BLIZZARD IN U.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1941, Page 7

BLIZZARD IN U.S.A.

COLD’S DEADLY TOLL

MOTORISTS. ENTRAPPED

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

NEW YORK, March 16. Twenty-three persons were found dead to-day in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota as a result of a sudden cold wave in which the wind reached a velocity of 85 miles an hour. Hundreds of motor-cars were stalled or in ditches along the highways. Many of the victims apparently perished after leaving their cars and attempting to walk in the gale and bitter cold. The authorities are trying to locate a bus which broke down between Grand Fords and Larimore. It is believed that 10 persons spent the night in it. A message from L’Anse, Michigan, says that between 30 and 37 persons, including two women, are in danger of freezing or drowning on an icefloe which broke and was swept into Lake Superior while they were fishing through holes in the ice. Six persons have been washed ashore on smaller pieces, indicating that the floe is breaking, increasing the peril of those remaining on it. Waves 25 feet high, ice, and visibility at zero, have prevented attempts at rescue by coastguards.

51 KILLED—IS MISSING.

(Recd. March 18, Noon.)

GRAND FORKS (North Dakota), March 17.

j Deaths as the result of Saturday night’s blizzard reached 51. Fifteen persons are still missing. The blizzard, which ranged over North Dakota, was fiercest in Central Minnesota, and continued into Canada.

FLOE PASSENGERS SAFE

(Recd. March 18, 1.35 p.m.) LANSE (Michigan), March 17.

The fishermen who were swept into Lake Superior yesterday, on broken icefloes, below zero temperatures, are safe.