tops 60 as crews in Buffalo work to clear 4 feet of snow.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-27-2022 at: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/winter-storm-death-toll-tops-60-as-crews-in-buffalo-work-to-clear-4-feet-of-snow

Reuters. “Seven dead in Buffalo as Arctic system freezes eastern U.S.” 12-25-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/death-toll-rises-buffalo-frigid-cold-freezes-eastern-us-christmas-day-2022-12-25/

Sky News. “US bomb cyclone: At least 59 dead as North America gripped…” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-27-2022 at: https://news.sky.com/story/us-bomb-cyclone-at-least-50-dead-as-north-america-gripped-by-devastating-winter-storm-12774427

The Gazette, Colorado Springs. “1 dead, 1 hospitalized after apparent exposure to subfreezing temps in Colorado Springs.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://gazette.com/news/local/1-dead-1-hospitalized-after-apparent-exposure-to-subfreezing-temps-in-colorado-springs/article_f4d198ba-8314-11ed-a24a-3ff41e8307b7.html

The Gazette, Colorado Springs. “Cold weather appeared to play role in 4 Colorado Springs deaths last week.” 12-27-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://gazette.com/news/public-safety/cold-weather-appeared-to-play-role-in-4-colorado-springs-deaths-last-week/article_f1ec93e0-861e-11ed-ba6d-5f81b2e4277c.html

The Nation. “U.S. winter storm death toll rises to 61.” 12-31-2022. Accessed 12-31-2022 at: https://www.nation.com.pk/31-Dec-2022/us-winter-storm-death-toll-rises-to-61

The State, Columbia, SC. “Man on oxygen dies after winter weather knocks out power at SC home, coroner says.” 12-28-2022. Accessed 12-29-2022 at: https://www.thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article270496237.html

The Weather Channel. “Winter Storm Elliott: Coastal Flooding Hits Northeast; Deadly Pileup in Ohio.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://weather.com/news/news/2022-12-23-winter-storm-elliott-blizzard-bomb-cyclone-live-updates-friday

Time (Anisha Kohli and Mariah Espada) “At Least 15 Deaths Attributed to Bomb Cyclone.” 12-21-22, 12-24-2022 update. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://time.com/6243042/deadly-storm-u-s-bomb-cyclone/

Twitter.com. 1:45, 12-23-2022 Maryland post. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://twitter.com/iembot_lwx/status/1606360469651869696

USA Today. “Live winter storm updates: 17 deaths reported…” 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/12/24/winter-storm-updates-deaths-crashes-power-outages/10950466002/

Wall Street Journal. “Buffalo Death Toll Rises to 39 as City Reopens From Winter Storm.” 12-29-2022. Accessed 12-30-2022 at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/buffalo-lifts-driving-ban-as-city-reopens-from-winter-storm-11672329189

WFMJ, Youngstown, OH. “Weather Updates. Utility accident adds to storm death toll.” 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-25-2022 at: https://www.wfmj.com/story/48032641/weather-updates-utility-accident-adds-to-storm-death-toll

WFMZ 69 News, Allentown, PA. “1 dead after tree falls on car in Montgomery County.” 12-233-2022. Accessed 12-26-2022 at: https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/southeastern-pa/1-dead-after-tree-falls-on-car-in-montgomery-county/article_86fc7970-832f-11ed-9b5f-9b229eb581a3.html

WGRZ, Buffalo. “3rd death reported in Western New York as a result of storm.” 12-24-2022. Accessed 12-24-2022 at: https://www.wgrz.com/article/weather/severe-weather/body-found-at-bailey-and-kensington-avenue-buffalo-police-working-to-retrieve-individual/71-e3e0e4b2-9358-4790-bcfc-78d597e4880a

Wikipedia. “December 2022 North American winter storm.” 1-8-2023 edit. Accessed 1-8-2023 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_2022_North_American_winter_storm

WIVB, Buffalo. “Two more confirmed storm-related deaths bring total in WNY to 42.” 1-3-2023. Accessed 1-8-2023 at: https://www.wivb.com/weather/buffalo-blizzard-2022/two-more-confirmed-storm-related-deaths-bring-total-to-42/

WMTV, NBC 15, Madison, WI. “Wisconsin state troopers respond to 400+ calls during Thursday’s storm. Troopers were called to one deadly crash.” 12-23-2022. Accessed 1-8-2023 at: https://www.nbc15.com/2022/12/23/wisconsin-state-troopers-respond-400-calls-during-thursdays-storm/

US Total (145-146) FL reports 1 less death than we do – probably the homicide.
–145-146 Blanchard tally based on State breakouts below.
–139-140 Florida (FL Medical Examiners Commission notes 137; our tally is 138).
— 5 North Carolina
— 1 Virginia
–137 WSWS.org. “As search for victims ends…details…of deaths caused by Hurricane Ian.” 10-10-2022.

Florida (139-140)
— 146 Wikipedia. “Hurricane Ian.” 11-3-2022 update. [Blanchard: not yet supported.]
— 140 Blanchard death toll based on county breakouts below.
— 139 FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-16-2022.
— 137 FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
— 134 FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-10-2022.
— 130 FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-1-2022.
— 118 FL District Medical Examiners as of Oct 26. WTSP 10 Tampa Bay. “Number…” 10-16-2022.

