Disasters Happen, but Preparation Helps
In August, roads turned into rivers, cars were submerged, and bridges were swept away as torrential rain drenched Connecticut over two days. The damage rippled across the state, affecting homes, travel infrastructure, crops, aquaculture beds in Long Island Sound, and our food supply chain.
This was one of Connecticut's several weather-related disasters in 2024. Devastating floods were followed by fall brushfires and drought conditions that extended into mid-November. Weather extremes are a regular part of life and preparing for a variety of scenarios can help individuals, families, and communities minimize the impacts of these events.
UConn Extension is tackling extreme weather and disaster preparedness by supporting agricultural producers with flood and drought resources, along with building community resilience and educating families on safety strategies. Extension professionals provide research-based outreach tailored to the challenges people face.
Preparation is key, and UConn Extension offers resources to help everyone better navigate these situations. By planning ahead, we can mitigate their impact and enhance resilience for individuals, families, and communities.
Here are key strategies:
1. Emergency Kits - Assemble a kit with essentials such as water, food, medications, important documents, and communication tools.
2. Stay Informed - Monitor weather alerts and maintain contact with local emergency services.
3. Protect Property - Elevate valuable items, secure loose objects outdoors, and clear drainage systems to prevent flooding.
4. Plan Ahead - Develop and practice evacuation and communication plans for families or workplaces.
5. Health and Safety - Know how to manage food safety during power outages and reduce mold risks post-flooding.
Visit UConn Extension’s Disaster Education Network at eden.uconn.edu for detailed resources and practical advice. Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe.
Managing Water Use at Home During Drought in Connecticut
Although it can be said that drought is part of our natural cycle here in Connecticut, higher global temperatures have impacted our precipitation patterns. Over the last century, our annual precipitation totals have not changed substantially, however we are experiencing more extreme precipitation events, along with, you guessed it: longer and more intense droughts. These extremes are easy to see: in 2020 and 2021, we saw extreme drought conditions in the state; in 2023 the state received around 65 inches of precipitation, the third highest on record. Most of us take our tap water for granted. However, if your well has run dry, you are immediately reminded of how precious a resource our water really is.
What can I do?
If you have a shallow dug well (<20 feet deep), you are most vulnerable to drought, but even drilled wells can run dry in extreme conditions. The easiest and cheapest thing you can do right away is to implement water conservation measures at your home. Simple improvements like taking shorter showers (impossible if teenagers are present?!), making sure leaks are fixed, and upgrading older faucets and toilets to newer models that use less water are also easy steps. You can look at your larger appliances that use water such as washing machines and dishwashers. Front-loading washers use a fraction of the water that top-loaders use. Although these can be somewhat costly, this change could help reduce your water use so that more expensive fixes are not necessary. Outside your home, you can also minimize watering of turf. This can be a substantial drain on your well. If you do feel compelled to irrigate turf, see UConn Extension’s guidance on tips to reduce water use on your landscape (s.uconn.edu/landscape-BMPs) and lawn (s.uconn.edu/turf-BMPs).
What if I have city water?
If you are connected to a public water supply or “city water,” you will not likely run out of water, even in a drought. Many of our large public water supply companies (such as the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) and Connecticut Water) have reservoirs that allow them to store large quantities of water, so that they will have adequate supplies in a drought. Smaller municipalities will have some reserves, but they may choose to enact voluntary or mandatory restrictions on water use for certain activities during a drought to ensure that supplies are adequate for basic needs for all of their customers. Even if you have city water, this doesn’t mean that you don’t need to conserve! Your efforts to conserve water year-round will save you money and ensure that our precious resource is available to supply the citizens of our state with high quality water at home.
Read the managing home water use during drought fact sheet written by Mike Dietz of UConn Extension, Eric Lindquist of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and Kelsey Sudol of the Northwest Connecticut Conservation District.
What Does My Garden Need This Winter?
While the unusually warm, dry weather this fall may have delayed your winter garden preparations, there’s still time to get ready for the colder months ahead—and for next spring. To keep the process manageable, break it into categories like bulbs, lawn, ornamentals, vegetable garden, trees and shrubs, and winter interest. Remember, there’s no need to rush; even in typical years, early December can still offer pleasant outdoor working conditions, allowing you to tackle tasks gradually and enjoy the process.
1. Start small - You don’t need to clean everything to bare earth either. Leaving some ornamental plant material standing provides habitat for local wildlife and can provide winter interest. If you have some tall ornamental grasses, they can provide visual interest throughout the colder months before being cut back in the spring. Plants with seed heads can offer winter food for birds.
2. Think spring - Now is the time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. They’ll settle in over the winter, sending out roots, waiting to reward you with welcome color that ushers in the spring. Crocus, scilla, chionodoxa and winter aconite are early bloomers, followed by daffodils, tulips and some early alliums. These actually shouldn’t be planted much earlier than now, as we don’t want them starting to grow yet.
3. Remove annuals - Most annuals are done, having succumbed to one of the few killing frosts we’ve had, so pull them up and compost them. There are still some perennials in bloom that are late-season stars—asters, some perennial chrysanthemums—and many plants have great fall color, such as amsonia (blue star).
