Ice Storm Impacts and Damage

By: By Chris Dolce

Published: December 4,2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice storms can be one of the most dangerous and destructive winter weather events.
Even a thin coating of ice can result in a travel nightmare, while heavier amounts will severely damage trees and power lines. Strong winds can add extra force to already weighed down tree branches and power lines, increasing the likelihood of significant damage.
(WEATHER READY: Winter Storm Safety)
"Ice Storm Facts"

• Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.
• A 1/2" accumulation on power lines can add 500 pounds of extra weight.
• An ice storm in 2009 centered from northern Arkansas to the Ohio Valley knocked out power to 1.3 million.
• In 1998, an ice storm in northern New York and northern New England damaged millions of trees and caused $1.4 billion in damage. Accumulations were as much as three inches thick!

These ice accumulations are caused by freezing rain. Freezing rain is a result of snow falling through an above-freezing warm layer in the atmosphere above the surface of the earth, which melts the snowflakes into rain. The rain drops then move into a thin layer of below-freezing air right near the surface of the earth, allowing them to freeze on contact to the ground, trees, cars and other objects.
(MORE: Difference Between Freezing Rain and Sleet)
What kind of damage do different amounts of ice cause? Below we define the impacts of nuisance, disruptive and crippling ice storm events.

Nuisance Ice Storm

- A nuisance event is usually one of 1/4" of ice or less.
- Even though these lighter accumulations are considered nuisance, travel can be extremely dangerous even with a light glazing.

Disruptive Ice Storm

- A disruptive ice storm is typically one of 1/4" to 1/2" of ice accumulation.
- This amount of ice starts to damage trees and power lines.

Crippling Ice Storm

- Widespread accumulations of over 1/2".
- With this much ice there is severe tree damage and power outages may last for days.
- The most devastating storms contain ice accumulations of an inch or more.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)

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iWitness Weather contributor julang