Owner`s manual

Preparing to Evacuate Your Farm
SAFETY MEASURES WHEN FLOODING IS EXPECTED
If you live in an area prone
to flooding or if flooding
has been anticipated for
some time, have an
emergency plan for
evacuation. It should
include such
considerations as family
safety, equipment safety,
livestock relocation and
temporary milking facilities.
When flooding is hours or
minutes away, keep your
priorities straight. Ensure
family safety first. Be
certain you have enough
time to get to higher
ground before access is cut
off. If you have time before
receiving an evacuation
order, a number of
precautions may help you
protect your property and
livestock.
Additional resources:
Weather-reporting services, such
as the National Weather Service,
to predict the severity of flooding;
your county agricultural agent;
your local emergency government
office; the American Red Cross;
the Federal Emergency
Management Agency
LONG-RANGE PREPARATION
Take these precautions if flooding is common to your area or anticipated this
season:
♦ Create an emergency plan of action, considering such things as areas of
high ground for animal relocation, temporary milking facilities and approval
to use them, equipment relocation and safe pesticide storage.
♦ Be sure cattle are properly immunized before being exposed to floodwaters.
♦ Arrange or be aware of standby services for emergency milk pick-up.
♦ Have a plan for moving grain out of reach of floodwaters.
♦ Provide riprap on banks of earthen manure storages where flowing water
may erode berms.
SHORT-TERM PREPARATION
If time is available, take the following precautions:
♦ Move machinery, feed, grain, pesticides and herbicides to a higher
elevation. If you have a two-story barn, the upper level makes a good
temporary storage facility.
♦ Open gates so livestock can escape high water.
♦ If water is rising, try to drive stock through water free of obstructions.
Grazing animals swim well, but the greatest problem for them are fences
and other obstacles. Long swims through calm water are safer than short
swims through a swift current.
♦ Leave building doors and windows open at least 2 inches to equalize
pressure and help prevent buildings from shifting.
♦ If possible, move motors and portable electric equipment to a dry location.
♦ Disconnect electric power to all buildings which may be flooded. If in
doubt about how to disconnect power, call your utility company.
♦ Tie down lumber, logs, irrigation pipes, fuel tanks and other loose
equipment or material. Secondary containment is another possibility for fuel
tanks, as well as pesticide storage.
♦ To keep surface water out of your well, use materials such as heavy plastic
and duct tape to seal the well cap and top of the well casing.
Information from: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension FLOOD-FARM PREPARATION