Today’s technology gives us access to data and reports that otherwise would be difficult to acquire. With a bit of clicking and looking, it’s possible to download a copy of the government’s report about the storm of Monday, January 16, 1967, that caused havoc across the region and kept many Chokio students from returning home that day.
Here is the verbatim text of the report for January 16:
“Fast-moving blizzard brought winds in excess 75 m.p.h. Although snowfall mostly light to moderate, there was much drifting with strong winds. Visibility near zero for long periods. In southern areas rain quickly changed to ice causing extremely hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures fell rapidly during storm and by morning of 18th many stations recorded new minimum temperature records for that date. Accidents involving up to 10 cars not unusual. Hundreds of vehicles were in ditches throughout the state. Drivers were either blown off roads or drove off with icy conditions and low visibility. Thousands of motorists and school children found shelter wherever they could as travel came to a standstill. A Wheaton and a Hibbing man froze to death. Five others died in car accidents or while shoveling snow. Snowmobile search part rescued lost LeSeur girl during the blizzard.”
The report also lists 5 deaths and 14 injuries, with economic damage of $500,000 to $5,000,000 in regions affected by the storm.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Storm Events Database contains the records used to create the official NOAA Storm Data Publication.
The type of information included in these reports is: “1. The occurrence of storms and other significant weather phenomena having sufficient intensity to cause loss of life, injuries, significant property damage, and/or disruption to commerce; 2. Rare, unusual, weather phenomena that generate media attention, such as snow flurries in South Florida or the San Diego coastal area; and 3. Other significant meteorological events, such as record maximum or minimum temperatures or precipitation that occur in connection with another event.”
How to Access the Storm Data
To access the Storm Data report for January 1967, go to the web page http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/ (or click on this link.) The page headline should be “NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. A headline at the top of the page will say “Storm Events Database. The text below this headline explains a bit about the system, which contains data from as far back as January 1950.
In the column at the left, under the section “Data Access,” Click on the line “Storm Data Publication.” This will bring you to a scrolling box with a series of years and months. Scroll WAY down to “1967-01” When you click on this date, the database gives you a link to the report for that year and month.
This is the report which gives data on the blizzard of the Chokio Bus Rescue. The information is sorted first by state, and then by date. It is possible to save the entire report to your computer. However, you may want to re-name it, as the file name is a nonsensical series of letters and numbers.
Here is the verbatim text of the report for January 16:
“Fast-moving blizzard brought winds in excess 75 m.p.h. Although snowfall mostly light to moderate, there was much drifting with strong winds. Visibility near zero for long periods. In southern areas rain quickly changed to ice causing extremely hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures fell rapidly during storm and by morning of 18th many stations recorded new minimum temperature records for that date. Accidents involving up to 10 cars not unusual. Hundreds of vehicles were in ditches throughout the state. Drivers were either blown off roads or drove off with icy conditions and low visibility. Thousands of motorists and school children found shelter wherever they could as travel came to a standstill. A Wheaton and a Hibbing man froze to death. Five others died in car accidents or while shoveling snow. Snowmobile search part rescued lost LeSeur girl during the blizzard.”
The report also lists 5 deaths and 14 injuries, with economic damage of $500,000 to $5,000,000 in regions affected by the storm.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Storm Events Database contains the records used to create the official NOAA Storm Data Publication.
The type of information included in these reports is: “1. The occurrence of storms and other significant weather phenomena having sufficient intensity to cause loss of life, injuries, significant property damage, and/or disruption to commerce; 2. Rare, unusual, weather phenomena that generate media attention, such as snow flurries in South Florida or the San Diego coastal area; and 3. Other significant meteorological events, such as record maximum or minimum temperatures or precipitation that occur in connection with another event.”
How to Access the Storm Data
To access the Storm Data report for January 1967, go to the web page http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/ (or click on this link.) The page headline should be “NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. A headline at the top of the page will say “Storm Events Database. The text below this headline explains a bit about the system, which contains data from as far back as January 1950.
In the column at the left, under the section “Data Access,” Click on the line “Storm Data Publication.” This will bring you to a scrolling box with a series of years and months. Scroll WAY down to “1967-01” When you click on this date, the database gives you a link to the report for that year and month.
This is the report which gives data on the blizzard of the Chokio Bus Rescue. The information is sorted first by state, and then by date. It is possible to save the entire report to your computer. However, you may want to re-name it, as the file name is a nonsensical series of letters and numbers.
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