Extension > Disaster response > Flood recovery
Flood recovery
Extension phone lines
1-800-232-9077, fil@umn.edu
Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
General flood questions; voicemail afterhours
1-800-854-1678 (MN area codes only)
Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–noon and 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Household issues: cleaning and cooking safely
Other phone information
- ECHO Health Alert — 1-888-883-8831, info in multiple languages — Emergency & Community Health Outreach (ECHO) — Minnesota/North Dakota flood resources in 10 languages, including Kurdish and Bosnian.
- 511 Traffic and Road Conditions — Dial 511 — Minnesota Department of Transportation — Weather, construction, delays and more, online or by phone at 5-1-1.
- Minnesota Duty Officer Program — 800-422-0798 (Greater Minnesota only) or 651-649-5451 (Twin Cities Metro Area) — Homeland Security and Emergency Management — Assistance and additional resources for a wide range of emergency situations.
Featured publication
- Recovering from a Flood — University of Minnesota Extension — Covers immediate response, clean-up, food and water safety, managing stress, pets and wild animals, farm recovery, financial recovery, portable heaters, and more.
Family
Disaster plan | Helping others cope | Stress and grief | Getting help
Disaster plan
- List It or Lose It – The Case for Household and Property Inventory — University of Minnesota Extension — An inventory will help before and after a disaster.
- Red File — Your Grab and Go Case for Emergency Situations — University of Minnesota Extension — Organize all of your important information in one place so that it can be a "Grab & Go" case for emergency situations.
- Family Disaster Plan (215 K PDF) University of Missouri Extension — All your important information in one booklet.
- Monthly Budget/Spending Plan for Families who have Experienced a Natural Disaster (155 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Determine monthly family expenses/income prior and during a natural disaster in order to plan for future "recovery" expenses.
Helping others cope
- Before the Flood: Planning and Preparing Tips for Older Adults — University of Minnesota Extension — Preparation concerns for older adults.
- After the Flood: Tips for Older Adults Living Alone — University of Minnesota Extension — Tips for older adults to reduce stress and regain control.
- It’s Important to Talk with Children about Flooding — University of Minnesota Extension — Make time to ask questions and listen; be available.
- Children and the Flood: From Fear to Hope — University of Minnesota Extension — Limit exposure to flood news, provide structure and help others.
- Helping Your Child Cope with Disaster — University of Minnesota Extension — Treat fears with kindness and understanding.
- After a Natural Disaster: Talking with Children — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — Accept kids’ feelings, be honest and reassuring, and let them help.
- After the Flood: A Guide for Parents — University of Minnesota Extension — Signs of stress in kids of varying ages.
- After the Flood: Parenting Ages 0-5 Year Olds — University of Minnesota Extension — Helping children between the ages of 0 - 5 cope with floods.
- After the Flood: Your Elementary Aged Child — University of Minnesota Extension — Help your elementary aged child get through the flood.
- After the Flood: Parenting Adolescents — University of Minnesota Extension — Floods present adolescents with unique opportunities and challenges.
Stress and grief
- Trying to Understand and Cope with Disasters — University of Minnesota Extension — Symptoms of stress and how to ease it; when to seek help.
- What are Common Personal Reactions to a Disaster? — University of Minnesota Extension — Information about common reactions and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Getting Through Tough Times: Communicating Under Pressure — University of Minnesota Extension — Speak carefully and listen attentively.
- Getting Through Tough Times: Controlling Stress — University of Minnesota Extension — How to take care of yourself; know when to seek help.
- Dealing with Stress: Resources — Sowing the Seeds of Hope Coalition and partners including University of Minnesota Extension — Online resources, including the Dealing with Stress workshops, to help farmers understand stress.
- Grief and Crisis Decisions — University of Minnesota Extension — How each stage of grief affects decision-making.
- Change: Loss, Opportunity, and Resilience (Presentation, 8:45) — University of Minnesota Extension — When change is loss, people grieve.
