Is Your Supply Chain Ready for the 2025 Hurricane (and Winter) Season?

The 2025 hurricane season is here, and winter isn’t far behind. Between storms, snow, and everything in between, the risk of supply chain disruption is real — and growing.

Whether you're managing a regional distribution center or relying on a 3PL like Kanban Logistics, having a clear plan in place can make the difference between business as usual and costly downtime.

Here’s a look at how we here at Kanban approach supply chain preparedness and warehouse continuity — and how your 3PL partner can prepare your operations for whatever 2025 brings.

Many Risks, One Preparedness Mindset

From June to November, hurricane season dominates the conversation. But in much of the country, winter storms bring just as much disruption in the months that follow. Power outages, road closures, and facility damage can happen in either scenario. That’s why it’s best to think of preparedness as a year-round priority.

A Real-World Approach to Supply Chain Preparedness

When a major storm is on the horizon, we follow a simple but thorough checklist:

• Secure the warehouse: Doors, docks, and loose equipment are all locked down.
• Power backup: Generators are fueled and tested.
• IT systems: Data is backed up and protected for continuity.
• Staff planning: We confirm availability and safety of key personnel.
• Customer communication: We notify our clients of potential delays or plan changes.

Our supply chain preparedness plan is designed to protect product, property, and people.

What a Warehouse Business Continuity Plan Looks Like

At Kanban, our business continuity plan (BCP) includes specific protocols for events like:

• Hurricanes
• Snow and ice storms
• Power outages
• Fires and equipment failures
• Security issues

The plan lays out who does what before, during, and after an emergency — with the goal of minimizing downtime and resuming operations as quickly as possible.

We even conduct post-storm reviews to improve future responses and update our procedures as needed.

What You Should Expect From Your 3PL

Your logistics provider doesn’t need to promise the impossible — just demonstrate that they’re ready. Here are a few questions to ask:

• Do they have a written business continuity plan?
• Is there a clear plan for hurricanes, snowstorms, or power loss?
• How do they protect your inventory – especially temperature-controlled products – during weather events?      
• Will they proactively communicate with you before, during, and after an event?

If the answer is no — or if they hesitate — it may be time to look elsewhere.

How Kanban Prepares for Weather and Keeps Customers Informed

As an ISO-9001-certified 3PL provider, Kanban is required to maintain a detailed BCP. We’ve weathered our share of storms in Eastern North Carolina, and we’ve built our processes accordingly. Our customers appreciate that we’re proactive, responsive, and transparent when challenges arise.

Whether you’re preparing for hurricane season or looking ahead to potential winter shutdowns, Kanban is ready to help keep your supply chain moving.

Need help reviewing your supply chain risk plan?

Let’s talk. We’re happy to share our approach and help you assess potential gaps in your current strategy.

Contact Kanban Logistics today to learn how we can help your business stay resilient through every season.