Florida Breakout by County
— 8 Charlotte. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–24. ABC News. “Hurricane Ian death toll now more than 100…” 10-10-2022, 1:10.
–23 CNN. “Death toll from Hurricane Ian surpasses 100…” 10-3-2022, 9:25pm.
–1 Male, 70. “…diabetic…who went a week without dialysis.”
–1 Male, 72, Port Charlotte; kayak capsized in canal, drowned; searching for lost items.
–1 Male, 79. Douglas Weidinger Sr., Punta Gorda; relied on oxygen concentrator; lost power, died Sep 29.
–1 Male, 90. “Decedent fell during storm and struck head.”
–1 Male, 96, found dead trapped under a car in high water.
–1 Female, 69. Dialysis patient unable to receive treatment; died Oct 4.
–10 Collier. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–1 Sarah Billings 73, Naples. Heart attack/drowning; husband found her floating in water Sep 28.
–1 James Hewitt. Cut leg in fall in Naples canal helping friend clean-up; died of vibrio vulnificus Oct 11.
–1 Becky Higgie, 63, fell while evacuating, helped away but died less than an hour later.
–1 Thomas Robert, 57; Naples condo; lost power, died after walking up 7 floors.
–1 Rose Marie Santangelo, 73. Drowned; “Found in home soaking wet.” Sep 29.
–1 Sueann Shell, 64. Drowned; did not evacuate, roommate found her Sep 28.
–1 Woman, 91, fell while evacuating, fracturing a bone; died two weeks later.
— 1 DeSoto. Florida Medical Examiners Commission release dated Oct 10; also Nov 10 and 14.
–1 Arcadia. Miguel Albor Villafuerte, 81, with dementia, wandered into flooded field.
— 4 Hardee. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–1 Male, 20s; drowning. “Decedent’s motor vehicle swept away by river current.”
–1 Male, 25. “…in motor vehicle…swept away by river current due to Hurricane Ian.”
–1 Male, 35 (Craig Steven Markgraff); Zolfo Springs. Drowned after truck entered floodwater.
–1 Male, age unknown. “Decedent found at Peace River Park.”
— 3 Hendry. CNN. “Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Florida.” 10-5-2022; 8:48 pm ET.
–3 Blanchard tally from gender or name breakouts below.
–2 Florida Medical Examiners Commission releases dated Oct 10 & 26, Nov 10 & 14.
–1 Ollie C. Clark, 72. MEO listed. Age nor locality noted. NBC-2, SW FL, 10-13-2022.
–1 Catherine Yesenko. MEO listed. Age nor locality noted. NBC-2, SW FL, 10-13-2022.
–1 LaBelle. Messiah Grier, 29, contractor “sent to the area to help with relief efforts” shot.
— 5 Hillsborough. Medical examiners as of Nov 16, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–1 Male, 29, killed Oct 29 when motorcycle hit Oct 28 felled oak tree.
— 2 Lake. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
–1 Car hydroplanes, man, 38, killed. (FL Dept. of Law Enforcement source.)
–62 Lee. Medical examiners as of Nov 16, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
— 61 (3 others missing, Janes Hurst, Ivonka Knes and Gary Luke.) Sheriff, Oct 19.
— 50 Blanchard tally from individual breakouts below.
— 5 Sanibel Island. CNN. “‘Substantial loss of life’…” 9-29-2022.
Breakout of Lee County Hurricane Ian and related fatalities by locality and or cause.
— 1 Man, 51, with asthma. Couldn’t get a generator; said he couldn’t breathe in the heat.
— 1 Daymon Utterback, 54, Ft. Myers Beach, stuck in window trying to escape rising water.
— 1 Man, 60s, drowned; found beneath debris in backyard of demolished residence.
— 1 Ian Conway, 61, found outside draped over a bench after drowning.
— 1 Man, 62, “found in home, submerged in flood waters.”
— 1 Man, 63, drowned, found by Fl. Dept. of Law Enforcement.
— 1 Man, 66 (Mike Verdream), found floating in Matlacha canal.
— 1 Man, 65, crushed by sliding glass door and pool cage.
— 1 Glenn Scroggy, 68, “found in vehicle submerged in storm water.”
— 1 Man, 68, “found unresponsive by neighbor after seen cleaning yard of debris.”
— 1 Man, 70, “shot himself after seeing property damage due to hurricane.”
— 1 Man, 71, “who was oxygen dependent, found in residence after delayed response.”
— 1 Man, 71, found dead in residence; responders noted water 3-ft deep upon arrival.
Gregory Harold Strasser, 71. Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. “Gregory Harold Strasser.”
— 1 Man, 73, “found in home with more than 8 feet storm surge.”
— 1 Man, 73; “decedent shot himself after seeing property damage due to hurricane.”
— 1 Man, 73, apparently drowned “found dead…storm surge in area minimum of eight feet.”
— 1 Man, 74-75 (Mitch Pacyna), Fort Myers Beach. Found drowned on beach afterwards.
— 1 Man, 75, with cardiac disease collapsed and EMS were delayed in getting to him.
— 1 Man, 79, “found in pile of rubble outside home on Fort Myers Beach.” Rigaux?
— 1 Man, 80, “went outside during storm and found the next day floating in water.”
— 1 Man, 80, “fell into water in his flooded garage after being struck on the head by debris.”
— 1 Man, 81-82. “Decedent was found in the water on Ft. Myers Beach on 10/5/2022.”
Robert Knes, 81, of Tropical Shore Way.
— 1 Man, 82, evacuee “died from cardiac complications;” had left medications behind.
— 1 Man, 86, found in house. His med. alert bracelet went off but EMS was delayed.
— 1 Man, 87, found in submerged car with blunt force injuries.
— 1 Man, 87, found unresponsive after “two ground level falls” Tuesday and Wednesday.
— 1 Man, 88 (Calvin Paul Geckler), Fort Myers Beach, Sep 29.
— 1 Man, 88. Suffocation? Found with sand “and white foamy material in airway.”
— 1 Man, 89, “oxygen dependent.” Power out and generator failed.
— 1 Man, 89, “found in a car after residence destroyed.”
James Ohliger, 89, Fort Myers Beach. The Plain Dealer, Cleveland. “James Ohliger.”
— 1 Man, 92, found under 3 feet of water.
— 1 Man, 95, with cardiac disease/complained of chest pains, could not be reached by EMS.
— 1 Man, unknown age, found dead on a neighbor’s deck, with wet clothes.
— 1 Man, unknown age’ “decedent found under debris on Ft. Myers Beach.”
— 1 Peggy Collson, 67, Matlacha, found floating in canal in Matlacha on Sep 30.
— 1 Woman, age not known, found tangled in wires under home.
— 1 Woman, age not noted, “found floating in 7 feet of water inside a residence.”
— 1 Woman, found under pile of brush in front of residence that burned during hurricane in Sanibel.
— 1 Woman, 40, drowned. Florida Politics. “Report: 72 Florida residents…” 10-5-2022. Harris-Miles?
— 1 Elizabeth McGuire, 49, found dead in bed in her Cape Coral home.
— 1 Woman, 50-60, found dead on her knees in debris in cul de sac, clutching debris.
— 1 Bonnie Gauthier, 59, “found in home submerged in floodwaters.”
— 1 Woman, 62, drowned after tree fell on her manufactured home.
— 1 Woman, 70, poor health. Death attributed to “delayed medical access due to hurricane.”
— 1 Martha Campbell, 74, Fort Myers Beach, house collapses around her.
— 1 Woman, 75, “found in water following storm, taken to hospital.” Died there.
— 1 Becky Bodnar Rigaux?, 80, “found in storm debris on Fort Myers Beach.”
— 1 Woman, 84, found unresponsive on floor of bedroom; EMS could not respond.
Zoe Underhill, 84, of Shell Mound Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach.
— 1 Woman, 85, drowned; found in a tree on Ft. Myers Beach. [Lucinda Keller?]
— 1 Woman (Joan Wing), 89. Fort Myers.
— 5 Mantatee. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
— 1 Patricia Freed, 71, Bradenton; blown off porch; struck head on a concrete step.
— 1 Ashley Zadai, 22, of Myakka City, thrown from ATV in rollover due to road washout.
— 1 Woman, 80, oxygen dependent; power lost, oxygen machine power lost; died.
— 1 Martin. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
–1 Male, 22, discovered prone in flooded Stuart street.
— 1 Miami-Dade. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…” 11-14-2022.
— 7 Monroe. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–1 Female, 19, found floating in the water after the boat [Cuban] they were on sank.
–1 Female, 23, found floating in the water after the boat [Cuban] they were on sank.
–1 Female, 35, found floating in the water after the boat [Cuban] they were on sank.
–1 Female, age unknown, found floating in water after boat [Cuban] she was on sank.
–1 Female, age unknown, found floating in water after boat [Cuban] she was on sank.
–1 Female, age unknown, found floating in water after boat [Cuban] she was on sank.
–1 Male, 32, found floating in the water after the boat [Cuban] they were on sank.
— 3 Orange. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
–1 Florida Medical Examiners Commission release dated Oct 10.
–1 AdventHealth, Oct 12. Woman, 79; delay of “surgical intervention;” source MEO.
–1 Orlando area. Male, 75, cutting storm damaged branches, fell off ladder and died.
— 5 Osceola. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–2 Florida Medical Examiners Commission release dated Oct 10.
–1 Male, 71, found face down in about 1-foot of water from Ian flooding.
— 2 Polk. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
–1 Tyler Watson, 22, Lake Wells; pickup truck passenger; collides with downed tree.
–1 James William Brown, 58, Lakeland. Exertion; yard clean up related to Hurricane Ian.
— 3 Putnam. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
–2 Man/37 and woman/30; car hits standing flood water, overturns in water-filled ditch.
–1 Man, 85, fell off ladder while putting a tarp on his roof.
–10 Sarasota. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–1 Richard Corbett, 80; oxygen dependent; lost power, oxygen machine failed.
–1 Kelly Judd, 57, found lying in water after roof of home had caved in.
–1 Sheila Sheckells, 62, Sarasota; became trapped in vehicle driving home from work.
–1 John Zablackas, 71, head injuries Sep 27; fell off roof while putting up storm shutters.
–1 Male, 60, heart attack while clearing Hurricane Ian-debris from his yard.
–1 Male, 81. Staying with family in Sarasota Co. Suicide after learning of loss of home in Lee Co.
–1 Male, 84; fell in flooded home, could not get up, found two days later; died in hosp.
–1 Male, 94, Palmer Ranch area. Oxygen machine disabled from power outage.
— 1 St. Lucie. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement. “Update: [FL] Medical Examiners…Ian…” 11-14-2022.
— 7 Volusia. Medical examiners as of Nov 14, according to FL Dept. of Law Enforcement.
–1 Jerry W. Argo, 67, New Smyrna Beach. Drowned; fell in flooded home, could not get up.
–1 Ronald Foley, 72, Deltona; went outside to drain his pool; slipped into adjacent canal.
–1 Anita Riney, 68, walking along Volusia beach swept into ocean by waves. (Cites MEO.)
–1 Robert Sansoucie, 91, New Smyrna Beach, drowning. Found not breathing floating in water.
–1 Male, 79, Daytona Beach. Drowned. Found “not breathing and floating in water.”

