Winter Storm Fern, 2026: Footprint Project Response
As the first major storm of 2026, Winter Storm Fern has kept us busy here at Footprint Project! We hope that everyone who has been impacted by the ice, snow and cold temperatures stays safe and has received help as soon as possible.
This is how we’ve been responding to Winter Storm Fern:
Starting on January 22, we sent surge staff to our Appalachia hub to open a battery library for first response partners. Buncombe County Emergency Management and Black Mountain Fire Department picked up portable power resources ahead of the storm.
We activated our tech team during the weekend of January 24 to provide remote technical support for mobile microgrid assets. These assets are already in service with resilience clients across the storm affected region to assist in the case of temporary or prolonged power outages. Keeping assets like solar trailers, solar generators, solar panels and battery libraries strategically placed in vulnerable areas is a big part of our long-term resilience and Beehive Microgrid goals.
Our network of equipment and partners across vulnerable regions is a huge lifeline! We have been liaising with response partners across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and North Carolina to matchmake appropriate technology with power outage response needs. These vital connections help us make sure the right equipment goes to those who need it most.
Our mobile microgrid fleet has been available to first, second, and community responders at no cost for the duration of the outage. Please note: we are not accepting individual assistance requests related to Winter Storm Fern at this time due to capacity constraints. You can find out more about how we assess, deploy, set up and troubleshoot during events like this on our Rapid Disaster Response page.
Our team drove out to East Carroll Parish in the Mississippi Delta of Louisiana on January 27 to deliver our Albertha solar trailer to power a warming station. This northeast section of Louisiana was hit particularly hard by ice storms, downed trees and power outages. Based on survey results from Together New Orleans, we have also delivered portable battery units to power 11 emergency medical devices in the area.
Working together with solar installer Solar Alternatives, we will bring an additional solar trailer to power a second warming center in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. As of January 28, this area is still experiencing over 80% power outage. For an area not accustomed to such frigid temperatures, centers like these can provide much-needed comfort.
