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Ice Storm Safety

Ice storms coat everything in a hard, slick layer and can bring down trees and power lines. They create hazards that last long after the freezing rain stops.

Why are ice storms so hazardous?

Ice makes ground, steps, ramps and equipment extremely slick. It adds weight to trees and lines, which can fail suddenly and without warning.

Travel can become impossible, and outages can last a long time, especially in rural areas where lines are long and crews have many places to reach.

Ice storms are particularly hard on farms because they affect so many systems at once: buildings, lines, roads, water and animals. Think about each one and what you would do if it failed.

• Ice adds weight to trees and lines
• Outages may last a long time

How can you prepare?

Watch National Weather Service alerts, charge phones and backup batteries and check supplies. Make a plan for heat, water, light and animal care if power fails.

Trim or have trimmed trees near buildings and lines well ahead of the season, using qualified help. Do not attempt tree or line work yourself near power lines.

Keep a battery or hand-crank radio, flashlights and spare batteries where everyone can find them, and know where the nearest emergency shelter is in case you must leave.

• Check forecasts and alerts
• Plan for heat, water and light
• Charge phones and batteries
• Save utility and emergency numbers
• Hand-crank or battery radio
• Flashlights and spare batteries
• Plan for livestock water

How do you avoid slips and falls?

Treat every outdoor surface as slick. Wear footwear with good traction, take short steps and avoid carrying heavy loads when you can.

Wait for conditions to improve before doing non-urgent chores. Salt, sand or other treatments may help on walkways; follow product directions and ask your extension office for guidance.

Never climb on iced equipment, ladders or roofs.

• Treat all surfaces as slick
• Avoid ladders, roofs and iced equipment
• Delay non-urgent chores

What about downed power lines and falling limbs?

Treat all downed lines as live. Stay far away, keep others away and call the utility and 911.

Do not stand under heavily iced trees and limbs. Ice can drop without warning, and falling limbs can strike people and damage buildings.

After the storm, damage can hide above you. Branches may be cracked and hanging, and roofs can be overloaded. Keep people and animals away from unsafe trees and buildings until a qualified person checks them.

• Treat downed lines as live
• Call the utility and 911
• Stay clear of heavily iced trees

How do you care for animals?

Keep your own safety ahead of animal chores. Shelter, water and feed must be reachable, and water lines may freeze. Plan for how to keep animals safe if you cannot get to them for a time.

Ask your veterinarian and extension livestock specialist for planning help. Share your plan with a neighbor.

Water lines may freeze or lose power. Know a backup source for livestock water, and ask your extension office about options appropriate for your type of animals.

• Safety before animal chores
• Plan for frozen water lines
• Share your plan with a neighbor

What about generators and heaters?

Backup power sources have serious hazards, including carbon monoxide, fire and electric shock to utility workers if connected incorrectly. Follow the manufacturer manual, keep equipment outdoors where directed and have an electrician handle connections.

Do not use cooking appliances or fuel-burning equipment to heat a space unless the manufacturer says it is safe.

Take breaks during cleanup. Heavy work in the cold is strenuous, and many injuries happen to tired people. Chest pain, trouble breathing or dizziness is an emergency; call 911.

• Never use cooking appliances for heat
• Use outdoor equipment only as directed
• Have an electrician handle connections

Where can you get official help?

The National Weather Service, Farmers.gov, extension programs, the Red Cross and your utility publish ice storm and recovery information. Assistance programs vary by state and county.

Call 911 for emergencies and your county emergency management office for local information.

Record damage with photos before cleanup for insurance and for any assistance programs, and ask Farmers.gov or your county office what may be available.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.