In cooperation with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Department of Homeland Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency through USDA, the Mississippi State University Extension Service is providing relevant, research-based, information on this page that deals with various disaster preparedness and recovery issues.
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Cleanup & Repairs
Fact Sheets and Publications
- Clearing Debris From Land (pdf format)
- Cleaning Flooded Carpets and Salvaging Clothing (pdf format)
- Cleaning Household Utensils and Metals and Drying Books and Family Papers (pdf format)
- Controlling Mold Growth When Cleaning Flooded and/or Rain-Wetted Homes (pdf format)
- Home Cleanup for Floors (pdf format)
- Home Cleanup for Walls (pdf format)
- Mold Fungi as a Major Impediment to Cleaning/Repairing Flooded and Rain-damaged Homes (pdf format)
- Salvaging Household Furniture (pdf format)
- Priorities for Cleanup and Repair (pdf format)
- Returning Home After a Disaster (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dishes, eating utensils, pots, pans, or other food utensils that have come in contact with flood water safe?
- How do I dry the walls of my house after flooding?
- How can I clean my rugs and carpets?
- How do I clean flood-soiled clothing?
- How do I clean my dishes and utensils after they have been flooded?
- My furniture got damp and has white spots and a cloudy film on it.
- My mattress is damp. Can I save it?
- My wood furniture was soaked. Is it ruined?
Archived News Releases
- Master Gardener workers will flood the Gulf Coast (08-09-07)
- Extension offers moisture meters | Español (10-06-05)
- Volunteers face health hazards (09-23-2005)
- Mold, dust can cause respiratory problems | Español (09-22-05)
- Fires could add to Katrina misery | Español (09-08-05)
- Flooded buildings may harbor mold | Español (09-08-05)
- Repair problems can double storm losses | Español (09-01-05)
Related Web Pages
Crops
Fact Sheets and Publications
- Clearing Debris From Land (pdf format)
- Forestry: Disaster Recovery
- Hurricane Damaged Timber Review
- Hurricane Katrina And Private Forest Ownerships (pdf format)
- Post Hurricane Considerations for the Commercial Nursery (pdf format)
- Promoting Turf Recovery After a Hurricane (pdf format)
- Salvaging Timber - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf format)
- Timber Price Dynamics Following A Natural Catastrophe (pdf format)
- Tips for Handling Flooded Soils (pdf format)
- Tips for Landowners Attempting to Salvage Hurricane Damaged Timber (pdf format)
- Weed Management After a Flood (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Cotton questions after a hurricane
- Is hurricane shade tree destruction tax deductible? (pdf format)
- Management tips for hurricane-damaged corn fields
- What are some FAQ's about timber casualty losses? (pdf format)
Archived News Releases
- Ag exports rebound from shipping trouble (08-17-2006)
- USDA aid programs may help state growers (05-18-2006)
- Blueberries overcome Katrina, late frosts (05-12-2006)
- Big shrimp await catch, but harvest faces obstacles (04-21-2006)
- Tilt heads to select '05 Christmas trees (11-04-05)
- Katrina scares state’s pumpkin market away (10-28-2005)
- Online resources can help salvage timber (10-27-2005)
- Guidelines offered for timber salvage (10-27-05)
- Entire turf industry reeling from Katrina (10-21-05)
- Hurricanes hit state's pecans hard -- again (10-14-05)
- Sweetpotatoes benefit from three hurricanes (10-07-05)
- 2005 storms batter state's row crops (09-30-05)
