The Ice Storm of 1998 occurred four years ago, painting a picture of beauty, yet turmoil as well. During this time, the landscape and residence of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and Quebec were forever changed. These areas became a war zone as the states worked together to fight the battle against Mother Nature.
During the Ice Storm of 1998, the atmosphere's temperature was recorded in the 40s. Across the region, temperatures hovered at or below 32 degrees. As the rain fell, the precipitation had no time to turn into sleet or snow, but was super-cooled as it froze on contact. With the delicate combination of temperature inversion and prolonged moisture, this set up a perfect combination for a memorable storm.
The first forecast prior to the Ice Storm of 1998 was anything but serious. Indeed, the residence of Maine and New Hampshire were braising for an ice storm, but nothing prepared them for what was to take place. Freezing drizzle began one to two days before the main event took place. Due to this, areas of interior Maine and New Hampshire had a glaze of ice. The main storm began on January 5 and lasted through January 8. As the storm spread across Maine, it continued to grow into a powerful Nor'easter.
Most of the power outages in Maine and New Hampshire had taken place before a significant glaze of ice had formed. With my own experience in mind, trees and utility polls began collapsing rapidly. For the next two days, flashes of light and piercing sounds took place due to the transmitters blowing up. Up to two to four inches of ice had accumulated on all exposed surfaces in the area. Shops closed as towns became ghost-like due to the roads becoming impassible. Constant sounds of sirens shot throughout the air as the forest and yard looked like a true war zone as 60% of the trees had collapsed by this time. A state of emergency was immediately declared during the storm.
By the end of the storm, over 500,000 people were without power in Maine alone. Over 117 shelters were opened statewide, while uncountable roads became impassible. Many radio towers collapsed, as well as telephone poles and transmitters. Schools closed up to three weeks, one reason being that areas were without power for up to that amount of time. However, damage in New Hampshire was not as wide spread, which depended upon elevation. Overall, southeastern Canada was hardest hit as the storm forced over 4 million people to loose power. Due to this, their army was called to help bring order into their lives. Unfortunately, over fifteen people died due to carbon dioxide poisoning in Quebec and Maine.
Words and pictures cannot describe the Ice Storm of 1998. Due to the storm, a closeness of the residence developed as neighbors helped neighbors. Certainly, that is one aspect of the storm that became an addition to everyone's life. The effects of the storm surround the residence continuously. The Ice Storm of 1998 is an event where one would need to live the experience in order to appreciate the magnitude of the event. Every sight and sound will be forever sketched into people's mind.