
When it comes to a disaster, whether it be natural or man-made, there are steps that can be taken to reduce potential damaging effects and increase our ability to respond when the disaster occurs. Disaster preparedness is knowing how to respond during the immediate aftermath of a disaster. There are plans and actions you can take now to help protect yourself, those around you and the environment.
If your questions are not addressed by the information below, please contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827.
For up-to-date information when natural disasters occur in Missouri, please visit our Disaster News and Information webpage.
Drought
Droughts can develop quickly or gradually over several weeks, months or even years, and worsened with extreme heat or wind. A drought can end just as quickly or gradually as it began, but more commonly persist for months. The more proactive we are, the better we can lessen the impact of even the most severe droughts. For helpful, up-to-date information to keep you safe and informed of droughts, please refer to the Drought section on the department's Disaster News and Information page.
Agriculture
Energy
Roadmap to Resilience
The department's Roadmap to Resilience assists small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
Missouri Drought Plan
The Missouri Drought Plan uses modern tools for enhanced monitoring and assessment of all types of droughts. The plans main goals are serving as an information source for reducing drought impacts, increasing public awareness, enhancing resiliency, promoting water conservation, improving monitoring, facilitating response planning, as well as clarifying roles and responsibilities.
Water
Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities
The following information is intended for operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.
- Climate Resilience Evaluation & Awareness Tool - EPA
- Conduct a Drinking Water or Wastewater Utility Risk Assessment - EPA
- Community-Based Water Resiliency Training - EPA
- Drought Resilience and Water Conservation - EPA
- Incident Action Checklist - EPA
- Planning for Drought Resilience - FEMA
- Resilience Training & Exercises for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities - EPA
- Wastewater Utility Emergency Response Plan Template - EPA
- Water Conservation Plan Guides - EPA
Private Drinking Water Wells
- Well Information Management System - Search for well or pump installation contractors
Current Water Levels
- Groundwater Levels
- Current Conditions for Missouri: Groundwater - U.S. Geological Survey
- Streamgages
- Missouri Streamflow Conditions - U.S. Geological Survey
- Current Lake Levels
- Current Conditions for Missouri: Lakes and Reservoirs - U.S. Geological Survey
Fire
Wildfire Prevention
Wildfire prevention is of key importance for public safety. Resident should be mindful when driving off road, building campfires or burning leaves and other debris. It also is essential for smokers to put out cigarettes completely and safely, as well as responsibly dispose of butts. More information is available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wildfire Prevention webpage.
Visit the National Weather Service’s Fire Weather Outlooks webpage before conducting any prescribed burns on your property, or other activities that may ignite a wildfire. Resources to support prescribed burns are available at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Prescribed Fire webpage. Additional information on wildfire prevention can also be found at the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Missouri Natural Cover Fire Risk webpage.
Roadmap to Resilience
Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
Flooding
Unlike other natural disasters, severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the affected areas the opportunity to prepare.
Agricultural Information
- Reducing the Impact of Flooding - Agricultural Chemicals - PUB2498
- Wet Weather Management Practices for CAFOs - PUB2422
Containers or Tanks
Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities
The following information is intended to provide initial emergency guidance to the operators, owners and employees of both publicly and privately owned facilities that produce and distribute drinking water or collect and treat wastewater.
- Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) - EPA
- Conduct a Drinking Water or Wastewater Utility Risk Assessment - EPA
- Community-Based Water Resiliency Training - EPA
- Incident Action Checklist - EPA
- Missouri Water/ Wastewater Agency Response Network (MoWARN)
- Model Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies
- Natural Disaster Assistance for Missouri Citizens - Disaster Response Guidance for Public Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems - PUB0757
- Natural Disaster Assistance for Missouri Citizens - Disaster Response for On-Site Wastewater (Septic) Systems - PUB0761
- Natural Disaster Assistance for Missouri Citizens - Water Pollution - PUB0759
- Drinking Water and Wastewater Resilience Training and Resources - EPA
- Drinking Water Emergency Exception Request MO 780-2821
- Build Flood Resilience at Your Water Utility - EPA
- Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities - EPA
- Wastewater Utility Emergency Response Plan Template - EPA
Dams
- Dam and Reservoir Safety - How to construct, maintain and operate dams safely
Drinking Water Assistance
Historic Preservation
Missouri and Mississippi River Levels - Current conditions and forecasts
The department coordinates issues relating to major river basins that affect Missouri, and provides technical support for negotiations and litigation actions to protect the state’s rights to this water. Learn more about the Missouri River Flood Issues and Mississippi River Flood Issues. Or visit the River Observations website.
