Dealing with Disasters

Dealing with Drought

The resources on this page continue to offer drought related information to those that need it. The USDA has established a website called Disaster and Drought Assistance that is update d on a regular basis. Also see the national Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Disaster Preparedness Fact Sheets on drought .

For those who experience heavy rains and flooding, Dealing with Flooding, has resources to prepare for a flood situation, recover and clean up from flood water damage, and follow current conditions. The national Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) provides additional resources for county extension offices on the Floods and Flooding webpage.

Frequently Asked Drought Questions

Crops
Livestock
Dealing with Stress
Home & Yard
Financial Concerns
Businesses
2012

Crops

Resources for crop-related issues during a drought are listed below. Subscribe to Integrated Crop Management News to receive notification of articles as published. The USDA website Disaster and Drought Assistance is updated on a regular basis; it includes the map of USDA Drought Disaster Declared Counties.

2013 Harvest issues addressed – September presentations
- Crop Maturity – Mark Johnson (9 min.)
- Management of Prevent Plant Acres - Paul Kassel document
- Grain Quality and Storage – Charles Hurburgh (14 min.)
- Crop Market Outlook – Chad Hart (15 min.)
Emergency Water Storage for Crop and Livestock Production - April 2013. Understand how shallow groundwater resources (wells) are impacted during and beyond drought, and how to use onsite emergency water storage to help meet daily water demands with stressed or limited water supplies.
Cutting Nitrogen Rates in 2013 — This April 1, 2013 document titled "Estimating N Carryover" encourages crop producers to test soils, estimate carryover N and reduce spring N rates.
Crop Market Outlook — Chad Hart (2013)
Iowa Hay and Straw Directory

Related Topics
- 2012 Drought in Iowa - Anticipating Economic Impacts — A brief prepared by David Swenson and Liesl Eathington, Community and Economic Development specialists; August 2012.
- Iowa Crop Progress and Condition

Livestock Concerns

Emergency Water Storage for Crop and Livestock Production - April 2013. Understand how shallow groundwater resources (wells) are impacted during and beyond drought, and how to use onsite emergency water storage to help meet daily water demands with stressed or limited water supplies.
Water Conservation Fact Sheet — National Pork Board, includes water use with hogs, whole farm water system and farm house water use.
Water Conservation in the Swine Industry — National Pork Board
Pasture Recovery during Drought — Barnhart
Managing Through Stress: A Livestock Information Event — February 4, 2013
- Intro and Crop Outlook: President Craig Hill and Chad Hart, ISU - Duration: 20:29
- Livestock Outlook: Lee Schulz, ISU - Duration: 20:46
- Weather Outlook: Elwynn Taylor, ISU - Duration: 21:32
- Financial Indicators/Strategy ideas: Sterling Liddell, Rabo AgriFinance - Duration: 16:42
- Watching for Stress and What You Can Do: Michael Rosmann, Ag Behavioral Health - Duration: 26:42
- Multi-Species handout
Coping with Drought-Affected Private Water Supply Wells — January 2013
Disaster and Drought Assistance — USDA website, updated on a regular basis.
Feed
Iowa Beef Center has drought resources for livestock producers. Information at this website includes:

These Iowa State University-based organizations also offer resources to the Iowa livestock industry.

Dealing with Stress

Everyone is susceptible to the stress caused by natural disasters. The following resources provide information to help you deal with stress.

Hotlines
- Iowa Concern Hotline: 800-447-1985
  Help and referrals for dealing with stress, crisis and loss in times of disaster.
- Teenline — (800)443-8336 Available all hours, all days. Personal and health-related information and referral.
Managing and Coping with Stress across the Lifespan
- Show You Care By Listening – Disaster Recovery Series, Iowa State University Extension
- Strengthen Your Relationship in Stressful Times – Disaster Recovery Series, Iowa State University Extension
- Watching for Stress and What You Can Do: Michael Rosmann, Ag Behavioral Health -video: 26:42
- Managing and Coping with Stress — ISU Extension Publications
- Encouraging Family Communication after a Disaster—from University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Information for family caregivers—from eXtension.org
- Coping with Disaster — from Mental Health America
- After a Natural Disaster: Coping with Loss—from University of Minnesota Extension
Stress in Children
- Children and Disasters -- from the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN)
- How to Help Children Frightened by News Events -- from CYFERnet
- Help Children Cope with Frightening Events and Disasters — from ISU Extension and Outreach
- Disaster Preparedness to Meet Children’s Needs— from American Academy of Pediatrics
- Children’s Health in the Aftermath of Floods—from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Children as Victims of Natural Disasters—from Purdue Extension
- Understanding the Impact of Disasters on the Lives of Children and Youth—from University of Arizona Extension
- Global Disasters: Helping Children Cope—from National Association of School Psychologists
- Resources for Educators —from University of Illinois Extension
- Resources for Parents and Teachers —from FEMA for Kids
- School Safety and Crisis Resources —from National Association of School Psychologists

