Winter Storm Logistics Readiness Test

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Oh the weather outside is frightful, which is why it feels like the perfect time to brrrrrrrr-ing you this newly updated installment in ALAN’s “Test Your Disaster Readiness” series.  

So put on your thinking caps, get your keyboards and phones ready – and let us “snow” how your winter storm logistics preparedness measures up. 

1. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average cost of a winter storm exceeds $4 billion per event thanks in part to impacts like business interruptions, physical damage to buildings and infrastructure, and the price of relief efforts. Which region of the United States is most likely to experience these costs?

A. The Northeast
B. The Southwest
C. The Midwest
D. The Northwest

A. The Northeast

Not surprisingly, the greatest numbers of highly destructive winter storms occur in the U.S. Northeast.  However winter storms and other forms of dangerous winter weather can and do occur in almost every region of the United States. So don’t assume that they can’t happen in your area – or impact your organization – just because you’re located someplace relatively warm. Prepare now and prepare well.

2. Which of the following is NOT a common logistics/supply chain challenge that’s associated with a winter storm?

A. Potential delivery delays
B. Higher transportation prices
C. Lower trucking prices
D. Trucking shortages
E. Potential inventory damage or loss

C. Lower trucking prices

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that winter weather is responsible for a significant percentage of the trucking industry’s transportation delays. But did you know that weather-related events also result in trucking companies losing millions of the operational hours they need to deliver their clients’ goods, that it’s not unusual for carriers to suspend service in select areas during extreme weather winter, or that driver willingness to carry loads that travel to or through certain winter-storm prone areas often drops right along with the temperature?  Not only does this temporarily reduce the number of trucks that are available, it also drives up the rates that trucking companies charge.  And that can wreak havoc with everything from your transportation budget to your supply chain reliability.

3. What percentage of our country’s roads are located in snowy regions (aka those that are likely to receive more than five inches of snow per year?)

A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 50%
D. 70%
E. 95%

D. 70%

Nearly three quarters of the nation’s roads are located in snowy regions, according to the Federal Highway Administration. This makes it especially likely that a winter storm could impact one or more of your operations – and create supply chain delays – so make sure you factor in that possibility in your winter supply chain plans. 

4. True or false: Trucks’ fuel efficiency increases when temperatures drop.

False

False. Trucks burn more fuel during winter storms (and winter itself) because of the increased possibility of headwinds and crosswinds, the need to switch to less fuel-efficient winter diesel fuel blends, and a loss of 1% in fuel efficiency for every 10-degree drop in temperature.  These costs will be passed along to your organization in the form of higher fuel surcharges, so you’ll probably want to build some extra funding into your transportation budget to account for it.

5. Which of the following factors can also increase your organization’s trucking costs during a winter storm?

A. Vehicles’ freeze protection services
B. Tarp or chain-up fees
C. Hazard pay for drivers
D. The need to pay for expedited freight
E. All of the above

E. All of the above

By now, you’ve probably figured out that ice and snow aren’t the only things that have the potential to pile up during a winter storm.  So can your supply chain expenses.  But thankfully not all of these additional expenses are a fait accompli, as some of the remaining questions on this test will show.

6. True or False: Your warehouse is a strategic tool that can help your organization offset some of a winter storm’s worst logistics symptoms.

True

True.  Many organizations find it helpful to increase the safety stock in their warehouses during the winter storm season. Among other things, this reduces the likelihood that they’ll run out of supplies if deliveries are delayed.  Plus it means they can get their goods transported at more reasonable “blue sky” rates rather than the higher rates that carriers usually charge directly before, during and after winter storms. 

7. True or False: There’s no effective way to help prevent or offset the effects of winter storm-related delivery delays.

False

There’s almost always something that organizations like yours can do to improve your supply chain performance and efficiency, even during the worst of times. These options range from using supply chain visibility tools and prepositioning supplies at your client-facing locations to using route optimization tools, running supply chain simulations or investing in additional material handling equipment.  Working with reputable 3PLs or consultants can also help – as can tapping into the free expertise of communities like ALAN’s Non-Profit Partners’ group. 

8. Which of the following offers free resources for monitoring winter storms or their supply chain impacts?

A. The National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NOAA Severe Storms Laboratory
B. Your local National Weather Service forecast
C. Weather alerts from the FEMA app
D. ALAN’s Supply Chain Intelligence Center
E. All of the above

E. All of the above

When it comes to logistics, knowledge and visibility are worth their weight in gold. If any of your operations are located anywhere near a winter storm’s path, NOAA and your local National Weather Service forecast are great resources for storm predictions, advisories and updates, while the NOAA Severe Storms Laboratory features a range of good resources for preparing for and preventing injuries that might result from winter storms.  Additionally, the FEMA app allows you to sign up for weather alerts for as many as five locations nationwide, while ALAN’s Supply Chain Intelligence Center offers detailed real-time updates about winter storms’ effects on roadways, ports, and airports.  Make plans to use one or more of them this winter season, and let us know what else we can do to help you and your nonprofit become more Logistics Ready.

9. True or False: ALAN is available to assist nonprofits like yours before, during and after winter storms or other winter weather- related disasters

True

We’re here to help connect nonprofits with everything from donated trucking, warehousing material handling equipment and supply chain expertise. (And that’s not all). And we can help businesses, government agencies, and non-profits better understand the impacts disasters have on supply chains. To request any of these things, go to our Request Support Page and fill out one of our short online request forms. We’ll do our best to get back to you within 24 hours. 

10. Fill in the blank: It’s a good idea to have your local and state ______ on speed dial during winter storm season.

A. Hot dog vendor
B. Coal provider
C. Emergency management agency
D. Gossip columnist
E. Uber Eats driver

D. Emergency management agency

This question comes to you courtesy of our Director of Resilience, John Holdsworth, who hails from an emergency management background.  According to him, a strong relationship with local and state emergency management officials is hugely helpful for any organization that wants to be better-prepared for challenging weather issues because when a crisis hits, you don’t want the first time you speak with local emergency managers or authorities to be during a 911 call. Having that bridge already built means you’re not just guessing what the responders might do.  Instead, you have a conduit for information, resource coordination and unified communication.   

Bonus: Which of the following additional government or non-profit organizations is NOT available to help provide nonprofits with critical information, support and/or supply chain assistance in the event of a disastrous winter storm?

A. PSEMA
B. National VOAD
C. Airlink
D. LIFT Non-Profit Logistics

That was a trick question.

Winter, spring, summer or fall, all of these organizations will be there to  provide you with great connections, information, donated transportation and other resources you might need to protect your supply chain from the worst effects of a winter storm – usually free of charge. Check them out when you have a chance. 

How did you score? Was it harder than anticipated? If you have any questions, reach out to us today. Our team would be happy to pass along additional winter weather preparedness information. 

Thanks for playing – and stay safe this winter!

Read this next