We have many resources to help before, during and after emergency situations. Whether the need is flood clean-up or financial considerations, Extension offers valuable research-based information to support communities preparing and recovering from disasters.
UGA Resources
- Be Prepared, Georgia! - Food and water safety guide for severe storms and hurricanes from UGA Extension.
- Hurricane Preparation Suggestions for Dairies - Shelter preparation suggestions from UGA Extension for dairies unable to evacuate during a hurricane.
- Ten Survival Tactics When Facing a Hurricane With Your Horses - If horses and owners are hunkered down or caught by the storm in evacuation sites, consider these tactics from UGA Extension to help ensure a more positive outcome.
- Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast - Blog updates from UGA Extension climatologist.
- Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network - Weather monitoring website from UGA.
- Disaster Preparation and Recovery - Preparation tips and resources from UGA Family and Consumer Sciences and UGA Extension.
- Storm Damaged Homes - Resources from UGA Family and Consumer Sciences and UGA Extension to assist families and communities dealing with hurricane damage.
- Disaster Relief Resources - A collection of disaster relief resources for farmers and producers from UGA Extension
Additional Resources
State resources
- Georgia Department of Agriculture's Hurricane Response Center - Tips for preparing for a hurricane from the Georgia Department of Agriculture with a focus on livestock, food, pets and fuel.
- Georgia Department of Agriculture Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet - Overview of Farm Services Agency disaster assistance programs.
FEDERAL RESOURCES
- USDA Disasters: Storms - USDA is prepared to provide food, emergency housing, community, as well as farmer and rancher assistance to individuals and small businesses affected by severe storms and flooding.
- USDA Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool - Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you by completing five simple steps.
- USDA Emergency Farm Loans - When a tornado, flood, or drought strikes, or quarantine is imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or when other natural disasters occur, FSA's Emergency loan program is there to help eligible farmers and ranchers rebuild and recover from sustained losses.
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service Disaster Assistance - USDA FNS coordinates with state, local and voluntary organizations to provide food for shelters and mass feeding sites, distribute food packages directly to households in need in limited situations and issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.
- USDA Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) - LIP provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government.
- USDA Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) - ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions, including blizzards and wildfires, as determined by the Secretary.
- USDA Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) - NAP provides financial assistance to producers of uninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.
- USDA Tree Assistance Program (TAP) - TAP provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters
- A Consumer's Guide to Food Safety | Severe Storms and Hurricanes - A guide to food safety during an emergency from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service.
- Food Safety Before, During and After a Power Outage - Infographic from FoodSafety.gov.
- National Flood Insurance Program - The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.
- Complete Guide to Flood Safety and Preparedness - Information from the National Council for Home Safety and Security
- EPA Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters - Resource for homeowners and renters for dealing with mold after a disaster from the Environmental Protection Agency.
- EPA Flood Cleanup and the Air in your Home booklet - This EPA booklet tells you how to clean up after a flood and how to prevent indoor air problems.
- EPA Flood Cleanup and the Air in you Home poster - EPA poster showing how to clean up after a flood and how to prevent indoor air problems
Other Extension resources
- UF/IFAS Extension Disaster Handbook - A bilingual resource from University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension
- Extension Disaster Education Network - Research-based information from Cooperative Extension organizations around the country.
- Water Damage Restoration and Clean Up Checklist - Before making repairs to homes and businesses after floodwaters recede, follow this checklist from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
- Resources for Storm Damage Preparedness and Recovery - Resources from ProForest for forest landowners and managers in the aftermath of hurricanes and other storms
Behavioral Health Resources
- University of Illinois Extension - Disaster Resources, Teacher Guide and Activities
- eXtension Disaster Recovery: Stress and Decision-making
- NC State Extension - Tips for Handling Family Stress After a Disaster
- NC State Extension - Family Stress After Disasters
- Colorado State Extension - Coping with Disasters
- Arizona Cooperative Extension - Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Families During Difficult Times
Popular Publications
- Dealing with Pasture, Hay, Feed, and Livestock Losses After Significant Weather Events (C 1165) As a result of significant weather events, many producers in Georgia may experience losses of pasture growth, hay stocks, feed supplies, and livestock. After such events occur, farmers will be assessi…
- Standby Electric Power Systems for Agriculture (B 1174) In agriculture, electricity is utilized to control the environment and maintain the life of livestock, poultry and plants, and to prevent food spoilage, avoid financial loss due to failures in harvest…
- Home Emergency Preparedness Handbook (B 1428) Communities across Georgia are subject to a number of potential disasters such as fires, flooding, severe storms, earthquakes, dam failures, tornados and hurricanes. While we all hope that such occurr…
- Hurricane Michael’s Impact on Vegetable Production in Georgia (TP 105) Weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe rainfall are common to the Southeastern U.S. These events have the potential to cause severe economic damage to the region’s vegetable in…
- Handling Pasture, Hay, Feed, and Livestock Losses During Hurricane Michael Recovery (TP 106) As a result of Hurricane Michael, many producers in the affected areas of Georgia have lost pasture growth, hay stocks, feed supplies, and livestock. Farmers will be assessing damage to fields, stock,…
- Hurricane and Wind Damage to Trees and Shrubs in Nurseries (C 1149) Damage to perennial woody trees and shrubs caused by hurricanes or high wind events is often not initially apparent. In some cases, it can take months or even years to manifest, despite plants looking…
- Accident Extrication Procedures for Farm Families and Employees (C 860) This publication is designed to help people with average first-aid knowledge improve their ability to make decisions when they are the first person at the scene of a farm accident.
- Ensuring Safe Private Well Water for Household Use After a Flood (C 1124) The quality of drinking water from wells may be compromised during a flood. Flooding around the well increases the risk of drinking water becoming contaminated with bacteria or any other contaminants,…
Other Related Government Resources
- CDC Natural Disaster and Severe Weather Resources (multiple languages)
- Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Ready.gov
- Ready Georgia
- National Hurricane Center
Hurricane Michael Resources
- Hurricane Michael Agricultural Impact - An updated look at Hurricane Michael's impact on Georgia's agricultural economy.
- Agriculture Disaster Assistance Information Session (video) - On Monday, October 22, 2018, the UGA Tifton campus hosted an information session for agricultural producers in response to Hurricane Michael. Video provided by Georgia Peanut Commission.
- FEMA Georgia Disaster Declaration and Resources for Hurricane Michael - Disaster declaration and other resources from FEMA related to Hurricane Michael recovery.