The Knickerbocker Storm

When it comes to the worst winter storms in American history, can't help but mention the Knickerbocker Storm. A major snowstorm hit the region around Washington DC on January 27, 1922, dumping more than 71cm (28 inches) of snow. This was a particularly heavy fall, and tragedy was to ensue. The Knickerbocker Theatre was packed with 900 people to see Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, a new silent film. The Knickerbocker, one of the city's newest and largest cinemas, had an unusual flat roof.

The movie started at 9 p.m. The roof gave way under the weight of snow without warning, with no cracking or creaking. It collapsed, bringing the balcony inside the theatre down with it. Hundreds of soldiers helped rescue victims from the rubble. 98 people were killed and many more were injured, including a violinist in the orchestra whose arm had to be amputated.

Building codes were quickly updated with a requirement for steel beams to support flat roofs, and movie theaters in the capital were shut down for inspection. The Knickerbocker's construction was flawed, and both the architect and the building's owner committed suicide. However, the lawsuit was unsuccessful, and neither the victims nor their families ever received compensation. The storm later became known as the Knickerbocker snowstorm, and any heavy snowfall in Washington triggered speculation about another building collapse.

Type: Extratropical cyclone Blizzard
Formed: January 27, 1922
Dissipated: January 29, 1922
Fatalities: 98 fatalities, 133 injured
Areas affected: Mid-Atlantic states of the United States