In 1998, Maine Plunged Into An Arctic Freeze That Makes This Year's Winter Look Downright Mild
By Michelle|Published March 15, 2018
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
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.
What has affectionately become known as simply "the ice storm," hit the area in January of 1998.
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.
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 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.
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!
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