Home & Yard

Conserving Water and Water Supplies
- Water Conservation Fact Sheet — National Pork Board, includes water use with hogs, whole farm water system and farm house water use.
- Coping with Drought-Affected Private Water Supply Wells — January 2013
- Water Conservation Tips — conserving water reduces usage and costs
- Conserving Water (University of Minnesota Extension)
- Quick Tips and water-saving devices for homes (University of Florida Extension Living Green)
- Water Conservation in and Around the Home (Colorado State University Extension)
Home
- AnswerLine: 800-262-3804 (toll free for Iowa residents); 515-296-5883 (outside Iowa)
  Information and resources on home and family questions.
- Spend Smart Eat Smart — ways to spend wisely and eat nutritiously
- Storm Recovery Guide — information on safety and household cleanup after tornadoes, floods and other disasters. This guide was created by LSU AgCenter and edited by Iowa State University Extension experts for use in Iowa.
Yard
- Drought Damaged Lawns Need Help — September 2012, David Minner
- Horticulture Needs during Drought, 7/20/12: Archived webinar sessions: Managing fruit crops; turfgrass; nursery stock; current issues
- Lawn Watering and Drought Management
- Trees Stressed by Lack of Water
- DNR fact sheets — a snapshot of current water resource trends and links to additional information including

Financial Concerns

Farm Finances
- Disaster and Drought Assistance — USDA website, updated on a regular basis.
- Managing Farm Family Finances — guide for managing irregular and unpredictable income for family living needs.
Family Finances
- Money Mechanics - Record Keeping — includes keeping a close tab on spending.
- Money Mechanics - Communication — tips to start your family communicating about money, includes a plan to reach financial goals.
- Spending Plans and Worksheets — Understand when and how much to borrow, how to shop for credit, and credit reports and credit rights.
- Money Mechanics - Credit and Analyzing Your Debts Worksheet — tips on how much to borrow
- Managing Farm Family Finances — guide for managing irregular and unpredictable income for family living needs.
- Take Control of Your Money — free online course for families dealing with financial stress
- Managing in Tough Times — eXtension Financial Security website
- Your Money Your Future — Online classes begin Aug.6
- Making Every Cent Count — University of California, Cooperative Extension website
Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues — helps you regain a sense of financial balance following a disaster. This guide is a joint effort of the National Endowment for Financial Education, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Red Cross.
Disaster Recovery Journal app -- This smart phone app from North Dakota State University Extension helps you record information about damages to your home and property using text, images and audio.
Recovery after Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit — strategies and tools that can help you move along the road toward financial recovery. The toolkit was created by University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

Businesses

Dealing with Drought — From the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS)

Additional Resources

Alliance for Water Efficiency - Manufacturing Introduction
Food Processing Industries Water Use Efficiency Ideas - California Department of Water Resources
Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Dealing with Disasters
Safeguard Iowa
Save Water PA
The American Water Works Association Waterwiser Resources
The Governor's Office Drought Page
Urban Drought Guidebook 2008 Updated Edition - State of California, Department of Water Resources, Office of Water Use Efficiency and Transfers

Web Archive

Watch recorded and archived drought webinars.

Swine Drought Response, 8/29/12

Grain Outlook - Chad Hart
Livestock Outlook – Lee Schultz
Drought and Swine Pig Performance – Matt Swantek
Stretching Corn Supply – Dave Stender
Discussion Summary – participant ideas for stretching corn supply

Drought Issues – Current and Future, 8/21/12

Introduction, Aflatoxin and Diseases
Feed Implications and Harvest
Future Considerations – Livestock options and Crop Markets

Find responses to questions asked during the Webinar.

Crops and Livestock Options During Drought, 7/25/12

Find responses to questions asked during the Webinar.

Horticulture Needs during Drought, 7/20/12

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