Reducing the Impact of Flooding: Agricultural Chemicals - PUB2498

When Flooding is Inevitable

Unlike other natural disasters that strike Missouri (e.g., tornadoes, thunderstorms, ice storms), severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the affected areas the opportunity to prepare. One important form of preparation is to take steps to minimize the environmental effects agricultural chemicals would have if exposed to floodwaters. In addition to agricultural chemicals, people living in rural areas affected by flooding should take steps to secure propane and other fuel tanks. Additional information related to securing and preparing propane tanks is available in the department’s fact sheet, Reducing the Impact of Flooding: Propane Tanks.

Anhydrous Ammonia Storage

• Move nurse tanks and other ammonia equipment out of the flood zone.
• Drain line and remove pumps and other system components.
• Lock and protect tank valves.
• Plan to move product out and ship to terminal or other storage facility.
• Turn power to ammonia system off when unattended.
• Secure storage tanks to prevent movement or damage by flood waters.
• Prominently display facility manager’s name and telephone number.

Bulk Liquid Fertilizer or Pesticides

• Lock and protect valves.
• Close and lock site gauge valves on bulk fertilizer storage tanks.
• Inventory all stored products.
• Accelerate or postpone shipments.
• Prominently display facility manager’s name and telephone number.
• Road restrictions could limit the speed at which product can be removed.
• All agricultural chemical bulk tanks should be anchored in some manner if empty.

Small Packaged Pesticide Containers

• Keep containers off the floor and secured.
• Inventory products.
• Move grain fumigants to an area not within the flood zone.
• Move products to an area protected from floodwaters and away from drains.
• Postpone incoming shipments.

Waste Pesticides

• Protect all pesticides including any unusable or unwanted herbicides, insecticides or other pesticides from rising water or other water damage.
• Repackage or overpack all paper bags to protect dry product from water damage.
• Repackage or overpack older containers, liquid products or containers in poor condition to protect from water damage.
• Use rigid plastic or metal containers to repackage or overpack containers.
• Store pesticides damaged by water or otherwise rendered unusable for proper disposal. Do not throw pesticides into trash or dump onto ground.
• For information on the disposal of damaged or unusable pesticides, contact the Missouri Pesticide Collection Program at 573-751-0616.

Bulk Dry Fertilizer

• Construct barriers at flood water entrances to prevent water from entering bins.
• Delay shipments or temporarily move product to higher ground.
• Spring road restrictions could limit the speed at which product can be removed.