Major ice storms in the United States, 1949–2000

Abstract

An extensive new database identifying ice storm losses allowed a first, definitive assessment of these storms in the US. During 1949–2000, 87 major ice storms each causing property losses >$1 million, occurred and resulting losses totaled $16.3 billion. Storm frequencies and losses were greatest in the northeast, southeast, and central US, and only 3 percent occurred in the nation's west. More freezing rain occurrences in the Deep South produce major storms than do occurrences elsewhere in the US, a result of variations in prevailing storm-producing conditions. Severe ice storms peaked in 1993–2000 when losses totaled $5.8 billion. Losses in the nation's west were infrequent but most occurred since 1982. Recent increases in ice storm losses in the faster growing areas of the nation reflect increasing societal vulnerability to ice storms.