Ice Storm in Newton, Missouri

Ice accumulations of around two inches impacted exposed objects throughout the entire county. Catastrophic tree and power line damage resulted from this storm. 575 residents were sheltered while 90 percent of the county experienced power outages that ranged from a few hours to 12 days.

One of the greatest disasters to ever impact southwest Missouri, including the Springfield metro area, occurred in the form of an ice storm. Several counties, mainly along and north of the interstate 44 corridor, experienced ice accumulations up to two and a half inches. Power outages and catastrophic tree damage were the main impacts resulting from this historic event. Power outages occurred for over three weeks in many areas. Several indirect fatalities due to the extreme elements were documented. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurred within a few homes as gas generators were being used in garages, which allowed for dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to seep into houses.