Most Mainers know about snow. In fact, most Mainers are so well-acquainted with snow that a few inches of wintry weather doesn't slow things down. The kids go to school, the adults go to work and life pretty much continues as always. It takes a lot to slow a Mainer down in the winter. But, in 1998, we received winter weather that forced many of us to stop our normal lives and accept that nature is in control far more than we ever will be.
In early January, 1998 Maine was battered by an ice storm that dealt a blow to thousands of square miles from Eastern Ontario to New York and New England.
Snow and, more significantly freezing rain and ice, fell for more than 80 hours across the area.
The moments just after the storm were beautiful - having left Maine quiet and covered.
But, once it was safe to venture outside, the reality of the storm quickly set in.
Not only were streets covered in a slick mess of ice, but trees fell one by one, unable to handle the enormous weight of hours of falling ice.
The hardest hit areas were Lewiston, Augusta, Bridgton and parts of Rockland - but nearly everyone in Maine was affected in some way.
In the Portland area, Windham, Buxton, Cumberland, Gray, Falmouth and Gorham saw the worst of it.
The good news? Mainers are resilient and despite power outages that went on for nearly a week, cancelled schools, and demolished roadways, life slowly, but eventually, went back to normal.
Did you live in any of the heavily affected areas of Maine during this storm? What do you remember most about it?
On winter days when things are a bit more manageable, make sure you're doing something fun in the snow! We recommend this fun toboggan park at Camden Snow Bowl!
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