04-07-2008 05:56:21

10 years later. . . The ice storm of '98

It started on January 7, 1998, as a light rain. However, temperatures began to drop and the precipitation turned to freezing rain. What was to happen next would go down in history as one of the most devastating displays of Mother Nature in the central Maine area in memory.

The weight of the ice on trees and power lines was too much, and tree limbs came crashing down, knocking out electricity, crushing cars and damaging homes. For some, it was a short inconvenience, for others it would turn into as many as two weeks of primitive living.

The students at Palermo Consolidated School were asked to write their thoughts, comparing an ice storm in 1998 with one in 1898. Here are some of their writings, in 1998.


         In 1898, most people must not have had trouble because, if they lost power, they would be prepared. There wasn’t as much technology as there is now in 1998.
         In 1898, there were lanterns, wood stoves, candles, and other developments produced by fire. People had to cook on stoves that were also used to heat the house.
         In 1998, it was harder because everything we use needs electricity: television, shower, stove and other important appliances.
         The weather, which pretty much explains it in its title “Ice Storm ‘98,” was icy, snowy, and very dangerous. The trees were covered with at least one inch of ice and even cars which were left in the driveway overnight were covered in ice.
         My parents and relatives said this was the worse they’d seen in 63 years.
         This storm was very bad!!
Kristi Denis

         A winter in 1898 would be very different because the people didn’t have electricity. They would have been prepared because every winter could be easy or very hard. They would have had no problem with heat because they had stoves and fireplaces. They always stocked up on wood for the winter. They had good food supplies also. Back then, they could take snow and ice and melt it. They would use it for cooking and drinking water. For light, they had candles. They probably went to bed early anyway, because they got up early.
Hope Blais

         The issue of not having power would not have been an issue in a town like Palermo. In Portland, it might have been a bit of a problem but not as bad as it was in 1998.
         Not as many people would have died from food poisoning because they would have been used to knowing what food was bad. Nobody would have died from carbon monoxide poisoning because there were no generators.
         I think that, if there were an ice storm in 1898, it would not have been as big of an issue as it was in 1998.
Meghan Lamey

         There were trees down during the storm. The trees had a lot of ice on them. When I looked out my window, I saw hail, sleet, and rain. I could hear trees falling and cracking. I was warm inside because I had a wood stove.
We had no power so I played cards and went ice fishing. I caught one fish, but we ended up putting it back. I also went to my Grammie’s and played outside at my house.
         I learned that you should never touch any power lines. I also learned, long ago, all they had were wood stoves to cook food on. I also learned never to put a generator in your basement without some air because you could get very sick from the fumes.
Jade Glidden

         Creaking, crashing, the sound of rain, hail and snow falling to the ground!!
         Thursday, I woke up at 7:48. I heard a crash! I went out to the living room where my Dad was sitting on the couch. He told me that there was no school. Friday, my Dad put ice from outside into our big freezer. We cleaned out the little freezer and refrigerator and put the food into the icebox, hoping it would stay cool.
         I began two “Pony Tail” books and played Bed Bugs with my brother to pass the time. I learned how my mother’s grandmother had to live in the olden days without electricity. I also learned to spend more time with my family and to be prepared for everything. I also think we rely on electricity too much.
Amanda Racine

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