Posted in Maine March 15, 2018 by Michelle

In 1998, Maine Plunged Into An Arctic Freeze That Makes This Year’s Winter Look Downright Mild

Mainers know cold. We know ice and sleet and snow and, we’ve probably been through the worst of all of those things more than once. Between cold temperatures and nor’easters that don’t seem to want to stop, this winter has been one for the books. But, has anyone ever noticed that no matter WHAT weather we’re dealing with now, someone always mentions 1998? As we look out the window at the results of this latest nor’easter, we’re reminded that the ice storm of 1998 really WAS one of the worst storms in Maine history.

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What has affectionately become known as simply "the ice storm," hit the area in January of 1998.

Thousands of square miles running from the Eastern part of Ontario to most of New York and just about all of New England were battered by the storm.

Snow was a key part of the storm, but the real problem was the relentless freezing rain and ice, which came down for more than 80 hours across the affected area.

But, as is often the case in Maine, once the storm cleared, things were quiet, serene and beautiful in nature.

Those moments lasted only a little while though...

Going outside revealed a state in utter disarray.

Streets were covered in dangerous ice, and trees were unable to hold the weight of the ice, falling one by one into the streets and onto personal property.

While the hardest hit areas were Augusta, Bridgton, Lewiston, and parts of Rockland - just about al parts of Maine were affected in one way or another.

The more heavily populated areas of Portland, Windham, Buxton, Cumberland, Gray, Falmouth and Gorham saw the worst of the storm damage.

The Red Cross along with other local organizations managed more than 130 shelters in the weeks after the storm, helping nearly 4,000 people get back on their feet.

Mainers continued to stay strong, and despite weeklong power outages, cancelled schools, and unpassable roadways, life eventually went back to normal.

The storm cost Maine's electrical utility system more than $81 Million in damages.

Another nor’easter this year revealed a cool piece of Maine history in the form of an old boat hull. Check out this article to see what was revealed in York!