Cornell Cooperative Extension

Ulster County
Freshwater flooding from Hurricane Irene (2011) in Highland, Ulster County, New York. The former Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge (now Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park) is seen in the background, obscured by fog and overcast skies immediately following the storm.
Image by Julian Colton

Flooding from Hurricane Irene in Highland, Ulster County, NY (2011).

Emergency Preparedness

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a valuable resource when it comes to questions about managing home, farm, business, and natural resource challenges. This is especially true when New Yorkers are faced with disaster. CCE provides evidence-based information and education about disaster readiness and response, including specialized expertise in agriculture and natural resources management.

General Disaster Information

Cornell University’s Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) pages include information on how to prepare for emergencies including natural disasters, power outages, fires, infectious diseases, radiation spills and more!

The American Red Cross website has information on how to make an "Emergency Survival Kit" and a "Disaster Preparedness Plan" for your family, as well as information on the special needs of children, persons with disabilities, and pets in an emergency.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) provides this 2-page list of items to include in an "Emergency Supply Kit".

New Orleans, LA 9/8/05 -- Residents who stayed behind with pets are leaving after police told them the pets can go with them. Many residents have been in New Orleans without electricity or tap water for ten days. New Orleans is being evacuated as a result of floods and damage caused by hurricane Katrina.

Animals & Disasters

Making a disaster plan and evacuation kit can help keep your pets safe in an emergency. Learn how you can be prepared, with resources here on our site.

Read more
Water is staged at Lakeland for air transport to Ocala in advance of Hurricane Ivan (Sept. 2004)

Food Safety & Emergency Resources

Resources and information to keep you and your family safe from food and water borne illnesses.

Read more
man using a chain saw, wearing protective pants.

Chainsaw Safety

Find resources to help you choose a chainsaw that's right for you, and guidelines for using it safely and effectively, here on our Chainsaw Safety page.

Read more
Fields flooded by nearby Wallkill River during Hurricane Irene (2011) and again after Tropical Storm Lee, near Campbell Hall, NY, USA

Flood Recovery

Floods can be devastating to a family's home and the road to recovery can be long. Find out more about resources you can use here.

Read more

Contact

Melinda Herzog
Healthy Communities Issue Leader
mmh62@cornell.edu
845-340-3990 ext. 342

Last updated March 25, 2024

Emergency Preparedness

Personal Safety

Two men cutting firewood with chainsaws, wearing protective pants, hard hats and ear protection.
Find guidelines on buying and maintaining a chainsaw, and tips on how to use it safely and efficiently on our Chainsaw Safety page.

Safe Operation of Emergency Generators (541kb PDF) A 6-page booklet by Eric Hallman & Richard Peterson of the Cornell Agricultural Health and Safety Program.

Guidelines for Handling Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment (405kb PDF) from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NAMA).

Finances & Housing

"Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit" from the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension covers strategies and tools to help you move toward financial recovery after a disaster. The toolkit is designed so either individual units or the entire toolkit can be used as needed, and it includes units that help you consider your housing options as a homeowner or a renter.

Logo for the national Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) 250p wide

The City of Kingston Flood Preparedness Guide

city of kingston flood preparedness guide

Disaster Information

Cornell University’sExtension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) pages include information on how to prepare for emergencies including natural disasters, power outages, fires, infectious diseases, radiation spills and more!

The American Red Cross website has information on how to make an "Emergency Survival Kit" and a "Disaster Preparedness Plan" for your family, as well as information on the special needs of children, persons with disabilities, and pets in an emergency.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) provides this list of items to include in an "Emergency Supply Kit".