Farms & Flood Preparation

Sitting here in a dry Las Vegas, I see the national weather radar on my computer screen. As I write this, there is pretty heavy rain in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Michigan. The mid-west has certainly had an issue with flooding already this spring, and this little weather event is certainly not going to help matters any.

I remember my brother serving with the Illinois National Guard, helping people in Keithsburg, Illinois in 1993 when the Mississippi River broke through the banks and flooded most of the town. According to the National Weather Service, the river at Keithsburg is at 12.7 feet. Flood stage is 14 feet. The NWS and NOAA predict the river will almost reach flood stage on Monday, April 14.

What can a farmer or other rural resident do to prevent loss from a flood? Here are a few good ideas.

• Videotape, take pictures of, and record serial and model numbers of any and everything on your property or in your house. In the unlikely situation that you would need to file an insurance claim for flood damage, you will be prepared.
• Save your important documents in a
  
• Get flood insurance. It may not seem necessary to many people, but in most places it is typically inexpensive. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
• If you have basements, make sure there is an operational sump-pump in each one.
  
• Anchor all fuel, water and storage tanks firmly to the ground.
• Keep gutters and downspouts clean and free from obstructions.
  
• Before a heavy rain or possible flood event, turn off electricity, natural gas or LP to buildings that do not need it.
• Have an out of state family contact.
• Make sure all implements like tractors, combines, planters, etc... are either secure in a building or sitting on high ground.
• Check and then double check that containers with dangerous chemicals are secure and not leaking.
• If significant flooding is predicted, move furniture and electronics from lower floors to upper floors.
• It is also a good idea to turn off your houses' gas supply if major flooding is a possibility.
• If there are animals on the farm, make sure they have proper shelter.
• Routinely check local levees and drainage ditches for possible problems.
• Be sure to have an evacuation plan, and that it allows for you and your family to get out before the situation becomes an immediate flood situation.

Take care & be safe!