While many may be singing holiday songs this time of year, others are waiting, wondering (and perhaps worrying) about the weather and their organization’s ability to maintain continuity during a disruption.  

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bitter Arctic air and dangerously cold wind chills will soon impact much of the U.S., as will heavy snow, if not blizzard conditions. Portions of the South will receive heavy rain, which could lead to flooding; even Hawaii’s Big Island will see mountain snow and high wind. It’s the “perfect storm,” so to speak, and a clear reminder of the need for a current and actionable continuity of operations plan (COOP).  

COOPs, as explained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Office of Response and Restoration, address emergencies from an all-hazards approach. They provide a road map for individu