Flood Preparedness for Ranches

Floods rise quickly and cut off roads, fences and feed. A plan that tells you when to move cattle, where to take them and who does what is worth far more than anything you can improvise in the rain.

Key points

Know which areas flood and which roads close first.
Move cattle early, using a set trigger.
Protect feed, fuel and chemicals from floodwater.
Never drive or walk through moving water.
Document losses and ask FSA about assistance.

Know your flood risk

Learn which parts of your place flood, how fast and how high. Talk with neighbors who remember past events and ask your county emergency office or NRCS about flood maps and local risk. Mark low pastures, creek crossings, tanks and lanes that can fill with water. Note which roads close first, since that decides how long you have to move cattle and equipment.

Watch forecasts and warnings from official sources, and keep a battery radio or phone charger for when power fails.

Keep a simple map of the ranch showing low spots, safe routes, gates and shutoff points. Give copies to family, employees and a neighbor.

Plan where cattle will go

Identify high ground pastures, pens or neighboring ranches where cattle can wait out high water. Choose places with safe fence, feed and water, away from power lines and fuel tanks. Decide the trigger for moving cattle, such as a warning level or heavy rain upstream, and move them early, since it is much harder once water is rising. Make sure gates, lanes and trailers are ready.

Practice moving cattle before you need to. A trial run shows how long loading takes and whether the route is passable in wet weather.

Pick high ground with sound fence and water
Set a clear trigger for moving cattle
Check gates and lanes ahead of time
Arrange trailers and drivers early
Keep cattle ID current and photos on hand

Protect feed, fuel and equipment

Move hay and feed to higher ground and keep it off the floor. Wet feed can mold and make animals sick. Move vehicles and machinery out of low areas. Secure fuel tanks and chemical containers so they cannot float away or leak into floodwater. Shut off power to flooded buildings only if you can do so safely, and never touch electrical equipment while standing in water.

Keep stored feed covered and elevated where you can. Hay that gets wet can mold or heat, so ask your extension office or nutritionist whether it is safe to feed before using flood-soaked feed.

Think about your well and water system as well. Floodwater can contaminate wells, so have water tested before people or cattle rely on it again.

Safety around floodwater

Floodwater is dangerous. Currents can sweep away people, trucks and tractors. Do not drive or walk through moving water. Hidden damage, debris and drop-offs make even shallow flooding risky. Keep children away. Let the water go down and assess the situation before returning, and listen to local officials. Never put yourself at risk to save an animal.

Keep an emergency kit in the truck: boots, rope, flashlight, first aid and a phone charger. Tell someone where you are going when working near water.

After the water drops

Check cattle for injury, lameness, foot problems and signs of illness, and call your veterinarian. Cattle stressed by flooding may be more prone to disease. Check feed and water sources for contamination, since floodwater can carry manure, chemicals and debris. Inspect fences before turning cattle out, because debris and damage can leave gaps. Be careful with animals that died, and ask your veterinarian or state agency how to dispose of carcasses properly under local rules.

Feed cattle clean hay and watch intake closely after a flood. Sudden changes in diet can upset the rumen, so ask your nutritionist or veterinarian for guidance.

Records and recovery help

Take photographs of damage before cleaning up and keep receipts for repairs and feed. Call your insurance agent, and ask your local FSA office what disaster assistance programs may apply, since terms change and deadlines can be short. NRCS may offer help with conservation practices after a flood. Keep a log of livestock losses with dates and details.

Keep copies of important papers, such as insurance policies, leases, herd records and loan documents, in a waterproof container or stored electronically away from the ranch.

Common mistakes

Waiting too long to move cattle, driving into water, storing feed or fuel in low spots, not checking fences after the flood and neglecting records. Review the plan every year and update it after any event.

Review the plan each year before the wet season and update phone numbers, routes and trailer arrangements.

When to get help: Call your veterinarian about cattle health after flooding, your county emergency office for warnings and road status, and your FSA office and insurance agent about disaster assistance.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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