Disaster Planning and Response
Important flood recovery resources
Michigan State University Extension has a collection of important resources for farmers and homeowners affected by flooding. Click here for flood recovery resources related to crop fields, food safety, helping children through crisis, and more.
Harsh weather, natural disasters, or freak accidents can grind a community to a halt. Preparing for potential problems can reduce insurance costs, sustain basic services in times of crisis, and make a community a safer and more appealing place to live.
Know the possible hazards
Coastal communities are especially vulnerable to harm from coastal storms, flooding, fluctuating water levels, and other hazards. Knowing some of the hazards your community may face, now matter how slim the odds, is vital to making sure it’s prepared to weather them. Find some examples on our Coastal Hazards and Safety page.
Community resilience resources
Michigan Sea Grant has developed resources to help communities in Saginaw Bay assess their risks from extreme storms and determine what steps they might take to reduce stormwater impact. Though the resources are tailored for the Saginaw Bay region, the advice and tools can be useful to a variety of communities in the Great Lakes.
Webinars
- National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS) — learn how communities can reduce flood insurance premiums for local property owners by completing flood protection activities.
- Extreme Storms and Hazard Mitigation Strategies — learn about different types of hazards, including extreme storms and flooding, and mitigation planning support and resources.
- NOAA Digital Coast Partnership — learn how data and tools available through the NOAA Digital Coast Partnership can help communities address coastal issues. Some of the tools discussed included the Lake Level Viewer, Coastal County Snapshots, Land Cover Atlas, and green infrastructure in the Great Lakes.
Resources
- Extreme storms impact public health, community safety, and economic stability (PDF)
- Tools to increase awareness of stormwater during extreme storms (PDF)
- Tools to assess risks from extreme storms in the Saginaw Bay region (PDF)
- Project Report: Saginaw Bay Coastal Storm Hazards (PDF)
For farmers and homeowners
Michigan State University Extension has a wealth of resources for farmers and homeowners facing floodwaters and storms:
- Should I be worried if flood waters reach my well?
- Repairing your flood-damaged fields
- Evaluating hail-damaged crops – Part 1
- Evaluating flood-damaged crops – Part 2
- Evaluating wind-damaged crops – Part 3
- Food safety issues to consider after a flood
- Trees and flooding FAQs
- Mid-Michigan flood resource page
Great Lakes Environmental Response Management Application
Designed for decision makers, resource managers, and environmental responders, the Great Lakes Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA) provides information for cleaning up hazardous materials and restoring coastal and estuarine environments.
ERMA includes environmental contaminant data, as well as information on natural resources, habitats, weather, water levels, and currents. NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration developed this mapping tool in collaboration with U.S. EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and University of New Hampshire.