Reporting Flood Damage on Farms - It Matters

SOUTHWEST, NEW YORK (August 12th, 2024) – Cornell Cooperative Extension reminds farms affected by recent storm damage to document and share any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. Reporting storm damage matters and Cornell Cooperative Extension is one of the many agencies available to help provide support and resources to farms.

Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.

If a farm experienced any sort of damage or loss, they are asked to reach out to any of the people/agencies listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness.

Process of Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business):

First, ensure that all the people and animals on the farm are safe, and that there aren’t any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check farm buildings and structures!). If there’s an emergency, call 911 – don’t try to manage it alone.

Second, document all negative weather impacts for the farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.

Reach out to insurance providers – farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.

Then, share farm damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. They all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to NYSDAM (New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets) and EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network).

Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Office: Allegany County: 585-268-7644, Cattaraugus County: 716-699-2377, Chautauqua County 716-664-9502, Erie County: 716-652-5400 , Steuben County: 607-664-2301.

Any of the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team members (calls/emails/texts/site visit requests all ok). Katelyn Walley: 716-640-0522, Amy Barkley: 716-640-0844, Katelyn Miller: 716-640-2047, Kelly Bourne: 585-268-7644 ext. 10.

Your county USDA/FSA service center. Allegany: 585-268-5133, Cattaraugus: 716-699-2375, Chautauqua: 716-664-2351, Erie: 716-652-1400, Steuben: 607-776-7398. Your county farm bureau manager, Region 1: Tim Bigham: 716-474-6585.

SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties. Their team includes Katelyn Walley, Farm Business Management (716-640-0522); Katelyn Miller, Field Crops and Forage Management (716-640-2047); and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844). CCE is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension, contact your county’s Association Executive Director. Allegany County – Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu or 585-268-7644. Cattaraugus County – Kelly McDonald, kmm525@cornell.edu or 716-699-2377. Chautauqua County – Emily Reynolds, eck47@cornell.edu or 716-664-9502. Erie County – Diane Held, dbh24@cornell.edu or 716-652-5400. Steuben County – Tess McKinley, tsm223@cornell.edu, or 607-664-2301. 

Last updated August 14, 2024