Winter storms forced chicken processor Sanderson Farms Inc. to suspend operations at its Texas, Mississippi and (Hammond) Louisiana processing plants Monday and Tuesday. Four broiler houses in Mississippi were destroyed as a result of collapsed roofs from accumulated ice and snow.

In anticipation of the storm, the company activated its Crisis Management Plan this past weekend. “We were able to operate at least one shift at our Texas; Hammond, La.; and Collins and Laurel, Miss., plants on Saturday,” said Joe Sanderson Jr., chairman and CEO. “We also took steps to secure our assets, provide fuel, feed and support to our independent contract producers in anticipation of extended power outages."

As of this (Feb. 16) morning, out of 1,918 broiler houses in Texas, as many as 200 do not have power and are experiencing generator failure, and another 300 are operating on generator power. Of 87 pullet houses and 194 breeder houses in Texas, seven pullet houses and at least four breeder houses are operating on generator power. In addition, 24 broiler houses have ruptured or frozen water pipes and are without water.

Despite the destroyed broiler houses, "Our hatcheries in Mississippi continue to operate normally, but our processing plants will remain closed today. Conditions in Mississippi have improved this morning, and we expect to be able to resume operations in at least two of our Mississippi locations on Wednesday as well as Hammond."

Winter storm Uri brought bitter cold temperatures, snow and ice, leaving millions without power Monday across the company’s footprint in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The National Weather Service reports extremely cold temperatures as low as minus five degrees are predicted on Tuesday for all Central Texas, and record-breaking cold temperatures continue in Mississippi. In addition, the National Weather Service predicts more snow, ice and extreme cold across Texas on Wednesday and Thursday.