On November 19, 1996 the Spokane area experienced the worst ice storm to ever happen in 60 years. So many residents went without power that it was also the worst power outage in 108 years. Four people lost their lives in and around Spokane and Kootenai counties. The storm costed $22 million in 1996 and $33 million in 2013. Before the freezing rain fell, there were 2-4 inches of snow. An inch and a half of freezing rain fell; coating trees, roads, vehicles, and power lines making roads slippery and unsafe to drive. It was 33 degrees Fahrenheit and had 1.24 inches of precipitation. The precipitation fell in the form of rain, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, snow, and mist.
Trees and powerlines crashed down due to the weight of the ice.
Trees and powerlines crashed down due to the weight of the ice.