North Carolina ( 5)
–5 25WPBF, Palm Beach. “Live: Gov. DeSantis updates Floridians…hurricane…” 10-5-2022.
–5 ABC7, Sarasota, FL. “Florida death toll reaches 121 statewide…” 10-6-2022, 4:48 pm.
–5 CNN. “Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Florida.” 10-5-2022; 8:48 pm ET.
–1 Notes 3rd vehicular death attributed to the storm (ABC earlier reported 2, noted below.)
–4 ABC News. “Hurricane Ian live updates: Florida death toll climbs.” 10-1-2022, 4:23pm.
–1 CO poisoning from incorrectly operated home generator; male, 65.
–1 Drowning. Male, 22, when truck went offroad, submerged in flooded swamp.
–2 Vehicular “accidents caused by storm conditions.”
–1 Male, 25, lost control of vehicle, hydroplaned into another vehicle.
–1 Female, 24, vehicle went off wet road striking a tree.

Virginia ( 1)
–1 No details. Time. Hurricane Ian Death Toll in U.S. Hits 100…Three States.” 10-8-2022.

Cuba ( 5) Wikipedia. “Hurricane Ian.” 11-3-2022 update.

Narrative Information

Sep 29, NBC News: “At least nine people have died after Hurricane Ian tore across Florida with such ferocity that President Joe Biden said it could be the deadliest in state history. Speaking after a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials Thursday morning, Biden said that while the death toll remained unclear, early reports suggest the loss of life could be ‘substantial.’….

“As of Thursday evening, nine people had been confirmed dead in the storm, with most of them in Charlotte County, an area near the stretch of southwest coast where Ian made landfall Wednesday afternoon. Speaking on MSNBC, Charlotte County Commissioner Christopher Constance attributed the fatality count to a county administrator.

“Two people died in Sarasota County, a sheriff’s spokesperson there said, and one person drowned in Volusia County while trying to drain his pool, local law enforcement officials said….

“One of the most powerful storms to ever hit the United States, Ian left roughly 2.6 million customers without power as of Thursday afternoon. Several hospitals had no water, and thousands of residents were trapped in their homes….” (NBC News. “At least 10 confirmed dead as scope of Hurricane Ian’s devastation comes into focus.” 9-29-2022.)

Oct 5, Barker: “Hurricane Ian is sure to go down as one of the most impactful storms in U.S. history, after battering Southwest Florida last week. Ian made landfall Sept. 28 in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. The ferocious 150-mph winds pushed ashore feet of water from the Gulf of Mexico that tore through homes and businesses along the coast.

“The following day, Ian crossed the Florida Peninsula diagonally and dumped flooding rain on the interior and blew in storm surge along the opposite coast from where it made landfall.

“Ian made a third and final U.S. landfall in South Carolina two days after slamming into Florida.

“The scope of the disaster is still coming into view even a week after the storm made landfall. Here are some numbers that reveal the magnitude of Hurricane Ian’s impact.

“The death toll from Hurricane Ian continues to mount as search and rescue operations continue. At least 80 deaths have been reported as of Wednesday afternoon [Oct 5].

“Most of the fatalities have been reported in Florida, specifically in Lee County. That’s where popular barrier islands like Pine Island and Sanibel Island were wrecked by storm surge and powerful wind as Ian came ashore, cutting them off from the mainland and complicating rescue operations.

“Five storm-related deaths were reported in North Carolina, adding to the U.S. death toll.

“According to the United Nations, three people died in Cuba as Hurricane Ian tore across the western tip of the island.

“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that at least 2,300 people have been rescued as search-and-rescue teams continue to go door-to-door, looking for survivors.

“Ian caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s power grid. In the immediate aftermath, outages climbed to more than 2.5 million in the state. That number dropped to under 300,000 by late Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. Officials at Florida Power and Light, which services most of the area impacted by Hurricane Ian, said they expect to have most customers outside the hardest-hit areas restored by the end of Friday. Including the entire path of the storm, power outages during Ian likely added up to at least 13 million. Cuba experienced an island-wide blackout when Ian tore across the western side of the island. The Carolinas reported thousands of outages when Ian made its final landfall Sept. 30….

“It started as a tropical disturbance east of the Caribbean and was given a name once it reached tropical-storm status north of the so-called ABC islands near South America. It became a hurricane as it turned north and took aim at the western tip of Cuba, where it made its first landfall Sept. 27. Ian’s intensity grew as it exited Cuba and moved over the Gulf of Mexico and toward Florida.

