8 Pointers To Prepare Your Farm for a Hurricane
The Atlantic hurricane season has officially sprung to life. Early predictions from climate experts indicate an above-normal campaign ahead. But no matter how many named storms develop in a given season, all it takes is one system to devastate your farm and its produce.
It’s essential every farm and ranch in Florida have an emergency plan in case of a hurricane, according to Doug Mayo, Director of the UF/IFAS Extension Center in Jackson County.
“The main thing is that farmers need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for a more than a week if a storm hits,” Mayo stated.
To help optimize your farm’s hurricane season preparation, Mayo provides the following tips:
- Create a printed list of extended family, veterinarian, employees and their families, your local farm services agency office, utility company and local county Extension office.
- Purchase batteries for flashlights and lanterns. Have enough flashlights ready for each employee.
- Stock up on feed for animals receiving supplemental feeds. Have enough hay, feed, and health-care supplies on hand for one to two weeks. Feed stores may not be open for business for a week or more after a storm.
- Check to ensure generators are ready and in working order.
- Make sure chainsaws are in good working order and stock up on mixed fuel.
- Locate chains and come-a-long for limb and tree movement off fences and buildings.
- Stock up on fence-repair materials: wire, posts, and staples for repairing fences damaged by limbs and trees.Loading ...
8. In addition to the tips mentioned above by Mayo, make sure to re-familiarize yourself with your crop insurance policy and coverage options.
For more hurricane season preparation tips and resources for your farm, visit http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu.