Aftermath of a flood in Grand Forks, MN (1997)

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

Flooded fields near Campbell Hall, NY after Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flooding in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)
Image by FEMA

Emergency personnel in Schoharie County following Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flooded yard in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)
Image by FEMA

Flooded yard in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flooding in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)
Image by FEMA

Flooding in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)

Aftermath of a flood in Grand Forks, MN (1997)

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

Flooded fields near Campbell Hall, NY after Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flooding in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)
Image by FEMA

Emergency personnel in Schoharie County following Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flooded yard in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)
Image by FEMA

Flooded yard in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flooding in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)
Image by FEMA

Flooding in Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene (2011)

Flood Recovery

General Flood Information

Ready.gov, a FEMA website, includes resources on flooding including what to do before, during, and after a flood, general information on flood insurance, and links to FloodSmart.gov - the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program. You'll find interactive tools to assess potential flooding costs and flood risk scenarios, FEMA training programs to encourage flood safety, and flood outreach education materials.

"Preventing Flood Damage" - These pages on the Louisiana State University website include preparations you can make to prevent damage in future floods, videos and printed information on flood proofing techniques such as sandbagging and inflatable barriers, suggestions for how to raise and protect your appliances, and more.

Cornell University's Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) has compiled extensive information on how to respond during emergencies on topics such as: Agrosecurity/Food Safety, Animals in Emergencies, Family Matters, Fire, Hazardous Materials, Homeland & Personal Security, Infectious Diseases, Natural & Weather Related Disasters, Power Outages, Radiological Incidents and more.

"First Steps to Flood Recovery" is a resource from Purdue University EDEN that provides answers to specific questions on disaster recovery; how to help yourself and your family, people with disabilities, pets, and livestock; when to re-enter buildings; damaged food and drinking water issues; how to salvage photos, keepsakes, and furniture; large electrical appliances; carpeting and flooring; wallboard and insulation; contacting your insurance company, and government/community support.

"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.

Trees & Landscapes

Flooded Gardens & Crops

The following fact sheets address the safety of consuming produce from home gardens that have been flooded, as well as whether it is safe to continue gardening on a flooded site after the waters subside.

"Safely Using Produce from Flooded Gardens" (220kb PDF) from the University of Wisconsin-Extension covers how to determine whether your garden produce can safely be consumed or should be discarded.

The South Dakota Extension Service publication, "Flooded Gardens" discusses whether and how to salvage garden produce, and also whether to plant on previously flooded land.

For Agricultural Producers

"Agricultural Issues After a Flood" on the national EDEN website includes resources on soil issues, farm buildings & property, livestock, and fruit & vegetable crops.

"Dealing with Flooded Fields" from Cornell University addresses many of these issues for agricultural producers, and includes suggestions on cover crops to plant following a flood.

"Handling Flood Damaged Crops," prepared by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, covers how to handle stored or standing forage that has been flooded, included flooded corn crops.

"Information for Flood Damaged Field Crops" from Purdue University Dept. of Agronomy includes an extensive list of links to help farmers make crop management decisions in the aftermath of flooding.

"Managing Flood Damaged Crops" from Penn State Cooperative Extension has recommendations on whether or not farmers can harvest and market corn for silage or grain, and hay/pasture, and other crops following a flood.

"Dealing with Flooded Berry Fields," by the Cornell University Berry Team, deals with both food safety and plant survival following flooding conditions.

Flooding & Corn/Sorghum

More Resources

For additional information, visit our pages in this section on Water & Septic Issues and Food & Water in Emergencies.

Last updated January 29, 2021