Goliath: The Deadliest U.S. Storm System of 2015

Andrew MacFarlane
Published: December 31,2015

 

Winter Storm Goliath, the seventh named storm of the 2015-2016 season, is officially the deadliest storm system of the year in the United States.

 

Between the tornadoes in Texas, flooding in the Midwest and blizzard conditions in the Southern Plains, Midwest and Northeast, Goliath’s impacts have taken 52 lives across the country. 

 

"Winter Storm Goliath lasted for days, affected a large geographic area during a major holiday, and brought some exceptionally intense weather phenomena," said senior meteorologist Nick Wiltgen. "There was a violent tornado; record rainfall leading to major flooding; and an epic blizzard. While several deaths occurred outside those most extreme parts of Goliath, those factors certainly didn't help."

 

(MORE: A Look Back on Winter Storm Goliath | Tornadoes and Record Flooding)

 

Here's a list of all those who lost their lives as a result of the severe weather:

The Warm Side of Goliath: Severe Weather, Tornadoes and Flooding—33 Total Deaths

Winter Storm Goliath: Flood Deaths

Missouri—12

Twelve people were killed as a result of the extensive flooding in Missouri.
Five of the 12 were international soldiers riding in a car that was swept off a Pulaski County road Saturday night. They were heading back to Fort Leonard Wood from Osage Beach, according to Army Times. The victims were part of a training program that brings international soldiers to the U.S. to study engineering, military policing and chemical defense, the report added.

• Maj. Mohammad Hassan Ibrahim, 32, of Egypt
• Maj. Akram Abu Al-rub, 38, of Jordan
• Capt. Ahmed Moussouni, 32, of Algeria
• Capt. Ahmed Abdelghani, 29, of Egypt
• Capt. Hasman Hussin, 33, of Malaysia

The remaining seven Missouri flood deaths have also been identified:

• Ron Gray, 53, Pulaski County
• Sandra Tilley, 50, Pulaski County
• Christopher A. Sperandio, 37, Lawrence County
• Steven Welton, 42, Greene County
• Edward Kammerer, 60, Greene County
• Kevin Lee, 53, Douglas County
• Christopher William Forman, 30, Jasper County

Texas—11

In Texas, 11 people died, at least two of which were small children, during the severe outbreak that produced 10 tornadoes, including a pair that registered at EF4 and EF2 strength.
Of those 11 people killed, eight of them were killed in the city of Garland. Seven have been identified, according to the Associated Press:

• Camryn Craine, 1
• Kimberly Tippett, 30 (Craine's mother)
• Petra Ruiz, 27
• Lashondra Whitaker, 32 
• Sharva Sanders, 42
• Timothy Harris, 58
• Cecil Lowrie, 77

Of the remaining three, two were killed in Copeville and the other in Blue Ridge.

Illinois—7

Christian County officials confirmed the recovery of two bodies, a man and a woman, about six miles east of Edinburg. The two were attempting to cross a flooded area when their minivan was swept away by the waters. They were identified as Cindy Dexheimer, 46, and Robert E. Gordon II, 49.
A southern Illinois coroner reported two adults and three children drowned in their vehicle after the car was washed into a rain-swollen creek and sank. Coroner Troy Cannon said the creek carried the car off of a low-water bridge near the town of Patoka, about 60 miles east of St. Louis. Cannon added the vehicle was traveling from Elkton, Kentucky, to Minnesota. The names of the victims have been released, but their ages were not disclosed.

• Adam Schutt, father
• Erin Schutt, mother
• Logan Schutt, child
• Robbyn Schutt, child
• Chad Schutt, child

Oklahoma—2

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office announced two deaths in eastern Oklahoma that are likely linked to flooding in the area. The victims were identified as:

• Melissa Phillips, 54
• Darrell Sennett, 36

Arkansas—3

The Pope County Sheriff's Office released that one person was killed by flooding over the weekend. The victim was identified as James Evan LaRue, from Dover.
Two others have been killed by the rainy impacts of this storm system, the Arkansas State Patrol said. Tommy Cook Jr., 66, died in a car accident that was blamed on wet roads Saturday morning in Faulkner County. A day later, 29-year-old Salvador Gaspar died in a two-car collision in Sevier County, officials confirmed.

The Cold Side of Goliath: Snow and Extreme Blizzard Conditions—19 Total Deaths

Winter Storm Goliath: Wintery Weather Deaths

Minnesota—4

The Minnesota State Patrol reported a car accident resulting in four deaths due to "wet and snow-packed" road conditions on Minnesota State Highway 65. The four killed were identified as:

• Christopher H. Moe, 45
• Rae A. Moe, 40
• Samantha A. Moe, 14
• Anthony C. Moe, 12

Vermont—3

Three people died in an accident involving a car and a tractor-trailer on a snow-covered road in Killington, about one mile away from an access road to the Killington Ski Resort. Vermont State Police reported the accident occurred on a notoriously steep portion of U.S. Route 4. According to the Burlington Free Press, the three victims were identified as:

• Ryszard Malarczyk, 51, of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
• Anita Malarczyk, 50, of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
• Jaroslaw Karczewski, 51, who was visiting from Poland

Oklahoma—3

Three people have been killed in Oklahoma in wake of Goliath's wintry blast.
During the search for missing country singer Craig Strickland, authorities recovered the body of 22-year-old Chase Morland, who was last seen with Strickland, on Kaw Lake. The boat the two had used had capsized. Winds up to 45 mph were recorded in the area around the time the two had departed on a duck-hunting trip.
Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office Spokesperson Eddie Johnson announced that two women were found dead outdoors near the Oklahoma City area. They were identified as:

• Tabitha Southerland, 38
• Betty Wright, 66

New Mexico—2

Two people died in southeastern New Mexico as a result of the winter weather provided by Goliath. A 60-year-old man was found buried in snow outside his home and was dead when first responders arrived at the scene. A 68-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died while shoveling snow in Chaves County, Roswell police spokesperson Todd Wildermuth said. The identities of those two men have not been released.

Wisconsin—2

Two Milwaukee men died while attempting to remove snow left by the passing storm. The victims were listed as a 73-year-old man and a 54-year-old man, however, names were not released.

Missouri—2

Two people were killed in a collision occurring on an ice-covered road in north-central Missouri, according to the AP. The Missouri State Patrol listed the victims as:

• Larry G. McAtee, 47
• Lesa Vanvelzer, 55

New York—1

An accident involving a tractor-trailer and a minivan on Interstate 90 near Albany resulted in the death of 22-year-old James Davis, according to the New York State Police.

Michigan—1

A 50-year-old man, identified by WSGW.com as Roger Greanya, died after a three-vehicle crash on M-13 in Monitor Township. The Arenac County man hit a patch of ice before fishtailing into oncoming traffic, authorities reported.

Maine—1

One man was killed outside his Topsfield home after he was hit by a truck while snow blowing near the end of his driveway. State police identified the man as 59-year-old Edgar Rhoades.
MORE: Texas Tornadoes and Missouri Flooding on Goliath's Warm Side