Natural Disasters

Flickr's vastateparksstaff.jpg

Flickr's vastateparksstaff

There are ways to weather the storm and improve your forest's chances of survival.

Each year, freezes, fires, winds and floods damage thousands of acres of woodlands. No corner of our nation—and no woodland owner—is safe from  Mother Nature’s extremes.

When they happen, natural disasters can hurt your land and your financial health. You may find yourself left with a damaged property, a damaged home and a damaged sense of security. But with the right information, planning and help, you can weather the storm.

In this guide, you’ll learn about some of the more common natural disasters American landowners face: drought, hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods and ice storms.

You’ll learn what these events are and how they affect your forest, how to protect your forest (and your home and family) from each event, and how to help your woods recover in the aftermath. We’ll also show you where to find more information and professional help, because disaster recovery isn’t something you should do alone.

Unfortunately, no amount of planning or preparation can prevent a natural disaster. But there are ways to keep your home and family safe and give your woods their best chance at surviving.

Find Out More

wildfire.jpg	Wildfires It’s important for woodland owners to understand the role of wildfire in their woods and the best ways to prevent dangerous conditions. With the right information and a little pro-active care, you can protect your family, your home and your woods from fire.
drought.jpg	Drought Lack of water may be changing the type and composition of forest on your property, affecting timber, recreation, wildlife habitat and watersheds. What does this mean for a forest landowner?
hurricanes.jpg	Hurricanes Hurricanes are a very real threat to forests. In this section, you’ll learn how a hurricane impacts woodlands, what to do when a hurricane strikes and how to limit storm damage.
tornado.jpg	Tornadoes In this section, learn what steps you can take to give your woods their best shot at surviving and recovering from a tornado.
flood.jpg	Floods As a woodland owner, learn how floods affect your forest, what to do after a flood, and how to prepare for and prevent flood damage.
ice_storm.jpg	Ice Storms Ice storms are among the most dangerous weather to forests. In this section, you’ll learn what ice storms are and why they happen, how ice storms affect your forest, what to do after an ice storm, and how to prepare for and prevent ice storm damage.
windstorms.jpg	Windstorms When the wind does its worst, it can wreak havoc on the landscape. My Land Plan has tips to protect your forest from the wind.