Ice Storm — Northern Grafton, New Hampshire

1998-01-07 to 1998-01-09 · Northern Grafton, New Hampshire

Wider weather episode

A severe ICE STORM hit sections of New Hampshire from January 7 through January 9. The hardest hit areas in northern and central New Hampshire were generally between about 1000 and 2000 ft above sea level. While many cities and towns at lower elevations received only rain, towns at higher elevations, such as New London, where the temperatures were slightly cooler had freezing rain. Ice accreted several inches thick on trees, power lines, and other exposed surfaces causing many people in those areas to lose electrical service. Statewide, the storm knocked out power to about 55,000 customers, an estimated 125,000 people. During the time without power, 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. The storm caused an estimated 30 million dollars in damages. Debris cleanup from the storm was expected to last into the summer. Utilities had to replace over 250 snapped utility poles, more than 780 crossarms, and more than 430 transformers. A radio tower in Laconia fell due to ice loading. The storm damaged an estimated $100 million worth of timber with the actual amount of the loss in value still unknown at the time of this writing. Many disaster shelters were set up throughout the affected areas. Following the storm, all counties in New Hampshire, with the exception of Rockingham County, were declared federal disaster areas by the President.Intermittent freezing rain, freezing drizzle, rain and drizzle developed early in the day Wednesday, January 7th. Steadier and heavier rain, freezing rain, and freezing drizzle developed over the state during Wednesday afternoon and evening, January 7, 1998 and continued through Friday, January 9th, as a quasi-stationary 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. Temperatures at lower elevations were just above freezing while temperatures at elevations between about 1000 and 2000 ft. were just slightly below freezing. Above about 2000 ft., temperatures were above freezing. Severe icing occurred at elevations between 1000 and 2000 ft. By Saturday morning, January 10, the precipitation had ended with 1 to 3 inches of accretion to wires, poles, branches, etc., in the most affected areas. 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 a radio tower in Laconia to fall. Falling ice also created additional problems and was an extreme hazard to anyone venturing outside. These hazards continued in northern and central areas Sunday, particularly in areas that failed to get above freezing during the day Saturday. In northern and central part of the state, particularly in shaded areas, the threat from falling ice and debris persisted considerably longer.Within the state, there were no deaths directly attributed to the storm, although one utility worker was partially paralyzed when struck by a falling tree while making repairs to a line. Carbon monoxide poisoning was a problem and many residents were treated at area hospitals.Long-term effects from the ice storm are expected to persist for many years. Tree damage was extensive in some areas 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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5638078. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.