Ice Storm Facts

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

Ice Storm Damage in St. Clair Shores, MI

Ice Storm Facts

You may hear forecasters talk about ice accumulations this week and wonder, "Will I lose power, or will the roads just be slippery?"

Just 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 weighted down tree branches and power lines, increasing the likelihood of significant damage.

• Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.
• A 1/2-inch 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!

• Stay Safe! Keep our phone number handy in case of any emergency. Call SERVPRO 24/7 @ (586) 741-5050.