Ice Storm Hits Northeastern United States: State of Emergency

by Amy Judd | December 14, 2008 at 12:45 am

3612 views | 46 Recommendations | 21 comments

Update: 6:22AM PST Dec 14

Over a million people along the eastern seaboard are without power as the infrastructure was seriously damaged by the ice storm. In what is described as the worst storm in the last ten years, a state of emergency has been declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and parts of Maine.

Temperatures were well below freezing over the weekend and officials warned it could take days to restore electricity as utility companies struggled to repair power lines downed by tree branches coated in ice.

The Public Service of New Hampshire, where 370,000 customers were hit, said: "Customers currently without power should plan on the possibility of being without power for several more days."

"The damage is extensive and assessment is a challenge due to many impassable roads.

"The magnitude of the damage is similar to that experienced in the January, 1998 ice storm, but covers a much more widespread area – the entire southern tier of the state has been impacted."

Gov. John Lynch and utility officials say residents should be prepared for extended outages.

Public Service Company says it likely will be Thursday or Friday - a week after the storm - before all power is restored. Spokesman Martin Murray said the company will have to rebuild the entire infrastructure of some sections of the electrical delivery system, but progress is being made. As of Sunday morning, about 191,000 PSNH customers were without power, down from 313,000 Saturday.

Update: 7:25pm PST

The ice storm has hit the Northeast hard, but it looks like power will not be restored for some time to everyone.

"If you don't have power, assume that you will not get it restored today, and right now make arrangements to stay someplace warm tonight," Gov. John Lynch of hardest-hit New Hampshire warned.

Officials expected to see more people in shelters Saturday night with temperatures forecasted to dip into the teens. It was the third night without power for many.

Utilities in New Hampshire said it would likely be Thursday or Friday — a week after the storm — before all power is restored in the region, partly because of the sheer number of outages and partly because of the devastation.

One person has died after an ice storm has hit the Northeastern United States, and power has been knocked out to over a million homes and businesses across seven states.

At least one death is being blamed on the storm: New Hampshire officials said a 49-year-old Danville man who lived in a camper died of carbon monoxide poisoning after turning on his generator when his power went out Thursday night.

CBS Station WBZ correspondent Karen Anderson reports that states of emergency have been declared in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, allowing National Guard troops to be mobilized to help communities with their recovery efforts.

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Paschen

at 19:05 on December 13th, 2008

I remember the Quebec Ice storm a decade ago, those are devastating.

158

at 19:39 on December 13th, 2008

Good coverage on this.

Blue Crush

at 21:58 on December 13th, 2008

Looks so pretty yet it can be so deadly. I pity the people without heat tonight.

Strangest weather these days ... Toronto's been getting great weather (knock wood).

Adam Purple

at 07:59 on December 14th, 2008

I'm happy to report that the power is now back on in my home, after 38 hours without. But state-wide, many thousands are still without electricity.

Amy Judd

at 17:02 on December 14th, 2008

Glad to hear it Adam!

Zeus Ocean Storm

at 10:03 on December 14th, 2008

Durham, Maine - the day after. Temperatures were still frigid while the skies cleared to a crisrp winter blue. Still much melting left to be done. The power outage on the road lasted 26 hours. Remarkable response from CMP.

Zeus Ocean Storm has contributed a photo to this story.

STEVEN-WEVODAU_STEVEN-WEVODAU

at 14:33 on December 14th, 2008

Glad to hear that the power is back on...My family and I went 14 hours last year without power in an ice storm and it was disasterous. Thank God we had a gas fireplace!

Steven Wevodau

Pythiian1

at 14:54 on December 14th, 2008

The photos are pretty even though the news is very unfortunate for the people.

Karenke4

at 15:11 on December 14th, 2008

Text from my mom in NH a few minutes ago

" still powerless think warm mom"

Amy Judd

at 17:02 on December 14th, 2008

Awww, your poor mum!

trophypilot

at 16:07 on December 14th, 2008

trophypilot has contributed a photo to this story.

trophypilot

at 16:08 on December 14th, 2008

I took this picture on 12/13/08 while cutting downed limbs at my Dad's house in Paxton, Ma.

trophypilot has contributed a photo to this story.

Paschen

at 21:11 on December 14th, 2008

That is where the good old wood stove comes in handy.

xandram

at 05:02 on December 15th, 2008

We awoke at 1am on Thursday night, Dec. 11, 2008, to the sound of giant limbs crashing down on the roof of our house. It kept up all night and in the morning there was also one on my car that caused a big dent. We lost electricity for about 44 hours, but there are still people without power as I write this, four days later. It was devastating, but very beautiful.

xandram has contributed a photo to this story.

azzayindia

at 09:54 on December 15th, 2008

must br freezing and scary

Cafegurl

at 10:22 on December 15th, 2008

we had an ice storm here in Missouri last night, but it looks like it was nothing compared to the damage caused in these pictures... And as a small weather report it is a nice 11 degrees here in the daytime..

That's terrible that someone died... I hope everyone is ok there...

davidbrewsterfineart

at 11:30 on December 15th, 2008

This is not a weeping willow. It's a birch tree that got bent severely. See the other downed branches in the background.

After the December 11th-12th storm in Southern Vermont.

davidbrewsterfineart has contributed a photo to this story.

panzerlawyer

at 22:09 on December 15th, 2008

As always, fair, balanced and uninfluenced by the peer pressure of the NowPublic vets.

Adam Purple

at 09:13 on December 16th, 2008

The New Hampshire Governor's office has reported that more than 500 utility crews from as far away as Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee are currently in the state working to restore power. The largest utility in the state, PSNH, reported this morning that as of 4:30 am, about 96,000 PSNH customers remain without power. A “wintery mix” of rain and snow predicted for much of New Hampshire could challenge restoration efforts today and tomorrow.