Weathering the storm: How Lineage helped protect $350K in inventory during a storm
August 25, 2025
Case Study Snapshot
Challenges addressed
- Widespread power outage caused by extreme weather
- Fresh and frozen inventory at risk ahead of store opening
- Urgent need for cold storage and transport coordination
- Time-sensitive retail launch with no margin for delay
Overview
Just two weeks before their flagship U.S. grand opening, a Canadian grocer was hit by a fast-developing bomb cyclone that cut power across the region. With refrigeration down and opening day on the line, they turned to Lineage for rapid response.
Sometimes, the biggest threats to the food supply chain have nothing to do with logistics.
A Canadian-based specialty grocer was just two weeks away from launching its first U.S. flagship store. Their team had spent months preparing for the grand opening. Then, just as final preparations were wrapping up and the big day was in sight, a powerful storm hit the Pacific Northwest. The surprise storm knocked out power across the region, including at the brand-new store.
Food was at risk. So was the opening.
Bomb cyclone cuts power and puts food at risk
On November 18, 2024, a powerful bomb cyclone swept across the Pacific Northwest; the first of two major storm systems to hit the region. The storm rapidly grew in strength over a 24-hour period. It wreaked havoc on the region with intense winds, heavy rain and widespread power outages.
More than 650,000 residents and businesses lost power, including our customer’s new retail location. The store’s refrigeration systems were compromised, putting temperature-sensitive food products at risk.
With the grand opening just two weeks away, the timeline to respond had narrowed. The customer needed a recovery plan, and fast.
A customer request sparked a rapid response
By 10:30 PM the following night, the customer contacted Lineage for support.
Power had not yet returned, and their fresh and frozen inventory was at risk. They needed a plan to protect the food before it was too late.
Our recommendation was clear: move everything to one of our nearby temperature-controlled facilities. With refrigeration offline, the window to act was closing quickly. Holding perishable goods on-site any longer wasn’t an option.
Lineage moved quickly to put the plan in motion.
“To Lineage, customer care is more than just a commitment; it’s a promise. When disruptions occur, our team goes above and beyond to protect our customers’ products and maintain the continuity of their supply chains.”
— Devin Williams, Business Development Director
10+ truckloads moved to cold storage in 36 hours
At 3:00 AM on November 20, a Lineage truck pulled up to the store.
Our transportation team had already lined up drivers and equipment. Over 36 hours, Lineage teams moved more than 10 truckloads of fresh and frozen food out of the store and safely into cold storage. Every load was handled with care and kept at the right temperature.
There wasn’t time to wait, so we got to work.
Here’s how Lineage responded:
Cold storage on standby
Transportation coordination
A rapid return plan
Grand opening preserved. $350K in product saved.
By December 5, the grand opening went ahead as planned. No delays. No headlines about spoiled food.
In total, more than $350,000 worth of inventory was protected and recovered. That’s what speed and flexibility look like with the right cold chain partner.
Why Lineage made the difference during the disruption
Responding to a situation like this isn’t just about reacting, it’s about being built to handle what comes next.
No one could predict the storm. But because of the size of our network and our integrated solutions, we were ready to move the moment the call came in. Cold storage, transportation, communication; each piece worked together without hesitation.
The customer didn’t need to call around for separate services from different vendors. They needed one partner that could connect the dots and act fast. That’s what Lineage is built to do.
When the unexpected hits, Lineage has your back
Storms don’t wait for the right time to strike, and you can’t always predict a disaster. But you can work with people who are ready for the unexpected.
At Lineage, that’s what we do. We plan for the unpredictable to help customers stay ahead, even when everything changes overnight.
