Emergencies and disasters

Emergency management

Features
News
Websites
Publications
Courses

Features

Reduce your risk of injury or death from lightning

If you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear thunder, then divide by five. This is the distance in miles the lightning is away. Any distance less than 10 miles puts you in danger.

Flood-related resources from MU Extension

Extension has resources to help you and your family prepare for and recover from floods and other weather-related emergencies.

After a flood, think food safety

Floodwater often contains sewage or animal waste that could contaminate foods with harmful organisms.

Severe-weather resources from MU Extension

Review our extensive collection of resources and links to help individuals, families and communities prepare for and recover from weather-related emergencies and other disasters.

MU Extension expert recommends replacing older smoke detectors

If smoke alarms are over 10 years old, you should look at a replacement plan.

Ebola information for Missourians

There is a great deal in the media concerning the Ebola outbreak. Some information may be good, but much is borderline misinformation or contributes to a sense of panic.

Keys to emergency preparedness

While security experts and law enforcement personnel are determined to make sure events like the Boston Marathon bombing never happen again.

Know which foods to pitch after a power outage

Severe spring weather can bring power outages. If the electricity is out for more than two hours, it is important to know how to make sure the foods in your refrigerator and freezer are safe.

Be prepared for disasters

Missouri weather brings year-round chances for severe weather. Every family should have a plan and supplies, and every family member should know what to do. Get started on your family's plan today.

Keep important papers accessible

In an emergency, you won't have time to gather up important papers, like bank records, savings bonds and birth certificates. Use this guide to organize important records.

About the Community Emergency Management Program

CEMP provides education and technical assistance to individual and families, local governments, businesses, schools and organizations in preparing and responding to natural and man-made disasters.

News

Flood-related resources from MU Extension
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Editors: With flash flood watches in effect in portions of Missouri this weekend, these ready-to-publish news releases may be of interest to readers:
Brown cool-season grass not necessarily a sign of disease
Thursday, June 23, 2016
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Lawns around the Show-Me State are starting to turn brown. But that’s a normal, and temporary, response to hot, dry weather.
High heat and dry conditions can put fish ponds at risk
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The combination of prolonged high heat and dry weather potentially threatens fish ponds, says a University of Missouri Extension fisheries and wildlife specialist.
Drought calls for well water test
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When there isn’t enough water on the soil, there’s not enough water in ground wells. And that can cause bacterial problems that require testing, says University of Missouri Extension water quality specialist Bob Broz.
Save water at home with simple tips
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and rural residents can use simple tips to conserve water in the home during drought, says University of Missouri Extension water quality specialist Bob Broz.
Flood-related resources from MU Extension
Monday, December 28, 2015
Conne Burnham, University of Missouri Extension state emergency management specialist, can answer reporters' questions on disaster readiness, response and recovery at the household, community and state level. Contact Burnham at 573-884-5254 or burnhamc@missouri.edu.
After a flood, think food safety
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Floods can devastate property and have lasting effects on a community. In the aftermath, people might not think about the consequences flooding can have on food.
Extended drought can put fish ponds at risk
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Resources threatened by this year’s drought include ponds that depend on surface runoff for water. Fish are at risk from high water temperatures, oxygen depletion, increased disease potential and other problems as water levels drop in ponds through lack of runoff and evaporation, said Bob Pierce, University of Missouri Extension state fisheries and wildlife specialist.
Expect 8 Percent Meat Price Increase in 2013 Due to Drought’s Impact on Livestock
Thursday, August 9, 2012
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The livestock industry is taking a direct hit by this summer’s drought, and that will impact consumers’ wallets next year, says a University of Missouri agricultural economist.
Media available: video
Forage nitrates hottest topic on beef tour at MU Greenley Research Center field day
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
NOVELTY, Mo. – Zac Erwin stood by a drought-stunted field of Sudangrass as he talked to wagon-loads of field day visitors at the MU Greenley Research Center, Aug. 7.
Drought-damaged soybeans can make cattle feed; MU economist has calculator for hay:bean value
Friday, August 3, 2012
COLUMBIA – Soybeans that won’t make a seed crop offer potential high-quality forage for beef and dairy producers. The decision to cut beans for hay won’t be easy, say University of Missouri Extension specialists.
Fall-calving cow herds must be watched; heat stress can cause premature calving
Thursday, August 2, 2012
COLUMBIA, Mo – Some heat-stressed cows are delivering premature calves, ahead of normal fall-calving season.
Heat, drought put Missouri in danger of wildfires
Friday, June 29, 2012
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Wildfire season in Missouri typically runs from late March to early May, but hot, dry conditions this year puts the state at heightened risk of wildfire into summer and perhaps beyond, says a University of Missouri Extension state forester.
Preparing for disasters: Take it one step at a time
Monday, August 29, 2011
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This year Missouri has seen flooding, severe winter weather and devastating tornadoes. Meanwhile, two earthquakes struck in the U.S. within hours of each other even as a major hurricane moved toward the East Coast.
Media available: photo
Warm, wet weather can trigger mold growth
Monday, June 6, 2011
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Moisture and rising temperatures can turn parts of your home into ideal sites for mold growth, said a University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
Media available: photo

Websites

The following are general-interest emergency management websites from the University of Missouri. Browse the menu on the left for sites on more specific emergency management topics.

Community Development Program
Disaster and Community Crisis Center
LETI - Law Enforcement Training Institute
Provides basic and advanced law enforcement training programs as well as animal cruelty investigation programs.
Missouri Climate Center
MU FRTI - MU Fire and Rescue Training Institute
Veterinary Medical Extension and Continuing Education

You may be interested in these external websites:

Publications

MU Extension partners with Missouri Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) to bring important information and resources to communities about emergency human services relating to disasters.

The following are general-interest emergency management publications. Browse the menu on the left for more specific emergency management publications.