Farm storm & disaster plan

Hurricanes & tropical storms

When: Atlantic season: June 1 to November 30, busiest from mid-August to mid-October.

Where: Gulf and Atlantic coast states - and far inland, where the rain floods rivers for days afterward.

Watch = get ready

Hurricane Watch: hurricane conditions are possible. It is issued about 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected - the time to get ready.

Warning = act now

Hurricane Warning: hurricane conditions are expected, about 36 hours ahead. Finish getting ready and leave if you are told to.

1
Before the season By early June
- Fill in the farm emergency card below and keep a printed copy in the house, the truck and the barn. Go to the card
- Make sure every animal can be traced back to you: ear tags, brands or a livestock marker with your phone number. Photograph your herd for proof of ownership.
- Keep copies of insurance policies, FSA farm and tract numbers, deeds, brand papers and animal records away from the farm (or saved online).
- Photograph your buildings, machinery, stored grain and hay, so you can show what you had.
- Agree with your neighbors on who has trailers, spare pasture and a generator, and set up a phone or text tree.
- Pick the pasture on the highest ground, with no big trees or power lines, where livestock can ride out the storm - or a place inland you can haul them to.
- Line up a generator for milking, water pumps and fans. Test it and store fuel safely away from buildings.
- Check your crop, building and flood insurance now - flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start.
2
Watch issued About 48 hours out
- Follow the National Hurricane Center and your local NWS office. Put fresh batteries in a NOAA Weather Radio and charge phones. NOAA Weather Radio (opens in a new tab)
- Move livestock to the high pasture, or haul them out now - roads and trailers get busy fast.
- Fill water tanks, troughs and fuel tanks. Have feed and water for several days without power. Water tank calculator
- Tie down or put away loose tin, gates, tools and anything that can fly. Park machinery on high ground away from trees.
- Move fertilizer, fuel and chemicals up and out of reach of flood water.
- Harvest what is ready only if there is time and it is safe.
3
Warning issued About 36 hours out - and during the storm
- Leave when local officials tell you to. Do not stay behind for the animals.
- If you leave, switch off power to outbuildings and close propane valves if it is safe to do so.
- Stay indoors away from windows. The calm "eye" is not the end - the wind comes back from the other side.
- Never drive or walk through flood water: turn around, don't drown.
4
After the storm Once the all-clear is given
- Watch for downed power lines, damaged roofs, snakes and fire ants in flood debris. Never run a generator inside a building.
- Check animals, water and feed. Call your vet for injured livestock.
- Check stored grain and hay: wet grain spoils, and wet hay can heat up and catch fire.
- Before you clean up, photograph the damage, dead or hurt livestock, flooded feed and broken fences - with the date. Write down head counts.
- Call your county FSA office and tell them about livestock, feed, fence or land losses. Ask about LIP, ELAP and ECP - the notice of loss for LIP and ELAP is due by March 1 after the year of the loss. farmers.gov disaster assistance tool (opens in a new tab)
- Call your crop insurance agent about damaged crops before you harvest, replant or destroy them - the adjuster may need to see them first. Find a crop insurance agent (opens in a new tab)
- If a federal disaster is declared for your county, check DisasterAssistance.gov for help with your home. DisasterAssistance.gov (opens in a new tab)

Official sources

Tornadoes & severe storms

When: Possible in any month. The peak is spring and early summer, with a smaller second season in late fall in the South.

Where: Most of the country east of the Rockies - the Plains, the Midwest and the South see the most.

Watch = get ready

Tornado Watch: be prepared - tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area.

Warning = act now

Tornado Warning: take action - a tornado has been seen or shows on weather radar. Go to shelter now.

Official sources

Winter storms & blizzards

When: November to March, with early storms in October and late ones in April on the northern Plains and in the Rockies.

Where: The northern Plains, the Midwest, the Rockies and the Northeast - and ice storms well into the South.

Watch = get ready

Winter Storm Watch: heavy snow, sleet or ice is possible, usually a day or two out.

Warning = act now

Winter Storm or Blizzard Warning: a dangerous storm is expected or happening. Blizzard means strong wind and blowing snow you can't see through.

Official sources

Floods

When: Spring snowmelt and heavy rain from March to June, and any time a hurricane or a slow storm stalls.

Where: River bottoms everywhere - along the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Red rivers in spring, and in hilly country where flash floods rise in minutes.

Watch = get ready

Flood Watch: flooding is possible. Be ready to move.

Warning = act now

Flood Warning: flooding is happening or about to. Flash Flood Warning: move to higher ground now.

Official sources

Wildfires & grass fires

When: Summer and fall in the West. On the southern and central Plains, grass fires run on dry, windy days from late winter into spring.

Where: The West, the Great Plains and dry rangeland anywhere - fire moves fastest through cured grass in strong wind.

Watch = get ready

Fire Weather Watch: dangerous fire weather is possible in the next day or two.

Warning = act now

Red Flag Warning: warm, dry, windy weather now - any fire can spread fast. Evacuation orders come from local officials.

Official sources

Extreme heat & drought

When: Heat waves from June to September. Drought builds slowly over months - watch the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Where: Everywhere - heat stress hits feedlots, dairies and poultry houses, and drought hits grazing and dryland crops.

Watch = get ready

Extreme Heat Watch: dangerous heat may be on the way, but the timing is still uncertain.

Warning = act now

Extreme Heat Warning or Heat Advisory: dangerous heat is here or about to be. Drought has no warning - it is tracked weekly on the Drought Monitor.

Hurricanes & tropical storms

Before the season By early June

Watch issued About 48 hours out

Warning issued About 36 hours out - and during the storm

After the storm Once the all-clear is given

Official sources

Tornadoes & severe storms

Before the season By March

Watch issued Hours ahead

Warning issued Minutes ahead

After the storm Once it has passed

Official sources

Winter storms & blizzards

Before winter By November

Watch issued A day or two out

Warning issued During the storm

After the storm Once roads open

Official sources

Floods

Before the season By March

Watch issued Hours to days ahead

Warning issued Flooding now

After the flood Once the water goes down

Official sources

Wildfires & grass fires

Before the season Before grass dries out

Fire weather or Red Flag Dry, windy days

Fire nearby or evacuation Now

After the fire Once officials say it is safe

Official sources

Extreme heat & drought

Before summer By June

Heat on the way Days ahead

During the heat or drought Now

After Losses and recovery

Official sources

Farm emergency card