Last updated on November 27th, 2024 at 09:24 am

Hurricane Resources

Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have had devastating impacts on the southeastern United States, and communities are facing unprecedented challenges. Many areas have been left in ruins, with communication lines severed, and local support systems struggling to respond. Visit the hyperlinked text to find out how you can help the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.

Being aware of hurricane hazards is crucial, especially if you live in coastal areas or regions prone to tropical storms. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage through high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, posing significant risks to both property and personal safety. Listen to some general post-hurricane safety tips from AgriSafe’s Public Health and Equity Director, Knesha-Rose Davison.

Evacuation Routes

Know your local evacuation routes, and have a plan in place for safe evacuation. Familiarize yourself with local shelters and emergency resources.

Flooding

Heavy rainfall and storm surges can lead to significant flooding. Water may not be safe to drink, cook, or clean with after a flood. Water can become contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, sewage, heating oil, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that can cause serious illness. Find more information on AgriSafe’s flooding page.

Check out AgriSafe’s English Flood Infographics Social Media Toolkit and the Spanish-Language version, Material necesario en caso de inundación.

Additional resource: How to Disinfect Wells After an Emergency – CDC

Health Precautions

After a hurricane, avoid contact with standing water and be cautious of potential hazards such as downed power lines and damaged infrastructure. Ensure that food and water supplies are safe before consumption.

Listen to what Ellen Duysen from the University of Nebraska Medical Center has to say about safe drinking water.

Power Outages

Hurricanes often result in power outages, disrupting communication and access to essential services. Have a backup power source and keep essential supplies on hand.

Wind Damage

Strong winds can uproot trees, damage roofs, and destroy structures. Ensure that your home is well-prepared by securing loose items and reinforcing windows and doors.

Chemicals

If a chemical, pesticide, or hazardous waste spill occurs, chemicals might be released from barns, homes, and other sources into the environment. Chemical spills could release vapors or chemical fumes. Learn more about chemical safety from AgriSafe.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Disaster recovery is physically strenuous, especially in hot temperatures. Intense heat exposure can cause heat-related illnesses. Signs can include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and/or dizziness.

Livestock

Hurricanes can cause floods which can potentially increase the transmission of communicable diseases: Water-Borne (Hepatitis A); Vector-Borne (West Nile Virus); Bacterial (Tetanus) spores and Fungal (Histoplasmosis) spores found in dust, dirt, animal droppings and animal carcass.

Hear what Dr. Aaron Yoder, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has to say about pre-planning for livestock evacuations.

Mental Stress

After a natural disaster, individuals are dealing with the extra stress of current conditions, along with the daily stress of farm and ranch operations. Natural disasters such as hurricanes create a tremendous amount of additional stress and anxiety. It is possible to develop major depression, generalized anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn more about mental health from AgriSafe.

Listen to what Dr. Tara Haskins, AgriSafe’s Total Farmer Health^® Director, has to say about mental health during natural disasters.

Mold

Mold is part of the natural environment, but higher concentrations of mold and bacteria can be found after a flood. The wet environment can cause the production of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs), which emit chemical like odors and can become noxious respiratory irritants. Learn more about respiratory health best practices from AgriSafe.

Listen to what Dr. Chad Roy from the Tulane School of Medicine has to say about mold exposure and preventative measures.

Additional resource: What You Can Do to Protect Your Respiratory Health During Disaster Cleanup – CDC

Hurricane Resources

Documents

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14 documents

ID	Title	Summary	Link
12776	Amenaza para la salud en la granja por inundaciones	A Spanish language guide to help farmers protect themselves from warm weather farm flood health threats. English Title: Farm Flood Health Threats – Warm Weather	View
12784	Amenazas para la salud por inundaciones en la granja: Factores de riesgo durante la recuperación en invierno	A Spanish language guide to help farmers protect themselves during winter floods. English Title: Farm Flood Health Threats – Cold Weather	View
9539	Directrices provisionales para proteger a los trabajadores contra el lodo y las aguas residuales de las actividades ganaderas y avícolas, durante y después de las inundaciones	The purpose of this Spanish language guidance is to protect workers from illnesses and injuries associated with livestock and poultry wastewater and sludge from animal feeding operations during and after floods. English Title: Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers from Livestock and Poultry Wastewater and Sludge During and After Floods	View
9394	Entering And Cleaning Up Flooded Homes	Protect yourself and your family during cleanup.	View
12497	Farm and Ranch Health Threats After a Flood	Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is especially true on farms and ranches where inherent farm hazards such as machinery and equipment, livestock, and agriculture chemicals are displaced and co-mingle, putting all emergency response personnel, farm workers and family members in danger. Floods can heighten the risk of health threats such as mold, tetanus bacteria, contaminated well water, heat illness and high stress. This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding.	View
9542	Farm Flood Health Threats – Cold Weather	A guide to help farmers protect themselves during winter floods. Spanish Title: Amenazas para la salud por inundaciones en la granja: Factores de riesgo durante la recuperación en invierno	View
9540	Farm Flood Health Threats – Warm Weather	A guide to help farmers protect themselves from warm weather farm flood health threats. Spanish Title: Amenaza para la salud en la granja por inundaciones	View
9393	Flood Recovery Checklists for Farmsteads	This publication is for farmers and ranchers affected by flooding.	View
12766	Flood Resources Toolkit	Social media graphics for flood risks. Spanish Title: Material necesario en caso de inundación	View
9538	Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers from Livestock and Poultry Wastewater and Sludge During and After Floods	The purpose of this guidance is to protect workers from illnesses and injuries associated with livestock and poultry wastewater and sludge from animal feeding operations during and after floods. Spanish Title: Directrices provisionales para proteger a los trabajadores contra el lodo y las aguas residuales de las actividades ganaderas y avícolas, durante y después de las inundaciones	View
12768	Material necesario en caso de inundación	Spanish language social media graphics for flood risks. English Title: Flood Resources Toolkit	View
9395	Pesticide Storage Concerns During and After a Flood	A resource about immediate actions to take after a storm when floodwaters or a storage facility could potentially be contaminated with pesticide.	View
12537	Safe and Healthy Recovery After a Farm Flood	Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is especially true on farms and ranches where inherent farm hazards such as machinery and equipment, livestock, and agriculture chemicals are displaced and co-mingle, putting all emergency response personnel, farm workers and family members in danger. Floods can heighten the risk of health threats such as mold, tetanus bacteria, contaminated well water, heat illness and high stress. This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding.	View
9532	What to Do After the Flood	Precautions to take after a flood, regarding well and pump inspections.	View

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14 documents

Webinars

Webinar Title	Summary	Link
Farm and Ranch Health Threats After a Flood	Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is especially true on farms and ranches where inherent farm hazards such as machinery and equipment, livestock, and agriculture chemicals are displaced and co-mingle, putting all emergency response personnel, farm workers and family members in danger. Floods can heighten the risk of health threats such as mold, tetanus bacteria, contaminated well water, heat illness and high stress. This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding.	Watch
Safe and Healthy Recovery After a Farm Flood	Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is especially true on farms and ranches where inherent farm hazards such as machinery and equipment, livestock, and agriculture chemicals are displaced and co-mingle, putting all emergency response personnel, farm workers and family members in danger. Floods can heighten the risk of health threats such as mold, tetanus bacteria, contaminated well water, heat illness and high stress. This presentation will highlight basic precautions to prevent possible diseases and injuries during and after flooding.	Watch

Page updated: October 2024

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Hurricanes