Is Your Farm or Ranch Disaster-Ready?

Northwest Farm and Ranch Report/Date: January 03, 12
by KayDee Gilkey
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No one can predict when disaster or an emergency will strike. However, farmers, ranchers and other business owners can be prepared for possible disruptions by creating a business continuity plan.


KR Catlin, Homeland Security Planner for the Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management, explains some of the pieces of a standard Continuity of Operations Plan (or COOP).

"The things to look for in your COOP plan is to train family or employees on a regular basis about what to do during a disaster or emergency. Acquiring and maintaining needed safety equipment and emergency supplies that you would need for your family or to keep your operation going. Showing your family or employees how to be prepared at work and at home so they are better equipped to help the farm respond and recover from an emergency or disaster. You need to Identify the key assets, people, or resources that if lost would shut your operation down; and then plan on how to eliminate some of that risk if they are lost. Also you need to conduct and assess regular evaluations by just sitting down with family/ employees and asking, 'what would you do?' to determine the readiness of your farm or facilities."

Catlin stresses it is important to consider your region and what type of disasters would most likely impact your business and then plan accordingly. A free online resource www.readyrating.org is designed to help interested businesses develop COOP plans.

Click on the play button to listen to report.
Download Report: NWFR01-03-12COOPweb.mp3

Anatomy of a Disaster

Yakima, WASH-
From time to time our office is asked, "what type of assistance is there for disaster victims"? Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question. Every disaster must meet certain criteria for certain levels of governmental assistance. Below is a basic guide on what may be available:

Immediate Emergency Help:  The American Red Cross, Salvation Army and other volunteer organizations can and will provide immediate aid in the way of clothing, emergency food, medical assistance, emergency shelters, clean-up help, transportation help and furniture.   This assistance is available upon request from individuals or government agencies.  American Red Cross: 509-457-1690, Salvation Army:  509-453-3139.

Federal Disaster Assistance:

This can be provided through the Stafford Act when the President declares a major disaster. The request must be made from the governor of the affected state, to the President. The governor must receive the request by the local jurisdiction impacted by the disaster.  Assistance provided includes minimal assistance for housing repairs, housing replacement, rental assistance and help with medical, dental, and funeral expenses, vehicle repair/replacement, transportation, and certain other personal property losses. 

Registration: When the president declares a disaster, that includes the Individuals and Households Program, FEMA sets up a toll-free registration number (800-621-3362) where individuals and households can begin to apply for immediate assistance.  Internet registration can also be made at www.fema.gov/assistance/  or www.disasterassistance.gov . If you do not register, you will not get help.  

Individual and Household Program consists of Housing Assistance (HA) and Other Needs Assistance                              

HA assists eligible individuals/households with housing needs like financial assistance to rent alternative housing, repair owner occupied private residences and to replace owner occupied private residences ONA awards are available to qualified individuals/ households who have serious, disaster-related needs and expenses for which assistance from other federal, state, or voluntary agencies disaster programs are unavailable or inadequate. These needs typically fall into the categories of medical, dental, and funeral expenses, as well as personal property, transportation, and other necessary expenses or serious needs. This program is only available when the president declares a disaster.

In the absence of insurance, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has two loan programs that could help a community in lieu of a presidential declaration. SBA Physical Loss Disaster Loans program provides low interest loans to eligible individuals and businesses that have incurred disaster damage.  Loans are intended to help victims repair or replace damaged property to a pre-disaster condition.SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): EIDL provides low-interest loans to eligible small businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of physical damage.  It provides loans for operating expenses until business recovers.  For more information about SBA loans, go to: www.sba.gov/financialassistance/.

Farm Service Agency Loans:  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides emergency loans to help farmers and ranchers recover from physical and production losses, to repair or replace farm property and supplies, or repay farm operating debts incurred during the disaster year.  For more information about FSA loans, go to: www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA and click on State Offices.

