Ice Storm 2025

Some utilities are taking that step as a response to 2025's devastating ice storm, which knocked out power to northern Michigan for weeks in some places. But it's costly.

It's been a year since the devastating ice storm. Poles and wires have since been replaced, but some residents wonder whether it makes more sense to bury them out of the reach of increasingly damaging snow, wind and ice.

Maple season is in full swing here at Hidden Acres Sugar Bush in Gaylord, a business run by Jennifer RiChard and her husband. But it wasn’t so long ago that none of this seemed possible. A look at how the sugar bush is recovering a year after an ice storm devastated tens of millions of trees across northern Michigan, including many sugar maples.

“We are going to definitely fall significantly short of our averages for the season," said Jennifer RiChard, owner of Hidden Acres Sugar Bush in Gaylord. "But that's OK; it'll be a season. It's better than none.”

Those affected by the ice storm last year spoke about their experiences during the days and weeks after the devastation at an event organized by climate advocacy groups.

Climate solutions reporter Vivian La tells us about a storytelling event this week where people shared their tales of the 2025 ice storm. And Ellie Katz brings us the story of a Purple Heart medal separated from the family of its recipient and, hopefully soon, returned back to them.

Northern Michigan's ice storm in March 2025 caused staggering damage to forests. Getting federal aid to make up for the losses has been a waiting game for many here. Now, things are starting to move forward — but not soon enough for many.

Northern Michigan's ice storm in March 2025 caused staggering damage to forests. Getting federal aid to make up for the losses has been a waiting game for many here.

With little pine left to harvest, foresters and sawmills worry what the next several years will look like until newly planted trees can replace what the ice storm took away.

The aid denial had been appealed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer back in August.