ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- One of the biggest stories in Rochester in the 1990s was the ice storm of 1991. It crippled the area 25 years ago this week brining the region to a virtual standstill.

Rochesterians woke up to a coating of ice Tuesday morning. Cleaning it from cars took some extra time. There was no damage as it turned out to be a typical cold, but sunny winter day, a far cry from 25 years ago. That's when we experienced one of the most devastating storms in recent history.  

Freezing rain coated trees and power lines with thick, heavy ice causing them to crash to the ground along with utility poles and transformers. Nearly 80 percent of Monroe County was without power bringing everyday life to a screeching halt.

"It was something people weren't very used to the idea of that you shut lots of things down then all concentrate on one thing at the same time. We had a good, cooperative relationship with the city and with the sheriff in making sure that we got something organized. We had somebody from each department who was at this thing all day so you could tell somebody this is where you have to concentrate the effort," said Tom Frey, former Monroe County executive.

With much of the county without power for up to two weeks in some locations, many businesses remained closed. One of the exceptions was the Parkside Diner in Irondequoit.

The Parkside opened just eight months before the ice storm hit. With many left without a way to say warm or prepare food at home, the diner became their refuge.

"One of the worse things that could happen to Rochester was one of the best things that could have happened to us. After the ice storm people were forced to come in and try our establishment and once they tried it they liked it and our business really took off right from there," said Jim Papas, co-owner of Parkside Diner.

Some of those who packed the Parkside 25 years ago remain regulars today. With this week being the ice storm's silver anniversary, those who gutted it out then are reminiscing today.

"All the kids came to our house to stay because all the power was out and the kids were getting the two fireplaces going," said Elaine Gurnett of Webster.

Not everyone lost power, and for those who didn't, they became popular with their neighbors.

"I was very lucky in that area because we didn't get our power taken away. We had friends come over with extension cords. We were running extension cords to all the neighbors, extending our electric, you know," said Dave Catalino of Irondequoit.

It was a time that brought the community together. Neighbors helping neighbors, no matter how difficult it was.

"You could do what you could do, but the trees were in the streets. I just remember walking through the trees down the street it was surreal, it was like really strange," said Dennis Wiggins of Irondequoit.

Thousands of trees came down making for a massive post-storm clean up.