Flooding & Storms-Info from MPI

Floods and storms
An MPI info sheet on animal welfare emergency management during and after a flood can be found here:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/26527-Animals-affected-by-flood-Advice-for-livestock-lifestyle-block-horse-and-pet-ownersFloods are New Zealand’s number one hazard in terms of frequency, losses, and declared civil defence emergencies.Before a flood or storm

• Farmers, growers, and rural communities are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts and take precautions.
• Monitor your local river levels, and if you’re concerned, move stock to safety, away from low-lying areas if it’s safe to do so.
• Find out from your local council and neighbours if your property is at risk from flooding and plan accordingly (e.g. where to move stock to higher ground).
• Livestock, including horses, should be moved to areas that are easily accessible, in case they need assistance or supplementary feed.
• Store baleage/hay in areas not prone to flooding.
• Ensure trees posing a hazard are trimmed (over houses, sheds, boundary fences).
• In the case of an approaching storm, store or tie down anything that might blow away, such as a trampoline.
• Assemble and maintain your emergency survival items for your home and workplace, as well as a portable getaway kit.
• Store important documents and medication – for you, your family, and pets – in a water-proof container.
• If you have a generator and use it to milk cows or pump water for livestock, ensure it works in case there is a power outage.
• Have a battery-powered radio and torch.
• Have a smartphone. Know how to use it and charge it in a vehicle.
• Check your household insurance policy for cover and amount.
• Follow your local council and civil defence on social media

During a flood or storm

• Farmers, growers, and rural communities are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts and take precautions.
• Monitor your local river levels, and if you’re concerned, move stock to safety, away from low-lying areas if it’s safe to do so.
• Livestock, including horses, should be moved to areas that are easily accessible, in case they need assistance or supplementary feed.
• Ensure livestock have shelter and water and can’t wander. Are the electric fences working?
• The safety of you, your family, and employees comes first.
• Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254. 
• Follow the Facebook pages of your local councils and civil defence for updates from officials and listen to your local radio station.
• Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities as it can help prevent damage to your home or community. Unplug small appliances to avoid damage from power surges.
• Do not attempt to drive or walk through floodwaters unless it is absolutely essential.
• Check power and phones. Report outages.
• Check dogs, poultry and pets.
• Check on neighbours – do they need help or can they help you?
• Check buildings at risk, feed stacks. Move animals, equipment, and feed to higher ground.
• Use generators if necessary to keep pumps, refrigeration, electric fences, and household appliances running.
• Flood pumps may need attention.
• Ensure livestock have shelter and water and can’t wander. Are the electric fences working?
• Store baleage/hay in areas not prone to flooding.
• Assemble and maintain your emergency survival items for your home and workplace, as well as a portable getaway kit.
• Store important documents and medication – for you, your family, and pets – in a water-proof container.
• If you have a generator and use it to milk cows or pump water for livestock, ensure it works in case there is a power outage.
• Have a battery-powered radio and torch.
• Have a smartphone. Know how to use it and charge it in a vehicle.
• If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you – if you can do so safely – or take them to a safe shelter place.
• If you have to leave your animals behind, make sure they’re in a secure and sheltered place either inside or outside your home.
• If you have livestock or horses in paddocks near waterways that have the potential to flood (streams, rivers etc.), move them to higher ground.
• Follow the Facebook pages of your local councils and civil defence for updates from officials and listen to your local radio station.
• Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact their local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

Evacuation plan

• Look after yourself, your family, any staff, and your neighbours.
• Ask for help if you need it.
• If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you – if you can do so safely – or take them to a safe shelter place.
• If you have to leave your animals behind, make sure they’re in a secure and sheltered place either inside or outside your home.
• If you have livestock or horses in paddocks near waterways that have the potential to flood (streams, rivers etc.), move them to higher ground.
• High value stock or vulnerable stock (e.g. stock close to giving birth, young stock) should be moved to areas which will be easily accessible in case they need assistance, supplementary feed, or veterinary treatment.

After a flood or storm

• Continue to listen to your local radio station and monitor social media for civil defence instructions.
• Help others if you can, especially people who may require special assistance.
• Throw away food and water that has been contaminated by floodwater. A useful fact sheet can be found here: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/55615-Food-safety-in-the-home-after-flooding
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated.
• Look after your animals.
• Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities. Treat all lines as live.
• If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes. Lodge insurance claims as soon as possible.
• Assess damage to water supply and reticulation systems. Which troughs are contaminated with silt and will need cleaning?
• Assess damage to access lanes, tracks, gateways, culverts, and fences. What clearing away of flood debris is needed?
• Assess damage to pastures, the depth and type of silt.
• Assess available non-flooded pastures and other undamaged feed reserves.
• Use the resources available. Contact local council civil defence flood relief co-ordinator, industry groups, Federated Farmers, Rural Support Trusts, Rural Women NZ, or other resource providers.
• Local councils can advise if Enhanced Taskforce Green crews are available to help with clean-up.
• Talk to your accountant, bank manager, insurance company.
• Accept help when offered, and ask for it if you need it.
• Ensure stock and domestic animals have food, water, and shelter where necessary, and are secure. Ensure that all stock injuries are promptly attended too, after human needs are meet.

Flood recovery on-farm
Grazing management

• It is important to minimise pugging, which can be achieved using on/off grazing, back fencing, altered mob sizes.

https://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/qjdjfx0g/wet_weather_management_handout.pdf

Managing crops

• Wait until the water has receded then assess the crop.
• How long was the crop under water?
• Was the flood water stationary or flowing at speed creating soil and crop disturbance?
• Assess how many plants remain to determine whether a re-drill is required.
• Once conditions improve avoid taking short cuts.
• Ensure crop nutrient requirements are met, eliminate weeds for optimal growth and maximum light interception by the crop.
• If you have any doubts or concerns get in touch with your local agronomist/technical field rep/or your local MPI On Farm Support team to discuss ‘where to from here’ for managing existing crops and making a plan for late planted crops.
• Crop type may need to be changed if sowing date is going to be too late to achieve good yields.

Effluent ponds

• If you are concerned your effluent pond may overflow, please contact your regional or unitary council to discuss possible solutions.
• Understand soil moisture deficit and how and where you can irrigate.
• Understand your consent conditions relating to effluent application.
• Reduce water entering into your effluent system.
• If soil conditions allow consider alternative options to drop the pond level faster e.g. use a contractor with a slurry tanker or umbilical system.
• If necessary, have excess effluent removed from your pond and property.
• Detailed information on effluent management can be found here: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/environment/effluent/effluent-management-and-operation/

People

• You need to look after yourself and your team over this stressful time.
• Prioritise what needs doing and by who (how are you doing this?). Urgent vs. important.
• Write down a checklist of actions that are required and formulate a plan of attack.
• Check in with staff and their families.
• Check in with neighbours when you can.
• The Rural Support Trust is always available. Phone 0800 787 254

Industry Resources
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/flood-recovery-fact-sheet.pdf
https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/PDF/health-and-safety-post-flood-recovery-fact-sheet.pdf
https://beeflambnz.com/news/dealing-flood-damaged-feed-crops
DairyNZ
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/2kkj5bn1/dairy-floods-checklist-booklet.pdf
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/snxkdtrm/flood-damaged-farm-decision-tree.pdf
https://www.dairynz.co.nz/tools/feed-budgets/