The Arctic Blast of January 2007: Deadly Ice Storm Reaches Death Toll at 36

As the new year just gets off to a start, it is a devastating time for the families and friends of 36 lost lives to the first winter storm of the new year.

This storm is believed to be one of the worst ice storms in the United States.

The storm has impacted several states taking lives from six of them. There were 15 killed in Oklahoma, where seven of them were victims of a tragic automobile accident due to the icy roads. There were eight lives taken in Missouri, five lives in Iowa, four lives in New York, three lives in Texas, and one in Maine.

The estimated residents without water and electricity reached and astounding 330,000. Thousands of businesses, day cares, and schools were shut down for several days.

The storm is expected to hit New England by Tuesday. Gov. Rick Perry's Inauguration Parade was canceled as well as over 400 flights at the Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport in Texas due to the icy roads. This four day Arctic Blast began and Friday and continues to make it's way across the Midwest. President George Bush declared a federal disaster for Oklahoma late Sunday evening.

The temperatures reached below zero, the ice rose to nearly four inches and the snow is expected to reach as high as ten inches. The rain and snow has left freezing chill factors. This deadly Arctic Blast has paralyzed many states across the southern plains and Midwest. As the systems cold front continues it's journey, a potentially dangerous situation remains for those left without power to heat their homes.