Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery - ZDR3 USA

10/10/2026

We are so happy for the staff and animals at ZooWorld Panama City Beach!

They were among the facilities we were most concerned about when Hurricane Isaias was heading towards them. The staff at ZooWorld has been among the most supportive ZDR3 Network facilities. They provide us critical support in the region, including fielding response teams, and providing lodging, logistics, and material resources.

We love the photos ZooWorld posted. If you haven’t seen their previous post (see comments for a link), the flamingos their zookeepers are carrying back to their habitat rode out the storm in a hardened structure. Relocating animals to safer locations in a facility in advance of a storm is often the best way to protect them.

We are Stronger Together

10/10/2026

Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, FL at approximately 8:30 PM CT on Friday, Oct. 9th, as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. After reaching Cat 3 strength earlier in the day, Isaias encountered increasing wind shear as it moved inland, disrupting its circulation. This contributed to a rapid weakening, and complete disruption of the backside of the storm’s circulation. We will continue to closely monitor the system as it continues northward.

We have been relieved to learn that everyone we have been in touch with is reporting that their damage is minimal and manageable. Our staff will be returning to base today, but we have excellent response teams in the region ready to deploy, if needed.

Thanks to all of the response teams that have been on standby! You are what makes us stronger together!

10/10/2026

To read about our national storm watch in the latest ZDR3 Update, see the link in comments or in Linktree in our About section.

We are Stronger Together

10/09/2026

ZDR3 Executive Director Julia Wilder, and Logistics Manager Melanie Messer finished loading Cassie, our East Coast deployment truck, before sunrise this morning. They’re headed to Alabama to pre-position before Hurricane Isaias makes landfall.

Since they are based in North Carolina, and are concerned about the impact this storm may have on facilities near the Gulf Coast, they started rolling today to cut hours off potential response time. They are outfitted to provide on-scene support as Needs Assessors and On-Scene Liaisons, with a focus on establishing communications, supporting leadership and personnel at impacted facilities in identifying needs, and setting up incident bases for incoming teams.

If you need assistance, call/text (304) 933-9373 (ZDR3). This is not a replacement for 911/emergency services. Requests for assistance must come from a Director, owner, or their designee. Please also text or email details to [email protected] to help more accurately assess your situation and needs. Be sure to also contact appropriate response and/or oversight agencies.

We are Stronger Together

10/08/2026

After reaching hurricane strength earlier this week, Rachel has weakened to a tropical storm as it continues moving across the eastern Pacific. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Rachel currently has maximum winds of 65 mph.

Although Rachel has weakened, facilities should continue monitoring its forecast track and potential impacts, especially as the system approaches areas where heavy rainfall, strong winds, and coastal conditions could become concerns.

For zoological facilities in areas that may be affected, we encourage continued attention to:
• Potential flooding and disruptions to facility access
• Animal care, staffing, and continuity of operations
• Backup power, essential supplies, life support systems (LSS), and critical infrastructure
• Evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures in the event conditions warrant protective actions.

ZDR3 will continue monitoring Tropical Storm Rachel and remain available to support zoological facilities as needed. Call/Text (304) 933-9373 (ZDR3). This is not a replacement for 911/emergency services. Requests for assistance must come from a Director, owner, or their designee.

Should you need to call for assistance, please also text or email details to [email protected] to help more accurately assess your situation and needs. Be sure to also contact appropriate response and/or oversight agencies.

We are Stronger Together

10/08/2026

Hurricane Isaias is the first hurricane of the 2026 season, following an unusually quiet period. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Isaias currently has sustained 85 mph winds and is expected to make landfall along the northern Gulf Coast late Friday into early Saturday.

Hurricane and storm surge warnings are in effect for portions of the northern Gulf Coast. The NHC warns that a dangerous storm surge combined with high tide could push water inland, flooding normally dry areas. Depending on location and high-tide timing, some coastal areas could experience storm surge flooding 2 to 7 feet above ground level.

The National Hurricane Center urges those in the warning area to complete preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds TODAY. Facilities in these areas should prioritize final protective actions and follow evacuation orders and other instructions issued by local authorities.

In addition to storm surge, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, and disruptions to utilities and transportation remain concerns. Facilities both along the coast and farther inland should continue monitoring forecasts and preparing for potential impacts.