Missouri State Park Advisories
Private Drinking Water Wells
- Alerts or Water Hazards
- Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Private Water Wells - PUB2500
- Disinfecting Your Water Well - PUB2733
- Disinfecting Your Water Well - Video
- Flooded Well Guidance - How owners of private water wells should prepare and respond if water wells are impacted by flood waters
- Know Your Water Well - Numerous Well Information Sheets on Maintenance - Water Systems Council
- Natural Disaster Assistance for Missouri Citizens Contact Phone Numbers - PUB0763
- Reducing the Impact of Flooding - Private Water Wells - PUB2500
- What to Do After the Flood - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
If repairs need to be made to the water well, hire a contractor to do the work. Locate contractors licensed to do business in Missouri online using mowells.
Roadmap to Resilience
Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
Geologic Hazards
Natural geologic hazards are largely unpredictable and capable of causing catastrophic damage and loss of life and property. Some man-made features can become hazards under extreme circumstances or over time.
Dams and Reservoirs
Earthquakes
Unlike some other disasters, earthquakes provide no advance warning. Missouri experiences small earthquakes nearly every day. The New Madrid Seismic Zone experiences about 200 small earthquakes a year. These earthquakes typically are too small to be felt but are recorded on seismographs. Some scientists believe there is about a 10% chance of a magnitude 7-8 earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in a 50 year time interval. The State Emergency Management Agency works with many government and voluntary agencies, businesses and schools to ensure a coordinated, effective response to the challenges a major earthquake would pose.
Landslides
Landslides, slumps and rockfalls are potential geologic hazards throughout Missouri and can occur where there are bluffs or steep slopes. They often can be triggered when surficial materials are moved or modified by man. In general, the higher and steeper the slope, the farther and faster the slide will travel.
Mines
Abandoned mine sites appear attractive to explore, but are unsafe to walk, climb or ride in. What appears to be solid ground may only have a thin veneer of cover hiding an abandoned shaft, which could collapse under the weight of a person walking.
Sinkholes
Sinkholes (also called dolines) are depressed or collapsed areas formed by dissolution of carbonate bedrock or collapse of underlying caves. The best way to prevent damage to property from sinkholes is to identify their presence and avoid them before any land development begins; however, the exact location of where a sinkhole will develop often cannot be predicted.
Roadmap to Resilience
Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
HazMat Incident
Equipment failure, explosions, spills and transportation accidents involving hazardous materials not only contaminates our air, water and land, but can also pose a threat to the health of Missouri's citizens, visitors and wildlife.
Agricultural Information
Asbestos and Open Burning
Containers or Tanks
Household Hazardous Waste
- Reducing the Impact of Flooding - Household Hazardous Waste - PUB2420
- Proper Disposal of Household Pharmaceutical Waste - PUB2291 - Pharmaceutical Take Back Programs are always the best option, however, if there is not one in your area, please see this publication.
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Missouri Pesticide Collection Program
Roadmap to Resilience
Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
Heat
Current Air Quality
- Current Air Quality - Checking local air quality can help you plan your day. The charts include today's forecast for air quality, access to tomorrow's forecast as well as real-time readings on EPA's Air Quality Index.
Energy Consumption
Missouri State Park Advisories
Weatherization
Roadmap to Resilience
Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
Severe Weather
Weather that can pose a risk to life and property is considered severe weather. This can include hazardous conditions produced by thunderstorms, including tornadoes, flooding and flash flooding, hail and damaging winds; and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds.
Agricultural Information
- Reducing the Impact of Flooding - Agricultural Chemicals - PUB2498
- Wet Weather Management Practices for CAFOs - PUB2422
Containers or Tanks
Dams and Reservoirs
Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities
Energy Consumption
Missouri State Park Advisories
Private Drinking Water Wells
- Alerts or Water Hazards
- Reducing the Impact of Flooding - Private Water Wells - PUB2500
- Well Information Management System - Search for well or pump installation contractors
Water Levels
- Groundwater Levels
- Current Conditions for Missouri: Groundwater - U.S. Geological Survey
- Streamgages
- Missouri Streamflow Conditions - U.S. Geological Survey
- Current Lake Levels
- Current Conditions for Missouri: Lakes and Reservoirs - U.S. Geological Survey
Weatherization
Roadmap to Resilience
Resilient communities keep families safe, provide opportunities for improved livability and promote long-term stability. Such communities can reinforce and strengthen community cohesion. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources developed the Roadmap to Resilience to assist small- to medium-sized communities with developing their own customized resilience plans. The roadmap is intended to support the U.S. Department of Energy’s partnerships with local governments, which drive innovative opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy practices that improve energy affordability, reliability and resilience.
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Department of Natural Resources
1101 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
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