Cornell Cooperative Extension

Westchester 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 during a storm.

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.

Fields flooded by nearby Wallkill River during Hurricane Irene (2011) and again after Tropical Storm Lee, near Campbell Hall, NY, USA

Flood Recovery

Floods can be devastating to a family's home and the road to recovery can be long. Find out more about resources you can use here.

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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.

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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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man using a chain saw, wearing protective pants.

Chainsaw Safety

Find resources to help you choose a chainsaw that's right for you, and guidelines for using it safely and effectively, here on our Chainsaw Safety page.

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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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snow

Winter Weather Safety

Find tips on winter driving, personal and pet safety, how to prepare for winter storms, links to Cornell's EDEN website, and more, here on our Emergency Preparedness page

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Last updated November 11, 2020

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.

Visit EDEN online

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

Events

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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 list of items to include in an "Emergency Supply Kit".