Resources to prepare and recover from disasters
We have many research-backed 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. Additionally, you'll find related information from governmental and other Extension agencies.
COVID-19 Considerations & Information
- UGA Extension Coronavirus Resources - cleaning, food and cooking information
- Dealing with disasters during the pandemic - CDC resources to keep yourself and others safe
- Preparing for and recovering from disasters during COVID-19 - American Red Cross
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- UGA Weather Network - Daily weather data from 86 weather stations located throughout the state.
- Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast - Blog updates from UGA Extension climatologist.
- National Weather Service - Forecasts from NOAA.
- National Hurricane Center - General storm forecasts and advisories from NOAA.
- Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook - from NOAA
- Weather applications and alerts - List of apps from NWS (commercial, academic, and governmental products and services not endorsed by NWS)
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- 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.
- Homeowner’s and Renter’s guide to mold cleanup after disasters - Resource for homeowners and renters for dealing with mold after a disaster from the Environmental Protection Agency.
- 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.
- 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.
- UGA Emergency Management for Early Care and Education
Preparation
- Create a Kit: Plan on being on your own for a minimum of 3 days.
- Make a Plan: Involve household members.
- Be Informed: Make sure someone in your household is trained in CPR and first aid.
- Home Emergency Preparedness Handbook
- Home Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Resident’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards in Georgia
Home Restoration
- HUD Resources
- HUD Recovery & Response Videos - 10 minute videos on returning, restoring, and removing mold.
- Cleaning up
- Salvaging Furniture after a Flood
- Removing Mold in Your Home
- Homeowner's & renter's guide to mold cleanup - English | Spanish
- Flood Cleanup and the Air in Your Home - English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Food Safety
- Be Prepared, Georgia! - Food and water safety guide for severe storms and hurricanes from UGA Extension.
- 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.
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- 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.
- 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.
- USDA Hurricane Preparation and Recovery Guides for Georgia Producers - Guides prepared by the USDA Southeast Climate Hub and Extension experts to help prepare Georgia producers remain resilient and productive in the face of hurricanes.
- 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 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.
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- 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
- UGA Chainsaw Safety - Resources, training and videos
- Soil Health Practices for Mitigating Natural Disasters - Tips from USDA NRCS
- Resources for Storm Damage Preparedness and Recovery - Resources from ProForest for forest landowners and managers in the aftermath of hurricanes and other storms
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- UGA Extension Rural Stress - helping farmers and families thrive
- 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
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- Extension Disaster Education Network - Research-based information from Cooperative Extension organizations around the country.
- UF/IFAS Extension Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Resources - Bilingual resources from University of Florida
- NC Disaster Information Center - NC State Extension
- Nebraska Extension Disaster Education
- Texas Extension Disaster Education Network
- University of Illinois Extension - Disaster Resources, Teacher Guide and Activities
Hurricane & Flooding
- Preparing for a Hurricane or Tropical Storm (CDC)
- Portable Generator Safety - Avoiding carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
Tornadoes
Wildfires
Emergency Publications
- 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.
- Mold, the Uninvited Guest Series: Removing Mold in Your Home (C 1047-2) Mold grows from spores, which are found naturally in the air and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Mold spores act like seeds, causing mold to grow under the right conditions. Mold itself is usually ea…
- 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…
- Developing a Storm Preparedness and Response Plan for Dairies (B 1525) The Southeast U.S. is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms every year. Hurricane season occurs from June 1 through November 30, and these storms are normally forecast several days in advance.…
- Spanish Series: Limpieza de Arboles Dañados por Tormentas (C 1199-SP) Los árboles son los que mas se dañan en las tormentas y son estos los mas peligrosos de limpiar. Los arboles dañados por tormentas están sujetos a una gran cantidad de peligros asociados con la tala d…
- Storm Damaged Tree Cleanup (C 1199) Trees are often damaged in storms and can be extremely dangerous to clean up. Storm damaged trees are subject to all the perils associated with tree felling and much more. Working conditions may be di…
- Home Emergency Preparedness Checklist (B 1428-1) A two-page checklist of the basic list of supplies you should have ready for emergencies. Keep the items you will most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container. Be mi…
- 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…
Know Your Risk: Preparing for Hurricane Season (webinar archive)
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any disaster. Toll-free and multilingual, confidential crisis support is available to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Call 1-800-985-5990 Now
Additional Publications and Resources
Georgia Residents Handbook to Prepare for Natural Disasters
This handbook provides detailed information on emergency preparedness, evacuation planning, and steps that residents can take to protect their life and property. The purpose of this handbook is to provide actionable information that residents can use to build resilience to natural hazards in Georgia.
Related Government Resources
- CDC Natural Disaster and Severe Weather Resources (multiple languages)
- DisasterAssistance.gov
- Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- FEMA Mobile App and Text Messages
- National Hurricane Center - NOAA
- Ready.gov
- Ready Georgia
Hurricane Michael Resources
- Hurricane Michael Agricultural Impact - An updated look at Hurricane Michael's impact on Georgia's agricultural economy.
- Damage photos - UGA Extension Photo Gallery
- Damage photos - Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Photo Gallery