Ice storms that affected the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada during the winter of 1998, illustrate the impact of large-scale disasters from rural communities to the State level.

In January 1998, unusually large amounts of freezing rain severely impacted the northeastern U.S. and southeastern Canada. From January 5-10, the total water equivalent of precipitation-mostly freezing rain and ice pellets-was more than 85 mm. Previous major ice storms in the region deposited 30-40 mm of ice.

The heavy precipitation resulted in extensive damage in New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Ontario, and Quebec, downed power lines, and impassable roads.

Some producers projected a long-term drop in production of 30 percent or more.