The past several months have been challenging for many Nebraskans as severe storms have caused widespread damage throughout the region. Several counties in Nebraska have also experienced flooding due to severe storms and heavy rainfall.
These extreme weather events have damaged properties, crops and infrastructure, leaving many residents and agricultural producers in need of assistance.
Nebraska Extension has been actively engaged in disseminating vital information and resources to support recovery efforts while also promoting preparedness to help mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Extension teams are focused on ensuring that the public is well-informed about available support services, resources and recovery options.
Nebraska Extension is a go-to resource when Nebraskans need unbiased, science-based information especially during challenging times. Here are just a few of the many programs and resources:
1. Nebraska Extension Disaster Education. https://disaster.unl.edu. Focused on helping Nebraskans when you need us most, this site features all-hazards information and resources to help individuals, families, communities and agricultural producers prepare for and recover from disasters.
2. Read for Resilience. https://child.unl.edu/read4resilience. Nebraska Extension's Early Childhood team has identified books to support children’s coping and understanding of their feelings after experiencing a major stressor, disaster, loss, and grief. Free storybook reading guides accompany the books and are available free for download on the site.
3. Fit and Healthy Kids - Natural Disasters. https://fitandhealthykids.unl.edu/natural-disasters. Information to help children and youth cope with droughts, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. Resources are available in English and Spanish.
4. Hail Know. https://cropwatch.unl.edu/hailknow. While you can’t prevent hail, you can prepare for and respond quickly when dealing with hail damage to crops. Check out the Hail Know resources make informed, timely decisions.
5. Food Safety. https://food.unl.edu/article/what-do-perishable-food-during-power-outage. Resources are available to help you decide what to do with perishable foods during a power outage, disaster event and when exposed to flood waters.
6. Rural Wellness. https://ruralwellness.unl.edu. Nebraska Extension's Rural Family Stress and Wellness Team promotes the health and wellness of all Nebraskans.
7. https://beef.unl.edu/ and https://cropwatch.unl.edu/ address disaster impacts as they occur on the site with crops and livestock focuses.
8. https://hles.unl.edu/ offers resources on tree damage, landscapes, water and septic systems.
“Nebraska Extension is committed to being a responsive local valued partner in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in all 93 Nebraska counties, said Nebraska Extension Associate Dean, Dave Varner. “Regardless of what Mother Nature does, we are dedicated to helping Nebraskan’s co-create a better tomorrow.”
For more information on the resources and support available through Nebraska Extension, please visit https://disaster.unl.edu/or contact your local Extension County offices.