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Natural Disasters and Pesticides

Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or wildfires pose immediate danger to health and safety. However, the damage afterwards can also be dangerous. Pesticides and other chemicals can spill, undergo reactions in heat, or mix together if their containers break. This can cause them to contaminate water, soil, or the disaster debris. Take the following steps to minimize pesticide risks.

Before a disaster occurs:

• Buy only what you need in the short term, for example the growing season. This reduces risks associated with storing pesticides, including that products can break down with time and become less effective.
• Read the label, including the Environmental Hazards section. Make sure you are storing pesticide products correctly.
• Store products sold in paper bags and brittle containers in larger, secondary containers (e.g., bin, tub, tote, etc.) made of plastic or metal to contain leaks and prevent any water damage.
• Keep an inventory list of all potentially hazardous chemicals in your home, the amount, and date of purchase.
• Dispose of all unneeded pesticides and other chemicals regularly. Take them to your local household hazardous waste facility regularly. Don't let them build up.
• Prepare a kit with disaster supplies to last three days.
• Identify a shelter that is close to home, but out of harm's way. Clogged highways can make long-distance travel difficult.
• Consider planning what you will do with your pets and livestock. If you evacuate, even for a few hours, experts recommend taking your animals with you.
• Plan for disaster debris. Community emergency plans can help reduce exposure and save money. Identify places for debris to collect, temporary storage and staging areas, recycling, disposal, and hazardous waste handling.

After a disaster occurs:

• Contact your local authorities to learn if it is safe for you to return to your home, and what aid is available.
• Disaster relief is coordinated among local, state, and federal agencies. Listen for local updates regarding safety and where to go for relief.
• Do not enter damaged structures until the fire department or other authorities tell you it is safe to do so.
• Report pesticide spills, hazardous waste, and chemical and oil spills to the National Response Center at 800-424-8802.
• Place markers or signs where you know chemicals have been released.
• Contact local authorities such as your state environmental agency to report damaged or unusable pesticides.
• Be aware of hazards including live electrical lines, chemical spills, sharp objects, unstable structures, and contaminated floodwaters or debris.
• Contact your state environmental agency to learn if there is a plan for disaster debris for disposal of material damaged during natural disasters.

Learn more about:

Pesticides and Water Resources

What can I do after a flood?

Wildfire and Pesticides

Storage of Pesticides

Additional Resources:

Before a disaster

• Disaster Preparedness - Department of Homeland Security
• Preparing for Disaster - Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Disaster Preparedness Tips - National Institutes of Health
• Natural Disasters and Severe Weather - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Pet Disaster Preparedness - The Humane Society of the United States

After a disaster

• Disaster Recovery Recovery Center Locator - Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Recovering from Disaster - Department of Homeland Security
• Natural Disaster Response and Recovery - U.S. Department of the Interior
• Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• What to Do to Avoid Getting Sick or Injured After a Disaster - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Financial Assistance after a Disaster - U.S. General Services Administration
• Disaster Assistance Programs - Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Ag
• Preparing for and Responding to Natural Disasters - U.S. EPA

Information about specific natural disasters

• Agriculture and Natural Events and Disasters - U.S. EPA
• Tornadoes - U.S. EPA
• Earthquakes - U.S. EPA
• Chemical Emergencies - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@oregonstate.edu.