How did people die in the 1998 ice storm?
The causes of death include carbon monoxide poisoning, trauma, fire and hypothermia. Three Quebecers died weeks after the storm ended, while clearing snow and ice from their roofs. The fatalities made it one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history.
How long did it take to recover from the 1998 ice storm?
Impact on the United States As in Canada, the widespread and prolonged power outages had a significant impact, with more than 500,000 people losing electricity. A week after the storm, 50,000 rural customers were still without power and it took nearly three weeks for power to be fully restored.
How did the 1998 ice storm affect people?
Thirty-five individuals died and five million more — including my family — were left without electricity in the middle of winter, some for more than a month. More than 600,000 people were forced to live in shelters, farmers lost more 300,000 animals and the impact on our infrastructure was staggering.
How many people died in the ice storm of 1998?
For those who never experienced it, the 1998 ice storm was an unprecedented weather event. Thirty-five individuals died and five million more — including my family — were left without electricity in the middle of winter, some for more than a month.
When was the last ice storm in Canada?
According to Environment Canada, the ice storm of 1998 directly affected more people than any other previous weather event in Canadian history. Date January 5-10, 1998 Location Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick, Canada Size of the Ice Storm of 1998
How big was the ice storm in Quebec in 1998?
Power lines and other equipment are built according to tough standards, since large accumulation events have happened many times prior to 1998. In Quebec, standards were reinforced after a storm left 30 millimetres (1.2 in) to 40 millimetres (1.6 in) of ice in Montreal in 1961.
Why did so many people die during the ice storm?
Exacerbating the problem was a steep drop in temperature that immediately followed the passage of the freezing rain, which combined with the extreme power outages led to numerous indirect deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning from generators and other sources as people desperately tried to remain warm.
