Cornell Cooperative Extension

Wayne 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).

Eureka, MO, 03/22/2008 -- Members of the Missouri Humane Society along with a volunteer large animal rescue group, Missouri Emergency Response Service, go out on a mission to rescue 13 cattle that were stuck in flood waters. A member of the team prompts the cattle to go in the direction of higher ground.
Image by Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

Farm disaster preparedness training is offered through Cornell's NY EDEN program.

A car is crushed by a tree limb on Potomac off Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, New York during the "Friday the 13" snow storm. October 14, 2006.
Image by Jason Safoutin

A car in Buffalo, NY crushed during a snow storm (2006)

Quincy, IL, June 20, 2008 -- Fields of corn are flooded and crops may be ruined for the year by the flooding waters of the Mississippi River in southern Illinois.
Image by Robert Kaufmann/FEMA

Find out whether flooded garden produce is safe to eat, here on our site.

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.

young boy drinking water from a glass. Used with permission of the father, Bill Foster.

Water Quality

Find consumer information about drinking water, home water treatment, wells, septic systems, bottled water, and other water quality issues here.

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Washington, MO, 05/06/2000 -- An Enduro Printing, Inc. employee cleans an adhesive machine that survived the floodwaters of Flat Creek. The floodwaters reached four feet inside the company's building, destroying most of the company's records and damaging many machines. FEMA News Photo

Equipment Damage

Electrical equipment exposed to water can be very dangerous if re-energized without proper reconditioning or replacement. This 8-page booklet from NEMA provides guidelines for what you should do.

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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.

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Quincy, IL, June 20, 2008 -- Fields of corn are flooded and crops may be ruined for the year by the flooding waters of the Mississippi River in southern Illinois.

Flooded Gardens & Crops

Is produce from your flooded garden still safe to eat? Find out more information on our site.

Read more

Last updated July 26, 2019

Emergency Preparedness

Personal Safety

man using a chain saw, wearing protective pants.




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).

Safe Food & Water

Logo for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention / CDC

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) offer guidelines to make sure your food and water is safe after an emergency.

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.

Square logo for Cornell's Emergency Disaster Education Network (EDEN) for use in blocks

Cornell’s NY 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!

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​ 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".