Winter Storm Fern:

Mid-Storm Information

Photo: Animal Park at the Conservators Center

As the current winter storm system continues to move through and conditions begin to stabilize in many areas, ZDR3 remains attentive and engaged in monitoring post-storm impacts and emerging needs. At this time, no post-storm requests for support have been submitted to ZDR3. However, we remain activated and ready, should conditions change in the coming days.

We encourage you to review Cold Weather & Ice Preparedness Considerations for Zoological Facilities, which brings together peer-based, field-tested strategies for staff safety, animal welfare, and facility operations. Thank you to our Northern colleagues for sharing their wisdom!

Here is our most recent graphic and map, which reflect areas of potential impact and help guide our outreach and coordination efforts.

Screenshot from Baron Weather’s proprietary forecast model showing predicted snow and freezing rain accumulation by Tuesday, 1/27/26. Red markers = ZDR3 Network facilities. Blue shading = snow accumulation. Pink shading = freezing rain accumulation. In some areas, heavy snow may also appear pink due to the way the model visualizes mixed or high-impact precipitation; pink does not automatically mean ice in those zone. This is intended as a supplemental situational awareness tool, not a standalone planning source.

We would like to extend sincere thanks to the teams who have already indicated a willingness to deploy if needed. Although there are currently no requests for assistance, winter storms often generate needs in the days following the initial event as facilities assess impacts, power stability, access, and staffing. Your readiness and professionalism are deeply appreciated.

As always, if your facility has questions, concerns, or would benefit from peer connection, please contact us at responsesupport@zdr3.org. Our team is here to support you.

The ZDR3 core team is currently:

• Monitoring storm progression and forecast updates
• Reviewing facility locations in projected impact areas
• Preparing to support remote coordination if conditions change
• Ensuring internal readiness for information sharing and response support

In parallel, ZDR3 is participating in coordinated calls with broader emergency management partners. These conversations allow us to:

• Identify and source resources outside the ZDR3 Network when possible, helping reduce the burden on facilities and response teams
• Maintain situational awareness at a regional and national level
• Ensure that zoological facilities and animal care considerations are represented in larger-scale disaster response discussions

This coordination strengthens our operational readiness and helps ensure that our industry has a voice in larger-scale response planning.

We are Stronger Together