{"id":38913,"date":"2026-05-27T11:46:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/?p=38913"},"modified":"2026-05-27T11:46:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:46:09","slug":"weathering-ice-storms-evaluating-overhead-vs-underground-power-for-mission-critical-facilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/knowledge-hub\/weathering-ice-storms-evaluating-overhead-vs-underground-power-for-mission-critical-facilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Weathering Ice Storms: Evaluating Overhead vs. Underground Power for Mission-Critical Facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"vyLightbox\"><\/div>\n<p>Extreme winter weather, from ice storms to blizzards, can result in power interruptions and instability, especially when it comes to mission-critical facilities. For example, in 2020, a severe ice storm inflicted widespread outages and grid failures in Texas, and more recently in early 2026, Winter Storm Fern left more than a million Americans in the dark.<\/p>\n<p>While it takes time to restore power and rebuild infrastructure following any severe weather event, ice storms can be particularly time-consuming for field crews. For example, the weight of ice on tree limbs can cause vegetation to crash onto power lines, leading to outages. As the trees continue to fall, line workers may need to repair or replace power lines more than once, extending the restoration time.<\/p>\n<p>When wind blows over the ice-coated power lines, it can create an effect called galloping, which can strain conductors to their breaking point. In the wake of a winter storm, ice can form a wing-like shape on one side of the conductor. Combining the asymmetrical ice accumulation with perpendicular strong winds can create a low-frequency, high-amplitude oscillation of the power line, resulting in power outages and infrastructure damage.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Galloping Power Lines\u2014Redonda Street, Winnipeg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ko4goyw1Q84?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.polywater.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Impact of Outages<\/h2>\n<p>When ice storms freeze over a utility\u2019s service territory, power to customers is typically disrupted. For data centers, even short disturbances can trigger major operational impacts, said Joe Murphy, director of business development for W. Bradley, LLC., a Novato, Calif.-based contractor specializing in data centers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese impacts can include transfers to backup systems, stress on UPS (uninterrupted power supplies) and batteries, and increased risk if outages are prolonged,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen restoration timelines extend, it becomes a fuel, maintenance, and continuity challenge. That directly affects uptime, service level agreements, and customer confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38926\" src=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Linemen-work-on-downed-power-lines-after-an-ice-storm-1000x500p.png\" alt=\"A lineman in an orange bucket truck repairs power lines that were affected by an ice storm. An orange sign in the foreground says &quot;work area ahead&quot;.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Linemen-work-on-downed-power-lines-after-an-ice-storm-1000x500p.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Linemen-work-on-downed-power-lines-after-an-ice-storm-1000x500p-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Linemen-work-on-downed-power-lines-after-an-ice-storm-1000x500p-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Going Underground<\/h2>\n<p>To keep the power flowing for their mission-critical operations, some data centers are opting to bury their power infrastructure underground, which offers several key benefits, Murphy said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUndergrounding reduces exposure to common overhead risks like wind, ice, and debris,\u201d he said. \u201cFor mission-critical facilities, it can provide a more protected and stable service entrance, particularly in high-risk weather regions. In many cases, a hybrid approach of strategically undergrounding key segments delivers the best balance of resilience and cost.\u201d<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border: 3px solid #273A80; background-color: #69c3e8; margin: 15px 0px 15px 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 20px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/knowledge-hub\/five-most-cited-advantages-of-duct-installed-power-cable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Related Content: <\/strong>Five Most Cited Advantages of Duct Installed Power Cable<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Like anything related to construction, however, undergrounding distribution power lines is not without its downside. Murphy said undergrounding can shift the risk profile.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey can be vulnerable to flooding, harder to access, and more complex to repair,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are also thermal and capacity considerations. Successful underground design requires coordination across civil, electrical, and drainage systems to ensure long-term reliability.