<p>The winter storm moving through a large swath of the Southeast is bringing snow, ice and fresh produce transportation challenges to the region. More than 70,000 customers in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and the Carolinas were without power early Wednesday in the midst of the winter storm moving through the region. But Georgia is bearing the brunt of the weather, with the 'catastrophic' ice storm leaving more than 80,000 customers in the dark as of this morning, according to CNBC. Emergency planners urged drivers across the state to stay off "deceptively dangerous" roads.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Metro Atlanta, Georgia has been described as a ‘veritable ghost town’ with desolate streets covered with ice. The highways were deserted as freezing rain kept drivers at home. Retailers have seen a wave of shoppers who were scrambling to stock up on supplies before the storm came crashing down.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Johnny White, Director of Sales, Hendrix Produce in Metter, Georgia tells AndNowUKnow, “Fortunately, when we do experience delivery delays that arise out of challenges like this season’s weather, we find receivers are understanding and cooperative, by and large – in part, because many other suppliers and transportation companies are in the same situation.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Whenever possible though, we try to work with the buyer in an effort to load ahead of - or after - expected problematic conditions; that way, we can avoid safety issues on the road and the customer has product delivered within one day of that “ideal” receiving target for that particular order, “ White notes, reflecting, “Of course, winter conditions this year have been over the top for us too – but, it’s just another challenge that you learn to manage, best you can.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>It is a farmers 2nd nature is to keep a close eye on the weather and with modern forecasting methods, companies can usually do a pretty good job working around it, especially regarding transportation.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“Naturally, we try to employ the use of experienced drivers and transportation companies. These drivers can sometimes manage to go through inclement weather and often around it, but sometimes, it’s necessary to stop and wait until conditions improve,” states White.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In Texas, which is also feeling the effects of the winter storm, grower/shippers tell us that there are in fact, a lot of issues with delayed shipments due to inclement weather. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> “We are seeing a decrease in the number of trucks that are able to get back to Texas in a timely manner resulting in reduced overall capacities. Whether your growing, shipping, or just trying to get your kids to school or make it in to the office, mother nature has played havoc with us this winter, it seems even more than usual,” Bret Erickson, President & CEO, Texas International Produce Association, tells AndNowUKnow.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Communication and planning are obviously key, he notes. “Ultimately, it’s important for shippers to communicate with their carriers to provide as much lead time as possible Providing adequate lead time always translates into more timely deliveries. It’s also incredibly important for shippers to be in constant communication with their customers as well.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In general, customers understand some delays are inevitable when dealing with bad weather conditions and just want to be kept in the loop and know that shippers are doing everything they can to get their product delivered as quickly as circumstances permit, Erickson reflects.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Steve Koster, E. Armata at the Hunts Point Market, New York, is already feeling the impact of this recent weather system in the Southeast. “If this storm hits the New York Metro area the way it's forecast, it will definitely stall business. When the roads are covered with snow and ice, deliveries will slow and possibly stop. We're already being impacted as trucks are warning of delays coming from the south and west.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The National Weather Service issued a warning for a potentially "catastrophic event," urging Georgians to "be prepared to be without power in some locations for days and perhaps as long as a week." As the storm moves eastward, the weather system could dump up to 12 inches of snow on New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., on Thursday.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the winter storm challenges of the season.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.cnbc.com/id/101410248" target="_new">CNBC</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.texasproduceassociation.com" target="_new"> Texas International Produce Association</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://hendrixproduce.com/" target="_new">Hendrix Produce</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.earmata.com" target="_new"> E. Armata Inc.</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