“The storm made its second overall landfall and first U.S. landfall Sept. 28 on Cayo Costa island off the coast of Southwest Florida. About 90 minutes later, Ian made a second U.S. landfall and third overall near Punta Gorda, Florida. Ian weakened as it moved across the Florida Peninsula and exited the state Sept. 29. However, it regained hurricane strength in the Atlantic as it turned toward the Southeastern U.S. The final landfall for Hurricane Ian happened Sept. 30 near Georgetown, South Carolina. That marked the third U.S. landfall of the storm and fourth overall….” (Barker, Aaron. “Hurricane Ian by the numbers: The scope of the catastrophic damage.” Fox Weather, 10-5-2022.)

Oct 12, South Florida Sun Sentinel: “Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Tribune News Service) — A heart attack after cleaning up debris. A missed dialysis appointment. An oxygen machine that blinked off when the power went out. The death toll from Hurricane Ian is currently at 112 and still rising, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit Florida since 1935. Even as rescue teams pack up and return home, the number of those missing dwindling to single digits, the toll continues to climb.

“The vast majority — more than 70 — of those deaths are still the drownings that occurred amid the storm surge and flooding Ian unleashed across the state. Many died in the water that filled their homes and cars. Some were carried away by the sea.

“But the deaths that keep inching the toll upward are now the indirect ones: the heart attacks and suicides, the infections and injuries, and the inability to receive vital medical services. While people tend to focus on the direct casualties after a major hurricane, it is the indirect deaths that often claim the most lives. Recent research on past hurricanes suggests that those deaths will keep climbing in the coming weeks and months, and ultimately could number in the thousands.

“Professor Hugh Willoughby recalled a friend of his wife’s, who worked at an adult day care center during Hurricane Andrew. The building itself survived largely intact, he said, and yet there were several deaths among the clients. ‘It’s stress and the whole disruption and interruption and all the things that people hate about hurricanes,’ said Willoughby, who teaches earth and environment at Florida International University and researches hurricane mortality. ‘If you were in fragile health, it hastened moving on from this world.’

“Direct deaths a result of two main factors.

“Hurricane Ian’s storm surge and flooding resulted in at least 62 confirmed drownings in Florida, according to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission. At least another 11 people died directly from vehicle accidents, wind, and damage during the storm. By the direct death count alone, Ian already diverges from recent major hurricanes like Irma in 2017, Michael in 2018, and Andrew in 1992, some of the most destructive the state has ever faced.

“Of the 92 people who died in the U.S. after Hurricane Irma, 10 died directly, while 82 died indirectly, according to the National Hurricane Center report, a number that could be much higher according to studies of nursing homes in the months after the storm. The same is true of Hurricane Michael: only seven of the 50 counted deaths in Florida were direct deaths, five of which were drownings. Those don’t include hundreds of other victims who may have died later and weren’t part of official tallies.

“The high number of direct fatalities due to Hurricane Ian compared with prior storms is likely due to two main factors: the deadliness of Ian’s storm surge and flooding, and the number of those remaining in the storm’s path when it hit, particularly older people with health conditions.

“Many residents chose to stay put. Some didn’t expect the storm to be as bad as it was, or believed they were outside of its direct path, which shifted to the south as Ian neared landfall. Others couldn’t afford to evacuate, or felt they had no choice because their bosses told them they had to work. Evacuation orders gave some residents only a day to prepare their homes and leave. ‘They don’t feel as threatened by hurricanes on the west coast,’ Willoughby said. ‘It’s really unusual for a storm as intense as Ian was to strike the west coast of Florida.’

“In fact, the west coast proved more vulnerable when the right factors came together, Willoughby said. The shallow warm waters offshore allowed greater storm surge to develop over a larger area, with none of the colder, deeper water that rises from below and tempers a storm’s intensity in the Atlantic. And it’s the water, not the wind, which kills the most, Willoughby said, which also made Ian particularly deadly compared with other major hurricanes….

“The circumstances that lead to higher numbers of direct deaths also contribute to indirect deaths. The decision not to evacuate subjects a greater number of people not only to the initial wrath of the storm, but to all the ensuing consequences. Those include lingering loss of power and water at places like hospitals and nursing homes, flooded roadways, and backed-up emergency services. ‘When storm winds die down, it still doesn’t mean 911 can get to you,’ said Elizabeth Dunn, a visiting instructor at the University of South Florida’s college of public health who studies indirect deaths after disasters. ‘The call volume increases to a point where the fire service and police have to start triaging calls to find out who to go to first.’ Meanwhile, the greater severity of the storm creates more widespread, long-lasting damage that contributes to more indirect deaths.

“Indirect deaths after a hurricane are typically thought to number approximately 10 times the number of direct deaths, said Willoughby. The ratio holds up when applied to the official tallies of storms such as Irma and Michael. But researchers likely didn’t measure indirect deaths to their fullest extent in the past, Dunn said….

“So what are those causes? The indirect deaths from Ian are beginning to appear in the Florida Medical Examiners’ Commission’s confirmed death report. Many haven’t happened yet. Within that report, the leading major cause of death from Ian after drowning is not wind, structural damage, or vehicle accidents, but exacerbated health conditions.

“Nearly two dozen people have died as a result of some kind of heart condition during or after the storm. In the report, medical examiners cited things like ‘physical exertion’ and ‘stress from Hurricane Ian’ as contributing factors. ‘When you’re stressed out and your adrenaline’s running, there’s a level of uncertainty as you don’t know what’s going to happen,” Dunn said. “You have to understand that puts a lot of stress on you, your heart, and your physical health.’….” (South Florida Sun Sentinel/Shira Moolten. “Ian Killed more Floridians than most recent major hurricanes. Its indirect death count could reach the thousands.” 10-20-2022.)

Sources

6ABC Philadelphia. “At least 33 deaths reported after Hurricane Ian slams into Florida.” 9-30-2022. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://6abc.com/hurricane-ian-death-toll-search-efforts-floridians-rescue-catastrophic-storm/12282239/

25WPBF, Palm Beach. “Live: Gov. DeSantis updates Floridians on hurricane recovery ahead of meeting with President Biden.” 10-5-2022. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.wpbf.com/article/ian-hurricane-update-florida-news/41531097

25WPBF, Palm Beach. “Martin County death related to Hurricane Ian confirmed, Florida District Medical Examiners report.” 10-5-2022. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.wpbf.com/article/ian-hurricane-florida-martin-county-death/41529111

ABC Action News, Tampa Bay. “Medical examiner reports outline how Hurricane Ian victims died. Experts say almost all deaths were preventable.” 10-24-2022. Accessed 10-25-2022 at: https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/i-team-investigates/medical-examiner-reports-outline-how-hurricane-ian-victims-died

ABC News. “Dozens of deaths reported after Hurricane Ian slams into Florida.” 10-1-2022. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-deaths-reported-hurricane-ian-slams-florida/story?id=90693636

