The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a reminder to communities, farmers, ranchers, families, and small businesses in the path of Hurricane Helene about available assistance programs. USDA staff at regional, state, and county offices are prepared to help.

USDA has collaborated with FEMA and other disaster-focused organizations to create the Disaster Resource Center. This center offers a searchable knowledge base of disaster-related resources managed by experts. The Disaster Resource Center website provides easy access to USDA disaster information and assistance. Additionally, USDA developed a disaster assistance discovery tool for rural and agricultural issues that guides producers through questions to identify relevant USDA disaster assistance programs.

Residents and small businesses in affected areas are encouraged to contact local USDA offices to determine suitable assistance programs.

Regarding food safety during severe weather:

- Refrigerators can keep food safe for up to 4 hours if doors remain closed during power outages.

- A full freezer maintains a safe temperature for about 48 hours; 24 hours if half full.

- Appliance thermometers should be kept in both refrigerators and freezers.

- Freezing water in small containers helps keep food cold.

- Freezing refrigerated items like leftovers, milk, meat, and poultry extends their safe temperature duration.

- Consider acquiring 50 pounds of dry or block ice for prolonged power outages.

- Grouping foods together in the freezer helps maintain cold temperatures longer.

- Keep ready-to-eat foods that do not require cooking or cooling on hand.

For food safety inquiries, call the Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-674-6854 (Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET), email MPHotline@usda.gov or use live chat at Ask USDA. Business owners with questions can contact the FSIS Small Plant Help Desk at 1-877-FSIS-HELP (1-877-374-7435), by email at infosource@fsis.usda.gov, or online at www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/svsp/sphelpdesk.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) advises those in the hurricane's path to prepare pets and livestock:

- Plan evacuation routes and destinations for animals.

- Provide strong shelter, food, and water for livestock if evacuation is not possible.

- Contact State Veterinarian’s Office when moving livestock out of state.

- Follow emergency officials' evacuation orders.

USDA offers several risk management options for agricultural operations:

Producers covered by Federal Crop Insurance Program or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) should report crop damage within 72 hours of discovery. Livestock producers have access to programs like:

-The Livestock Indemnity Program

-The Emergency Assistance for Livestock

-Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program

-The Tree Assistance Program

Programs like the Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program provide financial aid for restoring damaged farmland or forests.

Accurate records documenting damage are essential for reporting losses to local USDA Service Centers promptly.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service offers financial support through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program for immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program assists with debris removal and streambank stabilization.

On farmers.gov, tools like the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool help producers find suitable programs or loans. For crop insurance claims, contact crop insurance agents; for FSA and NRCS programs, reach out to local USDA Service Centers.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is also ready to collaborate with FEMA for emergency nutrition assistance as needed.

The Biden-Harris Administration emphasizes transforming America's food system with resilient local production, fairer markets, safe nutritious food access across communities, climate-smart practices investment in infrastructure clean energy capabilities in rural America equity across the Department workforce representation removing systemic barriers building more representative workforce learn more visit www.usda.gov