Disaster Preparation

Risk Management for 4-H Youth Development Work: Crisis Management and Emergency Procedures

Paula Davis, Dale Pracht, Stefanie Prevatt, and Janet Psikogios

Disaster Planning Tips for Caregivers of the Elderly and People with Disabilities

Carolyn Wilken and Martie Gillen

Preparing and Storing an Emergency Safe Drinking Water Supply

Shuchi Shukla, Thomas Obreza and Andrea Albertin

The purpose of this fact sheet is to emphasize the importance of having a personal safe drinking water supply during an emergency and to describe the steps that Florida's citizens should take to prepare and store drinking water.

Preparing for a Disaster: Strategies for Older Adults

Carolyn S. Wilken and Martie Gillen

Extension and Community Resilience: Improving Community Disaster Preparedness Using Online Resources

Emily Ott, Paul Monaghan, and Timothy Fogarty

This document describes supplemental educational materials that can be added to community resiliency training, offering background information and specific tools for disaster preparation. These resources can be used individually or in combination with one another. The toolkits and resources listed here can help practitioners impact the way their communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and disruptions. These resources are useful for preparation in the event of future disasters, as well as for the long-term recovery from recent disruptions.

Preparing to Evacuate Your Home in Case of an Emergency

Elizabeth B. Bolton, Muthusami Kumaran, and Angela B. Lindsey

Pesticide Emergencies: Fires and Spills

Frederick M. Fishel

This document discusses emergencies which involve pesticide fires and spills.

Pesticide Emergencies: Contingency Planning

Frederick M. Fishel

The purpose of contingency planning is to prevent an emergency situation from becoming a catastrophic event. This document provides insight on how to develop a contingency plan for addressing emergencies where pesticides are involved.

Sources of Information on Flood-Resistant Design and Construction

Michael T. Olexa and Sean Olevnik

This publication is designed to provide accurate, current, and authoritative information on the subject. However, since the laws, regulations, administrative rulings, and court decisions on which it is based are subject to constant revision, portions of this publication could become outdated at any time. This publication is distributed with the understanding that the authors are not engaged in rendering legal advice or opinions, and the information contained herein should not be regarded, or relied upon, as a substitute for legal advice or opinion. For these reasons, the utilization of these materials by any person constitutes an agreement to hold harmless the authors, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the University of Florida for any liability claims, damages, or expenses that may be incurred by any person as a result of reference to or reliance on the information contained in this fact sheet.

The Florida Handbook of Solid and Hazardous Waste Regulation: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Michael T. Olexa and Christopher Hill

Circular 1139, a multi-part handbook by Michael T. Olexa and Ian Goldfarb, helps Floridians recognize which agricultural and household activities may involve solid and hazardous wastes. It also provides an introduction to the agencies and statutes that govern solid and hazardous waste disposal. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, December 2013. 

Keeping a Household Inventory and Protecting Valuable Records

Michael T. Olexa and Sean Olevnik

A disaster strikes. Your home and possessions are destroyed. Will you be able to pick up the pieces? You will, if you: keep an up-to-date household inventory and keep this and other valuable documents in a secure location. This publication provides details about these two tasks.

Hurricane Milton: Updates for Polk’s Small Farmers

Luis Rodriguez Rosado

Here are some steps to follow for farmers, ranchers and growers during emergencies. Take care of yourselves and your families before taking care of the farm. Secure all your farm equipment, protect your plants or animals, and remove anything (such as debris) that could become a projectile. Stay safe during the hurricane and avoid flooding […]

Preparing for Agricultural Damage and Loss Assessments Following Hurricane Milton

Alena Poulin

Click Here to Listen to this Blog in English As many areas are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene two weeks ago, Florida is now expecting another direct hit from Hurricane Milton, with current forecast models showing landfall along the west coast near Tampa on Wednesday, October 9.  Hurricane Milton has been rapidly […]

Hurricane Milton Updates from UF/IFAS Extension Polk County

Shannon Carnevale

As our community recovers from Hurricane Milton, see the following storm-related updates from our office. You’ll find extension program and event updates, storm prep and recovery resources, and local resources here. Stay tuned to your local news channels and Polk County Emergency Management for updates. This page is no longer being updated – the resources below may […]