- Green industry is reeling from Hurricane Katrina (09-30-05)
- Hard-hit timber industry turns toward salvage (09-16-05)
- Ag shipping hurt by the hurricane (09-09-05)
- Katrina brought losses to state dairy industry (09-08-05)
- Katrina leaves damaged crops, fuel frustrations (09-02-05)
- Tree damage brings more deadly risks (08-31-05)
- Good Insurance Can Lessen Crop Losses (10-02-98)
Disaster Assistance
Web Pages of Relief Agencies and Organizations
- Amateur Radio Reference
- American Red Cross
- Disaster Assistance from the USDA
- EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network)
- FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
- Mississippi Animal Disaster Relief Fund
- Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
- National Hurricane Center at NOA
- National Mental Health Information Center
- Salvation Army National Headquarters
- Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Program
Disaster Handbooks and Guides
- Disaster Handbook - University of Florida IFAS Extension
- Storm
Recovery Guide for Homeowners (50 pages - pdf
format)
Louisiana State University AgCenter - Your
Guide to Preparing for Emergencies (32 pages
- pdf format)
North Carolina State University Extension Service
Flooding
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Before the Storm: Protecting Your Data from Water Damage (pdf format)
- Cleaning Flooded Carpets and Salvaging Clothing (pdf format)
- Cleaning Household Utensils and Metals and Drying Books and Family Papers (pdf format)
- Flood Damaged Electrical Appliances (MP3 audio file)
- Flooded Farm Vehicles and Equipment: Tips on Cleaning (pdf format)
- Flooded Private Sewage Systems (pdf format)
- Flood-Related Disasters in Poultry and Livestock (pdf format)
- Meal Preparation and Food Safety after a Flood (pdf format)
- Safety Rules and Recovery Procedures after a Natural Disaster; and Electrical Systems and Appliances: Cleaning and Odor Removal (pdf format)
- Tips for Handling Flooded Soils (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dishes, eating utensils, pots, pans, or other food utensils that have come in contact with flood water safe?
- Floodwater got into my refrigerator and freezer. Is the food safe?
- How can I clean my rugs and carpets?
- How do I clean flood-soiled clothing?
- How do I clean my dishes and utensils after they have been flooded?
- How do I dry the walls of my house after flooding?
- Is it safe to turn on electrical appliances in my flood-damaged home?
- My furniture got damp and has white spots and a cloudy film on it
- My mattress is damp. Can I save it?
Archived News Releases
- Flooded buildings may harbor mold | Español (09-08-05)
Related Web Pages
Food & Water
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Cleaning Canned Goods (MP3 audio file)
- Discarding Unsafe Foods (MP3 audio file)
- Emergency Food and Water (pdf format)
- Food Safety (MP3 audio file)
- Meal Preparation and Food Safety after a Flood (pdf format)
- Meal Preparation and Food Safety after a Power Failure (pdf format)
- Preparing Food During A Power Failure (pdf format)
- Safe Drinking Water in an Emergency (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Floodwater got into my refrigerator and freezer. Is the food safe?
- How can I cook if the power is off?
- How do I purify water?
- How long will food last in the refrigerator after the power has gone off?
- How long will food stay safe in the freezer if the power is off?
- If food has thawed, must I throw it out?
- Is it safe to drink the water?
- Is canned food safe to eat after a flood or storm?
