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Canon Image Challenge | all galleries >> Challenges From The Past >> 2013 Challenges >> CIC 108 Weather >> Weather - Exhibition > 5th - Ice Storm of 1994
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February 1994 KChristian

5th - Ice Storm of 1994

A fire truck attempts to navigate a gravel country road in Northeast Mississippi during the Ice Storm of 1994. This ice storm reportedly caused over $1 billion in damage in the Southern United States, primarily in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama. There is no snow here. This is all ice.

Nikon 35mm Camera, Nikkor 35mm f/2

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Canon Image Challenge11-Dec-2013 02:17
I know what you mean, Paul. People get desperate. During this storm, I lived directly across the street from the local hospital. Because the hospital took priority, repair crews got its electricity back on in less than 24 hours and, since I was on the same power circuit, my electricity came back on then, too. But some people in the area didn't get power back for 2-3 weeks because of extensive damage to the system from falling trees and branches.

The phone company had battery backups at various locations to keep the phone system working. They brought in electric generators to keep the batteries charged in order to keep the phones working. And, it was not unusual to drive down a road where one of these generators was set up and see a home freezer connected to it. Some people brought their freezers to the generators to keep their frozen foods from spoiling. Apparently the phone company tolerated it, because I didn't hear of anyone getting in trouble over it.

Incidentally, about 24 hours after the freeze hit, the temperature rose back up into the 70s. So the ice didn't stay around very long, but the damage it did took a long time to repair. - Ken
Canon Image Challenge10-Dec-2013 14:18
I have seen and experienced this scene more than once when we have been hit with ice storms in the Kansas City area. As you might guess being an electrician we are in high demand and are out in this mess reconnecting services to homes when this occurs.

People that have been without power for a week or more will come out and beg you to do their home next when they see you at a neighbors home. Paul