In this week’s Northern Express—sister publication of The Ticker—locals look back on the March 2025 ice storm that devastated several northern Michigan communities.

The storm’s meteorological aspects alone were stunning. 

“The most unique aspect of the 2025 storm was how long it lasted,” says Pat Bak, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service post in Gaylord. “Typically, northern Michigan will see 6-12 total hours of freezing rain spread out over the entire winter. In this storm, we had three days of freezing rain.”

According to Bak, ice coated trees, power lines, and other objects to the tune of 0.25-0.50 inches of ice buildup in much of the northern Lower Peninsula and a small section of the eastern Upper Peninsula. Some areas of Emmet and Cheboygan counties received 0.75 inches of ice buildup. Parts of Antrim, Otsego, and Montmorency counties recorded a staggering 1 inch or more.

Ice is heavy, and when that much ice builds up on objects, they break. One report by Great Lakes Energy indicated over 3,100 power poles were damaged, with at least 800 snapping and requiring complete replacement rather than a quick repair. Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op said they had to repair 2,800 damaged power poles, 3,800 miles of power lines, and 900 transformers.

Over 145,000 residents lost power at the height of the storm, and thousands were without power for up to 18 days. Read more about the storm and recovery efforts here.

Pick up a copy of this week’s Northern Express, available to read online or at one of nearly 650 spots in 13 counties across northern Michigan.

Photo by Harold Dippman.