Archived News Releases
- Build disaster kits for home, evacuation (07-10-08)
- Stockpile supplies before hurricane threatens area (06-29-06)
- Katrina debris doubled state’s annual collections (12-01-05)
- Handle water, food safely in aftermath of hurricane | Español (09-01-05)
Related Web Pages
- Emergency Drinking Water Information
- Save freezer food during power outages
- USDA Consumer Alert: Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency
Health & Family Needs
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Before the Storm: Protecting Your Data from Water Damage (pdf format)
- Children and Stress (MP3 audio file)
- Children Need Help Coping with Disaster (pdf format)
- Children and Stress (MP3 audio file)
- Common Responses to Disasters or Traumatic Events (pdf format)
- Dealing with Stress after a Disaster (pdf format)
- E. Coli (pdf format)
- Handling Diabetes during an Emergency (pdf format)
- How Families and Neighbors Can Help One Another Cope (pdf format)
- How to Care for Minor and Major Open Wounds (pdf format)
- Managing a Traumatic Event (pdf format)
- Preparing Your Evacuation "To Go" Box (pdf format)
- Preventing Infection in Community Centers (pdf format)
- Preventing Infection - Tetanus (pdf format)
- Recognize Your Anger (pdf format)
- Signs of Stress in Children (pdf format)
- Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness; Heat Stress in Elderly (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
Archived News Releases
- Stay safe, in touch during disasters (07-31-07)
- Build disaster kits for home, evacuation (07-10-08)
- Get ready to go before disasters (06-12-08)
- Support still available for Katrina recovery (08-17-06)
- Katrina debris doubled state’s annual collections (12-01-05)
- MSU offers help to child-care centers (11-23-05)
- Mississippi 4-H’ers team up for hurricane relief (11-17-05)
- North Carolina 4-H'ers offer helping hands (10-13-05)
- State Fair offers 4-H’ers therapy (10-06-05)
- Red Cross director credits 4-H training (09-30-05)
- Posttraumatic stress, holidays arrive together (09-29-05)
- Healthy nutrition helps reduce stress | Español (09-29-05)
- Volunteers face health hazards | Español (09-23-05)
- Funding available for Katrina repair, nature programs | Español (09-22-05)
- Mold, dust can cause respiratory problems | Español (09-22-05)
- Free credit report can replace some lost data | Español (09-22-05)
- Agencies address educational needs (09-22-05)
- School may be closed, but learning continues (09-15-05)
- Take steps to manage stress after Katrina | Español (09-15-05)
- Replace documents destroyed by Katrina (09-15-05)
- Extension computers help reunite families (09-09-05)
- Children, adults need help coping with disaster stress | Español (08-31-05)
Related Web Pages
- Children Need Help Coping With Disaster
- Helping Children Through Disasters
- Mississippi Operation 4-H Relief
Lawn & Garden
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Clearing Debris From Land (pdf format)
- Flooded Gardens
- Hurricane Cleanup Advice - Southern Gardening radio files:
- Is hurricane shade tree destruction tax deductible? (pdf format)
- Promoting Turf Recovery After a Hurricane (pdf format)
- Recovering Small Fruits (pdf format)
- Tips for Handling Flooded Soils (pdf format)
Archived News Releases
- Propagate damaged plants after hurricane (09-15-05)
- Landscapes need help after Katrina's damage (09-08-05)
- Include landscapes in storm recovery (09-01-05)
Related Web Pages
- Storm Damage to Trees
- Your lawn needs care following a hurricane
- Weather the storm with native plants
Livestock & Poultry
Fact Sheets and Publications
- Diet Supplements for Livestock (pdf format)
- Emergency Treatment and Management for Horses under Hurricane Conditions (pdf format)
- Feeding Water-damaged Feeds (pdf format)
- Flood-Related Diseases in Poultry and Livestock (pdf format)
- Handling Flood-damaged Forages (pdf format)
- Maintaining Livestock Health After A Flood (pdf format)
- Replacing Hay With Grain (pdf format)
- Sanitizing Poultry Drinking Water (pdf format)
- Salvaging Wet Stored Grain or Feed (pdf format)
Archived News Releases
- Veterinarians prepare for hurricane response (08-29-2008)
- Mississippi Horse Park offers refuge from Gustav (08-28-08)
- USDA aid programs may help state growers (05-18-06)
- Cattle producers struggle to recover (09-15-05)
- Disaster assistance set for state's producers (09-15-05)
- Katrina brought losses to state dairy industry (09-09-05)
- Veterinarians provide emergency animal relief (09-08-05)
- Mississippi Horse Park offers refuge in a storm (07-07-05)
Money & Finances
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Avoiding Frauds and Deceptions (pdf format)
- Don't Get Taken By Unethical Repair People I (MP3 audio file)
- Don't Get Taken By Unethical Repair People II (MP3 audio file)
- Managing on Suddenly-Reduced Income (pdf format)
- Seven Steps in Making an Insurance Claim (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is hurricane shade tree destruction tax deductible? (pdf format)
Archived News Releases
- USDA aid programs may help state growers (05-18-06)
- Water-logged cars flood sale markets (11-23-05)
- Loss of income making financial decisions harder | Español (10-06-05)
- Free credit report can replace some lost data (09-22-05)
- Disaster assistance set for state's producers (09-15-05)
- Document losses to ease insurance claim (09-01-05)
- Beware of fraud in wake of the disaster | Español (09-01-05)
- Good Insurance Can Lessen Crop Losses (10-02-98)
Related Web Pages
Pets
Archived News Releases
- Veterinarians provide emergency animal relief (09-08-05)
- Response team cares for storm-tossed pets (09-01-05)
- Storm-surviving animals need help from humans (09-01-05)
Power, Generators, Electricity & Appliances
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Flood Damaged Electrical Appliances (MP3 audio file)
- Generator Safety (MP3 audio file)
- Meal Preparation and Food Safety after a Power Failure (pdf format)
- Safety Rules and Recovery Procedures after a Natural Disaster; and Electrical
- Standby Electric Generators (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I cook if the power is off?
