Ice Storm in Vermont, January 6 to 9, 1998

A storm system moved from the Tennessee Valley on Wednesday (January 7) and Thursday (January 8) into New England thereafter. A cold front across New England and New York associated with an Arctic High Pressure system across Canada resulted in a flow of low level cold air into northern Vermont. Warm moist air riding over this low level cold air resulted in a major ice storm across northwest Vermont. During Friday afternoon (January 9), a few thunderstorms with gusty winds and small hail moved across the Champlain Valley of Vermont. Ice accumulations during this event were generally between 1 and 2 inches with locally greater accumulations over portions of Grand Isle county Vermont. The impact on the region was dramatic. The ice accumulations resulted in damage to tens of thousands of trees. Trees and power lines snapped due to the weight of the ice with 60 to 80 thousand with out power for several days. Damage to the utility companies ran in the millions. The economic impact ranged from stores and shopping malls closed, banks closed with ATMs not working due to lack of power. With no electricity, the agricultural community was unable to milk cows with loss of income and damage to cows. Automobile and air travel was dramatically impacted with Burlington International Airport closed and many roads and bridges closed due to ice and fallen trees. There were numerous traffic accidents. Several radio stations were knocked off the air. There was one DIRECT injury when an ice ladden tree fell on a pickup truck, in Chittenden county on Thursday, January 8. Other INDIRECT injuries were due to carbon monoxide poisoning while improperly using generators. One person died from a heart attack after the storm while cleaning up debris. The National Guard assisted with cleanup operations after the storm. Falling tree limbs and other debris was a significant hazard during and following the storm.