The purpose of this drought response plan is 1) to describe the drought indicators and response triggers that will be used to determine if drought response actions are needed and 2) to provide land owners and managers a range of management options that will allow for a flexible and rapid response to drought.

Find NDSU Extension drought resources at www.ag.ndsu.edu/drought or contact your local NDSU Extension county office for more information.

Children have limited experiences with natural disasters, so it is normal for them to be afraid. It is important that children are met with kindness and understanding from parents and other adults to help cope with these feelings. Children should be encouraged to talk about their feelings and express their fears through play, drawing, painting or clay/play dough. Caring conversations can help them process any fears.

Flood water may carry silt, raw sewage, oil or chemical waste. If foods have been in contact with flood waters, use this information to determine their safety.

Natural disasters such as floods are stressful events for families. Evacuating their home is obviously stressful for children. Plan ahead by packing a disaster supplies kit for each of your children to grab if your family has to evacuate due to flood conditions or other reasons.

If you do not plan to rebuild your flood-damaged home until next year, you must prepare it for winter.

Prepare early. For homes in areas of the country prone to flooding or heavy rain, taking a few steps to prepare for water levels that could result in sewage backing up into a home makes sense.

This is a step by step guide to prepare a home for a flood.

A sandbag dike must be built properly to prevent or reduce flood damage.

Exposure to mold can cause cold-like symptoms, respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, watery eyes, sore throat, coughing and skin irritations, and can easily be breathed deeply into the lungs, it is not safe to live in houses wit high mold. This publication tells the health effects, where to look for mold, mold removal and preventing mold growth.