WINTER WEATHER ALERT
Sunday, January 25, 2026
American Logistics Aid Network is ACTIVATED for Winter Storm Fern.
SUPPLY CHAIN CONSIDERATIONS
Winter Storm Fern has had significant impacts across the South and Central US. Pre-storm preparations appear to have reduced the storm’s impact, and most networks have been able to accommodate the surge in demand. Effects have also been minimized because the event has primarily occurred on a weekend, limiting operations. However, moving into tomorrow (Monday) concerns increase for employees attempting to return to work. Additionally, because the storm stayed north, it reduced damage to southern areas that are less resilient to the cold and snow. Power outages across the region are likely to increase, remain volatile, and fluctuate. PJM has issued alerts and advisories, and the DOE U.S. issued an emergency order to mitigate blackouts in the Mid-Atlantic.
Last-mile distribution will be a challenge until local and collector roads have been plowed, treated, and/or thawed. ALAN partners report that the FMCSA waiver has been helpful and will continue to be so as operators begin to resume operations as soon as tomorrow.
Moving into the week, key concerns for long-term cascading disruptions include:
- Prolonged subfreezing temperatures in regions with marginal winter hardening
- Ice and snow impeding restoration and transportation
- Workforce fatigue and access across both public and private sectors
- Ice accumulation on overhead distribution networks and impacts to high-voltage transmission
- Simultaneous stress across multiple states, limiting mutual aid
- Impact on natural gas infrastructure during peak demand
Continuity of fuel flows and partial grid functionality are likely to prevent catastrophic failures. At this time, there have been no indications of significant regional or national impacts to:
- Food and bottled water supply
- Refining and distribution capacity for fuel
- Major ports and inland intermodal hubs
Critical Goods Continuity and Support
As initial storm impacts pass and conditions are assessed, there may be information gaps for private-sector supply chain operators. As resource allocation plans for power restoration, road assessment and clearing, and re-entry are being developed, sharing them with supply chain operators can assist them in their service restoration planning. Some helpful considerations are included on this handy one-pager.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ALAN is updating our website frequently with the information, please visit: https://www.alanaid.org/operations/ for the latest, including access to our Supply Chain Intelligence Center and Waiver Tracker map.
To contact ALAN for support or with questions, please use: https://www.alanaid.org/contact/