5 Steps To Take After A Natural Disaster
What are some things I need to do after a natural disaster to begin to get my life back together as soon as possible?
Understandably, after a natural disaster, I found that people felt disoriented. They've just survived a natural disaster, and they’re trying to wrap their minds around the reality that their entire way of life is gone: their homes, schools, employers, places of worship, etc.
Typically, volunteers come in to help within a short period. Well-intentioned volunteers rapid-fire a list of resources to assist. As a result, many people are overwhelmed by the volume of information they receive and struggle to know where to start.
Below are five steps to take after a natural disaster to begin the process of getting back to normal:
As soon as you can, contact natural disaster relief organizations for assistance.
Contact your insurance company.
Contact ALL your creditors.
Beware of scammers and verify everything before working with a contractor.
Take care of yourself.
Knowing available resources is helpful even if a natural disaster hasn’t impacted you. My blog, 5 Ways to Financially Prepare For A Natural Disaster, walks you through what to do proactively to prepare for a natural disaster.
1. As soon as you can, after the natural disaster, contact the following organizations for assistance:
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) — FEMA provides updated information and resources specific to your area.
Call 2-1-1 — Free service offered by the United Way to help you find local resources like housing options, utility assistance, and disaster relief support.
Your local chapter of the Red Cross — Help to find shelter, aid, and vouchers.
Local places of worship — Places of worship offer resources to serve communities no matter your belief or attendance.
Disaster Assistance Improvement Program — Check for additional eligibility for assistance.
2. Contact your insurance company.
Verify your insurance coverage and get a copy of your policy
Take pictures and videos of any damages BEFORE you start cleanup to document your claims.
Use the Insurance Information Institute’s article as a guide to successfully filing insurance claims.
3. Contact ALL your creditors.
Let all of your lenders know you were affected by the natural disaster.
If needed, ask your creditors to work with you.
4. Beware of scammers and verify everything before working with a contractor.
Get everything in writing; do not pay for the services in cash or pay upfront.
Read reviews of your potential contractors.
Ask for referrals.
5. Take care of yourself.
Contact your HR department for assistance programs.
Reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling
Remember, recovering from a natural disaster will take time, persistence, and patience.
Next Steps
In conclusion, the five steps above help you begin to piece your life together. Most importantly, take care of yourself and your loved ones.
A crisis is stressful, and as a result, tempers are short. What may feel like anger may be the fear of uncertainty. You will need extra patience and forgiveness with your spouse and kids. Your kids may be scared and extra clingy.
Forgive yourself. You are human. Prayer helps anchor me to my savior in dark moments, and I begin to feel peace beyond understanding.
There have been times in my life when I’ve been so overwhelmed that I didn’t have anything emotionally left to articulate a prayer. If this is you, can you do me the honor of leaving a comment and asking for prayer? I will pray for you.
