Storms
During recent years, the spate of historic severe weather systems, flooding and tornados affecting much of the Nation has impacted rural America significantly. USDA continues to help residents, farmers, ranchers and businesses that have been hard hit by these natural disasters. Here is information on how USDA can assist you.
Hurricane Matthew Resources
USDA is prepared to provide food, emergency housing, community, as well as farmer and rancher assistance to individuals and small businesses affected by Hurricane Matthew. We continue to work with states affected by Hurricane Matthew regarding requests for various assistance, waivers and flexibilities in administering federal nutrition assistance programs.
Here is more information on how USDA can help you.
FSIS consumer food safety guidance for power outages/storms
Press Release - USDA Prepares for Hurricane Matthew - USDA Reminds Individuals and Small Businesses that USDA Offers Disaster Assistance Programs to Help
FEMA Mobile App - Download the FEMA mobile app for shelter information, disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips, in English and in Spanish. The app provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.
Online Resources
:USA.gov - Get information to be prepared before, during, and after a hurricane.
FEMA's Hurricane Matthew Resources
USDA Radio Stories
:North Carolina Flood Loss Figures Still Mounting 11/02/2016 01:30 PM EDT One USDA official in North Carolina says flood damage to that state's agriculture is more extensive than had been thought earlier. (Gary Crawford and Bob Etheridge)
USDA Acting Deputy Secretary and Others To Visit N.C. Flood Areas 11/02/2016 01:30 PM EDT A top USDA official and a North Carolina Congressman are scheduled today (Thursday, Nov. 3) to visit farming areas in that state devastated by flooding. (Gary Crawford and Bob Etheridge)
Actuality: Flood Damage to N.C. Peanut Farm Described 11/02/2016 01:30 PM EDT Bob Etheridge, North Carolina Farm Service Agency State Executive Director, describing what last month's flooding did to one peanut farm he visited.
Actuality: Deputy USDA Secretary and Others Visiting N.C. Students 11/02/2016 01:30 PM EDT Bob Etheridge, North Carolina Farm Service Agency State Executive Director, saying that besides visiting flood damaged farms Thursday (today, Nov. 3), he and Acting USDA Deputy Secretary Michael Scuse and Congressman G.K. Butterfield will be visiting Williamston to meet with high school students during the Northeast Regional Ag Expo.
Warmer Weather Aids In Post-Matthew Dryout In The Carolinas 10/18/2016 01:30 PM EDT Temperatures in the 80's and 90's this week should help Carolina soils oversaturated by Hurricane Matthew dry out faster. (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)
Actuality: Aftermath Of Matthew In The Carolinas 10/18/2016 01:30 PM EDT USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, says record setting flooding and significant loss to crops and livestock in North and South Carolina are among the impacts from Hurricane Matthew.
Matthew's Aftermath - Agricultural Impacts 10/13/2016 01:30 PM EDT Initial reports are coming from the Carolinas on how the hurricane previously known as Matthew has impacted crops and farm animals. (Rod Bain. Melissa Huffman of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Jacob Stokes of Clemson University Extension.)
North Carolina Poultry Casualties From Matthew 10/13/2016 01:30 PM EDT The total of poultry lost in the Tar Heel state due to impacts from Hurricane Matthew is expected to rise in coming days. (Rod Bain. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. Melissa Huffman of North Carolina Cooperative Extension)
The Floyd Comparisons And Hurricane Matthew Ag Impacts 10/13/2016 01:30 PM EDT Initial reports in the Carolinas of ag related damages from Hurricane Matthew have some remembering a similar storm from almost two decades ago. (Rod Bain. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Melissa Huffman of North Carolina Cooperative Extension)
Ag Impacts From Matthew In Southern Atlantic Region 10/12/2016 01:30 PM EDT What are some of the initial concerns about agriculture in areas affected by Matthew? (Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey)
Floods Bring Many Problems for North Carolina Farmers and Others 10/11/2016 01:30 PM EDT Handling thousands of drowned farm animals and getting food to flood victims are just two problems North Carolina officials are having to deal with. (Gary Crawford, Gov. Pat McCrory and Steve Hortin)
Cotton Crop Condition in Question in North Carolina 10/11/2016 01:30 PM EDT It's too early to determine how much damage the cotton crop in the Carolinas may have suffered during Hurricane Matthew and its aftermath. (Gary Crawford, Gov. Pat McCrory and Mark Brusberg)
USDA Will Play a Role in Helping Hurricane Victims with Food Issues 10/07/2016 01:30 PM EDT The U.S. Department of Agriculture will have a role in helping hurricane victims with food issues. (Gary Crawford, Gov. Rick Scott and Steve Hortin)
Actuality: USDA Can Allow for SNAP Recipients to Get Benefits Early 10/07/2016 01:30 PM EDT Steve Hortin, Director of the Office of Emergency Management for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, saying in disasters USDA can allow for early release of regular SNAP benefits to recipients.
Actuality: Disaster States Can Request USDA To Set Up Disaster Snap Program 10/07/2016 01:30 PM EDT Steve Hortin, Director of the Office of Emergency Management for USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, saying that states hit by Matthew or other disasters can ask USDA to set up a special Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Farmers in Path of Matthew Urged to Gather and Secure Farm Records 10/06/2016 07:30 AM EDT As a part of trying to prepare your farm for a hit from Hurricane Matthew, USDA officials are suggesting you gather and secure your farm records. (Gary Crawford, Dr. Rick Knabb and Brad Pfaff)
USDA Post Hurricane Help May Be There for Fruit Growers and Others 10/06/2016 07:30 AM EDT Even if you don't produce crops like corn that are covered by USDA safety net programs, you may still be able to get post Matthew help from USDA. (Gary Crawford and Brad Pfaff)
Actuality: Most Counties Have an Agricultural Emergency Management Board 10/06/2016 07:30 AM EDT Brad Pfaff, Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs in USDA's Farm Service Agency, talking about local Agricultural Emergency Management Boards which will be active in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
Saving Perishable Foods When Threatened by Power Outage 10/05/2016 01:30 PM EDT If you expect to lose power for any length of time, here are some tips that may give you a better chance of saving perishable foods in the freezer or fridge. (Gary Crawford, Gov. Rick Scott and Marianne Gravely)
The Possible Agricultural Impacts of Matthew 10/05/2016 01:30 PM EDT There could be some significant impacts to agriculture in the path of hurricane Matthew. (Gary Crawford and Mark Brusberg)
Livestock Producers Getting Ready for Matthew 10/05/2016 01:30 PM EDT What should livestock producers in the path of the effects of Matthew do to get ready? (Gary Crawford and Dr. Brian McCluskey)
USDA Prepping its Facilities to Minimize Storm Damage from Matthew 10/05/2016 01:30 PM EDT The Southeastern Coastal area of the U.S. is home to many USDA offices and laboratories. Officials are doing what they can to minimize possible damage from Matthew. (Gary Crawford and Dr. Gregory Parham)
Storm Evacuees Urged to Take Pets with Them, if Possible. 10/05/2016 01:30 PM EDT Thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes along the southeastern coast; but what about their pets? (Gary Crawford, Gov. Nikki Haley and Dr. Brian McCluskey)
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