WORST STORM EVER
IN N. E. MICHIGAN
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Business Paralyzed--Wire and Electric Service Broken Down
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Buildings, Trees, Shrubbery One Vast Glare of Ice
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Storm General--Damage in State Well Into the Millions
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The storm which was raging as the Review went to press last Wednesday, continued through Wednesday and Thursday and proved to be the most devastating in the history of this section of Michigan, if not in the whole state. Wednesday night the snow turned to sleet and rain which froze to the trees and wires and encased the buildings in a heavy sheet of ice.
The electric light and power lines went out late Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday morning wire communication with the outside world was entirely cut off, and remained so for several days. In the face of the great difficulties, including the absence of either telegraph or telephone communication, passenger trains on the D. & M. were soon giving fairly good service between Bay and Alpena. North of Alpena service was entirely suspended.
For days the people gazed out on a world of glittering ice upon which the sun shone with dazzling brightness but with absence of heat sufficient to make any impression on the frozen spectacle. In every direction was visible a picture no artist could paint--a scene of indescribably beauty that arrested the eye and caused momentary forgetfulness of the great property loss which the storm's visit entailed.
Fortunately our beautiful maples, the pride of every citizen, escaped with but slight damage, though the coating of ice was so heavy that the limbs bent to the ground and it seemed as if they must surely snap off. With the exception of the poplar trees, however, but few limbs were broken and even these trees were not seriously damaged.
Just what damage, if any, has been done to fruit trees can not be estimated. The trees carried a coating of ice an inch or more in thickness and much of this is still hanging on. It is safe to say, however, that this section has escaped with far less damage to trees and wires than is the case a little further south. Locally the greatest damage has been done to wires and poles of the Citizens Telephone Co. For the second time this winter the main line carrying the county lines west from the city limits is down--this time long stretches being a mass of twisted, broken wires and poles. Temporary repairs are being made as rapidly as conditions permit, but it will be may weeks before permanent repairs can be made.
The storm was general throughout the northern part of the state. At Cheboygan, Onaway and Alpena three to four feet of snow are reported, while at Harrisville and south to Bay City rain succeeded the snow, causing an icy coat which was the cause of so much damage.
At the Tawases the damage to shade and ornamental trees is very great, the streets and yards being strewn with wreckage. The same condition exists, also, at Oscoda.
The Consumers Power Company's high tension wire service from AuSable river to Bay City was hard hit. It is said there are 142 of the high steel towers down and as many damaged.
The Michigan Telephone Company is also a heavy loser and it is problematical when either phone or electric service will be fully restored.
The damage throughout the state will run into the millions.