Meanwhile, various theories emerged on what may have contributed to the roofs collapse, one of the more interesting being the music performed during the silent film. The Knickerbocker Storm, the Storm of the Century, Snowmageddon - it's the blizzards that earn titles that do the most damage. It was designed by Reginald Geare, an architect making a name for himself building upscale cinemas for the movie-going Americans of the roaring 20s., At around 9 p.m, just as the opening credits were rolling, a crack split across the ceiling and pieces of plaster rained onto the audience. Scam Advisory: Recent reports indicate that individuals are posing as the NEH on email and social media. An estimated 22,400 square miles (58,000 km2) of the northeast United States were affected by 20 inches (51 cm) of snow from this cyclone, which was over one-fifth of the total area that received over 4 in (10 cm) of snow. Rescuers were still working to sift through the rubble and the bodies in itmid-afternoon the next day. The storm, which hit the middle and upper Atlantic states on January 27, 1922, caused a . The storm is named for a Northwest Washington, D.C., theater, . On January 27 and 28, 1922, Washington, D.C., was hit with 28 inches of snow, the most the capital has ever received in one blizzard. Though the region has experienced severe snowstorms in the decades since (during the so-called Snowmageddon of February 2010, Dulles International Airport measured 32 inches of accumulation), the loss of life caused by the theater collapse makes the Knickerbocker Storm the worst in D.C.s history, according to Ambrose. When she received news of her husbands death the following morning, she was inconsolable. The category 5 storm also led to closures of every major airport on the east coast. The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., shortly after 9 p.m. on January 28, which killed 98 people and injured 133. In the Blizzard of 1996, 20 feet of snow and 50 mph winds wreaked havoc on the Northeast. But none of the families of the Knickerbocker victims received compensation despite filing multiple lawsuits. She earned a master's degree in geology from Caltech, a bachelor's degree from Washington State University, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Two blizzards in February 2010 broke snowfall records in the mid-Atlantic region, such as a whopping 32.4 inches (82.3 cm) of snow at Washington's Dulles International Airport. In the end, the superstorm caused $2 billion worth of damage and holds the record . The theater's architect, Reginald Wyckliffe Geare, and owner, Harry M. Crandall, later killed themselves.[5]. However, WashingtonsEvening Starreported that the Weather Bureaus climatological records for those years had gone missing: When request was made of the observatory at the bureau for figures, officials were forced to reply that they couldnt find the book. This year, on the 100th anniversary of the tragedy, Ambrose and Gibson plan to host a memorial service at the intersection across from the site of the Knickerbocker. Buffalo hunkers down as extreme snow storm hits, 90 percent of all US counties experienced climate disaster: research, More than 70 percent of Florida homeowners pay to protect homes from climate threats: survey, US city could run out of water by December, Here are 10 of the worst hurricanes to hit the US, Raising Canes raising average hourly wage to $19.50. Deadlines: When to use Bed Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby coupons, gift Watch: Rare white killer whale calf spotted off California coast, Connecticut nursing student helps save mans life at JFK airport. Flickr/NOAA Photo Library The Knickerbocker Storm struck on January 27th and snow fell all along the Atlantic coast of the country. Policeman, rescue workers, and onlookers stand amid the wreckage of the Knickerbocker Theatre, Washington DC, January 29, 1922, during the Knickerbocker Storm. By definition, a blizzard is more than just a storm. Perhaps the most tragic Knickerbocker stories are those of its youngest victims, including Charles Lymans 17-year-old cousin, David. Army Major George S. Patton was called upon to lead the rescue effort. The storm system was abnormally slow, and that was a key element that may have caught forecasters by surprise. The storm takes its name from the cave-in at the Knickerbocker Theater, which killed 98 people and injured 133. and thousands of dollars of property damage. Policemen and rescuers stand atop the rubble of the Knickerbocker. Today, the site, located at the bustling intersection of 18th Street and Columbia Road Northwest, is home to a plaza. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. There were 19 deaths reported due to the blizzard, several of them from heart attacks while shoveling snow, according to the Washington Post. Trudging through the snow about a half block away from the theater, Lyman heard a sudden boom followed by a chorus of terrified screams. Washington Post, January 1922: There was applause and laughter following a particularly clever comedy situation. The Knickerbockers flat roof, burdened by the heavy weight of the wet snow, was starting to split down the middle. By Monday, though, the city began to attempt resuming normal activity. Download the free 8News and StormTracker 8 mobile apps! The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 (historically referred to as the Big Blow, the Freshwater Fury, and the White Hurricane) was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and Southwestern Ontario, Canada, from November 7 to 10, 1913. . Many nearby houses and stores were converted into temporary first-aid stations. 