- Is it safe to turn on electrical appliances in my flood-damaged home?
Archived News Releases
- Operate generators with proper caution | Español (09-01-05)
Safety
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Chain Saw Safety (MP3 audio file)
- Chain Saw Safety Tree Felling (pdf format)
- Fuel Hauling and Safety Tips (pdf format)
- Gasoline Safety & Precautions
- Generator Safety (MP3 audio file)
- Returning Home after a Disaster (pdf format)
- Safety Rules and Recovery Procedures after a Natural Disaster (pdf format)
- Tree Removal, Timber Recovery Issues and Chain Saw Safety (pdf format)
- Tree Removal, Timber Recovery, Using Chain Saws (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
Archived News Releases
- Stay safe, in touch during disasters (07-31-07)
- Build disaster kits for home, evacuation (07-10-08)
- Get ready to go before disasters (06-12-08)
- Temporary housing is not safe for hurricanes (06-29-06)
- Be careful hauling, storing gasoline | Español (09-08-05)
- Fires could add to Katrina misery (09-08-05)
- Operate generators with proper caution | Español (09-01-05)
Related Web Pages
Timber, Trees and Forestry
Fact Sheets and Publications
- Chain Saw Safety (MP3 audio file)
- Chain Saw Safety Tree Felling (pdf format)
- Forestry: Disaster Recovery
- Hurricane Damaged Timber Review
- Hurricane Katrina And Private Forest Ownerships (pdf format)
- Salvaging Timber - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf format)
- Timber Price Dynamics Following A Natural Catastrophe (pdf format)
- Tips for Landowners Attempting to Salvage Hurricane Damaged Timber (pdf format)
- Tree Removal, Timber Recovery, Using Chain Saws (pdf format)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are some FAQ's about timber casualty losses? (pdf format)
Archived News Releases
- Katrina still impacts state’s forest industry (08-30-07)
- USDA aid programs may help state growers (05-18-06)
- Timber salvage continues, damage to species varies (05-05-06)
- Tilt heads to select '05 Christmas trees (11-04-05)
- Online resources can help salvage timber (10-27-2005)
- Guidelines offered for timber salvage (10-27-05)
- Hard-hit timber industry turns toward salvage (09-16-05)
- Tree damage brings more deadly risks (08-31-05)
- Tree damage brings more deadly risks (08-31-05)
- Most Trees Endure Hurricane Georges (10-02-98)
- Chain Saw Users Face Deadly Risks (10-02-98)
Wildlife, Pests & Snakes
Fact Sheets, Publications, and Audio Files
- Minimizing Wildlife Problems after a Flood (pdf format)
- Snakes (MP3 audio file)
- Safety Precautions with Snakes and Removing Snakes from Dwellings (pdf format)
Archived News Releases
- Flood waters displace snakes, rodents, ants | Español (09-01-05)
