KREM: Windstorm Vs. Ice Storm

Kerri Thoreson posts on Facebook: ” Took this photo (Saturday evening) of the clouds overhead about 20 minutes before the storm blew through. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a formation quite like this.”

Authorities said the storm that caused severe damage and 50,000 power outages in early August became the second worst to hit the area in 18 years. The worst in recent memory: the 1996 Ice Storm.

1996 Ice Strom	2014 August Windstorm
100,000 power outages	50,000 power outages
50 wildfires
Maxing out fire resources	Maxing out fire resources
Downed trees	Downed trees
16 degrees	90+ degrees
Widespread damage	Isolated damage

In 1996, heavy ice coated trees causing them to snap and knock down power lines. The system was dubbed “Ice Storm” and it destroyed much of the infrastructure of Washington Water Power, now Avista/ Whitney Ward , KREM2. More here.

Question: Which do you think was worse — the recent wind storms or Ice Storm 1996?