Step 5. Recovery After a Disaster
When things calm down and the dust starts to settle after a disaster, it can be hard to imagine life getting back to normal. However, there are many resources and organizations ready to help! Don’t hesitate - reach out and accept a helping hand. Then down the road, help someone else!
Your Impact
Action Steps & Tips
Introduction
After a disaster, the most important thing is to make sure you and your loved ones are safe! Immediately after a disaster, follow the “Right After a Disaster” steps and tips in the Disaster-specific action that applies. Then, when you hear from alert channels or official communications that it is safe to return home or go outside you can start the recovery process. Once you’ve begun to clean up and recover, you may need help. In this action, we’ll look at resources to help you recover after a disaster including shelter, food and financial support.
How to do this action:
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Read through this action to learn about tips, resources and support for recovering from a disaster.
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Print out the PDF with the list of resources and keep it with your kit.
Make sure to also complete the main household actions - Find Risks & Resources, Make a Plan, Build Your Kit and Resilience for Homeowners or Renters to cover the basics of emergency preparedness.
1Step 1: Home recovery
When you first get home, be careful of hazards! If there is any chance of a gas leak, electrical or structural damage, standing floodwater, or other hazards, or if you are not sure, don’t enter your home. Instead, call local authorities and have a building inspector, structural engineer or other qualified professional inspect the building before you go in.
Action: Take pictures and document damage. Before cleaning up, take pictures, make lists and document all signs of damage for insurance claims. Read more about how to document and file claims in Step 4 below.
Action: Checklist for a safe return home:
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Remove valuables: If your home is not secure or you cannot stay there, remove valuables from your home, if it’s safe to do so. Store them with a friend outside the disaster area or in another secure location.
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Another option is to get a temporary storage unit for some of your belongings. Ask your insurance agent if your policy would cover this cost.
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Check utilities: When you enter your home, check for possible utility hazards. Refer to the How to Turn Off Utilities action for more information on how to turn utilities off.
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Natural gas - If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, you likely have a leak. Leave immediately, and turn off the main gas valve if it’s outside and safe to do so. Call your gas company or 911.
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Water - If water pipes are damaged or if you see evidence of leaks, turn off the water. Listen to updates or contact authorities to learn whether the water supply is contaminated or safe. If it is contaminated, use alternative water sources like bottled water until authorities say the water lines are safe. See the Food & Water Safety action to learn how to sanitize water for drinking.
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If you have a well and have lost power, it is recommended that you run all faucets for a few minutes before consuming or using the water. If you think your well has become contaminated, boil or chlorinate the water until you can have a professional test your well water. (See the Food & Water Safety action to learn how to sanitize water for drinking.)
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Don’t flush toilets if there’s a chance the sewage lines are damaged, and call a plumber. If you are on a septic system, this does not apply unless you think your septic lines have been damaged.
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Electricity - If you see electrical sparks, frayed wires, or any other signs of electrical damage, do not enter your home and don’t touch anything electrical if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the main electrical breaker if it’s safe to do so, and wait for an electrician or local authorities.
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Appliances - if any appliances are wet, turn off the electricity, unplug the appliances so they can dry out, and have an electrician check everything before turning the power back on.
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Building safety - check your home for cracks in the roof, foundation, and chimney. If anything looks unsafe, leave immediately.
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Food and water safety - Never consume food or water if there’s a chance it is contaminated! Refer to the Food & Water Safety action for tips on food and water safety after a disaster.
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Falling objects - be careful opening cabinets and closets for objects that could fall.
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Basements - If your basement has flooded, only gradually pump the water out (FEMA recommends one third of the water per day). If the ground around the basement is soaked with water, pumping it out too quickly could cause the walls to cave in.
2Step 2: Food, shelter and financial support
There are many sources of assistance for emergency housing, food, first aid, and financial assistance from both private and public organizations. If the disaster you experienced is significant, your state governor can request an official disaster declaration from the U.S. President. If approved, this opens additional resources for individuals and families from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Cities and local jurisdictions can also declare a disaster to access funding. After a disaster, follow news reports, emergency alerts and the Red Cross app for updates and information on resources available for you and your family.
