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:

• 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.

  • 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.

• 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    • 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.)

    • 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.

  • 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.

    • 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.

• Building safety - check your home for cracks in the roof, foundation, and chimney. If anything looks unsafe, leave immediately.

• 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.

• Falling objects - be careful opening cabinets and closets for objects that could fall.

• 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. 

By their very nature, emergencies and disasters can be traumatic and leave an emotional toll - but there’s a lot that you and your loved ones can do, and lots of resources to help you cope and recover. As you take steps to recover physically and financially, learning to recognize and process feelings of anxiety and grief is also important to recovering 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:

• Feeling numb, tired, lonely, sad, or physically or mentally drained

• Feelings of hopelessness or loss of agency

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Changes in appetite, trouble falling or staying asleep, or changes in energy level

• Feeling short-tempered or frustrated, or losing your temper more easily

• Feeling like no one else is having the same feelings

Some ways to cope:

• First, acknowledge your feelings. These are normal, natural reactions to surviving a disaster and you are not alone in feeling this way.

• Maintain a routine, even if it’s different from your pre-disaster routine.

• 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.

• Once the threat from the disaster has passed, limit your exposure to disaster-related news.

• Stay connected with friends, family and neighbors. 

• 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.

• Find ways to relax - listen to your favorite soothing music, breathing exercises or meditation.

• 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: 

• Increased agitation, crying, or neediness

• Trouble sleeping or nightmares

• 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.

• 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.

After a disaster it is amazing how people and communities come together to help each other. There are so many ways to help after a disaster, both for disasters within your own community and for disasters that hit people and places far from your home.

 

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

• 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!

• 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. 

  • You can find blood drives near you through America’s Blood Centers or the American Red Cross.

  • Bonus: Host your own Red Cross community blood drive! 

• 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.

• 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.