- After a Natural Disaster: Coping with Loss — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — The five stages of grieving.
- After a Natural Disaster: Managing Anger — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — Change how you see things, say how you feel, and calm down.
- After a Natural Disaster: Ending Isolation — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — Talk, ask for help, and be with people.
Getting help
- Getting Through Tough Times: Community Agencies That Can Help — University of Minnesota Extension — Jobs, finances, fuel, housing, clothing, health and social services.
- Getting Through Tough Times: Identifying Sources of Support and Friendship — University of Minnesota Extension — Build your personal network.
- Financial Information for Flood Preparation and Recovery— University of Minnesota Extension — Review your policy with your insurance agent before disaster strikes.
- Adjusting to Suddenly Reduced Income — University of Minnesota Extension — Worksheets for managing emotions and finances.
- Disaster Information (50 K PDF) — Office of the Minnesota Attorney General — Provides warnings and descriptions of common scams that occur after disaster strikes.
- Family Resource Management Resource List (124 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Lists resources that can help families who experience financial difficulties.
- Families in Tough Times — University of Minnesota Extension - Resources for families who are experiencing, avoiding, or recovering from tough financial times or are looking for farm family-specific resources.
- DisasterAssistance.gov — Collaboration of U.S. Government agencies - Information on how to get help from the U.S. Government before, during and after a disaster.
Housing
Clean-up | Water, moisture | Fungi, mold, mildew | Septic systems
Clean-up
- Cleanup: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Compiled by University of Minnesota Extension – Help for returning to a flood-damaged home.
- Priorities for Clean-Up and Repair After a Flood — University of Minnesota Extension — Safety first: shut off gas and power, wear boots and gloves.
- Cleaning Flooded Floors and Woodwork — University of Minnesota Extension — Scrub floors and woodwork within 48 hours (but no ammonia).
- Flooded Walls - Drying and Cleaning — University of Minnesota Extension — Quickly dry surfaces; remove all wet insulation, and more.
- Cleaning Up After A Flood — University of Minnesota Extension — Clean, then disinfect, with suitable products.
- La limpieza después de una inundación (Spanish)
- Portable Heater and Generator Safety — University of Minnesota Extension — How to use these potentially dangerous units correctly.
- Home Insurance Claims — University of Minnesota Extension — Keep careful records of damage and losses.
- After the Flood – A Homeowner’s Checklist — Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation — Start by drying house, furnishings within 48 hours.
- Reentering Your Flooded Home — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Never turn power on or off yourself; drying out your house.
- Flood Preparation, Safety, and Cleanup — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Repairing, evacuating, returning to clean up, and more.
Cleaning your home after a flood [video] — University of Minnesota Extension — Download for iPod (small) | Download for iPod (large)
Water, moisture
- Moisture in Basements: Causes and Solutions — University of Minnesota Extension — Five approaches to fixing the problem.
- Excess Moisture in the Home — University of Minnesota Extension — Keep humidity level at 30% to 45%.
- Testing Housing Materials for Moisture — University of Minnesota Extension — Concrete, drywall, wood, furniture do best when moisture is less than 10%.
- Delay rebuilding until structures are dry — University of Minnesota Extension — Moisture meters available from U of M Extension
- Managing Water Infiltration into Buildings — Department of Environmental Health & Safety, University of Minnesota — A checklist for water damage, and more.
Fungi, mold, mildew
- Molds—Your Safe Home — University of Minnesota Extension — Detect, disinfect, and prevent mold to avoid health problems.
- El moho — su hogar seguro (Spanish)
- How to Remove Mildew — University of Minnesota Extension — From textiles, paper, painted surfaces.
- Mold Internet References Available to the Public — University of Minnesota Extension — Facts, Q&As, checklist, and more.
- Mold in Homes — Minnesota Department of Health — Investigate for mold; six steps to removal.
- Protect Yourself from Mold — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Recognizing and preventing mold.
