Skip to main content

Search

collection of emergency food and supplies in a raised cabinet

Food Safety: During & After Flooding

In the event of flooding, having a plan in place for food safety is beneficial. Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help reduce the potential for food waste and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Here are some tips to keeping your food safe.

Map of South Dakota with colored dots indicating river stage levels.

Where to Find Weather and River Forecasts

Weather and flooding concerns can develop and change rapidly. There are some excellent resources for real-time information for weather forecasts and river flooding that can be accessed online.

A car being towed a flooded, washed out gravel road by a national guard truck. Photo by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, U.S. Department of Defense

Floodwater: Road Crossing Hazards

During flooding, and when driving in the countryside we oftentimes encounter a creek or stream running on top of the road. Be aware that a course of water running over the road can turn into a very dangerous, even life-threatening situation if you attempt to cross it with your vehicle.

crop fields flooded by spring snow melt. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung

Managing Soil and Soil Fertility After Flooding

During floods, your fields will experience different amounts of erosion, sediment deposition, and crop residue accumulation. To avoid compaction of these soils it is crucial to let soils drain and dry out sufficiently before removing any large debris from fields or working the soil.

A family emergency kit in a gray plastic tote. Photo by Zachary Kittrie

Flood Safety Considerations for Youth

Much like any event or disaster, the time to prepare for a flood is before it happens. Families should prepare for events by having a conversation with family members.

Outside of a home impacted by flooding. Sandbags ar in front of windows and the garage. Photo by David Valdez, FEMA

Cleanup in Your Home: After the Flood

When faced with disaster, one may not know where to begin or what to do when cleaning out our homes and businesses following a flood. To get started with this task, SDSU Extension has put together a list of resources to help start cleaning flood damages, personal belongings, and mold and mildew issues.

Flooded farm yard. Photo by John Shea, FEMA.

Checking and Treating Domestic Water Supplies After a Flood

Depending on its location, domestic well water supplies can oftentimes be negatively impacted during a flood.

three grain bins in a flooded farm yard. Photo by John Shea, FEMA

Stored Grains and Flooding

According to the Food and Drug Administration, grain inundated by watercourses is considered adulterated and must be destroyed. The portion of the grain that is not affected by the water can still be salvaged for its use.

female 4-H youth with her white dog and their pink rosette

4-H Dog Project

Are you a dog person? Want to learn how to train and handle a dog like a pro? Join the dog project!

bottom part of a corn plant in soil with half of the roots exposed to show the seed trench (side-wall) compaction.

Planting Into Wet Soils

It is evident that there are high chances of planting into wet soils this spring. This is not a good decision when normal soil conditions appear to be attainable, but this year we may not have a choice.