December 2008 New England ice storm facts for kids

The December 2008 ice storm was a very strong ice storm. It hit parts of New England and New York in December 2008. This storm caused huge problems, making millions of people lose their electricity.

Many people called it the worst ice storm in New England in ten years. For New York, it was the worst in 21 years. The storm covered trees in a thick layer of ice, making them very heavy. This caused many trees and branches to fall down. Even after the storm ended, many homes were still without power for a long time.

What is an Ice Storm?

An ice storm happens when rain falls but freezes as soon as it hits the ground. This creates a layer of ice on everything. It can make roads very slippery and cover trees and power lines in heavy ice.

How Did the 2008 Ice Storm Form?

This storm formed when warm, moist air moved over a layer of very cold air near the ground. Rain fell from the warm air, but when it hit the cold air near the surface, it turned into freezing rain. This freezing rain then coated everything it touched with ice.

Impact on People and Homes

The ice made everything look beautiful but was very dangerous. Trees and power lines became very heavy with ice. Many snapped and fell, blocking roads and cutting off electricity to homes.

• Millions of people lost power.
• Homes were cold because heaters couldn't work.
• People had trouble traveling because roads were icy.
• Many schools and businesses had to close.

Damage to Trees and Power Lines

The weight of the ice was too much for many trees. Branches broke off, and entire trees fell. This caused a lot of damage to forests and neighborhoods. When trees fell, they often pulled down power lines. This was the main reason so many people lost electricity. Repairing all the broken lines took a very long time.

Recovery Efforts After the Storm

After the storm, many people worked hard to fix the damage. Utility workers, often called linemen, worked day and night to restore power. They had to clear fallen trees and repair broken power lines. It was a big job that took several days, and for some, even weeks, to get power back. Communities helped each other by sharing resources and checking on neighbors.

Images for kids

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  Shrewsbury, Massachusetts town square after the storm

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  Power lines support ice-covered branches in Brunswick, New York

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  Landscape coated in ice in Dutchess County, New York

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  Frozen blades of grass in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

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  A broken tree branch, suspended from luckier trees, hanging over a snowmobile path in a forest in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

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  A frozen forest in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

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  A frozen forest behind a swingset in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

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  A frozen lawn and trees with houses in background, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

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  Damage in Clifton Park, New York after the storm

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  Damage at the Storm King Mountain trailhead, Cornwall, New York