Back to top

Disaster Preparedness

The resources gathered on this page provide pathways to useful information in preparing for or coping with effects of weather disasters, especially flooding and drought. The threats of these types of conditions seem to be increasing in the face of climate change and have clear impacts on communities, agricultural producers and many others. The Center's UMass Extension unit is part of a network of similar organizations across the country, the Cooperative Extension System, that has formed a national collaboration to provide access to disaster resources if needed, the Extension Disaster Education Network. 

Extension Disaster Education Network

The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) is a collaborative multi-state effort by Extension Services across the country to improve the delivery of services to citizens affected by disasters. EDEN is supported by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Purdue University. Purdue subcontracts management and hosting of the Web site to the LSU AgCenter. The EDEN website is used to help Extension agents and educators find credible resources on disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery that will enhance their short- and long-term programming efforts. During times of crisis, they are able to use this Web site as a communication and data-collection tool.

Additional National Resources

USDA Disaster Resource Center

Information about specific disasters and emergencies, how to prepare, recover, and help build long-term resilience, as well as information about USDA assistance during disaster events.

National Weather Service

The "all hazard monitor" from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency

Massachusetts Resources

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

MEMA is the state agency with primary responsibility for ensuring the state's resilience to disasters. The agency has facilities in Framingham, Tewksbury, Bridgewater and Agawam.

Commonwealth of Mass. Disaster Preparedness Resources

This site presents an in depth list of Massachusetts' state government information and resources on disaster preparedness.

Red Cross in Massachusetts