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The Lima Daily News
Jan. 12, 1918 p. 8 Worst Blizzard Sweeps Country in Years' History The worst Blizzard Worst blizzard in years swept the middle west from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. Headed Atlantic coast today. Fuel food, and mild supply cut off in scores of cities. Railroads forced to abandon schedules, many towns isolated and trains stalled in snowdrifts. Snowfall from five to ten inches with 30 mile-an-hour gale. Thousands unable to reach offices and employment. Many war industries temporarily suspended. Deaths and injuries resulting from storm reported thruout the stricken district. Below zero temperatures increased suffering and threatened to add to death list. Telegraph and telephone wires broken down by the snow and wind. Thousands of cattle and livestock believed frozen to death. Fire departments powerless to push thru blockades. The Lima Daily News Jan. 12, 1918 Chicago, Jan. 12 - The winter's biggest blizzard had grown today until it blanketed the entire contry from the Rockies to the Atlantic. Zero temperatures extended as far south as Kentucky and Tennessee, and it was freezing along the gulf coats. A heavy snowfall was reported in most sections and the high wind piled it into huge drifts that paralyzed transporataon, marooning many sections and creating a serious fuel and food situation. Officials were planning to establish a ration basis on these necessities. Reports of deaths from freezing and in accidents caused by the storm were received. the Michigan Central, Rock Island and Alton railroads had abandoned all service out of Chicago today and other lines were maintaining only a pretense of moving trains. Most overland trains were from four to sixteen hours late. A few are reported "lost." Steel mills and other large war factories have been shut dosn thru lack of fuel, throwing thousands ofmen out of work. Unofficial temperatures of 12 to 16 degrees below zero were reported here, and the mercury was steadily falling. In St. Louis it was 8 below; in Minneapolis 12 elow; in Amarillo Tex., 8 below; in Cheyanne Wyo, 8 below. Eight inches of snow had fallen here during the night, making about two feet since the last thaw. Weather bureau officials expected the snow here to cease during the day. |