Operational Resilience

Winter Storm Blair brought heavy snow and freezing conditions across the central plains and mid-Atlantic regions, causing power outages, transportation challenges, and disruptions to water utilities, including a boil water advisory in Richmond, KY. As another winter storm is expected to bring snow and ice across the southern U.S., WaterISAC is providing resources to help utilities enhance resilience.

Key lessons from past events, such as Winter Storm Uri in Texas, highlight the importance of preparation. For example, Austin Water insulated pipes, improved power resilience by building substations, and stocked winter supplies to avoid future disruptions.

To support preparedness, the EPA offers an Incident Action Checklist for extreme cold and winter storms, detailing steps for preparation, response, and recovery. NOAA provides nine open-source weather forecasting tools, and FEMA shares additional resources for winter hazard preparation. Utilities are encouraged to leverage these tools and resources to mitigate risks and ensure operational continuity during severe weather.

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