ABC News. “Hurricane Ian death toll now more than 100 after storm slams into Florida, North Carolina.” 10-10-2022, 1:10. Accessed 10-11-2022 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-deaths-reported-hurricane-ian-slams-florida/story?id=90693636

ABC News. “Hurricane Ian death toll now more than 100…” 10-12-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-deaths-reported-hurricane-ian-slams-florida/story?id=90693636

ABC News. “Hurricane Ian live updates: Florida death toll climbs.” 10-1-2022, 4:23pm. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/hurricane-ian/?id=90445860

ABC7, Sarasota, FL. “Florida death toll reaches 121 statewide, Sarasota County reporting 5 deaths.” 10-6-2022. Accessed 10-7-2022 at: https://www.mysuncoast.com/2022/10/06/florida-death-toll-reaches-121-statewide-sarasota-county-reporting-5-deaths/

Barker, Aaron. “Hurricane Ian by the numbers: The scope of the catastrophic damage.” Fox Weather, 10-5-2022. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/by-the-numbers-hurricane-ian-catastrophic-damage

CNN, 9-29-2022 8:00pm broadcast.

CNN. “Death toll from Hurricane Ian surpasses 100 as the search for survivors continues in Florida.” 10-3-2022, 9:25 PM EDT. Accessed 10-3-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/03/us/hurricane-ian-florida-recovery-monday

CNN. “Death toll rises to 67 in Florida after Hurricane Ian left some communities ‘unrecognizable’.” 10-2-2022, 12:14 PM EDT. Accessed 10-2-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/02/us/hurricane-ian-south-carolina-florida-repairs-sunday

CNN. “Elizabeth McGuire found dead in her home in Cape Coral, family says.” 10-4-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-aftermath-10-04-22#h_19f55b0544e219a625b13bec2817c8ea

CNN. “Florida’s death toll from Hurricane Ian rises to 88 as the search for survivors continue.” 10-3-2022, 1:17 PM EDT. Accessed 10-3-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/03/us/hurricane-ian-florida-recovery-monday

CNN. “Hurricane Ian killed at least 125 people. Here are some of the victims.” 10-7-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.crossroadstoday.com/hurricane-ian-killed-at-least-125-people/

CNN. “Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in Florida.” 10-5-2022; 8:48 pm ET. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/hurricane-ian-florida-aftermath-10-05-22/index.html

CNN “Hurricane Ian’s death toll rises as crews in Florida go door to door…” 10-4-2022. Accessed 10-4-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/04/us/hurricane-ian-florida-recovery-tuesday/index.html

CNN. “Hurricane Ian’s death toll rises as crews in Florida go door to door in search for survivors in decimated neighborhoods.” 10-5-2022, 1:59 PM EDT. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/04/us/hurricane-ian-florida-recovery-tuesday/index.html

CNN. “‘Substantial loss of life’ possible in Florida as Hurricane Ian takes aim at South Carolina.” 9-29-2022. Accessed 9-29-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/29/weather/hurricane-ian-florida-path-thursday

Daily Beast. “Hurricane Ian Death Toll Rises to More Than 100.” 10-3-2022. Accessed 10-15-2022 at: https://www.thedailybeast.com/hurricane-ian-death-toll-continues-to-rise-as-lee-county-florida-reports-additional-deaths

Daytona Beach News-Journal. “Five people drowned in Volusia from Tropical Storm Ian. One was awaiting rescue from flood.” 10-4-2022. Accessed 10-21-2022 at: https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/10/04/five-people-drown-volusia-one-awaiting-rescue-flood/8175475001/

DignityMemorial.com. “Naples, FL Obituaries.” Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/naples-fl

DignityMemorial.com. “Obituary. Lucinda Julia Keller. Nov 4, 1936 – Sep 30, 2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fort-myers-fl/lucinda-keller-10956041

Echovita. “Joan Wing. November 20, 1932 – October 1, 2022 (89 years old). Fort Myers, Florida.” Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/fl/fort-myers/joan-wing-15327470

Echovita. “Yvonne Simon.” Accessed 10-14-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/fl/fort-myers/yvonne-simon-15302149

FL Dems. “Ollie Clifford Clark. Age 72. Clewiston, Florida.” Accessed 11-13-2022 at: https://www.floridaresidentsdirectory.com/person/104327681/clark-ollie

Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “Update: Florida Medical Examiners Commission Hurricane Ian deaths.” 11-1-2022. Accessed 11-3-2022 at: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/News/2022/November/Update-Florida-Medical-Examiners-Commission-Hurric

Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “Update: Florida Medical Examiners Commission Hurricane Ian deaths.” 11-10-2022. Accessed 11-13-2022 at: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/News/2022/November/Update-Florida-Medical-Examiners-Commission-Hu-(3)

Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “Update: Florida Medical Examiners Commission Hurricane Ian deaths.” 11-14-2022. Accessed 11-17-2022 at: https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/News/2022/November/Update-Florida-Medical-Examiners-Commission-Hu-(4)

Florida Department of Law Enforcement. “Update: Florida Medical Examiners Commission Hurricane Ian deaths.” 11-16-2022. Accessed 11-22-2022 at: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/News/2022/November/Update-Florida-Medical-Examiners-Commission-Hu-(5)

Florida Politics. “Report: 72 Florida residents, young and old, have died from Hurricane Ian.” 10-5-2022. Accessed 10-6-2022 at: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/561823-report-72-florida-residents-young-and-old-have-died-from-hurricane-ian/

Florida Times-Union. “Hurricane Ian fatalities: 2 die in Putnam Crash on flooded road.” 9-29-2022. Accessed 10-15-2022 at: https://sports.yahoo.com/hurricane-ian-fatalities-2-die-020008235.html

Fort Myers Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin. “Fort Myers Beach death toll from Ian: 14.” 10-13-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.fortmyersbeachtalk.com/2022/10/13/fort-myers-beach-death-toll-from-ian-14/

Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. “Gregory Harold Strasser. June 8, 1951 – September 29, 2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.fortmyersmemorial.com/obituaries/Gregory-Strasser/#!/TributeWall

Fort Myers News-Press, FL. “Fort Myers Beach man remembered as ‘Pirate of the Beach’ after hurricane claims his life.” 10-7-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.news-press.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/10/07/hurricane-ian-fort-myers-beach-man-daymon-utterback-remembered-pirate-beach/8186199001/

Fort Myers News-Press, FL. “Hurricane Ian contractor shot dead by coworker in LaBelle, prosecutors say.” 10-26-2022. Accessed 11-13-2022 at: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2022/10/26/hurricane-ian-contractor-messiah-grier-shot-dead-coworker-hcso-says/10599701002/

Fort Myers News-Press. “Hurricane Ian victims: Fort Myers Beach couple ‘just glowed’ when together.” 10-14-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2022/10/14/hurricane-ian-victims-fort-myers-beach-couple-just-glowed-when-together-obituary-ohio-france/10497312002/

