Disaster Response Resources for Landowners

Resources

Resource list provided by Southern Regional Extension Forestry at the University of Georgia

Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has activated the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to assist landowners impacted by Hurricane Helene in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina Tennessee and Virginia (and WV). Extended ECP and EFRP signup begins Oct. 15, 2024, and runs through June 1, 2025, in states affected by Hurricane Helene.

Farmers.gov Hurricane Webpage

Includes: Tree Assistance Program, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program, Reporting Losses/Submitting Applications

Storm Damage Management

Georgia Forestry Commission | This resource offers guidance on storm damage management, including assessing damage, ensuring safety, planning recovery, reforestation strategies, and financial assistance options.

Hurricane Damage – Helene

South Carolina Forestry Commission | This resource offers guidance on hurricane damage management, including damage assessment, safety tips, recovery strategies, reforestation, and financial support options.

Managing Storm-Damaged Trees: Dos and Don’ts

Georgia Forestry Commission | This resource offers guidelines on handling storm-damaged trees, including safe practices, actions to avoid, damage evaluation, tree salvageability and seeking professional help.

Assessment and Management of Hurricane Damaged Timberland

UF IFAS | This resource offers guidance on evaluating storm-damaged trees, including tree assessment, damage management, and recovery strategies for timberland after hurricanes.

Assessing Damage and Restoring Trees After a Hurricane

UF IFAS | This resource offers guidance on assessing and restoring trees after a hurricane, focusing on evaluating damage, determining whether trees can recover, and providing steps for proper restoration and care.

Timber Taxes

This resource offers tax tips for forest landowners, covering timber tax deductions, credits, reporting guidelines, reforestation costs and casualty losses due to storms or fires.

Assessment and Management of Hurricane-Damaged Timberland

UF IFAS | This resource provides comprehensive guidance on hurricane-damaged timberland, covering everything from assessing damage to financial assistance. It includes details on evaluating timber for risks like insects, disease, or wildfire, as well as tax implications for losses.

Florida Farmer/Individual Co-op Member Disaster Relief $500 Mini-Grant Application

The FSC/LAF Florida Farmer Disaster Relief $500 Mini-Grant provides emergency funds to Florida farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene (2024) for household expenses only. Early applications are encouraged due to limited funding, with grants available on a rolling basis.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

NRCS | This program offers financial and technical aid to U.S. farmers and landowners to implement conservation practices, improving soil, water, and air quality. Applications are accepted year-round.

RMA Loss Adjustment Standards Handbooks (LASH) – Crop Loss Adjustment Standards

USDA Risk Management Agency | This resource identifies loss adjustment standards and requirements for determining production or revenue and adjusting crop insurance claims in a uniform and timely manner. This resource includes several handbooks for different kinds of “commodities” outlining procedures for inspecting damaged crops, calculating losses, and determining indemnities in accordance with the crop insurance policy.

Forest Tax Webinar: Coping With Losses from Nature and Chance

Woodland Stewards | Growing trees can be subject to forces beyond the owners’ control from weather catastrophes to timber theft and more. While forest landowners can’t plan for these unexpected events, they can learn more about the tax implications for casualty loss, non-casualty losses, timber theft, trespassing and more. Join this webinar for insights into best ways to cope with timber losses from nature and chance.

Recovering From the Storm: Resources for Woodland and Forest Landowners

NC State Extension | The North Carolina Forest Service page offers guidance for landowners on recovering from forest damage caused by storms and disasters. It includes steps for assessing damage, planning recovery, and implementing reforestation strategies, along with links to assistance programs and best management practices.
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