Last updated on June 24th, 2025 at 05:32 pm
Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have had devastating impacts on the southeastern United States, and communities are facing unprecedented challenges. Many areas have been left in ruins, with communication lines severed, and local support systems struggling to respond. Visit the hyperlinked text to find out how you can help the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.
Being aware of hurricane hazards is crucial, especially if you live in coastal areas or regions prone to tropical storms. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage through high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, posing significant risks to both property and personal safety. The CDC has a great list of post-hurricane safety tips.
Evacuation Routes
Know your local evacuation routes, and have a plan in place for safe evacuation. Familiarize yourself with local shelters and emergency resources.
Flooding
Heavy rainfall and storm surges can lead to significant flooding. Water may not be safe to drink, cook, or clean with after a flood. Water can become contaminated with microorganisms such as bacteria, sewage, heating oil, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that can cause serious illness. Find more information on AgriSafe’s flooding page.
Check out AgriSafe’s English Flood Infographics Social Media Toolkit and the Spanish-Language version, Material necesario en caso de inundación.
Additional resource: How to Disinfect Wells After an Emergency – CDC
Health Precautions
After a hurricane, avoid contact with standing water and be cautious of potential hazards such as downed power lines and damaged infrastructure. Ensure that food and water supplies are safe before consumption.
Power Outages
Hurricanes often result in power outages, disrupting communication and access to essential services. Have a backup power source and keep essential supplies on hand.
Wind Damage
Strong winds can uproot trees, damage roofs, and destroy structures. Ensure that your home is well-prepared by securing loose items and reinforcing windows and doors.
Chemicals
If a chemical, pesticide, or hazardous waste spill occurs, chemicals might be released from barns, homes, and other sources into the environment. Chemical spills could release vapors or chemical fumes. Learn more about chemical safety from AgriSafe.
Heat-Related Illnesses
Disaster recovery is physically strenuous, especially in hot temperatures. Intense heat exposure can cause heat-related illnesses. Signs can include excessive thirst, weakness, headache, loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, and/or dizziness.
Livestock
Hurricanes can cause floods which can potentially increase the transmission of communicable diseases: Water-Borne (Hepatitis A); Vector-Borne (West Nile Virus); Bacterial (Tetanus) spores and Fungal (Histoplasmosis) spores found in dust, dirt, animal droppings and animal carcass.
Mental Stress
After a natural disaster, individuals are dealing with the extra stress of current conditions, along with the daily stress of farm and ranch operations. Natural disasters such as hurricanes create a tremendous amount of additional stress and anxiety. It is possible to develop major depression, generalized anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn more about mental health from AgriSafe.
Mold
Mold is part of the natural environment, but higher concentrations of mold and bacteria can be found after a flood. The wet environment can cause the production of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs), which emit chemical like odors and can become noxious respiratory irritants. Learn more about respiratory health best practices from AgriSafe.
Additional resource: What You Can Do to Protect Your Respiratory Health During Disaster Cleanup – CDC
Hurricane Resources
Documents
| ID | Title | Summary | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12776 | Amenaza para la salud en la granja por inundaciones | Last updated on July 28th, 2026 at 01:14 pm A Spanish language guide to help farmers protect themselves from warm weather farm flood health threats. Haga clic en “view” para… | |
| 12784 | Amenazas para la salud por inundaciones en la granja: Factores de riesgo durante la recuperación en invierno | Last updated on July 28th, 2026 at 01:00 pm A Spanish language guide to help farmers protect themselves during winter floods. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso. English… | |
| 9539 | Directrices provisionales para proteger a los trabajadores contra el lodo y las aguas residuales de las actividades ganaderas y avícolas, durante y después de las inundaciones | Last updated on February 14th, 2025 at 03:26 pm The purpose of this Spanish language guidance is to protect workers from illnesses and injuries associated with livestock and poultry wastewater… | |
| 9394 | Entering And Cleaning Up Flooded Homes | Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:34 pm Protect yourself and your family during cleanup…. | |
| 12497 | Farm and Ranch Health Threats After a Flood | Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 12:21 pm Summary: Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is… | |
| 9542 | Farm Flood Health Threats – Cold Weather | Last updated on July 28th, 2026 at 12:56 pm A guide to help farmers protect themselves during winter floods. Spanish Title: Amenazas para la salud por inundaciones en la granja:… | |
| 9540 | Farm Flood Health Threats – Warm Weather | Last updated on July 28th, 2026 at 01:09 pm A guide to help farmers protect themselves from warm weather farm flood health threats. Spanish Title: Amenaza para la salud en… | |
| 9393 | Flood Recovery Checklists for Farmsteads | Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:36 pm This publication is for farmers and ranchers affected by flooding…. | |
| 12766 | Flood Resources Toolkit | Last updated on July 2nd, 2026 at 01:27 pm Social media graphics for flood risks. Spanish Title: Material necesario en caso de inundación para redes sociales… | |
| 9538 | Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers from Livestock and Poultry Wastewater and Sludge During and After Floods | Last updated on July 26th, 2024 at 01:46 pm The purpose of this guidance is to protect workers from illnesses and injuries associated with livestock and poultry wastewater and sludge… | |
| 12768 | Material necesario en caso de inundación para redes sociales | Last updated on July 2nd, 2026 at 01:27 pm Spanish language social media graphics for flood risks. Haga clic en “view” para acceder este recurso. English Title: Flood Resources Toolkit… | |
| 25235 | Natural Disasters, Stress, and Well-Being | Last updated on April 3rd, 2026 at 05:26 pm This resource provides guidance on normal feelings during natural disasters, stress, coping techniques, and how to talk with children and other… | |
| 9395 | Pesticide Storage Concerns During and After a Flood | Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:49 pm A resource about immediate actions to take after a storm when floodwaters or a storage facility could potentially be contaminated with… |
Webinars
| Webinar Title | Summary | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Ranch Health Threats After a Flood | Last updated on May 12th, 2026 at 12:21 pm Summary: Disaster recovery can be as dangerous as the disaster itself, especially if no disaster preparedness plan was implemented. This is… |
Page updated: October 2024