The 15 U.S. States Most Vulnerable to Icy Blackouts

 

Snow and ice storms often create both beauty and tragedy. And once we’re done admiring the crystalline eye candy, we’re forced to deal with the harsh reality of ice-covered power lines and roads that become treacherous skating rinks.

Further, freezing rain and ice often plunge entire regions into darkness. But which regions?

Ice storms are unique in their capacity to wreak long-lasting havoc. Below is an in-depth look at the states that, historically, have been most prone to ice-induced blackouts and why they find themselves so frequently caught in the icy crosshairs.

 

The Unexpected Peril of Ice Storms

While much of the nation prepares for winter snow with salt trucks and snowplows, ice storms operate on a different level of risk. They can occur when a shallow layer of cold air hugs the ground while warmer air lingers above.

As raindrops fall through the warmer layer and then into freezing temperatures at ground level, they crystallize on contact, coating surfaces with a glaze of ice. Unlike fluffy snow, which is easier to remove, ice clings relentlessly to everything it touches. Power lines sag and snap under the weight, and tree branches break off and tangle in overhead cables.

Unlike tornadoes or hurricanes… often short-lived but intense… an ice storm can linger for days and even weeks, prolonging the carnage. Even after temperatures rise, restoring power in forested or hard-to-access terrains can be painfully slow. The states below top the list due to a combination of geography, climate conditions, and infrastructural factors that leave them especially vulnerable when freezing rain makes it unwelcome.

 

States That Endure the Most Outages

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s position in the Southern Plains makes it a frequent meeting ground for cold northern air and warm, moisture-laden Gulf streams. Past ice storms in 2002, 2007, and 2020 left hundreds of thousands without power for days. The December 2007 event, in particular, stands out for knocking out electricity to over 600,000 customers statewide.

Texas

Renowned for heat waves, the Lone Star State also grapples with ice storms in its northern and central regions. The size of Texas is part of the problem—its sprawling energy infrastructure was not originally built to handle deep freezes. The February 2021 winter storm was a stark example, as widespread power failures shook the state for days. Although more of a broad freeze event than a classic ice storm, it highlighted the vulnerabilities to icy conditions.

Arkansas

Positioned just north of the Gulf, Arkansas often experiences heavy ice accumulations when moist southern air meets cold fronts. Its landscape, with vast wooded areas, compounds the problem: once limbs buckle under the weight of ice, they bring down power lines. The 2009 ice storm remains a key example, leaving nearly 400,000 residents without electricity for weeks.

Kentucky

Kentucky’s rolling hills and valleys trap cold air, leading to frequent freezing rain scenarios. Like Arkansas, the state’s dense forests increase the likelihood of significant infrastructural damage. In 2009, the same system that pummeled Arkansas crushed western and central Kentucky, leaving over 600,000 without power—some for an extended period.

Missouri

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, Missouri endures icy blasts that can target both urban centers and rural districts. The 2007 ice storm remains infamous, especially in the southwest portion of the state, for causing multi-day power outages and stranded families.

North Carolina

Cold-air damming along the eastern slopes of the Appalachian Mountains sets the stage for significant icing events. The Piedmont region, in particular, experiences these glaze-producing storms. The December 2002 ice storm is still remembered for leaving more than 1.3 million people without power.

Tennessee

Tennessee’s varied topography, from the Mississippi Delta in the west to mountainous regions in the east, can trap cold air. The February 1994 ice storm devastated the western part of the state, leaving tens of thousands without power in frigid conditions.

Virginia

Like North Carolina, Virginia is no stranger to cold-air damming. Past events such as the 1998 and 2014 ice storms paralyzed parts of the state, snapping overhead lines and littering roads with fallen branches.

West Virginia

Thanks to its rugged mountains, West Virginia often experiences temperature inversions that generate freezing rain at specific elevations. Rural areas can find themselves cut off during these storms, prolonging power restoration times.

Kansas

Much like Oklahoma, Kansas lies in a zone where Gulf moisture occasionally clashes with Arctic air. Ice storms in 2005 and 2007 left tens of thousands in the dark as distribution lines snapped under the weight.

Georgia

Although the Peach State is associated with milder winters, it occasionally faces severe icing, especially in northern counties. The infamous 2014 “Snowpocalypse” included significant icing in the Atlanta metro region, wreaking havoc on roads and power lines.

Ohio

Ohio frequently deals with winter storms that mix snow, sleet, and freezing rain. When these storms turn to ice, the fallout can be extensive. Southwestern Ohio’s 2005 ice storm left more than 300,000 households without power.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania often sees freezing rain develop during cold snaps or coastal storms due to its diverse geography—ranging from Appalachian highlands to lower-lying valleys. A 2005 winter storm demonstrated this vulnerability, cutting power to over half a million people.

New York

Upstate New York is particularly susceptible to ice storms tied to lake-effect precipitation and Arctic fronts. The catastrophic 1998 North American Ice Storm devastated northern New York, causing weeks of disruptions.

Maine

Northern New England is no stranger to nor’easters. Maine’s dense forests and rural utilities make it highly susceptible to prolonged blackouts when an ice storm strikes. In 1998, parts of Maine endured up to three weeks without power.

 

Why Exact Rankings Remain Challenging

Pinning down an absolute hierarchy of ice storm-induced blackouts is difficult. Official data often clumps ice storms together with other winter events. Moreover, infrastructure can vary widely from state to state.

Even within a single state, a localized ice storm might devastate a concentrated region, while a broader, lighter icing event affects more people overall. Population density also factors in: Texas or Ohio can rack up higher outage numbers simply due to the millions of residents in potential harm’s way.

 

Reducing Future Outages

Many of these states have learned valuable lessons from prior ice storm disasters. Vegetation management has improved, with utility companies more aggressively trimming trees away from power lines.

In some areas, crews install stronger poles, bury critical lines, or fortify substations against extreme conditions. Even so, ice storms remain among the most formidable weather events. Their silent, slippery assault on infrastructure leaves entire communities vulnerable when the power grid goes down.

The bottom line is that ice storms are a recurring threat each winter for states in the Mid-South, along the Appalachians, and even those in northern New England.

Preparedness… both by utility companies and the public… is key. Watching the forecast, stocking emergency supplies, having a source of backup electricity and having a family communication plan can make all the difference when the next freezing rain event arrives.