2026 winter storm guidance for U.S. government websites and social media
In response to the 2026 winter storm, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is issuing guidance for the coordination of federal web and social media communications related to this incident.
The authority for this action comes from Emergency Support Function 15 (ESF-15 - Public Affairs – Annex R) of the National Response Framework where, during incidents of national significance, DHS has the authority to coordinate all U.S. government communications.
On January 23, 2026, in conjunction with the Digital Experience Council, DHS issued ESF-15 guidance for federal web and social communications to support the national response to the 2026 winter storm.
Note
All federal agencies are required to follow this guidance.
In brief
Federal agencies with a role in the response effort should stand up an agency.gov/2026-winter-storm page. That page should link to the two primary Lanes of Communication, which are:
- What DHS and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are doing
- What the U.S. government is doing
Note
When distributing materials related to the 2026 winter storm, please include links to these two Lanes of Communication on all materials.
When posting information to your agency website, please only post information related to your individual agency. Then, link to the authoritative information from other government agencies that is related to your agency mission or “lane.” Do NOT copy and paste content from other agencies or websites onto your site.
Coordinate emergency response-related web and digital communications with your Digital Experience Council representative.
Lanes of communication
What DHS and FEMA are doing
FEMA has established a landing page on FEMA.gov with the latest information from FEMA and DHS on the disaster. The page promotes preparedness, response, and recovery information and serves as a clearinghouse for related information from DHS. The page is located at https://www.fema.gov/2026-winter-storm.
What the U.S. government is doing
GSA has created a landing page on USA.gov for government-wide information related to the 2026 winter storm activities. The page is located at https://www.usa.gov/2026-winter-storm.
Note
The USA.gov winter storm page is being populated now.
Send the title and URL for any winter storm-related materials posted on your agency website to usagovemergency@gsa.gov, so the USAGov team can post them on this page.
Social media guidance
Follow the recommended social media handles and share information relevant to your agency.
Federal resources
Follow and retweet the following account:
Local resources
Due to the widespread nature of the event, local resources will be added as necessary.
Note
Follow and share the above accounts from your agency social media accounts as appropriate.
If you have content that you would like FEMA to amplify, please forward the link to FEMA-ESF15-Coordination@fema.dhs.gov. Please include “2026 Winter Storm” in the subject line of your email.
