Ahuge ice storm on Dec. 11, 2008, crippled the Monadnock region – closing roads and leaving most residents of the region without power days later. Public Service of New Hampshire spokesman Martin Murray said in the Dec. 16, 2008, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript that the first priority for restoring power would be police, fire and hospitals, as Monadnock Community Hospital, for example, was running on generator power.

To help residents who had no power, heat, water or any way to cook, shelters sprung up around the area, including at South Meadow School in Peterborough.

“When you’re in a facility and you don’t know what’s going on, it’s uncomfortable,” said Peterborough Select Board Chairwoman Barbara Miller.

“I’ve been shaking a lot of cold hands,” said Selectman Joe Byk.