Continuing rain and extreme weather events, including impacts from hurricanes, are saturating our Connecticut communities. UConn Extension has the following resources to support agricultural producers, consumers, residents, and others affected. You can also sign up for mobile weather alerts by visiting weather.gov and CT Alerts. Anyone in a Disaster area can use the Ready.gov disaster recovery resources.
Ask a Question
UConn Extension provides answers you can trust. Our educators can also connect with agricultural producers, residents, and businesses individually. Ask us a question.
Residents
Our team offers the following advice on extreme flooding:
Recommendations include: avoid areas with extreme flooding, as little as six inches of water can cause problems, do not drive through flooded water, check weather forecasts, and sign up for mobile alerts.
Flooding and erosion also cause issues on beach properties. Our Sea Grant program has a checklist for coastal hazards.
There are emergency preparedness resources for all residents available at our Adapt CT program. Coastal homeowners and businesses can also use resources specifically made for their situation.
Flood Damage in Your Home
The saturated soil means that incoming rain may cause more problems in your home. Visit http://s.uconn.edu/prevent-flood-damage for resources.
Water, Septic, and Soil Testing
Water testing is also advised in some situations. Visit our website for more resources on how to get water tested in Connecticut.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has information for handling private wells and septic systems after a flood:
Soil testing can help determine the extent of damage and any soil remediation needed. Visit our soil lab online for more information.
Food Safety
Flooding sometimes impacts homes and gardens too. We have the following resources to help in those situations:
- Residential gardening (including vegetables) after flooding
- The safety of food and water after a flood (including well/drinking water)
- Fruit and vegetable food safety from flooded areas
- Food safety after a power outage (in the event that a power outage accompanies a flood)
Agricultural Producers
Water and Soil Testing
Water testing is also advised in some situations. Visit our website for more resources on how to get water tested in Connecticut.
Soil testing can help determine the extent of damage and any soil remediation needed. Visit our soil lab online for more information.
Food Safety
UConn Extension is part of the Produce Safety Alliance, and there are guidelines for flooded farms. We also recommend reviewing our farm worker training video series (y en Español) as the principles will help guide farm recovery after a flood.
Equine
Equine owners also need to be cognizant of disaster preparation, especially floods, and we have specific recommendations for these situations as well as on preparing for equine disasters.
Municipalities
We have programs to help municipalities with stormwater and flooding, including the MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) and the Adapt CT program for climate adaptation, including flooding in coastal and other communities. There are also fact sheets available:
Governmental Resources
Many state and national organizations have programs and resources that can help with extreme flooding:
- USDA RMA (Risk Management) Emergency Loss Procedures
- USDA Rural Development Programs
- USDA Disaster Resistance
- USDA NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection
Resources from Other Extension Systems
From the National Healthy Homes Project
Putting People First is the focus so they will protect their health during the cleanup and restoration process.
Thanks to the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and Enterprise Community Partners, A Field Guide for Flooded Home Cleanup (also available in Spanish) has received a makeover. The widely-used guide was first developed nearly 15 years ago to teach safe mold removal practices in hurricane-damaged homes.
In addition, NCHH has a free online training course to educate homeowners and contractors in mold removal safety.
The Rebuild Healthy Homes Guide was developed to help homeowners, volunteers, and other workers to restore damaged homes in a way that puts people first. It includes how-to methods, tips, and improvement ideas for safe restoration that result in not just a livable dwelling, but a healthy home that offers even more than before.