Every winter brings the risk of flooding to farms around the country, and the OPW encourages livestock farmers to have a plan in place in case the water rises.

  • Create a list of emergency telephone numbers, including those of your employees, neighbours, your own vet and the Department's local vet office, poison control, local animal shelter, animal care and control, local Teagasc office and hauliers who may be able to help you move animals.
  • Include a contact person outside the farm. Make sure all this information is written down and that everyone in your family has a copy.
  • Ensure that poultry have access to high areas in which to perch, if they are in a flood-prone area, as well as to food and clean water.
  • Perform regular safety checks on all utilities, buildings, and facilities on your farm.
  • Consider re-routing permanent fencing so that animals may move to high ground in a flood.
  • Install a hand pump and obtain enough large containers to water your animals for at least a week (municipal water supplies and wells are often contaminated during a flood).
  • Identify alternative water and power sources. A generator with a safely stored supply of fuel may be essential.
  • Secure or remove anything that could be floated and move about; make a habit of securing trailers, propane tanks and other large objects. If you have unused feed troughs or other large containers, fill them with water. This prevents them from floating away and also gives you an additional supply of water.
  • If you use heat lamps or other electrical machinery, make sure the wiring is safe and that any heat source is clear of flammable debris.
  • Label hazardous materials and place them all in the same safe area. Provide local fire and rescue and emergency management authorities with information about the location of any hazardous materials on your property.

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