NOV. 9 Emergency Alert Test

Washington D.C. - The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will be carried out on November 9, 2011. For more information about the test or access to the participant reporting system, please click here.


The FCC, in conjunction with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS), implements the EAS at the federal level. The President has sole responsibility for determining when the EAS will be activated at the national level, and has delegated this authority to the director of FEMA. FEMA is responsible for implementation of the national-level activation of the EAS, tests, and exercises. The NWS develops emergency weather information to alert the public about imminent dangerous weather conditions. Unlike the 60 second test of years past this test will be 3 minutes long. Television and radio broadcasts will be stopped during this time period.

Hazardous Materials Response

CEMP ESF #10 Hazardous Materials Response has been updated.  It is consistent with guidance provided by the SERC.  It is ready for review and comments by stakeholders.  Contact Charles Erwin at 509.574.1905.  An electronic copy will be provided.

Disaster Assistance Available for Small Businesses

Yakima, WASH– Small, non farm businesses in 26 Washington counties are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the combined effects frosts, freezes, extreme cold, high winds and excessive snow that occurred in the following 15 primary Washington counties from November 10, 2010 through March 25, 2011,” announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Primary Washington counties: Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Island, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Okanogan, Skagit, Snohomish, Walla Walla and Yakima;

Neighboring Washington counties: Adams, Columbia, Ferry, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Lincoln, Pierce, Skamania, Whatcom and Whitman;

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Judd said.

Small, non farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4% for businesses and 3% for private, nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Judd said.

By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. Secretary Tom Vilsack declared this disaster at the request of Governor Chris Gregoire.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The deadline to apply for these loans is June 13, 2012.

For more information, visit SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

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Prepare/ Update Your Emergency Plan This October

OCT. 4, 2011-Yakima, WASH.

    As we approach fall/ winter weather Yakima Valley O.E.M. reminds you that when a major disaster occurs, it is unlikely that emergency response services will be able to immediately respond to everyone’s needs. It is important to be prepared to take care of your family. Plan to be on your own for at least three days.

This month start to prepare for any emergency if you have not done so already. You can do it by:

• Designate an out-of-area contact person. Try to select someone that is far enough away to not be affected by the same emergency. Provide this person with the names and contact information of the people you want to keep informed of your situation. Instruct family members to call this person and tell them where they are. Long distance phone service is often restored sooner than local service.

• Duplicate important documents and keep copies off-site, either in a safety deposit box or with someone you trust. Documents may include: passport, drivers license, social security card, wills, deeds, financial statements, insurance information, marriage license and prescriptions.

• Inventory valuables, in writing and with photographs or video. Keep copies of this information off-site with your other important documents.

• Make a family plan . Involve all key people in planning.

• Check your home for potential safety hazards.

• Put together a disaster kit . Plan to have supplies for yourself and your family for at least 3 days following a disaster.

• When planning, consider the special needs of kids, disabled, seniors, family members that don’t speak English and pets.

Learn more at our website: http://www.yakimacounty.us/oem/checklist.htm

federal disaster loans for residents/ business affected by White Swan Fire

(CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE YAKAMA NATION-WHITESWAN, WASH.)

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION NEWS RELEASE -- Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Washington residents and business owners affected by the White Swan Fire that occurred February 12 - 13, 2011, in Yakima County, announced U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the July 1 denial of the state’s appeal for a major disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Yakima County and the neighboring Washington counties of Benton, Grant, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Pierce and Skamania.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist those residents and businesses affected by the White Swan Fire with Federal disaster loans,” said Mills. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster,” said SBA’s Seattle District Director Nancy Porzio. “Beginning Wednesday, July 20, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Porzio continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary:

Yakima County
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Wilbur Memorial United Methodist Church
80 Curtis Street
White Swan, WA 98952

Open Wednesday, July 20, 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
and Thursday, July 21, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.563 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, non profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and applications are also available by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or on the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.
The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is September 19, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 19, 2012.