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 from Hurricane Irene in Highland, Ulster County, NY (2011).

Eureka, MO, 03/22/2008 -- Members of the Missouri Humane Society along with a volunteer large animal rescue group, Missouri Emergency Response Service, go out on a mission to rescue 13 cattle that were stuck in flood waters. A member of the team prompts the cattle to go in the direction of higher ground.

Image by Jocelyn Augustino/FEMA

Farm disaster preparedness training is offered through Cornell's NY EDEN program.

A car is crushed by a tree limb on Potomac off Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo, New York during the "Friday the 13" snow storm. October 14, 2006.

Image by Jason Safoutin

A car in Buffalo, NY crushed during a snow storm (2006).

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.

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General 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 the most recent Coronavirus updates.

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

In the event of a boil water notice -https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/boilwater/

Last updated September 27, 2024

Emergency Preparedness

Personal Safety

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

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.