Weathering the Storm Together

As spring in Florida gives way to hurricane season, it’s natural to feel a mix of anticipation and concern. That’s why now is the time to proactively prepare your farm or ranch before a storm is on the horizon.

Just as grocery store shelves empty quickly before a hurricane, essential farm supplies can become difficult to find as well. Planning ahead helps ensure you can maintain operations for at least a week after a major storm. Whether you’ve weathered many hurricanes or this is your first hurricane season in Florida agriculture, taking steps now can make a major difference.

Getting Ahead of the Storm

• Power Up and Tune Up: Check generators and chainsaws to make sure they are operating properly before storm season begins.
• Fuel Reserves: Keep adequate fuel on hand for tractors, generators, and equipment requiring mixed fuel.
• Secure Potential Hazards: Walk your property and secure anything that could become dangerous flying debris. Store tools, ladders, chainsaws, and other equipment in a safe location.
• Strengthen Structures: Take steps to reinforce greenhouses, barns, workshops, and other structures against high winds.
• Make an Evacuation Plan: Decide ahead of time whether you will evacuate. If livestock evacuation is part of your plan, make sure vaccinations and Coggins tests are current.
• Protect Important Records: Digitally back up insurance policies, financial documents, and other critical records. Store hard copies in waterproof containers. Photograph buildings, vehicles, equipment, and livestock before a storm to help document losses if disaster assistance is needed.
• Build Your Emergency Contact List: Keep a readily accessible list of important contacts, including your veterinarian, the Farm Service Agency, utility providers, employees, emergency contacts, and your local County Extension office.
• Know Your Resources: Familiarize yourself with available FSA Disaster Assistance Programs before a storm occurs.

Caring for Your Animals

• Inspect Fencing: Check fences for weak points and keep basic repair materials on hand.
• Livestock Safety in Pastures: In many situations, livestock are safest in open pastures with strong fencing, access to higher ground, and minimal debris hazards. Barns may not withstand extreme winds and can become dangerous if they collapse.
• Poultry Care: Make sure poultry facilities have proper ventilation and always provide adequate feed and clean water.
• Ensure Proper Identification: Identify livestock using registered brands, ear tags with contact information, luggage tags braided into tails or manes, or non-toxic paint markings.
• Prepare an Animal Emergency Kit: Keep halters, leads, rope, tape, tarps, fly spray, and essential animal medical supplies in an easily accessible location.
• Stock Extra Feed and Water: Maintain additional feed and water supplies for livestock and pets, as supply disruptions may last several days after a storm.

After the Storm Passes

• Document Damages: Carefully photograph and document all losses or damages. Save receipts for repairs, fuel, supplies, and cleanup services for insurance and disaster assistance purposes.
• Stay Away from Downed Power Lines: Treat all downed lines as energized and dangerous. If you encounter one while in a vehicle, remain inside and contact emergency personnel or your utility provider immediately.
• Report Losses Quickly: Notify your local Farm Service Agency office about damages and losses as soon as possible. Some disaster assistance programs require reporting within 72 hours of the storm.

More information about disaster assistance programs can be found through Farmers.gov Hurricane Recovery Resources.

Hurricane preparedness is not something anyone wants to think about, but preparation today can help protect your operation, your animals, and your family tomorrow. Taking small steps now can make recovery safer and more manageable when storms impact our communities.

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