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Preventing Outages in Winter Weather<\/h2>\n<p>The ability to prevent outages begins at the planning and design stages. Any opportunity to minimize or eliminate splices and underground structures in system design can limit potential vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border: 3px solid #273A80; background-color: #69c3e8; margin: 15px 0px 15px 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 20px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/knowledge-hub\/planning-underground-cable-in-conduit-pulls-defining-a-safety-factor-to-maximize-cable-lifespan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Related Content: <\/strong>Planning Underground Cable in Conduit Pull Defining a Safety Factor to Maximize Cable Lifespan<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Engineers and planners can safeguard facilities and equipment by designing underground systems that maximize the ability to install longer lengths of cable. Planning teams can leverage the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/pull-planner\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Polywater\u00ae Pull-Planner\u00ae software<\/a> to model cable runs that safely accommodate longer cable lengths and eliminate the need for splices or underground structures.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37368\" src=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Over-shoulder-of-Wade-and-workers-in-front-of-Pull-Planner-Laptop-900p.png\" alt=\"Workers in hard hats and green safety vests look at a lap top displaying the Polywater Pull-Planner on the back of their work truck.\" width=\"900\" height=\"505\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Over-shoulder-of-Wade-and-workers-in-front-of-Pull-Planner-Laptop-900p.png 900w, https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Over-shoulder-of-Wade-and-workers-in-front-of-Pull-Planner-Laptop-900p-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Over-shoulder-of-Wade-and-workers-in-front-of-Pull-Planner-Laptop-900p-768x431.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Beyond undergrounding, mission-critical facilities can leverage other best practices to quickly and easily boost the resiliency of their electrical system. To shield electrical equipment from moisture and extreme temperatures, they can apply sealants designed to create air-, gas-, and water-tight seals.<\/p>\n<p>Murphy said his electrical team focuses on winterizing critical equipment and protecting generators, batteries, and exposed systems from temperature and moisture. Beyond that, increased monitoring is key.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSensors for temperature, moisture, and system performance allow operators to identify issues early and respond before they escalate into outages,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Utilities are also taking a portfolio approach combining system hardening, improved materials, better sealing and splicing, redundancy, and predictive maintenance. One of the most important factors, however, is coordination.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen utilities, engineers, and contractors align early, you build resilience into the system, not just the components,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border: 3px solid #273A80; background-color: #69c3e8; margin: 15px 0px 15px 0px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 20px; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/knowledge-hub\/engineers-identify-collaboration-as-the-key-to-successful-cable-installation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Related Content: <\/strong>Engineers Identify Collaboration as the Key to Successful Cable Installation<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>By undergrounding critical sections of the power distribution system, leveraging planning software, and applying sealants, contractors and engineers can keep the power flowing to maximize uptime and reliability for mission-critical facilities.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/en\/products\/adhesives-sealants\/?industry=adhesive-sealants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-38933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Knowledge-hub-mission-critical-sealing-solutions-banner-1000p.png\" alt=\"Banner that shows Polywater's sealants. the banner says, &quot;How can you help your mission-critical client safeguard their systems?&quot;\" width=\"1023\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Knowledge-hub-mission-critical-sealing-solutions-banner-1000p.png 1023w, https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Knowledge-hub-mission-critical-sealing-solutions-banner-1000p-300x62.png 300w, https:\/\/www.polywater.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Knowledge-hub-mission-critical-sealing-solutions-banner-1000p-768x158.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 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to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":38926,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2992,2982,2984,3013,2987,2988,2989,2993,2991,2994,2997,2998,3000,3022,3004,3006,3008],"tags":[],"industry-type":[2980,2981],"writer":[2965],"class_list":["post-38913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-underground-cabling","category-cable-in-duct-installation","category-cable-pulling","category-cable-blowing","category-friction-management","category-health-safety","category-pull-planning","category-asset-life-extension","category-damage-to-field-assets","category-health-safety-2","category-system-hardening","category-asset-protection","category-duct-sealing","category-conduit-sealing","category-content-type","category-education","category-industry-expertise","industry-type-telecommunications","industry-type-electrical-infrastructure","writer-polywater-de-2"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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