Numerous opportunities for education exist before, during and after a hurricane.

Nearly every year, hurricanes affect the U.S. The following three links provide state-specific information. Even though there are references to 2005's Katrina and Rita, the information is still pertinent.

• TEXAS Hurricane Resources
• LOUISIANA  Hurricane Resources
• MISSISSIPPI Hurricane Resources

Related EDEN Hurricane Pages

• Financial Assistance for Recovery
• Resource Request "Hotline"
• Resources for Farms and Rural Areas
• The Road to Recovery
• Reducing Damage in Future Storms
  • Mitigation Assistance Programs
• Extension Helping Extension
  • Support for Animal Care
  • Resources from Land Grant Universities & Federal Agencies

As as Result of Hurricane Ike

Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia has request immediate relief to rescue and support 20,000 head of cattle and 100 horses that are free ranging in Chambers, Jefferson and possibly other Texas Gulf Coast counties due to 12'-20' surf surge from Hurricane Ike. These animals have been without food and only have salt water resources. Ninety percent of the fences in the area were destroyed. Estimated cattle losses at this time is 5,000 head.    

Texas AgriLife Extension Service, or the Texas A&M System, and State Emergency Management Council agency has stood up a resource staging area, feed collection and transportation network to address the most immediate needs

Immediate needs are as follows:

For 12 member project management team on site in Anahuac

• Satillite telephone communcations system at staging area
• Crews to operate resource staging, in-kind an financial donations management,
• Transportation for feed and equipment resouces
• 8,000 large round bales of hay
• 150,000 lbs of 20% range cubes
• Fork lift and front end loader for off and onloading heavy palettes and baled resources
• Metal tubing 600 12'-16' cattle panels
• 3 Potable water trucks and crew for drafting water from tributaries to deliver to livestock/horses.
• Work crew shelter and food support at Ford Center and/or VFW hall in Anahuac
• 100 portable water troughs
• Animal health technical and supplies support
• Animal movement/cattle hauling equipment
• Cattle handling crew on horseback or motorized equipment

Operation No Fences Financial Donations Contact:

Operation No Fences feed/hay, fencing, panels, troughs, and other non-feed donations:

• Texas Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline  1-877-429-1998

The most significant source of financial assistance following a Presidentially declared disaster is the federal government. FEMA, now part of the Department of Homeland Security, is charged with coordinating the federal response to requests from a state for disaster recovery assistance. The federal government helps state and local governments by assisting with response and recovery operations and providing funds to support these activities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides food and logistical assistance and assists state departments of agriculture in assessing agricultural and rural infrastructure damage. For example, USDA assistance may include food commodities, replacement food stamp benefits and Forest Service-managed FEMA mobilization centers. More on USDA disaster assistance is at Financial Assistance for Recovery and Resources for Farms and Rural Areas.

Some federal financial assistance flows directly to individuals to cover items not covered by property, business or other insurance. Assistance is available for housing, property restoration and other needs for residents of the counties that were declared. Find out if your county was declared by visiting the FEMA Disaster Declarations page. Some forms of federal assistance are available in counties that border the declared counties. 

Financial assistance may come to individuals from faith-based and charitable organizations. Such assistance does not require a Presidential declaration of disaster, and, depending on the policies of the organizations, may be available in counties that were not declared. Contact emergency management officials in your county or state to find out what assistance is being offered. EDEN provides links to state emergency management Web sites on each state's page.  EDEN state pages.

When powerful hurricanes strike land, they can leave thousands homeless, without power and with damage - physical, economic and emotional - ranging from minor problems to complete devastation. Recovery is usually a long process.  

Those who lost loved ones or suffered extensive damage will be focusing on coping with these loses and rebuilding their lives more than on physical restoration. Agencies providing recovery assistance are aware of the need for counseling in addition to the basics for survival.

For those who experience minor to moderate damage, the first step is to minimize further damage by doing such things as patching roofs and repairing doors and windows so additional rain does not enter. Where things got wet - either from rain blowing in or from rising water - clean up and dry out as quickly as possible to prevent complications from mold growth. Document the damage so future claims for insurance or disaster assistance can be validated.

When you've done what you can to minimize further damage, be patient - with yourself, with others, with life in general. This is truly a time when haste makes waste. Wood must dry out before rebuilding to avoid hidden mold growth. People in a hurry are most likely to fall victim to charlatan contractors. Even though you may be anxious to get things back to normal, take plenty of time contracting for major repairs. If you must decide on whether to restart a small business that has been hurt by the disaster, don't rush into it. After a major disaster, you may find you'll be able to borrow more money than you've ever had to manage, and it will be financially easy to do things that you might not have done if you'd thought about it a little longer.

Your Cooperative Extension Service has information that may help with small business or family financial management decisions; with coping with the stress; and with restoring your home, furnishings and landscape.  Check in your county or state for resources that are developed for your locality. If you find resources from outside your state, check them with local county Extension agents/educators, state Extension specialists or local government officials to be sure they are applicable to your situation.

Your best source of information on tropical storm activity is the National Weather Service National Hurricane Center's Tropical Prediction Center. This site deals with active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific out to 140°W. Predicted paths for 3- and 5-day forecasts are shown in graphic format under the Maps and Charts heading for each storm system.

Once a hurricane passes, you're not necessarily out of the woods. As the hurricane moves inland, it may continue to produce torrential rains. Watch for floodwaters that may rise days after the hurricane passes. Two sources of potential flood information are

• National Flood Outlook from the National Weather Service
• Water Watch real-time streamflow from the U.S. Geological Survey