- Mold — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — A Web course, publications, and more.
- Fungi in Buildings — Department of Environmental Health & Safety, University of Minnesota — Glossary and references.
Septic systems
- Septic System Operation after a Flood — University of Minnesota Extension Water Resources Center — Pump the tank as soon as possible and more. (PDF, 301K)
- Cleaning your well and septic after a flood — University of Minnesota Extension — Instructional video
- Septic System Owner's Guide — University of Minnesota Extension — 33-page owner's guide for septic system use and maintenance.
- Preventing and Solving Sewage Treatment Problems During a Flood — Minnesota Department of Health — Stop using the system if it becomes flooded, and more.
Food and water
Food
- Power Outages—Keep Food Safe — University of Minnesota Extension — Keep refrigerator closed; add dry ice to freezer.
- Preparing Food Without Power — University of Minnesota Extension — Try fireplace, camp stove, grill or fondue pot.
- Preparing Food During A Power Failure — North Dakota State University — Conserve fuel and water; avoid health risks.
- Handling Food Through Floods (58 K PDF) — North Dakota State University — Preparing for power failure; assessing flooded foods.
- Food Safety During a Flood — Minnesota Department of Health — Wash hands and surfaces, and much more.
- Safety of Frozen Foods After A Power Failure — North Dakota State University — Move food to locker plant, if possible.
- Emergency Preparedness: Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency — U.S. Department of Agriculture — Charts of what to save, refreeze, or toss.
Water
- Safe Drinking Water from Wells in Flooded Areas — University of Minnesota Extension — Steps for disinfecting water. (281 K PDF)
- Why Well Water Smells Bad — University of Minnesota Extension — Sulfur or “rotten egg” smell may be bacteria.
- Water and Wells During a Disaster — Minnesota Department of Health — Help with wells and drinking water.
- In Emergency, Disinfect Drinking Water by Boiling or Chemical Treatment (News release) — Iowa State University Extension — Boil or disinfect with chlorine or iodine.
Cleaning your well and septic after a flood [video] — University of Minnesota Extension — Download for iPod (small) | Download for iPod (large)
Farm
Livestock | Crops | Equipment, debris
Livestock
- Livestock Disaster Planning — University of Minnesota Extension — Power outages, blocked roads, feed, injuries, and farm records.
- Maintaining Livestock Health after a Flood: Issues of Disease Control and Sanitation — National Ag Safety Database — Give animals extra care; clear fields of debris.
Crops
- The Soybean Growers Field Guide for Evaluating Crop Damage and Replant Options (45 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Assess yield losses associated with delayed planting and reduced soybean population.
- The Corn Growers Field Guide for Evaluating Crop Damage and Replant Options (48 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Assess yield losses associated with delayed planting and reduced corn population.
- Selecting Corn Hybrids for Grain Production — University of Minnesota Extension — Information on growing degree days and corn hybrid selection when planting date is delayed.
- Impact of Flooding on Organic Food and Fields (55 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Certification requirements, residue analysis, variances, and more.
- Managing Flooded Grain Bins — University of Minnesota Extension — Unload dry grain; try to salvage wet grain.
- Don’t Ignore Flood-Damaged Hay — Iowa State University Extension — Move wet hay; watch drying hay for signs of heating.
Equipment, debris
- Be Aware of Special Flood-Related Farm Safety Hazards! — University of Minnesota Extension — Electrical equipment, carbon dioxide, towing chains, and more.
- Flooded Farm Vehicles and Equipment — North Dakota State University Extension Service — Cleaning and reconditioning.
Horticulture
Trees
- Flooded Trees - Minimize Injury — University of Minnesota Extension — Types of damage and what to do after the flood.
- Hiring a Tree Care Professional — University of Minnesota Extension — Look for certified, insured and reputable.
Lawns
- Repairing Spring Flooded Lawns — University of Minnesota Extension — Lawn grasses can withstand cold floodwaters.
