Historical Ice Storm

Ice Covered Trees at a Buffalo Residence in 1976 (courtesy of classicbuffalo.com)

March 2nd, 1976 – The costliest ice storm on record struck a large section of western New York. Ice was reported to be four inches thick in some spots. Erie, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties were declared major disaster areas by President Ford as a result of the ice storm and localized flooding. The two day storm left more than 100,000 families without power, 5,000 without telephone service and at least 10,000 without water. One of every two homes and businesses in the area were without power. Niagara Mohawk crews repaired more than 1,000 miles of downed power lines. Damages in Erie County totaled $45.6 million dollars and $26 million dollars damage in Buffalo, NY.