4. Add foliage - Your plants may only bloom for a brief period of time each year, so the foliage is an important consideration for the rest of the season. Research what the foliage of a plant will do in the fall and incorporate that into your garden design. Plants such as geranium (cranesbill), heuchera (coral bells) and oakleaf hydrangea provide a great second show as the temperatures cool. Many of the ornamental grasses produce seed heads in the fall for an added burst of interest.
5. Address perennials - You may be used to cutting all your perennials back each fall but consider leaving some standing through the winter. Tall sturdy plants such as sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ hold up well into the winter and their flat seedheads offer visual interest (especially on a frosty morning).
If you have tender perennials such as dahlias or cannas you will need to overwinter them inside. In the late fall, ideally after a hard frost, dig up the bulbs or tubers and clean them off. Once dry, store them in a cool, dry, dark location. Temperatures between 45 and 55 degrees are ideal, but you have some flexibility. Just don’t let them freeze! They can be stored in a paper bag. Check on them in late winter. If they’re showing some mold, open the bag to air them out a bit. If they’re looking a little dry, a spritz of water will help.
6. Address drought conditions - One important factor this year is the drought. Evergreens need to go into winter well hydrated because they continue to transpire throughout the winter. Give them a good soak during drought conditions. Any newly planted material should also be watered until the ground freezes.
7. Clean the vegetable garden - We want to leave some plant material in the ornamental garden, but your vegetable garden is a different matter. Clean that up completely and remove any dead material so pests and diseases don’t over winter. If you haven’t done so recently, now is a great time for a soil test. You can add any needed amendments and let them incorporate over the winter.
8. Add winter components - Finally, consider the winter garden. If you don’t already have trees and shrubs that provide visual interest, use the winter to plan where you might want to add something to brighten up your view. Berries and bark are great winter assets. Many trees have exfoliating bark, such as birches and paperbark maple. Red-stemmed dogwood is a bright splash in the landscape, winterberry provides red, orange or yellow berries, and many viburnums have great seeds.
Article by Sarah Bailey
2024 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus Trip Reflections
I was fortunate to be selected for the 2024 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus trip. I knew it would be a fantastic opportunity, but I didn’t realize how much I would grow as both a 4-H member and a person. I learned about the poverty challenges in the DC area, focusing on senior citizens, veterans, and low-income families. Along with my fellow 4-Hers from Connecticut and Ohio, I volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank, where we compiled over 500 bags of non-perishable food and assembled 200 food boxes containing candy, flyers, and coupons. This experience was inspiring and educational; it allowed me to make a tangible difference in the community.
The trip also provided an opportunity to meet and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds. Our daily workshops included 4-Hers from Texas, Alabama, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, New Jersey, Minnesota, and many other states. Sessions covered digital literacy, civic engagement, and debate skills, among others. Town Hall was one of the most impactful sessions, we debated challenging issues like gun control, marijuana legalization, and mental health.
It was eye-opening to see how civil and respectful conversations could lead to a better understanding of differing viewpoints and sometimes even a shift in opinions. This opportunity taught me the importance of connecting, contrasting, and communicating respectfully, especially when discussing difficult topics.
This trip taught me that by taking the time to listen and learn, you can make a difference in the world. Knowledge is the most powerful tool one can possess. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences and insights I gained, as well as for the generous donations from my local 4-H network, friends, and family that helped fund this trip.
Article by Rylee Judson
Seniors Eating Well: Supporting Healthy Living for Older Adults
Good nutrition is vital at every stage of life, and it becomes increasingly important as we age. UConn Extension’s Seniors Eating Well program empowers older adults with the tools and knowledge to make informed dietary choices that promote health and well-being. Seniors Eating Well is part of UConn Extension’s Community Nutrition programs, which focus on improving food security and encouraging healthier eating habits. Designed specifically for older adults, the program features engaging lessons on topics such as:
- Nutrition tips for aging bodies
- Affordable and healthy meal planning
- Cooking for one or two people
- Food safety practices
Led by experienced professionals, these sessions create a welcoming environment for seniors to ask questions, share experiences, and build skills that enhance their daily lives.
Understanding Nutrition's Role
Older adults often face unique challenges in maintaining a healthy diet, including limited mobility, financial constraints, and chronic health conditions. Seniors Eating Well provides practical solutions to these issues, helping participants overcome barriers to nutrition. By promoting healthy eating, the program reduces the risk of malnutrition, supports the management of chronic diseases like diabetes, and improves overall quality of life. Additionally, the sessions foster community connections, helping participants combat social isolation and build meaningful relationships.
Seniors Eating Well programs are available free of charge at senior centers, community organizations, and other local venues across Connecticut. The program is funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), making it accessible to all. Healthy eating is a cornerstone of aging well. UConn Extension’s Seniors Eating Well program ensures that older adults have access to the knowledge and resources they need to thrive, empowering them to lead healthier, more connected lives.
For more information about upcoming sessions or how to bring the program to your community, visit the UConn Extension Community Nutrition website at s.uconn.edu/eatingwell or contact your local UConn Extension office.