Flood Resources
General and Preventative Resources
With the continued rain in southern Wisconsin, here are selected resources for dealing with flooding, power outages, and general disaster assistance:
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Wisconsin Food Safety & Health: Food Safety during an Emergency
UW-Extension Resources
The Disaster Handbook
Disaster Management and Recovery
Selected Government Resources
Consumer Advice – Food and Water Safety (US Department of Agriculture, Center for Disease Control, and other agencies)
Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance Program: The Farm Service Agency provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities.
Flood Survival and Recovery Fact Sheets (Kansas State): Includes information on salvaging and cleaning items in the home. Note: resources regarding food and water on this site are dated.
National Organic Program: Flood assistance for organic farmers
Food & Dishes
Disinfecting Dishes (1 page, 11 KB): Disinfecting dishware, cookware and utensils. Safety guidelines after a disaster
Salvaging Food (2 pages, 19 KB): Salvaging food after a flood. Safety measures in the kitchen and garden.
Keeping Food Safe after a Flood (2 pages, 131 KB): ABCD’s of keeping food safe during an emergency.
Power Off (2 pages, 86 KB): Information on determining if food is safe after extended power outage.
Safety of Produce from Flooded Gardens (2 pages, 109 KB): Determining the safety of flooded gardens.
Storing Food for Short-Term Emergencies (2 pages, 76 KB): How to prepare and store food for short-term emergencies.
Storing Water for Short-Term Emergencies (3 pages, 73 KB): Tips for storing water for short-term emergencies.
Household Clean-up
Resources for your flooded home (23 pages, 519 KB): Cleaning up flood damaged homes: A step-by-step guide to restoration.
Home Clean-up (2 pages, 15 KB): Home clean-up and sanitation. Safely cleaning a flood-damaged home.
Cleaning a Basement (2 pages, 18.5 KB): Cleaning and repairing flooded basements. Getting out water and preventing future problems.
Cleaning Carpets and Rugs (1 page, 13 KB): Cleaning flood damaged carpets and rugs. When to discard, clean or call a professional.
Cleaning Flood-Soiled Clothing and Bedding (2 pages, 16 KB): Cleaning flood soiled clothing and bedding. When to salvage it and how to clean it.
Electrical Systems and Appliances (2 Pages, 17 KB): Electrical systems and appliances. General clean-up and what to do before the electrician arrives.
Flood Damaged Walls (2 pages, 17 KB): Flood-damaged ceilings, walls and floors. Removing moisture, cleaning and repairing.
Furniture and Appliances (2 pages, 17 KB): Flood-damaged furniture and appliances. Deciding what to salvage and tips on reconditioning.
Restoring Heating (2 pages, 17 KB): Restoring heating after a flood. Assessing damage and general clean-up.
Important Papers (2 pages, 20 KB): Caring for important papers. Steps to take before and after a flood.
Leaky Roofs (1 page, 13 KB): Assessing and preparing leaky roofs. Safely fixing a watery problem.
Sewage Systems (2 pages, 16 KB): Flooded private sewage systems. Safety, sanitation and clean-up concerns.
Drying and Repairing Walls (2 pages, 16 KB): Drying and preparing walls. Remedies for interior and exterior surfaces.
Insect & Rodent Control
Controlling Insects (1 page, 12 KB): Controlling insects after flooding. How to minimize mosquito, fly and other insect problems.
Pesticide Storage (2 pages, 20 KB): Pesticide storage concerns during a flood. Prevention and emergency response.
Rodent and snake control (2 pages, 18 KB): Rodent and snake control after a flood. Safety precautions and elimination.
Preparing to Evacuate & Home Flood Protection
Building Dikes (2 pages, 34 KB): Building dikes to prevent flooding. How to fill and position sandbags.
Preparing to Evacuate (1 page, 12 KB): Preparing to evacuate your farm. Safety measures when flooding is expected.
Protect your home from flood damage (2 pages, 179 KB): Avoiding flood-damage: a checklist for homeowners.
Flood (52 pages, 651 KB): General flood preparedness and response strategies for families.
What to do about your farm animals, soil and vehicles
Salvaging Crops ( 2 pages, 17 KB): Salvaging crops after flooding. Recovery of Alfalfa, irrigated pastures and hay.
Salvaging Stored Wet Feed (2 pages, 19 KB): Salvaging stored wet feed and grain. Drying, marketing, and safe feeding.
Standby Generators (2 pages, 21 KB): Standby electric generators. A source of emergency power for farmers.
Maintain Livestock Health ( 2 pages, 16 KB): Maintaining livestock heath after a flood. Issues of disease control and sanitation.
Protecting Livestock (1 page, 11 KB): Protecting livestock during a flood. Guidelines for safe shelter evacuation.
Flooded Soil ( 1 page, 11 KB): Tips for handling flooded soils. Clean up, soil testing, and cover crops.
Farm Vehicles ( 2 pages, 18 KB): Tips on cleaning and reconditioning farm vehicles and equipment.
Weed Management (2 pages, 19 KB): Weed management after a flood. Safety concerns for this year and the next.
