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2008 New Hampshire Ice Storm
Last updated:
Monday, January 5, 2009 5:53 PM
Heavy rain changed to freezing rain during the evening of December 11, 2008. For the next 16 hours, freezing rain (1.66" liquid), heavy at times, formed ice on tree limbs and power lines that caused the largest power outage in New Hampshire history. Over 300,000 residents lost their power that night. I lost power for eight days, while many lost power for over 11 days. The ice was so heavy, telephone poles broke in half. During this period we suffered through two major snowstorms as well, with close to 20" of snowfall on top of the downed trees and limbs. The town I live in had no power at all for 4 days. I had to drive west to find a town that had enough power to pump gas.
Link to conversation with Dr. Eric Hoffman a professor of meteorology at Plymouth State University:
From the Public Service New Hampshire Website:
My Pictures
Our Nightmare Before Christmas
Twas two weeks before Christmas and all through the town
it rained and it froze and the trees all fell down.
The wires that were strung on utility poles
snapped like a twig and the houses all froze.
We got our selves nestled all snug in our bed
while visions of warmer days danced in our head,
and me in my thermals and Pa in his cap
stayed huddled together for a bone chilling nap.
The moon on the ice made a crystalline glow
and we thought to ourselves, just how long can this go?
When what to our wondering eyes did appear
but our son with some coffee and donuts and cheer.
We could see our white breath in the darkness above
and deep under the covers I searched for my love.
His feet, they were frozen and so was his head ---
made me think to myself that he just might be dead.
The days passed so slowly, we must be insane
as we waited and wondered and called out by name
"On Thursday, on Friday, on Saturday (oh shit!)
on Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday (please quit!)
on Wednesday, and Thursday and Friday (oh dread!)
the kerosene fumes must have gone to our head.
To add to the pleasure of winter's delight
two snowstorms came by - 28 inches of white.
The snowing and blowing made things bad to worse
and we prayed to the heavens our pipes wouldn't burst.
Pa's eyes now were sunken, his expression --- not merry,
his cheeks had a pallor, his nose like a cherry.
The odd little smile on his face wasn't fun
and he often was mumbling "go get me my gun".
Then a rap on the door, and the fireman said,
"Are you sick, are you sane, and is anyone dead?
There's a shelter, there's warmth, you can come if you're able,
we have showers and kindness and food on the table" ---
and we looked at each other and thought --- "what the heck?"
yeah ... eleven days later you FINALLY check!
On night number twelve we heard the faint roar
of a convoy of trucks and we ran to the door.
To the top of the poles, to the stretch of the cable ---
please bring us your power just as fast as you' re able!
They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work
and the power came on with a hum and a jerk.
They heard us exclaim, as they drove out of sight ---
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
WE HAVE HEAT! WE HAVE LIGHT! (author unknown)
Submitted by: Aly Mitchell, Peterborough
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