Ice Storm brings area to a freezing halt

All schools and Wayne County offices are closed today as the area continues to recover from an ice storm that hit the area late Thursday night.

Northern portions of the county were hardest hit at first, when freezing rain and sleet felled trees, power lines and utility poles. And by mid-morning, central areas of the county (including the Village of Newark) began to feel the brunt. By late Friday night, and throughout all of Saturday, 90 % of all Wayne County was without power.

With grocery stores and gas staions closed, area residents scrambled to nearby counties in search of gas, supplies and generators. With temperatures expected to dip into the 20's, many left the area to find hotel rooms. An emergeny shelter was established at Fairville Fire Hall and dry ice was available by 6 p.m. Saturday at the Newark and Clyde Fire Halls. Area residents of the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office were evacuated to the former Monroe Developmental Center in Rochester. With power sources cut, and local WACK 1420 radio off the air, many relied on WNYR and WGVA radio for emergency information.

Last night, most area residents had power and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E), New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), Niagara Mohawk (NiMo), and out-of-state crews from Connecticut, Maryland, and other neighboring states continue efforts to restore services. Snow predicted for today and tonight (3-6 inches in some areas) may hamper restoration to some areas.

Click here to see photo gallery.

Editor's Note: Watch for more details and photographs as we regroup and gain power to our offices.

top of page

Copyright © 2003
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513 - 315-331-1000
All Rights Reserved