- Seeding and Sodding Home Lawns — University of Minnesota Extension — When most of the lawn has been damaged severely or killed.
- Lawn Renovation — University of Minnesota Extension — Chart summarizes nine steps.
Kids and caregivers
Internet resources | Curriculum and lesson plans
Educational information for children about floods, compiled by Extension’s Environmental Science Education Regional Educators.
Internet resources
- Floods — FEMA for Kids — Federal Emergency Management Agency — Flood terms, games and flood math.
- Flood Information for Children — North Dakota State University Extension Service — Helping kids deal with stress, anger and disaster.
- PBS In Focus: Floods — Public Broadcasting Service — Flood stories, science, pet rescues, and more.
Curriculum and lesson plans
- Minnesota Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) K–12 — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Wetlands, seasons, topography, and more; the journey of a droplet in a flood.
- WeatherEye: Flash Flood! — Central Iowa Power Cooperative and KGAN-TV — Flood types, safety, quiz, and teacher’s guide.
- Flood! — Public Broadcasting Service: Nova Online — The Great Flood of 1993 and more; lesson plans.
Climatology
Climate data | Rivers | Streams | Watershed and floodplain management
Climate data
- Minnesota Climatology Working Group — State Climatology Office, DNR Waters, and University of Minnesota — Latest weather conditions, current and historical climate data, and agricultural information.
Rivers
- Multimedia Weather Briefing (Video) National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office — Experimental briefing for the media.
- North Central River Forecast Center — National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office — Daily updated maps of observed and forecast conditions and precipitation.
- North Central River Forecast Center’s Quantified Precipitation Forecasts — National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office — Access areal-averaged and gridded graphical QPF products.
Streams
- Stream Flow Reports — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Weekly reports on stream flow conditions.
- WaterWatch (Minnesota) — U.S. Geological Service — Map of real-time Minnesota streamflow compared to historical streamflow.
Watershed and floodplain management
- Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts — 45 watershed districts partner in water protection and management.
- Association of State Floodplain Managers — Floodplain management, flood insurance, and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery.
General resources
Minnesota | Flood information | Hazards and cleanup | Flood awareness
Minnesota
- Flood Preparedness and Response for NW Minnesota (1.9 MB PDF) University of Minnesota Extension — Families, communities, pets and more.
- Flooding in Minnesota — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — Stream flow, government sources, past and future floods, and more.
Flood information
- Disaster Education – Flood Information — North Dakota State University Extension — Comprehensive links for homes, families and farms.
- Disaster Handbook — University of Wisconsin Extension Service — The complete Extension resource.
- Disaster Handbook Flood Chapter (653K PDF, 52 pages) University of Wisconsin Extension Service
- Floods and Flooding — Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) — Multistate effort to help citizens affected by disasters.
- Extension Responds - Flood — University of Wisconsin Extension — For homes and farms: flooding, safety, archives, and more.
- Flood — Federal Emergency Management Agency — Facts, solutions, online tools.
Hazards and cleanup
- Floods: Minimizing Pollution and Health Risks — Minnesota Pollution Control Agency — Household and industrial hazards, heating oil, drinking water, asbestos, manure, and more.
- Hazards of Flood Cleanup Work — National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — Electricity, carbon monoxide, cold, fire, hazardous materials, and more.
- Flood Cleanup Alerts — United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) — Health hazards, fungi, asbestos and lead poisoning.
- Flood Cleanup — Environmental Protection Agency — Publications and links on mold, bacteria and viruses (English and Spanish.)
- Floods: Protecting Your Health — Minnesota Department of Health — Simple precautions to help you avoid possible health risks during a flood.
- Disaster Quick Tips: Personal Protective Equipment — Minnesota Department of Health — Protect your skin, head, eyes, breathing, feet, and health.
Flood awareness
- NOAA’s National Weather Service and FEMA Offer Tips for Flood Safety Awareness Week (News release) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — Observing the fifth annual in 2009.
