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In January, 1998, a severe ice storm ravaged Eastern Ontario, Quebec and the North Eastern United States. This storm lasted over 5 days, dumping over 6 inches of ice across the region. By the last day of the storm, there was an estimated 2 million people without power. This caused severe hardships in the rural areas, where farms were loosing thousands of dollars every day. Shelters were established at local community centers and fire halls. Volunteers from the community manned these shelters, providing warmth, food and a place to sleep. As the storm progressed more and more small communities went without power. Soon, the whole power grid for Eastern Ontario and Quebec collapsed, leaving millions in the cold. Power to the phone system also went down, resulting in portable generators being hooked into the bell boxes to allow the phone system to remain operational.
Early in the storm, the Canadian Military was put on alert to provide aid to the people in the storm region. On Saturday, the 10th of January, inquires were made about the possibility of deploying 25 MP PL to the crisis area. On the night of the 11th, Captain Kellock and two MP Patrolmen deployed to the Armoury in Brockville, 78km east of Kingston, with 124 other personnel, becoming 'B' Company, of the Brockville Rifles. On the morning of the 15th, Warrant Officer Robb and two MP Patrolmen deployed to join with Captain Kellock in Brockville. On the 16th, 2Lt Ohanessian, Sgt Green and Sgt Jesso arrived. At the height of the deployment there were 17 MPs of all ranks. These MPs are all Reservists, receiving permission from their employers to assist in this crises. At the height of the operation the Military Police supported over 480 soldiers in the battalion, covering approximately 10,328 square kilometers of ground, over 11 times the area normally covered by an MP Platoon, with over 100,000 people without power. The platoon re-deployed to Toronto on January 21, 1998
Within our Area of Responsibility, called Sector South, the Military Police conducted route recces and signing for additional troops arriving in the area, completed accident and investigation reports, providing vital point security, checking in with the civilian volunteers watching over generators in remote areas, and liaising with the O.P.P. and city/town police in the area. Below is a list of the Military Police that worked in the Platoon during the operation.
Military Police Platoon 'A' Company Brockville Rifles Sector South OP Recuperation
Location of Units
25 MP Platoon - Toronto, ON
23 MP Platoon - Hamilton, ON
22 MP Platoon - London, ON
ATC Meaford - Army Training Center, Meaford, ON
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Cpl. Robert Oliver, of the 56 Field Squadron from St. John's Nfld., helping Hydro crews by directing traffic in the cold weather. Duties like this could last 10 hours or more. (Ottawa Sun Photo)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
During the Operation helicopters were used to travel over the large distances. Here some of the HQ Staff are on the LZ at CFB Kingston before flying back to Brockville. (LtoR) 2Lt. Ohanessian, Capt. Kellock, WO Robb. (Photo: Pte Mante)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
A pedestrian crosses the deserted streets of downtown Montreal, a city without power. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
The Armoury in Brockville was used during OP Recuperation as a place to stay. At its hight, almost 200 people out of the 400+ Regiment were sleeping here. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
People look at some high voltage towers in Quebec that collapsed under the weight of 5 days of ice. (Jacques Boissinot/CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
County Rd 15 east of Brockville. Power lines are being strung by Hydro crews. Damage to the trees can be seen. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
The sun rises on another day in Kentville. It would take weeks to repair all the damaged Hydro poles. (Jonathan Hayward/CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Country Rd 15. Work by Hydro crews continue. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Soldiers from the 22nd regiment continue clearup operations in Montreal. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Hydro polls down along the road. This is one of an estimated 50,000 that went down during the storm. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Prime Minister Jean Chretien greets soldiers at the command post in St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
The Griffin Helecopter, in heavy use throughout the Operation, flying into Brockville. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Soldiers from Winnipeg salvage electrical parts from a downed hydro pole near St-Cesaire, Que. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Normal Police work must continue. Sgt Jesso completes routine paperwork. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
A soldier is silhouetted against the ice field as he tries to free downed wires near St. Cesaire, Que. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
The Field Kitchen on the left provided 3 meals a day for the 100+ people at the Armoury. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Members of the Canadiian Armed Forces help hydro linemen untangle power lines outside the rural town of St. Isadore, Ontario east of Ottawa. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Sgt Green, the Operations Sgt, briefs 2Lt Ohanessian and Sgt Jesso on that night's patrol areas. (Photo: WO Robb)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
A volunteer holding a chain saw, watches a truck unload a pile of wood to be cut and piled in Quebec City, before it is sent to the Montreal region. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
A military helicopter lifts off from Perth, Ont., Wednesday after visiting the Lanark County Administration Office. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
MCpl. Dave Beaudreau carefully balances as he clears ice from a Metcalfe Fair roof yesterday. (Ottawa Sun Photo)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Two men look at a building that collapsed under the weight of the ice in Montreal (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Members of the Artillery helps a civillian remove a generator from a truck. (CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Soldiers head out to start cleanup work in South Montreal. Damage was so bad it sometimes took a whole day to clear on street. (Ryan Remiorz/CP PHOTO)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Home owner's survey damaged trees on their lawn. (Ottawa Sun Photo)
ICE STORM PHOTOS
Dead cows. Carnage the result of the ice storm. MCpl Castillo (from Toronto, Fort York Armories) along with Toronto area reservists survey dead cattle. Landsdonne, near Brockville. (Toronto Sun photo/Cheryl Hnatiuk)
In January, 1998, a severe ice storm ravaged Eastern Ontario, Quebec and the North Eastern United States. This storm lasted over 5 days, dumping over 6 inches of ice across the region. By the last day of the storm, there was an estimated 2 million people without power. This caused severe hardships in the rural areas, where farms were loosing thousands of dollars every day. Shelters were established at local community centers and fire halls. Volunteers from the community manned these shelters, providing warmth, food and a place to sleep. As the storm progressed more and more small communities went without power. Soon, the whole power grid for Eastern Ontario and Quebec collapsed, leaving millions in the cold. Power to the phone system also went down, resulting in portable generators being hooked into the bell boxes to allow the phone system to remain operational.
Early in the storm, the Canadian Military was put on alert to provide aid to the people in the storm region. On Saturday, the 10th of January, inquires were made about the possibility of deploying 25 MP PL to the crisis area. On the night of the 11th, Captain Kellock and two MP Patrolmen deployed to the Armoury in Brockville, 78km east of Kingston, with 124 other personnel, becoming 'B' Company, of the Brockville Rifles. On the morning of the 15th, Warrant Officer Robb and two MP Patrolmen deployed to join with Captain Kellock in Brockville. On the 16th, 2Lt Ohanessian, Sgt Green and Sgt Jesso arrived. At the height of the deployment there were 17 MPs of all ranks. These MPs are all Reservists, receiving permission from their employers to assist in this crises. At the height of the operation the Military Police supported over 480 soldiers in the battalion, covering approximately 10,328 square kilometers of ground, over 11 times the area normally covered by an MP Platoon, with over 100,000 people without power. The platoon re-deployed to Toronto on January 21, 1998
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