Lineman Not Able to Work Through the Night Due to Dangerous Ice Storm Conditions
As a powerful ice storm grips much of North Mississippi and the Mid-South, electric utility crews are being forced to make difficult — and sometimes life-saving — decisions about when it is safe to restore power.
Four County Electric Power Association in Columbus issued a stark reminder of the dangers linemen face during ice storms, explaining why crews are unable to work through the night despite widespread outages.
“We know it is frustrating for members who may be without power tonight, but these pictures show the main reason we will not be working all night. Trees are starting to break from the weight of the ice and at least one of our trucks has been hit by a falling tree. Thank you for your patience and your consideration of our safety.”
That statement highlights a reality many people don’t see: ice storms are among the most dangerous weather events for utility workers.
Why Ice Storms Are So Dangerous for Linemen
When freezing rain coats trees, power lines, and utility poles, it adds enormous weight. A half-inch of ice can add hundreds of pounds to tree limbs and overhead lines. As that weight builds, branches and entire trees can snap without warning.
For crews working below, that means:
- Falling trees and limbs
- Poles snapping or shifting
- Power lines whipping or collapsing
- Trucks and bucket lifts being struck by debris
In this storm, Four County Electric confirmed that at least one of their trucks has already been hit by a falling tree — a clear example of the extreme hazards on the ground.
Nighttime conditions make it even more dangerous. Ice-coated branches are harder to see, wind gusts increase the likelihood of failures, and slick roads make it difficult for heavy utility trucks to maneuver or escape danger.
Why Crews Sometimes Have to Pause Restoration
Many people understandably ask: “Why can’t they just keep working?”
The answer is simple: a dead or injured lineman can’t restore power to anyone.
Utilities follow strict safety rules that require them to stop work when conditions become too hazardous. During ice storms, utilities often wait until:
- Ice accumulation slows or stops
- Trees begin to settle or fall
- Wind decreases
- Daylight improves visibility
Only then can crews safely move back into heavily damaged areas.
Your Patience Protects the People Restoring Power
Every lineman on the ground during an ice storm is putting their life at risk so communities can have heat, water, medical equipment, and communication restored.
The message from Four County Electric applies everywhere:
They are not delaying out of convenience — they are waiting so they can survive the storm and continue restoring power when it becomes safe.
As difficult as outages are, patience and understanding directly protect the men and women who are working to bring the lights back on.