13 vintage photos of major US snowstorms that'll make you want to hibernate, 150 deaths and around $3 billion in damages, 6 holiday travel horror stories that will make you want to stay home, Over 200,000 homes and businesses lost power. Violin player Joseph Beal was enjoying the fourth day of his honeymoon when Natiello talked him into joining the orchestra on the night of the collapse. D.C.s Biggest Disaster Struck 100 Years Ago At The Knickerbocker Theater. The Knickerbocker Storm -- On January 27 and 28, 1922, an intense blizzard dumped wet, heavy snow throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. High pressure over Greenland backs the flow in the atmosphere resulting in a large dip in the jet stream over eastern North America. These updated regulations mandated the use of steel I-beams and better support for roofs. [3] Among other disruptions, Congress adjourned as a result of the storm.[4]. The Nov. 24, 1950, storm, responsible for 353 deaths, became a case study for tracking and predicting winter weather. The paper reported a three . The Knickerbocker storm was a blizzard on January 27-28, 1922 in the upper South and the middle Atlantic United States. The theaters architect, Reginald Wyckliffe Geare, and owner, Harry M. Crandall, later killed themselves. This January blizzard brought with it so much wet and heavy snow that it collapsed the roof at the Knickerbocker Theater in Washington, D.C. That collapse killed 98 . The front page of the combined issue of the Times Union and the Knickerbocker News covering the freak snowstorm on Oct. 4, 1987. Despite the slow start, a low formed and deepened rapidly off the Georgia coast as the cold front reached the Gulf Stream on January 27. $52. Washington, DC, was buried beneath 28 inches of snow in the Knickerbocker Storm of 1922. Lyman told him to go ahead with a friend, Kirkland Duke, and promised to join the pair after finishing his schoolwork. Questions? Onlookers gather outside the Knickerbocker Theatre. All three major airports in the New York metropolitan area were closed, and New York City became a ghost town. It wasnt until the following day, when the storm system was settling in on the region, that local forecasters began to see the picture unfolding, albeit imperfectly, as evident in the January 27 announcement in theWashington Herald: Snow or rain probably tonight and tomorrow.". Government employees are sent home, as the city is enveloped by the blizzard. Science Source. Dulles Airport reported 32.4 inches at the time, while Philadelphia recorded its second-heaviest snowfall at 28.5 inches. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. America is changing fast! The storm took its name from the resulting collapse of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., shortly after 9 p.m. on January 28, which killed 98 people and injured 133. Winter Storm Jonas left up to three feet of snow in its wake when it struck the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in 2016. (Photo credit: Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons). The Great Blizzard of 1888 remains one of the most devastating storms in US history. Kellie B. Gormly is an award-winning veteran journalist who freelances for national publications including The Washington Post, German Life, and Catster. Mount LeConte, Tenn., saw 60 inches of snow and Mount Mitchell, N.C., reported 50 inches. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay informed and engaged. [1] Railroad lines between Philadelphia and Washington were covered by at least 36 in (91 cm) of snow, with drifts as high as 16 ft (4.9 m). Moments later, before it even occurred to anyone toevacuate, the roof caved in. On February 11, 2006 New York City was blanketed with nearly 27 inches of snow, marking a half inch more than the previous record, set in 1947. The . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In Colorado, the 2019 bomb cyclone grounded more than 1,300 flights, left more than 84,000 Colorado residents without power, andkilled at least one person. Storm Prediction Center: Storm Reports . A small dust cloud started leaking from a crack in the ceiling above the stage but went unnoticed by most attendees. Disclaimer In 1898, a New England storm that claimed more than 400 lives created this brand new stretch of shoreline. Damage/Fatality/Injury Statistics; Forecast Models; GIS Data Portal; NOAA Weather Radio; . Washington, D.C picked up over 2 feet of snow with high drift amounts as well. An eye witness to the catastrophe, a man who had just entered the theater and who barely escaped with his life, said that a hearty peal of laughter preceded the falling of the roof. You can view footage of the aftermath of the disaster from Jeff Krulik. Investigations after the event placed the blame on the use of arch girders instead of stone pillars, which led to weaker infrastructure leading to the roof collapse. The co-author of the 2006 book Adams Morgan (Then and Now), he says, It definitely got nationwide attention but it sort of slipped in modern memory., Gibson adds, Its not George Washington slept here kind of stuff, but it doesnt make it any less fascinating or any less important to learn the back story.. The theaters collapse led to updates to the citys building codes, and as of January 2022, the storm held the record for the most snow ever recorded in D.C. Subfreezing temperatures in the days preceding the storm meant every flake stuck. StormTracker8: Light snow expected Friday night for Central Virginia, cloudy most of the day, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day. As much as 3 feet (90 cm) of snow fell in the Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania during the blizzard, which hit Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 in 1922. New York was hit with 22 inches of snow and other regions saw between 40 to 50 inches. The Knickerbocker was the newest and one of the most fashionable theaters in the city, having opened in 1917. 1961 Canvas Print. That conjured up memories of another huge blizzard in 1899 and a search for information on that and other previous storms. Yes, and it's nasty.
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