Flooding Resources
Heavy rainfall in July 2023 has caused unprecedented flooding along the Connecticut River and other waterways for Connecticut’s agricultural producers. The following resources and information has been compiled from state and federal partners to assist producers.
Produce Growers
For specific questions about how produce crops or fields may be affected by flooding, please contact the CT DoAg Produce Safety Unit at agr.producesafety@ct.gov or 860-713-2522.
TIP: Under U.S. law, crops where the edible portion of the plant has contacted flood waters are considered adulterated and cannot be sold for human consumption. For more information, please review U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) resources and guidance.
- Guidance for Industry: Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption | FDA)
- Vegetable: Flooded Crops: Food Safety and Crop Loss Issues | Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at UMass Amherst) This document from UMASS Extension explains pooling versus flooding, reporting losses, harvesting, and the impact on soil and field clean up. It also explains how if the edible portion of the crop comes in contact with flood waters it is considered "adulterated".
Related Resources
- UConn Extension Flooding Resources
- Resources for Human and Animal Food Producers Affected by Flooding
- Floodwater After a Disaster or Emergency | CDC
- Floods and their Aftereffects - Resources and information from the CDC
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Resources and information from the CDC
- Flooding: Information for Homeowners About Private Wells, Sewage and Clean-Up