Flooding and farming

What to do in the event of a flood

Move machinery, feed, grain, pesticides and herbicides to a higher elevation. If you have a two-storey barn, the upper level makes a good temporary storage facility.
Open gates so livestock can escape high water.
If water is rising, try to drive stock through water free of obstructions. Grazing animals swim well, but the greatest problem for them are fences and other obstacles. Long swims through calm water are safer than short swims through a swift current.
Leave building doors and windows open at least 50 mm (2 inches) to equalize pressure and help prevent buildings from shifting.
If possible, move motors and portable electric equipment to a dry location.
Tie down lumber, logs, irrigation pipes, fuel tanks and other loose equipment or material. Secondary containment is another possibility for fuel tanks, as well as pesticide storage.
To keep surface water out of your well, use materials such as heavy plastic and duct tape to seal the well cap and top of the well casing.

Flood waters move fast enough to roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy bridges, a process known as scouring.