In January 1998, one of the worst ice storms in North American history brought St. Lawrence County, New York to a complete standstill.
For days, freezing rain coated trees, power lines, and roads with inches of solid ice, causing widespread power outages, collapsed infrastructure, and a humanitarian emergency across the North Country.

This episode tells the true story of the Ice Storm of 1998, focusing specifically on St. Lawrence County, where tens of thousands of residents lost electricity for days—and in some cases, weeks. Entire towns went dark. Homes dropped below freezing. Emergency shelters filled. Utility crews and the New York National Guard were deployed as the power grid collapsed under the weight of the storm.

Through real historical facts, verified reports, and firsthand accounts, this documentary-style episode walks through the storm hour by hour and day by day—from the first flickering lights to the long recovery that permanently changed how Northern New York prepares for winter.

This is not a dramatization.
This is not exaggeration.
This is what actually happened.

️ About the Beard Laws Network
The Beard Laws Network is home to multiple long-form storytelling shows focused on real events, forgotten history, true crime, disasters, and moments that shaped communities. Every episode is built to inform, engage, and preserve real stories—especially those tied to local and regional history.

If you lived through the Ice Storm of 1998—or want to understand how fragile modern life can be—this story matters.

Chapters / Topics Covered:

The weather system that caused the Ice Storm of 1998

Why St. Lawrence County was hit so hard

Power grid collapse across Northern New York

Life inside homes without heat or electricity

Emergency shelters and National Guard response

The quiet deaths and hidden dangers

How the storm permanently changed the region

If you enjoy deep storytelling, real history, and documentary-style episodes, consider subscribing to the Beard Laws Network.

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The Texas City Disaster of 1947 remains the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history. In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast on the Beard Laws Network, we investigate the catastrophic SS Grand Camp explosion—a tragedy caused by 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate that changed Texas history and safety regulations forever.

SUBSCRIBE for more dark history and local legends: [Insert Your Channel Link Here]

If you are looking for US history facts or an industrial disasters documentary, this episode breaks down exactly how the largest non-nuclear explosion ever recorded actually happened. We explore the timeline of the blast, the chemical hazards explained, and the controversial legal aftermath where the government was found "not liable."

In this video, we cover:

The SS High Flyer and SS Grand Camp explosions.

Why the fire department was wiped out in seconds.

The 5,000+ injuries and the mass civil lawsuit.

How ammonium nitrate created a tidal wave that destroyed the port.

Check out more from the Beard Laws Network: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNGk6pLmVDE&list=PLjfRSzSIJjWwhAKxgNqM2np1HpRY5QJxu

#TexasCityDisaster #AmmoniumNitrate #IndustrialAccident #TexasHistory #YoreTownPodcast #BeardLawsNetwork #HistoryFacts #SSGrandCamp

Chapters

00:00 The Texas City Disaster: A Tragic Morning
03:18 Understanding Ammonium Nitrate and Its Risks
11:02 The Catastrophic Explosion and Its Aftermath
16:59 Lessons Learned and Historical Significance

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In 1932, one man did the impossible. He survived alone in the Yukon wilderness at $-40$ degrees, outran the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for weeks, and stood his ground against dynamite and an army of trackers.In this episode of the Yore Town Podcast, Matt (Beard Laws) and Meg dive into the chilling mystery of The Mad Trapper of Rat River. Who was Albert Johnson? How did he move faster than dog teams in waist-deep snow? And why, after his final stand, did he leave behind no fingerprints, no history, and no real name?From the first shot fired at a constable to the first-ever use of an airplane in a Canadian manhunt, we break down the survival tactics and the eerie silence of the man who chose to disappear into the ice.In this episode, we discuss:The brutal reality of survival in the Yukon Territory.How Albert Johnson turned his cabin into a ballistic fortress.The high-stakes manhunt that changed the RCMP forever.The mystery of Johnson’s perfect teeth and military precision.Subscribe to Yore Town for more true stories from the edge of history!

If you're invested in true crime and believe in justice, hit the like button and subscribe to Yore Town Podcast!

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In this chilling narrative, we explore the harsh reality of winter in the Yukon Territory, where the cold weather is not just a season but an environment that demands respect. Learn about the dangers of frost bite and the unforgiving nature of winter life in this northern living landscape. This story reminds us that in the Yukon, survival is a constant challenge.

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