Floods, Hurricanes & Power Outages: Keeping Food and Water Safe

The time to plan for a weather emergency or power outage is before it happens. The FDA has provided the information on this page to help you develop a plan for keeping food and water safe in such an event. Whether you are getting ready to evacuate or shelter in place, or you are returning home after an emergency, it’s important to be aware of how to avoid foodborne illness from contaminated food or water. 

Topics on this page:

• Information for Consumers

Information for Consumers 

• FDA Hurricane Preparedness Checklist 

• Food and Water Safety During Hurricanes, Power Outages, and Floods - What Consumers Need to Know 

• Food Safety for Consumers Returning Home After a Hurricane and/or Flooding 

• Power Outages - Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety

• Hurricanes and Floods - Key Tips for Consumers About Food and Water Safety  

• WATCH a video on Food Safety During Power Outages  

Information for Industry 

• Guidance for Industry: Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption   

• Disposition of Food From Flood-Affected Crops

  • Letter to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture September 16, 2011
  • Letter to State Agriculture Departments/Agencies September 27, 2011

• Guidance for Industry: Use of Water by Food Manufacturers in Areas Subject to a Boil-Water Advisory 

• Restaurants and Grocers Reopening After Hurricanes and Flooding 

• A Notice to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products on How to Dispose of Contaminated Food 

• A Notice to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products About the Safety of Food Affected by Hurricanes, Flooding, and Power Outages 

• Guidance for Industry: A Notice to Growers, Food Manufacturers, Food Warehouse Managers, and Transporters of Food Products on Decontamination of Transport Vehicles
    

Additional Information from FDA 

• Hurricanes: Health and Safety (FDA)

• Hurricane Safety Checklist (FDA)
       

Information from Other Government Agencies 

• National Hurricane Center  (NOAA)
    

For more information on safe food handling, go to Disaster Assistance from FoodSafety.gov or call FDA's toll-free information line at 1-888-SAFEFOOD (1-888-723-3366).