Fort Myers News-Press, FL. “Theater usher mourned after body found…” 10-10-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2022/10/10/hurricane-ian-body-florida-rep-mann-hall-theater-usher-found-martha-marti-campbell/8236003001/

Fox 35 Orlando. “Ian death toll in Florida increases to 130 as insured losses top $8.4B.” 11-3-2022. Accessed 11-3-2022 at: https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/ian-death-toll-in-florida-increases-to-130-as-insured-losses-top-8-4b

Good Morning America. “Deaths from Hurricane Ian reported in Florida.” 10-6-2022. Accessed 10-6-2022 at: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/multiple-deaths-reported-hurricane-ian-slams-florida-90693636

Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL. “Charlotte County reports 23 deaths after Hurricane Ian search and rescue efforts.” 10-2-2022. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/10/02/hurricane-ian-death-toll-23-charlotte-county-sheriff-says-englewood-port-chartlotte-punta-gorda-fl/8159873001/

Herald Tribune, Sarasota FL. “Opinion: Officials acted irresponsibly by overinflating Ian death county. Insurancenewsnet.com. 10-20-2022. Accessed 10-22-2022 at: https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/opinion-officials-acted-irresponsibly-by-overinflating-ian-death-count

NBC-2, Southwest Florida. “Medical examiner releases names of 27 people killed by Hurricane Ian in SWFL.” 10-13-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/10/13/medical-examiner-released-names-of-27-people-killed-by-hurricane-ian-in-swfl/

NBC News. “At least 10 confirmed dead as scope of Hurricane Ian’s devastation comes into focus.” 9-29-2022. Accessed 9-29-2022 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hurricane-ian-continues-batter-florida-weakened-category-1-storm-rcna49924

NBC News. “At least 9 confirmed dead as scope of Hurricane Ian’s devastation comes into focus.” 9-29-2022. Accessed 9-29-2022 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hurricane-ian-continues-batter-florida-weakened-category-1-storm-rcna49924

NBC News. “Ian slows down as death toll grows in Florida with heavy floods predicted.” 10-1-2022. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ian-hurricane-death-toll-grows-florida-south-carolina-virginia-rcna50312

New York Intelligencer. “Hurricane Ian’s Death Toll Continues to Climb.” 10-1-2022. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/10/hurricane-ian-nearly-category-5-as-it-hits-florida-updates.html

New York Times. “Vulnerable and Trapped: A Look at Those Lost in Hurricane Ian.” 10-21-2022. Accessed 10-22-2022 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/us/hurricane-ian-victims.html

News Channel 8, Tampa, FL. “Death Toll rises in Hardee Co.” 10-6-2022, 9:46am. Accessed 10-6-2022 at: https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/hardee-county/hurricane-ian-death-toll-rises-in-hardee-county-local-officials/

News Press, Fort Myers, FL. “Medical examiner reports give glimpse into hurricane dead in Lee, Collier.” 10-5-2022. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.news-press.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/10/05/hurricane-ian-official-report-shows-how-people-died-storm/8179907001/

News Press, USA Today Network, FL. “Remembering the victims of Hurricane Ian.” 10-21-2022. Accessed 10-21-2022 at: https://www.news-press.com/in-depth/news/2022/10/21/hurricane-ian-deaths-obituaries-victims-who-died-florida/8195229001/

Orlando Sentinel, FL. “Hurricane Ian’s death toll in Orange County is now 2, 11 in Central Florida.” 10-14-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-hurricane-ian-death-toll-20221014-37xjqfww5vbffllacndjzborve-story.html

Riski, Tess (Miami Herald). “Hurricane Ian death toll rises to 15 in Florida.” Tampa Bay Times. 9-29-2022. Accessed 9-29-2022 at: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/29/first-2-florida-deaths-hurricane-ian-are-confirmed-sarasota-county/

Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL. “A smile and a laugh: Family, friend share life of Sarasota woman killed during Hurricane Ian.” 10-20-2022. Accessed 10-22-2022 at: https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/10/20/hurricane-ian-deaths-family-shares-life-sarasota-woman-killed/10479663002/

South Florida Sun Sentinel/Shira Moolten. “Ian Killed more Floridians than most recent major hurricanes. Its indirect death count could reach the thousands.” 10-20-2022. Accessed 10-21-2022 at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2022-10-20/ian-death-count-could-reach-thousands-7757192.html

Sun Port Charlotte, FL. “Hurricane Ian’s toll: Seven deaths in Sarasota County, six in Charlotte.” 10-16-2022. Accessed 10-22-2022 at: https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/news/hurricane-ians-toll-seven-deaths-in-sarasota-county-six-in-charlotte/article_8b2de09c-4bdf-11ed-bacc-1f3115d74b52.html

Sun Sentinel, South FL. “More than 21 dead in Florida after Hurricane Ian…” 9-30-2022. Accessed 9-30-2022 at: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/fl-ne-hurricane-ian-florida-friday-20220930-5pn6qulzdvh7vnk6nyf6r6kkvq-story.html

Tallahassee Democrat, FL. “The last moments of Hurricane Ian’s victims, told in grim details by Florida medical examiners.” 10-4-2022. Accessed 10-5-2022 at: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/weather/hurricane/2022/10/04/hurricane-ian-medical-examiner-spreadsheet-tells-grim-tale/8176764001/

Tampa Bay Times, FL. “How storm surge kills: Hurricane Ian showed Florida why we’re told to leave.” 10-8-2022. Accessed 10-8-2022 at: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/10/08/how-storm-surge-kills-hurricane-ian-showed-florida-why-were-told-leave/

Tampa Bay Times, FL. “Hurricane Ian death toll may have surpassed 50.” 10-1-2022. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/10/01/hurricane-ian-death-toll-may-have-surpassed-50/

Tampa Bay Times. “Hurricane Ian was lethal for elderly, those with chronic health conditions.” 10-21-2022. Accessed 10-21-2022 at: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/10/21/hurricane-ians-lethal-elderly-those-with-chronic-health-conditions/

Tampa Bay Times, FL. “Hurricane Ian took Bonnie Gauthier from her island.” 10-9-2022. Accessed 10-21-2022 at: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/10/08/hurricane-ian-took-bonnie-gauthier-her-island/

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland. “Obituary. James Ohliger. 1933-2022. Accessed 10-14-2022 at: https://obits.cleveland.com/us/obituaries/cleveland/name/james-ohliger-obituary?pid=202951967%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Dobitsharebeta

The Weather Channel. “Ian Death Toll Rises in Florida.” 10-1-2022. Accessed 10-1-2022 at: https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2022-09-30-hurricane-ian-live-updates-friday-florida-deaths-south-carolina

Time. Hurricane Ian Death Toll in U.S. Hits 100 Across Three States.” 10-8-2022. Accessed 11-13-2022 at: https://time.com/6220855/hurricane-ian-death-toll/

