I don't remember exactly when the great ice storm of the Northeast took place. 1998? 99 maybe? Anyhoo, I'll never forget taking a train through upstate New York on my way to Montreal. This was only a couple days after rail service had been restored. That's right, the ice was so heavy that fallen branches put rail transport out of service for hundreds of miles.

Looking out the windows, it was almost like I was staring at some sort of surreal warscape.

Your analogy of holding out an ice bag and arms length really clarifies why this happens.