When ice storms coat power lines, high winds can lead to lines that bounce and buck around. While rare, this movement is known as galloping lines.
Power lines are designed to sway, but if a wire is weighted down with ice and is pushed around from wind, it could move close to a grounded component or an energized conductor and a short will occur.
Galloping lines are a dangerous situation as power lines can touch 1 another or break and fall to the ground while energized.
Another safety concern is the ice that can form on the lines. Ice can form around power lines in a teardrop shape. This shape acts like a wing, causing the line to gain lift and rise with winds. With high winds, the ice could break off, causing unsafe conditions on the ground.
If you see power lines moving around forcefully, stay away and call the police or your cooperative.