BY THE BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER STAFF
While the more recent Blizzard of 1978 often gets recalled whenever there is a heavy snowfall, the deadly 1950 Thanksgiving Blizzard paralyzed Logan County and much of the northeastern United States for several days.
The 1950 event, also called the “Great Appalachian Storm,” impacted 22 states and killed 353 people. The storm caused almost $67 million damage in 1950 dollars, which is the present-day equivalent of about $877 million.
Nearly all of Ohio was covered in a foot of snow. High winds and a severe cold wave swooped in Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving, and more snow fell Saturday, creating dangerous drifts over five feet tall in the Dayton area, according to a Dayton Daily News article.
Below is some of the Bellefontaine Examiner’s coverage of the weather calamity’s local, regional and national impact.
Headlines and excerpts from the Monday, Nov. 27, 1950, Examiner.
EMERGENCY DECLARED IN CITY AFTER 16-INCH SNOW
Week-end Blizzard Leaves Hundreds Snow-Bound And Motor Traffic Is In Tangle
Personnel-Shy Industry Still Closed Monday — Task Of “Digging Out” Is Major Chore As Situation Eases
Logan county businesses and industry Monday afternoon was slowly attempting to reach normalcy after a blizzardy and blustery week end that smothered the area in a 16-inch blanket of snow.
Residents, after a two-day battle of digging out , were heartened by the weatherman’s announcement that additional snow flurries will be of no consequence.
No deaths were reported in the county traceable to the weather as thousands struggled to clear sidewalks, lanes and highways.
City (Bellefontaine) officials Monday declared a state of emergency and said it probably would continue Tuesday, as prospects of a thaw were unlikely.
Its own equipment limited to a ten-inch plow which was regarded as inadequate or useless, the city Street Department Monday obtained privately owned bulldozers and other moving equipment and began working on the principal streets and intersections.
Most of the city’s principal streets were negotiable late Sunday and Monday to one-way traffic, but at intersections where the changing of direction of motor vehicles destroyed the paths, stalled autos were numerous.
Police Chief A.D. Paden issued the following emergency order” “All motor vehicles, unless an emergency exists, such as ambulance, fire or doctor, must be kept off the city streets and violators will be prosecuted.”
“This order is issued for the protection of property and life in case of fire. Blocked streets due to stalled cars of sight-seers create an insurmountable condition should fire, ambulance or other emergency vehicles be required to use the streets.”
Many offices and businesses did not attempt operation Monday. Others opened for a few hours then closed down. The Court House was in the latter category, the Commissioners ordering the building closed at 10 a.m. It will re-open Tuesday, however.
Greyhound bus lines were not planning to attempt operation until Tuesday, but would resume regular hours Wednesday morning.
The last bus to leave the depot here Saturday evening started at 8:30 p.m. and was stranded in Urbana.
Ralph Davis, manager of the Westinghouse plant, announced that the plant would remain closed Tuesday, but planned to resume normal hours Wednesday morning.
Westinghouse and the A.J. Miller Company were closed Monday, while Merchant Industries, Inc., which does not rely on assembly line work, was operating with a partial work force.
Schools Throughout City and County Expect to Be Re-Opened By Wednesday
Two-Day Holiday Declared When Many Pupils, Some Teachers Find It Impossible To Get To Buildings — County Buses Snowed In
All 14 of the Logan county schools, which were forced to curb class room activities over the week end due to the heavy snow storm, are expected to re-open by Wednesday.
Logan County School Superintendent John Stanfield said Monday morning that he “couldn’t see possibly how any of the schools could open today as the county roads were blocked by heavy drifts.”
Superintendent Stanfield, who resides in Rushsylvania, did not open his office in Bellefontaine today.
250 Persons Die As Worst Snow Storm Hits Northeast
4500 Employees Fight to Clear Ohio’s Highways Using 1,900 Pieces of Equipment
Declares State Of Emergency Following Worst Blizzard In 37 Years — Trumbull County Has 34 Inches of Snow
More than 250 persons are dead and property damage is estimated at $150,000,000 dollars as the result of the most violent snow storm ever to strike the northeast section of the United States.
Here is a picture in some of the major storm-stricken areas:
CLEVELAND — Businesses and industrial activity virtually has ceased. Gov. Frank Lausche declared a state of emergency in Cleveland and Youngstown. National Guard troops patrolled snow-choked streets with orders to “shoot to kill” looters.
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s capital city is digging out of the worst snow storm in 37 years. Business, industry and transportation have come to a halt. Gov. Lausche has ordered a “permissive holiday” to allow banks and financial institutions to close without “legal complications.”
PITTSBURGH — An all-time record of 27.5 inches of snow blankets the Pittsburgh area. Steel mills are closed. Transportation is paralyzed. Gov. James H. Duff ordered all banks closed in 17 western Pennsylvania counties.
NEW YORK — At least 82 persons are dead in New York, New Jersey and the six New England states. Some 750,000 homes are without heat and light due to the power breakdown.
This article will be updated periodically. Check back for updates.