Protecting Your Small Business from Winter Storm Fern

A powerful winter storm—now forecast to impact millions across the South, Southeast, and East Coast—is bearing down on states from Texas and the Plains through Tennessee, the Carolinas, Virginia, and into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, dangerously cold temperatures, and widespread ice accumulation are expected from this weekend into early next week. Officials warn that tree limbs and power lines could come down under the weight of ice, leading to extended outages and hazardous travel conditions. (FOX Weather)

This imminent weather event—variously described by forecasters as potentially catastrophic due to its breadth and severity—makes winter business preparedness more than just prudent: it is essential. (Reuters)

Why Small Businesses Should Act Now

Severe winter storms can quickly disrupt:

• Electricity and heat (power outages are widespread risks)

• Communications systems

• Transportation and deliveries

• Accessibility for employees and customers

• Supply chains and vendor fulfillment

• Building systems (pipes, HVAC, equipment)

These disruptions not only delay operations but can threaten safety and revenue. Preparing in advance transforms reactive scrambling into controlled continuity planning.

Updated Action Steps Before Winter Storm Fern Hits

Review and Update Your Winter Hazard Plan

If you already have a disaster plan, now is the time to revisit it—adjust timelines, clarify responsibilities, and communicate updates with staff.

Insurance

• Review your current business interruption, equipment damage, freeze/flood protection, and loss-of-use coverage.

• Confirm limits and exclusions so you understand what’s covered before a loss occurs.

Facilities & Equipment

• Seal gaps and insulate exposed pipes and systems to prevent freeze damage.

• Elevate inventory and sensitive equipment off floors.

• Test and service generators; top off fuel supplies and ensure transfer switches are operational.

Emergency Supplies

• Stock rock salt, sand or kitty litter, snow shovels, flashlights, batteries, fuel stabilizers, and chargers.

• Prepare at least a 72-hour self-sustain plan for staff who may have to shelter on-site.

Communications & Contacts

• Update off-site contact lists (employees, vendors, clients).

• Identify alternate communication channels if cell/landline service fails.

Remote Access

• Ensure someone can update your website, social channels, and automated phone messages to inform customers about closures or delays.

Understand the Immediate Risks in Your Area

Forecasters are highlighting ice and freezing rain as a major hazard across Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Virginia this weekend, with snow accumulation extending northward as the storm progresses. — This means businesses may face days of immobilized roads and prolonged outages—not just isolated disruptions. (FOX Weather)

Major airlines have already issued travel waivers across the storm’s projected path due to expected delays and cancellations. (Reuters)

During the Storm: Safety and Operations

Once impacts begin:

• Implement your emergency plan.

• Keep employees informed and safe; minimize travel.

• Maintain clear walkways and entryways as conditions permit.

• Assign a person to monitor interior temperatures to prevent frozen pipes.

• Conserve fuel and check emergency equipment regularly.

• Avoid overloading circuits with temporary heat sources—or you risk fire hazards.

Common Planning Mistakes to Avoid

Many businesses remain vulnerable because they:

• Wait until the storm is imminent to prepare.

• Assume local conditions won’t be severe because they are not in “typical snow country.”

• Overlook ice as a threat (ice can damage infrastructure more than snow in southern regions).

• Fail to coordinate with community partners—power providers, transportation systems, and suppliers.

• Do not test backups (generators, communication systems) until it’s too late.

• Assume that everything will get back to normal very quickly.

Strong winter resilience depends not just on individual businesses but on community infrastructure and continuity.

A Personal Lesson in Community Interdependence

One Albemarle County business owner that I know, prepared meticulously for a major storm—he had employee emergency contacts ready, moved inventory off the floor, protected equipment, and fortified vehicles and facilities. However, what he didn’t anticipate were the external community factors: blocked roads, employees unable to reach work due to school closures or sick family members, and debris causing delays even after the storm subsided.

The key takeaway? Your continuity planning must consider the community ecosystem—from access routes to dependent services—because your business cannot operate in a vacuum.

Bottom Line

With a major winter storm approaching that carries the potential for widespread snow, ice, and extended outages from the South into the East, now is the time to:

• Recheck your preparedness plan

• Communicate clearly with your team

• Protect physical assets

• Prepare for multi-day disruptions

Winter weather doesn’t wait. Advance planning does more than reduce risk—it safeguards your operation, your people, and your role in the community.