My take on the ice storm

[Colliemom]

I will start out by saying that I have never seen anthing like this in my life and I have been through ice storms before. Reminds me of the Hollywood movie, I think it was Armageddon where everything got locked in ice. Forecasters had been talking of rain and possibly some freezing rain for a few days. As the week went on, it appeared the eastern U.P. And the Tip of the Mitt, the far upper part of the northern lower would be getting the freezing rain. An ice storm warning was issued for that area. But then things changed and it was moved farther south until we too came under that warning. It started late Friday night with,ight rain mixing with freezing rain. By Saturday morning there ice in everything, but the roads melted off by afternoon. A limb fell from a neighbors pine onto the power line and knocked out our power. It was restored late Saturday night. Then the freezing rain started up again amd continued into Monday. It rained all night and by morning we awoke to everything covered in ice. Tree limbs, branches and tops were drooping with it, as well as power lines. And it continued, sometimes resembling a downpour of rain, but it froze and the ice got thicker. Trees, limbs and branches could hold no more and started to come crashing down taking power lines and poles with them. Power lines away from trees, loaded with an additional 500 pounds of ice fell, pulling poles and towers with them. I sat here in my living room watching pine boughs crashing down out front and if you stuck your head outside, you could hear trees and branches cracking.it was not safe to go out as everything was coming down. During the night you could hear thumps and bumps from things falling and you hoped nothing hit the house. People didn’t sleep much those two nights. When it stopped 36 hours later, 12 counties in northern Michigan and the eastern U.P. laid in shambles, covered with anywhere from two to five inches of ice. It was quiet and still, but the air was chilled, a bone chilling kind of cold. Approx. 300,000 people were with out power, many were trapped in their homes due to tress, poles, debris all across the roads. Towns, villuages and cities were down and out, myyard was littered with downed branches, limbs, pine boughs, bur some of my neighbors had fared much worse. Tree through a a garage roof, a broken window, smashed Windshield on a pickup plus $4,000 in damage from falling limbs, pine trees reduced to almost standing toothpicks and hardwood trees devoid of tops, yards so covered with debris you could hardly walk out there.

It was just simply overwhelming. And it still is. The amount and scale of destruction is unfathomable. It looks like a war zone. It has been classified as the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane. And the woods are in shambles. Downed branch’s, limbs and trees just piled in heaps parts of sawed trees and limbs still litter the sides of roads. Piles of brush and branches waiting to be removed from properties. The DNR flew over the Pigeon River State Forest which is the largest Stdte forest in northern Michigan and home to the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi. Mile after mile of barren topped tree, like a giant scythe swept over the land looking like standing toothpicks. And this scene is repeated all across the area hit by the storm.

I’m saddened by it. A way of life has been altered and the landscape has been changed for many years to come. How the trees react remains to be seen. How the wildlife reacts is another matter too. The trails in the woods where my dogs and I walk are covered in debris and downed trees, so those are probably gone forever as far as walking trails. They are just old woods trails going back to nature. .Fortunately we will still have the snowmobile trail once it’s cleared, but that will be awhile. And who knows what my favorite state parks will look like either. There will be changes. How much leaf cover comes out this spring remains to be seen. Neighbors yards will look a bit different for those who lost trees. And everywhere you go there will be reminders. And months of cleanup before there is some semblance of normal returning.

But there are lessons learned. Those who have suffered without electric will be buying generators. People are going to learn it’s wise to keep the pantry stocked for emergencies, bottled water stored away, a go bag ready to evacuate if necessary. The things we take for granted were largely unavailable. Electricity necesssry to heat, cook, run water pumps in the country, do our everyday routines, recharge electronic devices, gone. Cell towers out or barely functioning. 600=foot radio/TV towers in heaps on the ground or broken, Gas for generators almost impossible to get without driving miles away. Yes, hardships and lessons learned. But, those of us who survived this storm, the worst in a hundred years, will remember it. We have come through Covid, only to be hit by a rare EF-3 tornado in Gaylord 2 years later, followed 3 years later by this major ice storm. We have faced adversity and we will get through this and become stronger because we have faced adversity once again and became stronger.

[OregonLuvr]

I agree we always come thru whatever we are dealt. The devastation from our fire was absolutely terrifying to watch on the tv as we were not allowed anywhere near our previous homes. And the National Guard was enforcing that. But they are rebuilding down there and my previous park looks great now. Still many empty lots but they are bringing homes in every day. Some ask me if I would go back and the answer is NO. Home is where you make it and I have made this my home and am very comfortable. Still lots of projects but that is ok.
Your neck of the woods got hit really hard and your right it will take many many years to come back from this. I am so glad you had power and food and your pups. I have a small generator and it will power my fridge and freezer and charge my electronics and a few other things. It is all I need but if I lived anywhere else I would have a whole house generator like you do. I can run a small heater or a fan depending on the need. We never lose power for long but I feel prepared. And my pantry and freezer are always full. My daughter teased me that I had a "Mormon cupboard". YUP

Beautiful day here today, had doors and windows open but closed them as it got a little bit warm inside.

[Cudedog]

Wow. Sue. Beautifully written essay.

Thank you. I loved reading it.

Anne

[Redetotry]

Sue, I can't imagine! We had a bad ice storm here this winter but no where near the devastation that you have. I've been debating getting a generator for several years and think this will push me into a decision. Take care and don't push yourself too hard.

[snowball]

You really have a way to express yourself Sue... quite the storm I feel bad for those still without power
very glad you are as prepared as you can be
sheila

[Pooker]

Oh, Sue, I am so sorry! This has been a horrible year for so many: Tornadoes, ice storms, floods, outrageous heat, fires - the list goes on. Your eloquence brings tears to our eyes. Yes, I believe we will survive - as individuals and as a country. One thing I've learned from your posts is that you live in a wonderful, caring community where neighbors help neighbors and local government jumps in and pitches in. Stay safe and keep those posts coming.

Evie