Milwaukee, WI – Wisconsin emergency officials are urging residents to begin preparing today for potential ice storms this winter, stressing that freezing rain often causes far more disruption than snowfall. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), ice accumulation can snap trees, bring down powerlines, and create dangerous travel conditions across both urban and rural parts of the state.
According to NOAA, even a thin glaze of ice can overload weakened branches and make major routes—including I-94, I-41, I-43, and Highway 45—hazardous or impassable. Wisconsin’s mix of forested suburbs, rural stretches, and dense commuter corridors increases vulnerability when freezing rain develops. With temperatures fluctuating this week, emergency managers say today is the ideal time to complete winter readiness steps.
According to the National Weather Service, residents should begin by trimming weak or damaged branches near homes, driveways, and sidewalks. These limbs are typically the first to fall once ice builds up. NOAA also warns drivers not to raise windshield wipers before storms, as wipers can freeze to the glass and break; it’s safer to keep them lowered and covered.
Officials recommend families keep at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food, bottled water, and essential prescriptions. Ice storms can trigger prolonged outages and block roads throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, and surrounding counties. Residents are also urged not to park vehicles beneath trees, where ice-coated branches may fall without warning.
To prepare for potential power loss, emergency managers advise fully charging phones, flashlights, power banks, and essential devices today. Homeowners who rely on generators should safely store extra gasoline and run a test to ensure equipment works properly. Stocking rock salt or ice melt can also help reduce slip hazards around entrances and walkways.
“Ice storms can cause serious disruption across Wisconsin,” the NWS said. “Preparing today is the best way to stay safe this winter.”
