Floods, Hurricanes & Power Outages

Before and after weather emergencies, it is important to have a plan in place. Food and food preparation areas and equipment will need to be assessed in order to decide what to keep or throw away, especially if the power goes out. Water may not be safe to drink because of flooding or tidal surges. The following information will help you prepare.

Topics on this page:

• Information for Consumers

Information for Consumers 

• FDA Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 
• Prepare for Hurricane Season: Advice From FDA 
• Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods - What Consumers Need to Know
• Food Safety for Consumers Returning Home After a Hurricane and/or Flooding 
• Power Outages - Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety
• Hurricanes and Floods - Key Tips for Consumers About Food and Water Safety 

Information for Industry 

• Guidance for Industry: Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption   NEW
• Disposition of Food From Flood-Affected Crops
  • Letter to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture September 16, 2011
  • Letter to State Agriculture Departments/Agencies September 27, 2011
• Guidance for Industry: Use of Water by Food Manufacturers in Areas Subject to a Boil-Water Advisory 
• Restaurants and Grocers Reopening After Hurricanes and Flooding 
• A Notice to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products on How to Dispose of Contaminated Food 
• A Notice to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products About the Safety of Food Affected by Hurricanes, Flooding, and Power Outages 
• Guidance for Industry: A Notice to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products on Decontamination of Transport Vehicles

Additional Information from FDA and HHS 

• Hurricanes: Health and Safety (FDA)
• Disasters & Emergencies: Hurricanes (HHS)

Information from Other Government Agencies 

• National Hurricane Center  (NOAA)
  
   

For more information on safe food handling, go to Disaster Assistance from FoodSafety.gov or call FDA's toll-free information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).