Ways to Better Prepare Farmworker Communities for Hurricane Season

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is off to a relatively slow start. To date, there have been two named storms (Arthur and Bertha). Each had little impact. But it’s only a matter of time before the next major hurricane of consequence threatens. How does your farm operation prepare for a hurricane? There are many steps farmers must take to protect their crops, equipment, and infrastructure ahead of a storm. But what about their workers?

I attended a recent webinar hosted by UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education and the Southeast Coastal Center for Agriculture Health and Safety. The learning opportunity focused on the importance of preparation of farmworker communities for hurricane season.

Dr. Marysel Pagán Santana, Director of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Migrant Clinicians Network, was the presenter for the webinar. She shared practical strategies to help agricultural workers, advocates, and service providers reduce risk and better prepare for hurricane events.

Pagán Santana stressed the unique and often heightened risks that agricultural workers and their families face during hurricanes and other extreme weather events. Those risks can include hazardous working conditions and unstable housing to disruptions in income and access to care, among others. These challenges can lead to serious injuries, economic hardship, and long-term impacts on health and safety.

Hurricanes not only bring economic losses via crop damage for growers, but also job losses for the workers. Migrant workers are at a higher risk being on the front lines when extreme weather events occur. Some might not be aware of critical storm emergency preparedness information for the area like flood evacuation zones, etc.

I asked Pagán Santana, what steps can growers/farm managers take to better prepare their farmworkers before, during, and after the storm? She suggests the following:

1. Overall farm emergency preparedness plan– It is important for workers to know what the plan and expectations are for the relevant emergencies that could happen on the farm.

2. Worker family/individual planning– Part of your plan should be engaging workers (and their families) in their own individual planning. The better prepared they are, the more likely they are to return to work and support the farm recovery process.

3. Community engagement and resources– Engaging with local partners that can support workers during these times like Community Health Centers, shelters, and community-based organizations. Creating a list of these partners, the type of support they offer and connecting the workers with them goes a long way.

4. Language and overall education– Making sure we are giving this information every season in the appropriate language.

Having a hurricane preparedness plan in place is important for growers who face the risk. Not every plan is a one size fits all.

“Creating processes from within the community for the community and by the community are more sustainably adequate,” Pagán Santana adds.

Some Good Storm/Emergency Preparedness Resources to Consider

1. Weather-related Emergencies and Disaster Management – Information Hub | Migrant Clinicians Network (Modules 3,4,5O) – supports farmworkers
2. Emergency Preparedness for Farmworkers (supports farm emergency plans)

With the hurricane season still in its early stages, there is still time to prepare your farm and farmworkers. The webinar is available to view in its entirety. Watch it below.