Weather

We are just emerging from the impact of the ice storm that Maureen
mentioned.  I noticed that she stopped her reports on day 4 and wonder
if that is because her and Sandy's power went out.  With no power,
telephones, computers, radios, tv, lights, etc. four five days, we now
appreciate the role of electricity in our lives!  Luckily, the inside
temperature did not drop below +9C.

Ottawa is now beginning to return to normal but the rural areas in
Eastern Ontario and Quebec will be at least a week and in some cases
some weeks before they have power.  This is a major problem as milking
cows, sump pumps to prevent flooding in the basements, heat for
chickens, pigs, greenhouses etc. are dependent on electricity.

The most dramatic effect has been on our trees.  Most conifers have
taken the weight and just bent their branches down.  Deciduous trees, if
in the open as are most garden and park trees, have lost many branches. 
Those in the wooded area have lost their tops.  It is estimated that
between 10-40% of all trees, depending on the area, will be severely
damaged and in some cases all the old trees lining a street have been
lost.  Our National Research Council scientists estimate that a large
tree would be carrying about 2 tons of ice(each twig carried a tube 1.5
inches thick of ice).  The impact of the ice storm is a dramatic
reminder why the boreal forest is made up almost entirely of conifers
and silver birch.  The young silver birch are beautiful when they arch
over and their tops rest on the ground.  They spring back when the ice
goes, the older ones are damaged by the ice. 

Ian, in Ottawa where, for the first time that I can remember, military
trucks and soldiers are seen on the streets of Canada as they helped to
clean up the trees around downed power lines and blocked streets, and
search for old people who lived alone, etc.
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