RESPONSE READINESS AND PREPOSITIONING
ZDR3 is currently coordinating the prepositioning of response resources based on the latest forecast and anticipated impacts. As conditions develop, we will continue evaluating our response posture and may adjust resource positioning if the storm's track, intensity, or expected impacts change significantly.

Facilities anticipating a need for assistance are encouraged to communicate their situation and potential resource needs as early as possible. Early communication helps support coordination and allows time to evaluate available support.

We will continue monitoring conditions and remain available to support zoological facilities as needed. Call/Text (304) 933-9373 (ZDR3). This is not a replacement for 911/emergency services. Requests for assistance must come from a Director, owner, or their designee.

Should you need to call for assistance, please also text or email details to [email protected] to help more accurately assess your situation and needs. Be sure to also contact appropriate response and/or oversight agencies.

We are Stronger Together

10/07/2026

Tropical Storm Isaias has formed in the southwestern Gulf and is forecast to strengthen as it moves toward the northern Gulf Coast later this week. The NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center forecasts Isaias to become a hurricane on Thursday, with an increasing risk of dangerous wind and storm surge impacts along portions of the Gulf Coast. Heavy rainfall could also affect the central Gulf Coast and much of the Southeast beginning Friday and into the weekend.

This has been an unusually tame Atlantic hurricane season in terms of activity. If Isaias strengthens as forecast, it will become the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season.

For ZDR3, we are approaching this storm with a better understanding of available response resources. As we prepared for and communicated with our Network earlier this season, our response teams replied to our queries confirming their status and availability. That communication has given us a stronger picture of our identified resources as we monitor Isaias and needs that may develop.

Facilities across the northern Gulf Coast should continue monitoring the forecast and use this time to review contingency plans and prepare for potential impacts:

• Review shelter in place and evacuation plans ensuring decision points and triggers are considered
• Confirm primary and alternate movement locations and transportation resources
• Check generators, fuel supplies, life-support systems (LSS), and other critical infrastructure
• Review staffing accountability plans, including for the potential for employees to be affected at home
• Confirm communication procedures and contact information for key partners
• Consider potential supply-chain disruptions and confirm essential animal care, veterinary, food, water, and medical supplies
• Monitor potential rainfall, flooding, wind, and storm surge impacts in the forecast track

ZDR3 will continue monitoring conditions and remains available to support zoological facilities as needed. Call/Text (304) 933-9373 (ZDR3). This is not a replacement for 911/emergency services. Requests for assistance must come from a Director, owner, or their designee.

Should you need to call for assistance, please also text or email details to [email protected] to help more accurately assess your situation and needs. Be sure to also contact appropriate response and/or oversight agencies.

We are Stronger Together

10/07/2026

We're sorry if anyone tried to purchase ZDR3 merchandise from someone tagging you.

Please note: we NEVER tag individuals trying to sell anything. We only periodically post about ZDR3 merch, with a link to our merch page, which you can find in comments.

10/04/2026

Thanks to Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary for their excellent explanation about why they joined the ZDR3 Network. We are proud to be part of their contingency plan.

If your zoological facility is not yet a member of the network, here's what is important to know: There is no cost to join or to receive support, and no zoological facility is too small to become a member.

Zoological facilities in the ZDR3 Network represent a range of organizations that are home to exotic and native species, including zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, ranches, and wildlife rehabs.

Learn how you can join in comments or in Linktree in our About section.

We are Stronger Together

We have joined the ZDR3 Network! 🐾🌎

Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is proud to be a member of the Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) Network, the largest zoological disaster response network in the United States!

Being located on a floodplain means we know firsthand how important it is to be prepared for severe weather and other emergencies. Through ZDR3, zoological organizations across the country can come together to share resources, knowledge, staff, and support when disaster strikes.

From animal evacuations and temporary housing to emergency repairs and debris removal, this network helps ensure that facilities and the animals in their care have the support they need when it matters most. ❤️

Together, we are stronger. Together, we are prepared!!

10/02/2026

Frank Buck Zoo - we are relieved to see your post! And we appreciate that you explained how your team keeps the animals in their care ready to move when necessary.

Friday 10/2 we are back opened. Everyone that was temporarily moved to high ground is now back at home in their habitat. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. We are thankful the rain let up when it did. We remain vigilant as more rain is forecasted over the weekend.

These cavies and more were able to be quickly and safely moved due to the time care Animal Care Specialists devote to collecting weights. These animals shift into crates routinely for weight collection, so when they see a crate it is not alarming. Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery - ZDR3 USA