The Year of the Storms - 1998

It was coined the worst ice storm to hit North America this century. Hardest hit were the rural regions of Quebec and the island city of Montreal. The havoc and devastation caused by this storm were evident in the cries for relief and assistance that went out across Canada and were answered by Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

One hundred-year-old oak and maples were covered with layers of ice measuring more than three inches. These trees, tall, mature, and magnificent, just snapped from the extra weight they just couldn't bear.

The hundreds of miles of hydroelectric wires and telephone and television cable wires were no match for the ice either.

Everywhere, electrically charged wires threatened electrocution. More than 15,000 soldiers front the Canadian armed forces pa trolled the streets and cautioned citizens to leave their homes. All the while, hundreds of highly trained workers repaired the electrical damage and tried to return heat and light to the hundreds of homes without power.

The storm that came in the first week of January would see the month of February before all areas of Quebec had power and could return home. Up until then they laid by the dozens in community centres and school gymnasiums.

24 Canadians lost their Uses in this storm, claimed by the freezing cold temperatures that brought on hypothermia. Experts claim that the total cost in dollars will exceed two billion.

May the Last Year of the 20th Century be Yours.