WFLA News 8, Tampa. “Florida Medical Examiners confirm 100 Hurricane Ian-related deaths.” 10-10-2022. Accessed 10-11-2022 at: https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-medical-examiners-confirm-100-hurricane-ian-related-deaths/

WGCU PBS/NPR SW FL. “State list official Ian-related deaths in Florida at 92; date from other sources puts toll at 123.” 10-7-2022, 9:48 a.m. Accessed 10-7-2022 at: https://news.wgcu.org/2022-10-07/state-lists-official-ian-related-deaths-in-florida-at-92-data-from-other-sources-puts-toll-at-123

Wikipedia. “Hurricane Ian.” 11-3-2022 update. Accessed 11-3-2022 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ian

WITV/NPR. “As Ian’s death toll rises, questions swirl on why more Floridians didn’t evacuate.” 10-8-2022. Accessed 10-8-2022 at: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/08/1127501943/hurricane-ian-florida-delayed-evacuations-lee-county

WSJM 94.9, FL. “Three people still missing in hard-hit Florida county in wake of Hurricane Ian, sheriff says.” 10-19-2022. Accessed 10-19-2022 at: https://www.wsjm.com/2022/10/19/three-people-still-missing-in-hard-hit-florida-county-in-wake-of-hurricane-ian-sheriff-says/

WSWS.org. “As search for victims ends, grim details emerge of deaths caused by Hurricane Ian.” 10-10-2022. Accessed 10-11-2022 at: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/10/11/zajz-o11.html

WTSP 10 Tampa Bay. “Number of deaths related to Hurricane Ian rises to 118, authorities say.” 10-16-2022. Accessed 10-27-2022 at: https://www.wtsp.com/article/weather/hurricane/deaths-hurricane-ian-118/67-191c529c-59f0-4b0e-ae3a-bb8001177621

–10 Floatplane crash off Whidbey Island, WA; all ten. KIRO 7, Seattle. “All 10 victims…” 9-6-2022.

Narrative Information

Sep 6, KIRO 7: “Whidbey Island, Wash. — The U.S. Coast Guard has released the names of all 10 people who were on a floatplane that crashed off Whidbey Island on Sunday. Nine adults and one child were on board the plane when it went down at 3:11 p.m. One person was found dead at the scene. The other nine victims are missing and presumed dead.

“The pilot was Jason Winters.

“The passengers have been identified as Patricia Hicks, Sandra Williams, Lauren Hilty, Ross Mickel, Remy Mickel — a child, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, Joanne Mera and Gabrielle Hanna.

“Williams was reportedly a civil rights activist who founded a Black newspaper, The Black Lens, and a community center, Carl Maxey Center in Spokane, according to The Spokesman-Review.

Source

KIRO 7, Seattle. “All 10 victims identified in deadly floatplane crash into Puget Sound.” 9-6-2022. Accessed 9-6-2022 at: https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/all-10-victims-identified-deadly-floatplane-crash-into-puget-sound/JSIKYUIOMRFPRBWTHRLBE3YVVE/

–6 CNN. “Dust storm causes a 21-vehicle pileup in Montana, killing six.” KESQ.com, 7-16-2022.
–6 Washington Post. “At least 6 killed as dust storm triggers massive pileup in Montana.” 7-16-2022.

Narrative Information

July 16: “A dust storm caused a 21-vehicle pileup on Interstate 90 in Big Horn County, Montana, on Friday evening, resulting in the deaths of six people, according to the Montana Highway Patrol. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said first responders were investigating the accident west of Hardin and that more information will be released when available. Knudsen oversees the highway patrol….” (CNN (Jamiel Lynch, Rebekah Riess, Sara Smart). “Dust storm causes a 21-vehicle pileup in Montana, killing six.” KESQ.com, 7-16-2022.)

July 16: “At least six people, including two children, were killed Friday when a dust storm with winds around 60 mph hit a Montana highway, causing a massive pileup of vehicles, according to authorities. The crash on Interstate 90 outside Hardin, Mont., involved 21 vehicles, including six semi-trucks, Sgt. Jay Nelson, a spokesman for the Montana Highway Patrol, told the Associated Press. Ambulances were dispatched from far away as Billings, Mont., about 50 miles away.

“Video posted to social media shows vehicles scattered across the interstate, including 18-wheelers that appeared to have crashed into vehicles or veered into the median.

“Authorities think a “quick-arising dust storm” ultimately caused the pileup. ‘It appears as though there was heavy winds, causing a dust storm with zero visibility,’ Nelson said….

“The crashes started around 4:50 p.m. local time Friday, according to an incident map for the Montana Department of Transportation. Traffic was shut down for hours on eastbound I-90, and the westbound side of the interstate was reduced to one lane….” (Washington Post. “At least 6 killed as dust storm triggers massive pileup in Montana.” 7-16-2022.)

Sources

CNN (Jamiel Lynch, Rebekah Riess, Sara Smart). “Dust storm causes a 21-vehicle pileup in Montana, killing six.” KESQ.com, 7-16-2022. Accessed 7-17-2022 at: https://kesq.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2022/07/16/dust-storm-causes-a-21-vehicle-pileup-in-montana-killing-six-2/

Washington Post (Timothy Bella). “At least 6 killed as dust storm triggers massive pileup in Montana.” 7-16-2022. Accessed 7-17-2022 at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/07/16/montana-dust-storm-highway-pileup-dead/

–7 CNN. “These are the lives lost from the July Fourth parade mass shooting.” 4-6-2022.
–7 CNN. “What we know about the Highland Park shooting suspect.” 7-6-2022.

Narrative Information

July 6, CNN: “Hours after gunfire interrupted the Highland Park, Illinois, July Fourth parade, killing seven people and wounding dozens more, police apprehended the man they believe was responsible. Robert “Bobby” E. Crimo III, 21, faces seven charges of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting, which authorities said he allegedly carried out by climbing onto the rooftop of a nearby business and opening fire minutes after the parade started, sending paradegoers and participants running for safety.

“Investigators believe the suspect planned ‘this attack for several weeks,’ Chris Covelli, spokes-person for the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, said at one of several news conferences Tuesday. The suspect dressed in women’s clothing to help conceal his identity, Covelli said, blended in with the crowds as they fled the area, and went to his mother’s house.

“Law enforcement have yet to establish a motive, but Covelli said there has been no information to suggest the attack was ‘racially motivated, motivated by religion or any other protected status.’ There is no indication anyone else was involved, Covelli said. The suspect was taken into custody soon after police publicly identified him Monday as a ‘person of interest,’ whom the FBI said was ‘being sought for his alleged involvement in the shooting of multiple individuals’ at Highland Park’s Independence Day parade.

“The suspect took his mother’s vehicle, and a member of the community saw him, Covelli said. That individual called 911, and then North Chicago police conducted a traffic stop and took him into custody…..

“In September 2019, Highland Park Police went to Crimo’s home after a family member reported that he had said he was going to kill everyone, according to Covelli. ‘The threat was directed at family inside of the home,’ he said. Police confiscated a collection of bladed items — 16 knives, a dagger and a sword — but made no arrests because there were no signed complaints against Crimo. Highland Park Police notified state police about the visit. At the time, involuntary commitment wasn’t an option, Covelli said.

