Emergency Resources - Homes and Farmsteads

Nebraska Extension Cares - Assisting Nebraskans through Tough Times

#NebExt  #NebraskaFlood  #NebraskaStrong

Homes

  • Moisture Meters Available
    As part of ongoing efforts to support those affected by recent flooding, Nebraska Extension Boyd County Office has 3 moisture meters available for homeowners and businesses to borrow to monitor the moisture content of flooded materials. There is also a meter in the Lynch Community Hall to borrow. 

Homeowners wanting to borrow a meter are encouraged to stop in at the Extension office (Boyd County Courthouse, upstairs on the south end of hall).

 Instructions for using the meter will be provided upon checkout. 

“It’s important to wait until wood and other materials dry out before attempting to repair a flood-damaged home,” said Dave Varner, associate dean with Nebraska Extension. “Renovating too soon could trap moisture, leading to rotting and promoting the growth of mold.”

Moisture Meter Information
For further information on using this meter view the following YouTube videos:

https://go.unl.edu/moisturemeter
https://go.unl.edu/moisturemeter2

Once you have dried and saved your images (This is critical, it is one of the first things you must tackle is getting these pieces of paper dry before they mold.) It may be that non affected volunteers from our communities will help get these dry while you worry about the rest of your home... They will start coming to our flood region in 2-3 months. Follow Operation Photo Rescue on Facebook to know when they will be coming. Currently they will be basing out of Ashland Nebraska.
Landscapes - Trees, Turf, and Gardens
At this point, the flood water will have to recede before the damage can viewed and respond. Time duration of the flood water, current and temperature will all have an impact regarding damage. These levels will probably vary quite a bit across the impacted areas. The lack of oxygen from the flood water can really impact the survivability of herbaceous landscape plants that die down after frost, and return in the spring. Trees and shrubs can also be impacted, but the true level of damage may not be realized immediately after the water has receded. It would not be surprising to see delayed damage later on in the year. 

For now, homeowners will be in “wait and see” mode for the flood water to recede and the damage to present itself. Of course, this can be very frustrating to homeowners since many want to do “something” right away.

Trees

Landscapes

Turf

  • Recovery After Historic Flood - Dr. Roch Gaussion, University of Nebraska - Lincoln - 3 pgs
    What golf course or athletic field managers and homeowners should expect after flood waters recede and what to do to next. 
  • Caring for Flooded Lawns - University of Missouri Extension Web Page
    Evaluation of damage and management of turfgrass effected by flooding.

Fruits, Vegetables and Food Safety

  • Flooded Vegetable Garden Sites and Food Safety Considerations - Nebraska Extension. The garden season may not have started yet in the heartland, but as the waters recede and clean-up efforts continue, there’s one area of concern that many may not have thought of: the safety of garden produce from flooded areas.

Farmsteads

Electrical Equipment

Vehicles