How do you find out whether your farm can flood?
Start by learning your risk. Look at flood maps through your county planning or floodplain office, ask long-time neighbors where water has risen in past storms, and walk the land after heavy rain to see where it collects and where it runs. Creeks, low fields, culverts and road crossings all matter.
Remember that flash floods can happen away from any mapped stream, and that upstream rain can raise a river while your sky stays clear. The National Weather Service issues watches and warnings, and you can sign up for alerts through your county emergency management office.
Write down what you learn on a simple map that shows buildings, animal areas, fuel and chemical storage, and exit routes.
What should you do before flood season?
Move valuable and hazardous items out of low areas ahead of time. Store fuel, pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals where they cannot float away or leak, and keep feed and hay on higher ground. Know how to shut off electricity and gas, and ask a licensed electrician about protecting service panels and well equipment in flood-prone buildings.
Review your insurance with your agent. Many standard policies do not cover flood damage, and some flood coverage has a waiting period before it starts, so ask early rather than when the sky darkens. Keep a go bag near the door during wet seasons, with medications, chargers, copies of important papers and basic first-aid supplies.
- Photograph buildings, equipment and animals for records
- Keep copies of insurance and ownership papers off site
- Mark and clear culverts and ditches you are responsible for
- Keep a charged phone, radio and flashlights ready
- Fill vehicle tanks when warnings are issued
What is your plan for animals?
Livestock and poultry need a plan before water rises. Identify higher ground that stays dry, or arrange a place to take animals, and know who can help you move them. Practice loading trailers so animals are calm. Permanent identification and records make it easier to reunite animals that get separated.
University extension materials for livestock owners stress moving animals early, since roads can close and water can rise faster than expected. Never put yourself in danger to rescue an animal from moving water. Call emergency services instead.
Ask your extension office and county emergency management about animal shelters and evacuation resources, and ask the state veterinarian's office about any movement or reporting rules that apply during disasters.
When should you leave?
Decide in advance what conditions mean you go: an evacuation order, a flood warning for your stream, or water covering your road. Do not wait for the last minute. Never drive or walk through floodwater, since depth and current are hard to judge, and the road beneath may be gone.
Take people, medications, papers and pets first. Leave a note of where you have gone and tell a relative or neighbor. Teach everyone in the household the plan, including children, and agree on one phone contact outside the area who can relay messages if local lines are busy.
What about your well, septic system and drinking water?
Floodwater can carry contamination from fields, septic systems and chemical storage. If water has covered your well, do not use the water for drinking or cooking until it has been tested and, if needed, treated. Your county health department or extension office can explain how to get a test and what to do next.
Septic systems may not work properly while the ground is saturated. Avoid heavy use, and ask a licensed professional to inspect it after a flood.
How do you handle cleanup safely?
Return only when officials say it is safe. Watch for damaged power lines, gas leaks, unstable buildings and wildlife displaced by water. Have electricity checked by a licensed electrician before turning it back on. Wear protective clothing, and photograph all damage before moving anything.
Food crops and stored feed that touched floodwater may be unsafe. Ask your extension office and county health department about handling produce, hay, grain and animal feed, and about discarding anything that is questionable. Take photographs of every area before cleanup and keep a log of hours and expenses. Insurers and recovery programs often ask for them.
Where can you find help to recover?
After a declared disaster, federal, state and local programs may become available. USDA service centers, county emergency management and extension offices can tell you what exists and what records you will need. Keep receipts and photographs organized from the start.
Reach out to neighbors, community groups and local churches too. Recovery goes more smoothly when people share equipment and labor.
Key takeaways
- Learn your flood risk from maps, neighbors and your own observations.
- Move chemicals, fuel and valuables to safe places before the season.
- Plan animal moves early and never enter floodwater to rescue them.
- Test wells and have electrical systems checked before using them again.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.