NOTE: One of the most important resources for recovery is to be prepared with your emergency preparedness kit with food and water supplies, supply of medications, adequate insurance and copies of important documents!
Action: Find and apply for food, housing and financial assistance resources if needed
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Red Cross & Organizations: The Red Cross and other organizations offer direct assistance to individuals and families after a disaster.
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American Red Cross - the Red Cross offers resources including food, shelter, supplies, financial assistance and property clean-up. Listen for local updates on Red Cross resources or:
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Text "GETEMERGENCY" to 90999 for a link to download the Red Cross Emergency app for updates and resources.
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Find your local Red Cross phone number and address by entering your zip code here: redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter
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Other Organizations:
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Humane Society - for help with evacuating, sheltering, and recovering animals
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Other Organizations: There are many more national and local organizations offering aid including the Salvation Army and others. Check with authorities or listen for updates on national and local aid resources available in your area.
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Call 211 - 211 is a National Call Service that can help connect you with both local and national services. It is available for about 95% of people in the US in all 50 states.
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Food assistance: there are often both private and public food assistance options. Here are a couple of programs:
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Federal Assistance: D-SNAP: If your region has been declared as an official disaster zone you may qualify for the D-SNAP (Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program which provides one month of food assistance benefits on a debit card that you can use at most grocery stores. This is a needs-based program and assistance is offered to those who lost food supplies or income during a disaster and do not have the financial resources to replace or supplement food supplies.
- Listen to local news sources to learn if this program is available and how and when to apply. The application process is often on specific dates with limited time to apply, so be sure to listen for information on the process. If approved, you will receive benefits within 3 days. You can also find your state SNAP office and call for more information here: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
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Feeding America, Red Cross and local food banks: another option is to check for a local food bank, pantry, or organization that may be offering assistance.
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Feeding America - search by zip code to find a local food bank
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Red Cross - see information under Red Cross above to find resources
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Federal assistance - DisasterAssistance.gov: If you live in an area where a disaster has been declared, there may be additional federal resources available, from housing assistance to disaster unemployment assistance to home and property disaster loans. It is easy to find resources and apply:
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Go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ and enter your zip code in the search bar at the top of the page. If there is assistance available in your area, it will show up in the search results with a link to Apply Online.
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Click “Apply Online” to get assistance. You will need to provide your address, phone number, email, Social Security Number and date of birth to apply. To be eligible, a member of the household must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen with eligible immigration status.
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DisasterAssistance.gov will provide information on all the programs available to you across 17 Federal agencies from housing and food assistance to loans.
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You can also complete this anonymous questionnaire to get a personalized list of assistance programs.
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If you need help, call 1-800-621-3362 / TTY 1-800-462-7585 The helpline is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, 7 days a week.
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Note: Individuals and businesses, regardless of size, can apply for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help rebuild from disaster-related damages. Find information on how to apply through DisasterAssistance.gov, or find your state or district SBA office and phone number here: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/sba-district-offices
3Step 3: Mental health after a disaster
Action: Learn some of the common feelings and experiences after a disaster, and ways to take care of yourself and recover
Common feelings and responses may include:
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Feeling numb, tired, lonely, sad, or physically or mentally drained
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Feelings of hopelessness or loss of agency
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
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Changes in appetite, trouble falling or staying asleep, or changes in energy level
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Feeling short-tempered or frustrated, or losing your temper more easily
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Feeling like no one else is having the same feelings
Some ways to cope:
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First, acknowledge your feelings. These are normal, natural reactions to surviving a disaster and you are not alone in feeling this way.
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Maintain a routine, even if it’s different from your pre-disaster routine.
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Eat, hydrate, exercise and rest on a regular basis. Go for a walk outside, or do other exercise that gets your body moving. Taking care of your body reduces the effects of stress.
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Once the threat from the disaster has passed, limit your exposure to disaster-related news.
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Stay connected with friends, family and neighbors.
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Talk with someone about what’s happening and how you’re feeling. This could be someone who’s going through this experience with you, a trusted family member or friend outside the disaster area, or a professional therapist or counselor.
