Two ice storms define the modern era in Arkansas. The December 2000 storms coated southwest and central Arkansas, including Texarkana and Arkadelphia, and left hundreds of thousands without power. In late January 2009 another storm buried northern and northwest Arkansas under thick ice, snapping hardwoods across Benton, Washington, Madison and Fulton counties and leaving some rural areas without power for weeks. The February 2021 cold wave followed with days of subfreezing temperatures and widespread burst pipes.
What an ice storm claim usually includes
- Tree and limb impacts. Roof decking, rafters, gutters, fascia and siding damaged by falling limbs.
- Ice load on the structure. Gutters torn loose, porch roofs and carports sagging, and in rare cases framing failure.
- Ice dams. Meltwater backing up under shingles and into ceilings, especially on low-slope sections.
- Frozen and burst pipes. Supply lines in crawl spaces, exterior walls and unheated garages.
- Debris removal. Removing fallen trees from the structure, often subject to per-tree and per-event limits.
- Food spoilage. Some policies include a small amount for food lost during extended outages.
Pricing after a regional event
After a widespread storm, demand for tree crews, roofers and plumbers spikes. Estimates written from standard price lists may not reflect what it actually costs to get the work done in the weeks after the storm. We document local market conditions so the panel sees them.
See the load for yourself
Our ice load limb calculator shows how much weight a coating of ice adds to a branch, a quick way to understand why healthy trees fail in these storms.
Frequently asked questions
Is ice dam damage covered?
Many policies cover sudden water damage from ice dams but not the cost of removing ice itself. Wording varies, so check your policy.
A healthy tree fell during the ice storm. Will the policy pay?
If it damaged a covered structure, the structural damage is generally covered, with limited coverage for removal. Trees that fell in the yard may have little or no coverage.
Are frozen pipes covered if I was away?
Many policies require you to maintain heat or drain the system when the home is unoccupied. Read the freezing exclusion carefully.
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