U.S. Department of Agriculture Prepares for Upcoming Bomb Cyclone in the Southeast

(Washington, D.C., January 30, 2026) – In anticipation of a rapidly intensifying winter storm that is expected to develop into a bomb cyclone this weekend, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers, ranchers, families, and small businesses in the Southeast, southern Virginia, and parts of the mid-Atlantic and New England to prepare accordingly. USDA staff across regional, state, and county offices are mobilized to assist communities before, during, and after the storm.

Disaster Resources Available

USDA’s Disaster Resource Center, along with the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, provides users with easy access to vital information on programs aimed at supporting recovery from natural disasters. Residents and farmers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to identify which assistance programs may best suit their needs.

Food Safety Tips

As strong winds and heavy snowfall may result in scattered power outages, the USDA recommends the following food safety measures:

• A refrigerator can maintain food temperatures below 40°F for up to 4 hours during a power outage. A full freezer can keep food cold for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full). Minimize door openings as much as possible.
• Avoid placing perishable items outdoors in the snow. Outside temperatures can fluctuate, and food may come into contact with unsanitary conditions and wildlife.
• Pre-freeze containers of water or make ice in containers outside to help maintain cold temperatures around other food items.
• Freeze items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meats that you don’t need immediately to prolong their safe storage time.
• If a long power outage is anticipated, consider purchasing 50 pounds of dry or block ice to keep an 18-cubic-foot freezer cold for two days.
• Group food items together in the freezer to enhance their ability to stay cold longer.
• Keep several days’ worth of ready-to-eat food that does not require cooking or refrigeration.

For food safety inquiries, contact the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 (Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET) or via email at MPHotline@usda.gov. Meat and poultry businesses can reach out to the FSIS Small Plant Help Desk for assistance that is available online 24/7, by calling 1-877-FSIS-HELP (1-877-374-7435) or emailing InfoSource@usda.gov.

Preparing Pets and Livestock

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) emphasizes the need for individuals in the storm’s path to take precautions:

• Ensure that animals have adequate shelter, dry bedding, and access to unfrozen water.
• If transporting livestock across state lines, please contact the receiving state’s State Veterinarian’s Office for guidelines. APHIS Veterinary Services state offices are also available to assist.
• Adhere strictly to instructions from emergency officials, especially in areas anticipating blizzard conditions or coastal flooding.

Support for Agricultural Producers

USDA has various programs designed to help farmers and ranchers recover from the impacts of winter storms:

Producers with Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage must report losses to their insurance agent or local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office within 72 hours of discovering damage and send a written follow-up within 15 days.

Key programs include:

• Financial and technical assistance through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), especially via the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, beneficial for areas facing flooding or erosion.
• Direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency loans, available to producers unable to secure conventional financing.
• Low-interest emergency loans for producers located in designated disaster areas to facilitate recovery from production and physical losses.
• Loan servicing options for borrowers unable to meet scheduled payments due to uncontrollable circumstances.

These loans can be utilized for replacing property, livestock, equipment, feed, and seed, as well as covering living expenses and refinancing farm-related debts.

Producers can access tools through farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and the Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet to identify relevant recovery programs. For crop insurance claims, contact your insurance agent, or for FSA or NRCS inquiries, reach out to your local USDA Service Center.

Additionally, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service stands ready to collaborate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is prepared to respond to requests for emergency nutrition assistance from states and local authorities.

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