“The local police submitted a ‘Clear and Present Danger’ report about the visit to the Illinois State Police, the agency said. ‘The report indicates when police went to the home and asked the individual if he felt like harming himself or others, he responded no,’ state police said in a second statement. ‘Additionally and importantly, the father claimed the knives were his and they were being stored in the individual’s closet for safekeeping. Based upon that information, the Highland Park Police returned the knives to the father later that afternoon,’ state police added.

“State Police Master Sgt. Delilah Garcia said they looked at whether Crimo had a firearm owner’s identification (FOID) card that should have been revoked, but he had no card. n a news release, Illinois State Police officials said Crimo in December 2019 applied for a FOID card that was sponsored by his father. ‘The subject was under 21 (he was 19) and the application was sponsored by the subject’s father. Therefore, at the time of FOID application review in January of 2020, there was insufficient basis to establish a clear and present danger and deny the FOID application,’ state police said.

“In April 2019, local police went to the family home after receiving a report Crimo had tried to take his own life a week earlier. Officers spoke with him and his parents and were told mental health professionals were handling the matter, Covelli said.

“Covelli said later that the suspect bought five guns, including two rifles, after the September visit from police.

“The suspect legally purchased the weapon he used in Monday’s shooting, Covelli said Tuesday, describing it as a ‘high-powered rifle’ which shot high-velocity rounds. The weapon, which he described as ‘similar to an AR-15,’ was purchased locally, Covelli said, within the Chicagoland area.

“Investigators believe he fired more than 70 rounds over the course of the attack, Covelli said, and there is no indication the weapon was modified.

“Crimo also legally purchased a second rifle found in his vehicle at the time he was apprehended, as well as other guns recovered from his home, which Covelli described as pistols.

“Between June 2020 and September 2021, Crimo passed four background checks while purchasing firearms. Those background checks went through the Firearms Transaction Inquiry Program (FTIP), which includes the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, state police said in their statement. At the time, the only criminal offense included in Crimo’s history was a January 2016 ordinance violation for possession of tobacco, and no mental health prohibitor reports were submitted to state police by healthcare facilities or personnel, police said.

“Police in Highwood — the suspect’s hometown, just outside Highland Park — had no prior crime-related interactions with Crimo, according to Chief Dave Wentz. The only contact the department had with Crimo involved a noncriminal incident where Crimo was present when he was a juvenile, Wentz said. ‘We literally have nothing on him,’ Wentz said. ‘He was not potentially involved in anything.’

“The suspected shooter posted music on several major streaming platforms under the pseudonym Awake the Rapper, and he apparently made and posted music videos online featuring ominous lyrics and animated scenes of gun violence. In one video titled ‘Are you Awake,’ a cartoon animation of a stick-figure shooter resembling the suspect’s appearance is seen wearing tactical gear and carrying out an attack with a rifle. Crimo, seen with multicolored hair and face tattoos, narrates, ‘I need to just do it. It is my destiny.’ In another video titled ‘Toy Soldier,’ a similar stick-figure resembling the suspect is depicted lying face down on the floor in a pool of his own blood, surrounded by police officers with their guns drawn…. Several of the suspect’s online postings ‘reflected a plan and a desire to commit carnage for a long time in advance,’ Mayor Rotering said in an interview with NBC’s Hoda Kotb on Today….

“The suspect lived in an apartment behind a house in Highwood, owned by his father….

“To Paul Crimo’s [uncle] knowledge, his nephew did not have a job, he told CNN, though he worked at Panera Bread before the Covid-19 pandemic….

“The suspect’s father and Paul Crimo’s brother, Robert Crimo Jr., previously ran for mayor…”

Fatalities

Katherine Goldstein, 64, shot while running away.
Irina and Kevin McCarthy, parents of two-year old son, who survived.
Jacki Sundheim, 63.
Stephen Straus, 88.
Nicolas Toledo, 76, visiting family from home in Mexico.
Eduardo Uvaldo, 69, shot twice, died after being taken to Evanston Hospital.

(CNN. “These are the lives lost from the July Fourth parade mass shooting.” 4-6-2022.)

July 6, NBC News: “….Records showed Crimo purchased four weapons in 2020, the AR-15-style weapon used in Monday’s attack, a Kel-Tec sub-2000, a Remington 700 rifle and a shotgun, according to Covelli. Then in 2021, Crimo bought a Glock 43x pistol…” (NBC News. “Suspect confesses to Highland Park shooting and plotted second attack in Wisconsin, prosecutor says.” 7-6-2022.)

[Not knowing yet, how much was paid for these weapons (by someone without a job no less), we did a Google search and find that:

AR-15-style weapons Range in prices from low $500s to over $2,500.
[AR-15-style rifle later reported to be Smith & Wesson M&P15 semiautomatic (~$500)]
Kel-Tec sub-2000 rifles can be bought from just over $300 to just over $400.
Remington 700 rifles go for just over $700 to $1,400.
Glock 43x pistols are around $500 new.
A typical single-barrel (?) shotgun costs between $179 and $525.

Altogether it would seem that at least $2,000 would have been spent, possibly more.]

Sources

ABC News. “Highland Park parade shooter’s father says he is not culpable for son’s attack.” 7-7-2022. Accessed 7-7-2022 at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/highland-park-parade-shooters-father-culpable-sons-attack/story?id=86355888

Chicago Tribune. “Highland Park shooting victim touched countless lives with her work at synagogue.” 7-5-2022. Accessed 7-6-2022 at: https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-highland-park-shooting-victim-synagogue-20220705-ype6qyvywjcj7lj6pz34klxcma-story.html

CNN. “These are the lives lost from the July Fourth parade mass shooting.” 4-6-2022. Accessed 7-6-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/05/us/victims-highland-park-illinois-shooting-fourth-of-july/index.html

CNN (Dakin And one, Steve Almasy, Curt Devine). “What we know about the Highland Park shooting suspect.” 7-6-2022. Accessed 7-6-2022 at: https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/05/us/robert-e-crimo-highland-park-suspect/index.html

NBC News (Safia Samee Ale and David K. Li). “Suspect confesses to Highland Park shooting and plotted second attack in Wisconsin, prosecutor says.” 7-6-2022. Accessed 7-6-2022 at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/highland-park-illinois-shooting-suspect-admits-role-july-fourth-attack-rcna36868

New York Times (Dan Simmons). “Highland Park Victim Was a Grandfather Who Hadn’t Wanted to Attend the Parade.” 7-4-2022. Accessed 7-6-2022 at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/05/us/highland-park-nicolas-toledo.html

USA Today (John Bacon). “Parents of Highland Park suspect ‘1,000% cooperative,’ lawyer says; funeral begin Friday: Latest updates.” 7-7-2022. Accessed 7-7-2022 at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/07/07/highland-park-shooting-live-updates-thursday/7828284001/