Flood Resources for Homes, Buildings, Farms or Ranches
Steps should be taken to minimize damage to homes in the path of floodwaters. Clean-up will be easier and less costly if the following measures are taken.
Before the Flood - Videos from North Dakota State University http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood
- Planning Ahead: Portable Generator Safety
- Sump Pump Tips
- Plugging Home Drains to Prevent Sewage Backup
- Sandbagging Safety Tips
- Building a Sandbag Dike | How to fill a sandbag--do not over- or under-fill (graphic)
- Disaster Preparation for Your Pets - Video (Kansas State University)
Prepare for Flooding in Rural Areas -from NDSU
Specifically for farms or ranches:
- Move machinery, feed, grain, fuel and agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, to higher ground.
- Move motors and portable electric equipment to a dry location if possible.
- Anchor fuel and other tanks to keep them from moving with the floodwaters.
- Determine whether underground tanks are engineered to keep them from lifting out of the ground if the contents are lighter than water.
- Turn off electrical power to all buildings that could flood.
- Keep an inventory of livestock and property such as machinery and equipment.
- Prepare a list of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances.
- Move livestock to higher ground and be sure you have access to feed.
- If you have dairy cattle, develop plans for moving your cows to temporary milking facilities and learn about emergency milk pick-up services available in your area.
- Place riprap on the banks of earthen manure storage areas where flowing water may erode berms.
Reduce Water and Flood Damage in Home
- Audio Mp3 recording by Shirley Niemeyer, UNL Extension Housing and Environment Specialist
Preventing Flood Damage - Existing Home - Louisana State University - AgCenter
General Tips for Reducing Flood and Water Damage Inside the Home (PDF file, 74KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Steps to Reduce Flood and Water Damage (PDF file, 51KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Electric Units Require Care (PDF file, 8KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Basements May Flood if Drainage is Poor (PDF file, 9KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Managing Risks (PDF file, 92KB) - Iowa State University Extension
How to Reduce Risk from Flood - Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Information provided by:
Bobbi Holm, Extension Educator-Urban Environment, UNL Extension in Douglas and Sarpy Counties, Omaha, Nebraska
Creating A Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-Up of Flooded Homes National Center for Healthy Homes
After the Flood - Videos from North Dakota State University
- Cleaning Up Your Home After Flooding
- Pathways to Disaster Recovery and Predictors of Long-term Distress
- Restoring Flooded Buildings
- Using a Moisture Meter Before Rebuilding
Entering and Cleaning Up Flooded Homes, Protect Yourself and Your Family During Cleanup University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
Equipment for Entering and Cleaning Flood-Damaged Property
Folks waiting for flood waters to recede can start preparing to clean up homes and property by locating and organizing these essential tools and equipment.
Resources for Your Flooded Home (PDF file) University of Missouri Extension
Mold Damage In Homes - Audio Mp3 recording by Shirley Niemeyer, UNL Extension Housing and Environment Specialist
Rehabbing Flooded Houses: A Guide for Builders and Contractors (PDF file, English and Spanish) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, prepared by Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
First Entry of a Flooded Home (PDF file, 51KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Hiring Contractors (PDF file, 88KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Making Claims (PDF file, 68KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Flood Risk Management - Avoiding Scams Following a Flood (PDF file, 51KB) - Iowa State University Extension
Initial Restoration for Flooded Buildings (PDF file, 253KB) - FEMA
Flood Damage-Resistant Materials Requirements (PDF file, 1,163 KB) for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program
Storm Recovery Guide (PDF file, 1, 004 KB) - Louisiana State University Extension
Mold Removal Guidelines for Your Flooded Home (PDF file, 708KB) - Louisiana State University Extension
Hiring a Mold Remediation Contractor - Joseph Laquatra, Extension. Cornell University and Claudette Reichel, Louisiana State University AgCenter
Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems (PDF file, 37KB) - EPA
Flooding Housing PowerPoint Show (PDF file, 1,552KB) by Shirley Niemeyer
Repairing Your Flooded Home - American Red Cross
Floods and Your Home - Iowa State University - the Center for Food Security & Public Health
Preparing Homes for Long-term Inundation - EDEN Extension Disaster Education Network