Farm Emergency Preparedness Planning

Gather information.

• What disasters or hazards are most likely in your community? For your farm?
• How would you be warned?
• How should you prepare for each?

Know the warning signals for your area.

• Learn the warning systems for your community.
• Are you able to hear or see the appropriate warning from your farm?

Stay alert for emergency broadcasts.

• Emergency Alert System broadcasts on radio or television
• NOAA weather radio alerts
• News sources – radio, television, internet

Put together an emergency supply kit for your family.

• See ‘Family Emergency Supply Kit’ handout

Draw a farm site map and indicate:

• Buildings and structures
• Access routes (e.g., roads, lanes)
• Barriers (fences, gates)
• Locations of livestock
• Locations of all hazardous substances
• Electrical shutoff locations, etc.

Make a list of your farm inventory, include:

• Livestock (species, number of animals)
• Crops (acres, type)
• Machinery and equipment (make, model #)
• Hazardous substances (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, fuels, medicines, other chemicals)

Keep a list of emergency phone numbers.

• Your local and state veterinarian
• County extension service
• Local emergency management
• Insurance agent

Make a list of suppliers or businesses providing services to your farm.

• Livestock or milk transport, feed delivery, fuel delivery, etc.

Contact your insurance agent.

• Review your insurance coverage.
• Get additional coverage for “all-hazard” situations (e.g., flood, hail damage).

Stockpile supplies needed to protect the farm:

• Sandbags and plastic sheeting, in case of flood
• Wire and rope to secure objects
• Lumber and plywood to protect windows
• Extra fuel for tractors and vehicles
• Hand tools for preparation and recovery
• Fire extinguishers in all barns and all vehicles
• A safe supply of food to feed livestock
• A gas powered generator

Identify areas (e.g., higher elevation) to relocate your assets, if needed.

• Livestock and horses
• Equipment
• Feed, grain, hay
• Agrochemicals ( pesticides, herbicides)

Remove or secure any loose equipment or materials, such as lumber or fuel tanks.

Prepare farm employees.

• Keep them informed of the farm’s emergency plan; review it with them regularly.
• Identify shelter-in-place or evacuation locations.
• Establish a phone tree with contact information for all employees.