Ice Storm of '98 (Maine)

[Denise]

Last week there was a little paragraph in the local paper that asked people to send in any anecdotes about what the Ice Storm was like…human interest type…so I e-mailed our story. Later that day I got an e-mail asking if they could use the story among others to put in the paper on Sunday for the 10-yr anniversary of the storm. So I said sure… assuming it was one among many.
THEN the next day a reporter called…said they really liked our story a lot because of the fact that we are still in touch with the Red Cross volunteer couple and could she come to the house and interview all four of us and bring a photographer!
LOL! So here we are!
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=160436&ac=PHnws (http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=160436&ac=PHnws)

P.S. Go to the main page to see more stories and pics from the Ice Storm...

[Bat]

Wonderful story about some pretty great people, Denise. You have a very handsome and helpful family! Thanks for publishing that story...I'm sure it touched a lot of people's hearts as it did mine...we had a terrible ice storm last March and lost a lot of BIG branches off our trees here in Cinci, so I can definitely relate, although to my wonderment, we did not lose power! The ice was about 3" thick on the trees, and I do not know how the wires didn't come down, although I think there were a few areas where power was out due to branches falling on the wires, they were quickly fixed. We were waiting for another storm to cause a repeat performance, but it never happened, thank goodness. It must have been frustrating for everyone in Maine when the second one hit 17 days later...just in time to take down the repairs!
It's a wonderful thing when communities come together in an emergency, and your Red Cross friends were a godsend to your kids and the whole town!
I'm glad you still remain friends to this day...some bonds are forged in adversity which last forever, and that sounds like one of them.
Thanks so much for publishing your very good story, Denise! The pictures were fine, too.

[Lin]

Denise, that is just wonderful to read. Despite going through the awful ice storm, you have warm memories of the goodness of people and a very special relationship with the Bitners. I really enjoyed reading your story and seeing your pictures. I noticed that Rock had to have something Harley (mug) in the picture!!

Lin

PS Are you going to Natick in March?

[gisli]

Must have been terrible to go through, but nice how you all helped one another in the way you did. Thanks for sharing.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Wow, you're famous! Great picture. Thanks for sharing your story. I hope none of us has to see any ice storms again any time soon!!

Marcia :)

[Roady]

Sure does my heart good to read a wonderful story about great caring people doing good to makes lives better for others. Maybe things like this happen a little more often in the Pine Tree State. A-Yup.
Thanks for shariing this with us Denise

[Amy in Vermont]

What a nice story Denise.

I remember the storm very well. We were holed up in our house north of Burlington. Couldn't go anywhere. Couldn't move the cars an inch on the ice. Remarkably, our location never lost power, but most of Vermont did. It was sucha monumental event that our Semi-Pro Basketball team is named the Vermont Ice Storm!

The aftermath was shocking. Damage to trees is still visible to year later. Here's shot of a state park just up the road from me, the following spring:
http://community.middlebury.edu/~aehoffma/icestph2.jpg

Nice tree lined streets looked like a B-52 flew through at 8 feet off the ground, taking out all branches above that height.
http://community.middlebury.edu/~aehoffma/Images/ice-burlington.jpg

Parts of the Champlain Islands did not get power back for a month. It was truly a (I Hope) once in a lifetime event.

And here are some electric transmission towers from Quebec. They just plain folded in half from the weight of the ice:

http://community.middlebury.edu/~aehoffma/Images/ice-quebec.jpg

[Denise]

I know Amy...it's hard to put into words what it looked like outside, isn't it! Great pics! I wish I had taken many myself but it was not on my mind at the time. I regret that now coz it's a story to tell for sure.
Lin...hoping to be there in March in Natick...not sure yet... It was such a long drive but it IS a Friday night....hmmmm....

[Oak Kitten]

Great story Denise, thanks for sharing it.

Oak

[hoops]

wow! it's amazing how the worst can bring out the best in people. what a wonderful story denise and you have gained such fantatic friends. thank you for sharing this and congratulations on your story!
peace
hoops

[diver_boy]

great story and awesome and touching story of community.
i wish more people would be like that instead of being selfish.

[stardust]

Great story, Denise. Thank you for sharing it. Lovely photo of your beautiful family, too.

[Dee]

Great article, Denise. Very inspiring.

What I remember most vividly about that storm is the thousands of ice laden branches falling from the trees and shattering like glass. Then in the Spring, driving out of town and seeing acre upon acre of trees bent over to the ground or snapped off completely.



http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/stormydawnsmall.jpg
ICE STORM - OTTAWA - 1998

[Darlene]

Thanks for sharing Denise. You and your family are now famous. In reality a great article. A great family coming together in a difficult time. You guys must be very close. Anyway it was fun to read about one of our rudies having an article in the news about them and the Ice Storm.

Darlene

[Mimi]

We had an ice storm in this part of the town exactly 20 years ago - I know because it was my grandma's birthday. It was a scary night because all night we heard the breaking of the frozen trees in the garden. And it all looked quite apocalyptic the day after. Won't forget it.

MIMI

[Dee]

Issued at 10:48 AM EST FRIDAY 11 JANUARY 2008

DANGEROUS WINTER TRAVELLING CONDITIONS FROM FREEZING RAIN THIS AFTERNOON.

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER LAKE HURON WITH A WARM FRONT EXTENDING ACROSS EASTERN ONTARIO THIS MORNING HAS AN AREA OF FREEZING RAIN ASSOCIATED JUST NORTH OF THIS WARM FRONT. THE FREEZING RAIN WILL PERSIST FOR A FEW HOURS ESPECIALLY OVER THE OTTAWA VALLEY BEFORE CHANGING OVER TO RAIN LATER THIS AFTERNOON AS THE WARM FRONT MOVES NORTH.

Well at least it's only supposed to last till this evening . . . this time. :o