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Find ways to relax - listen to your favorite soothing music, breathing exercises or meditation.
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Do fun and social activities you enjoy.
Action: Learn how to help children cope with experiencing a disaster
Kids may not understand or know how to process what has happened, and may not have the vocabulary or experience to express what they’re feeling. They may have reactions immediately during or after a disaster, or weeks or months later. In addition to the signs above, watch for:
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Increased agitation, crying, or neediness
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Trouble sleeping or nightmares
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Reliving the emotions during the disaster, or associating everyday sounds or sights with the disaster
Check out these resources from the Red Cross on Building Resilience in Children Through Coping Skills
Disaster Distress Helpline
If you or a loved one are experiencing ongoing or severe symptoms of grief, depression, anxiety, or stress, seek crisis counseling or therapy.
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The Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990 - is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline that provides free, confidential, immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
4Step 4: Insurance claims
Before you clean up, document any and all damage to your property or belongings to use in filing an insurance claim. Make a list and take photos - the more detail about the damage and the cause of the damage, the easier the claims process will be.
Action: Steps to filing an insurance claim
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Contact your insurance agent(s) as soon as possible. If you have separate home, flood, earthquake, or other policies, contact each company. Ask your agent:
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What damage is covered under your policy
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How long you have to file a claim
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How long the claim will take to be processed
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What your deductible is and if your claim exceeds your deductible
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If you’ll need to get estimates before starting repairs
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Make temporary emergency repairs as needed for safety and to protect your property from further damage and keep all receipts. Avoid making unnecessary repairs other than those essential for safety until the claims adjuster has assessed the damage. Be careful of contractors who require large sums upfront or who bid very low!
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Save all your receipts related to recovery from the disaster, including temporary housing or hotel receipts, as you may be able to get reimbursed by your insurance.
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Check with your agent before throwing out damaged belongings in case they need to be inspected for claim processing.
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To prepare for the adjuster's visit - along with all of your photos and documentation of damage and loss, document structural damage including inspections from qualified professionals and get written bids for any work from licensed contractors.
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Keep a record of all documents and information that you submit to the insurance company as well as all conversations with your insurance company, including the representative’s name, contact info and the details of the discussion.
5Step 5: Help others after a disaster
Action: Check in on your neighbors
If you have created a list of neighbors needing assistance (learn more in the Connect with Community action), check in on them to see if they need help. If you can’t reach a neighbor, knock on their door or leave a note if it is safe to do so. Make sure to provide your phone number so they can call you if they need anything. Some people are hesitant to ask for help, reassure them that you are ok and happy to help them. If they might need assistance, you can also be proactive by occasionally calling to see how they are doing. Make sure to check in and confirm that they are ok with being contacted.
Action: Learn about ways to help after a disaster
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Volunteer: After a disaster if you are ok and your family is safe, there are often many ways to volunteer to help! Contact the Red Cross, your local food bank or any other organization or agency that is providing assistance in your area. Often they are flooded with calls, so you can also just show up and ask if they need help. You will likely be put to work!
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Donate blood: Did you know: every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood - but only 3 out of 100 Americans have ever donated blood! Blood donors help patients of all ages, and it’s one of the easiest and most impactful ways to help someone who’s been through an accident, surgery, or other trauma.
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You can find blood drives near you through America’s Blood Centers or the American Red Cross.
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Bonus: Host your own Red Cross community blood drive!
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Out of area disasters - financial donations are best: If you want to help with a disaster outside of your area, it’s often tempting to want to send goods like blankets, toys, and canned food. Money, though, is the fastest, most effective way to help folks recovering from an emergency. Reputable organizations on the ground in the disaster zone can get better deals on goods and stretch the money further than individuals can, and their distribution processes can be streamlined so that the impact happens faster.
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Donate wisely: Make sure to do some research on any organization before you donate money to them. Make sure they are registered as a non-profit 501c(3) in the United States, and be wary of scammers who ask for direct cash or try to rush you to give. Learn more about donating wisely and avoiding charity fraud on the FTC’s donate wisely page, and also use their list of organizations that report on and rate nonprofits to research.