Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Maine, January 5 to 10, 1998

A severe ICE STORM hit sections of central and southern Maine from January 5 through January 9. One of the hardest hit areas stretched from Bridgton to Lewiston to Augusta to Waterville where ice accreted several inches thick on trees, power lines, and other exposed surfaces causing almost everyone in those areas to lose electrical service. Statewide, the storm knocked out power to about 365,000 customers, an estimated 840,000 people or about 70 percent of the state's population of 1.2 million people. About one third of those that lost power were without electricity for more than a week. For some, the electricity was off for up to 3 weeks. During this time, residents and those involved with the restoration efforts had to contend with snow, additional freezing rain, rain, slippery roads, falling ice and other debris, sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, and dangerous wind chills. For many homes, the lack of electrical power also meant no heat, no running water, no means for cooking food. In Maine, the storm caused an estimated 300 million dollars in damages (as of late April) with this estimate continuing to climb as cleanup efforts continue. Debris cleanup from the storm was expected to last into the summer. Utilities had to replace over 3200 snapped utility poles, over 1.2 million feet of wire/cable, more than 1600 crossarms, and more than 2100 transformers. A major transmission line that serviced Downeast Maine was flattened by the storm as the weight of the ice snapped all the poles in an eight-mile section of line. A total of 7 radio or communications towers were felled by the ice. The storm damaged an estimated $300 million worth of timber with after harvest losses estimated to be $28 million. Numerous disaster shelters were set up throughout the affected areas. Following the storm, all counties in Maine were declared federal disaster areas by the President.The storm started as intermittent light freezing rain freezing drizzle during the early morning hours of Monday, January 5th and continued through the day Wednesday, January 7th. While temperatures warmed to above freezing in some parts of southern Maine during this period, areas of central interior Maine remained below freezing. By Wednesday morning, areas of central interior Maine were reporting generally 1/8 to 1/4 inch of ice accretion with some localized areas with up to 1/2 inch of ice accretion. Northern Maine had light snow during this period.Steadier and heavier freezing rain and freezing drizzle developed over portions of central and southern Maine during Wednesday afternoon and evening, January 7, 1998 and continued through Friday, January 9th, as a quasistationary front remained south of the state. To the north of the front, cold air remained entrenched near the ground as warm moist air moved northward from the mid-Atlantic states over the wedge of colder air. Severe icing occurred over most of southern and central Maine.By Saturday morning, January 10, the precipitation had ended over Maine with 1 to 3 inches of ice accretion to wires, poles, branches, etc., over most of central and southern Maine. Accretions to communication towers were even greater. A 1/2 inch guy wire in the Bar Harbor area was reported to be encased in ice 9-inches in diameter . This ice not only provided additional weight to the objects it coated, it also provided additional support. As temperatures warmed Saturday in southern areas, this additional support melted away causing numerous trees and branches, and at least 4 radio or communication towers to fall. Falling ice also created additional problems and was an extreme hazard to anyone venturing outside. The town of Gray declared a state-of-emergency Saturday morning to keep residents from venturing out of shelters , due to the extreme hazard. These hazards continued in southern and central areas Sunday, particularly in areas that failed to get above freezing during the day Saturday. In central part of the state, particularly in shaded areas, the threat from falling ice and debris persisted considerably longer.In parts northern Maine, more than two feet of snow during the week with as much as 6 to 10 inches of sleet reported in some parts of north central Maine.Within the state, 5 deaths were attributed to the storm, although most occurred in the aftermath of the storm. Two men died in separate incidents from carbon monoxide poisoning from inadequately ventilated generators. Carbon monoxide poisoning reached epidemic proportions statewide with between 300 and 400 people treated at area hospitals, possibly the largest outbreak of carbon monoxide poisoning ever in the nation. One man was killed when he was struck by a tree while cleaning up debris shortly after the storm. One elderly man died of hypothermia after falling down a flight of stairs in his dark, unheated home. In addition, one man was crushed when the roof over a gas station island collapsed under the weight of snow and ice several weeks after the storm. In addition, the weight of the ice/snow from this and subsequent storms caused numerous roofs and buildings to collapse, primarily in central and eastern Maine.Long-term effects from the ice storm are expected to persist for many years. Tree damage was extensive and will affect those people and companies that depend on trees for quite a few years. In some areas, most of the maple trees used for syrup were severely damaged. For many municipalities, debris cleanup will last well into the summer. The debris will create an increase in the forest fire danger over the next several years and has blocked many fire access roads and trails. Some recreational hiking trails remain closed due to debris. Additionally, many, many tree limbs were left dangling by the ice storm and many trees were left partially fallen These "widow makers" will pose a significant threat to anyone who works, walks, or drives through wooded areas over the next several years.