April 12, 1999 Update of 1998 storm - NCDC Storm Data

For further information, see the NCDC Storm Data publication for Jan 98, the NWS special report
on the storm, and the US Army CRREL special report.

During the week of January 5-9, 1998, the eastern U.S. and eastern Canada were severely
effected by a storm system with a very deep southerly flow and abundant moisture. This
resulted in flooding rains from the lower Mississippi valley through the southeast and into the
northeast, several tornadoes, and a severe ice storm in parts of the northeast/New England and
into Canada. The death toll for the event:

Flood-related:
Tennessee--7
North Carolina--2
South Carolina--1
Kentucky--1
Alabama--1
Ice storm-related:
Canada--28
New York--9
Maine--5
New Hampshire--2
U.S/Canada total: 56

The heaviest rains and most severe flooding occurred in the mountains of North Carolina and
northeast Tennessee, where up to 16 inches fell in a 2-day period. See below for some of the
rainfall totals. Surveys indicate over 500 homes destroyed or with severe damage in North
Carolina, and over 200 homes severely damaged or destroyed in Tennessee. Damages exceeded
$15 million for western North Carolina and $20 million for eastern Tennessee. Tornado
touchdowns produced some damage in Dublin, Georgia and Easley, South Carolina. Flooding also
was a problem in parts of the lower Mississippi valley and upstate New York.

The severe ice storm mainly affected upstate New York, northern New Hampshire and Vermont,
much of Maine, and southeast Canada. Some locations received over 3 inches of rain (as freezing
rain), with radial ice thickness of one inch or more. Canada reported over 3 million utility
customers without power immediately after the storm, while the northeast through New England
reported over 500,000 customers without power. 80% of Maine's population lost electrical
service. Overall damages approached $3 billion for Canada and were at least $1.4 billion for the
U.S.

For further information, see the NCDC Storm Data publication for Jan 98, the NWS special report
on the storm, and the US Army CRREL special report.