UPDATED 10-28-12: Maryland Park Service (MPS) will be providing safe haven for horses at Fair Hill (Cecil County) if needed. Anyone interested or would like further information should contact MPS Park Manager Wayne Suydan at 410-409-8974 (cell).
ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 28, 2012) – With Hurricane Sandy’s approach, it is important for the agricultural community to include livestock – including horses – in any disaster preparedness plans.
FARM PREPAREDNESS
Anyone in the agricultural community who needs assistance with livestock, including horses, should contact their local emergency operation center. For a list of local emergency management offices, see: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/LocalEOC.aspx
MDA recommends the following for farmers and livestock owners to prepare for a hurricane:
* Move all poultry and livestock to high ground and shelter them in securely battened barns, houses, or tightly fenced areas.
* If you evacuate and take your horses with you, take all immunization and health records, your emergency kit and sufficient hay and water for a minimum 48 hour period. Call ahead, to make sure that your emergency location is still available.
* Cover and secure all water, food, and medical supplies for poultry and livestock.
* Pump and collect adequate supplies of drinking water in case of electrical failures.
* Top off all gasoline, propane, and other fuel tanks and check operations of all portable generators.
* Remove or secure all loose objects that could be moved by high winds.
* Board all glass windows and other similar items that could break from high winds or from objects
