The moments, days, and weeks after your home is subject to a natural disaster are beyond disorienting. You run through the roller coaster of emotions — disbelief, grief, gratitude that you’re alive, and distress over what happens now. For many people, the next steps aren’t obvious, so you might feel paralyzed and overwhelmed. The key is to take it slow, start small, and do one thing at a time.
Do Immediate Damage Control
The very first thing to do after your house has been involved in a hurricane, wildfire, or other wild act of nature is to do damage control. Leaving things as they are can make matters worse. Flooding in the basement that doesn’t drain can cause mold, and broken-out windows can let in rain and debris. Loose electrical wires can cause fires when the power comes back on. The longer you wait to take care of immediate needs, the more problems can occur.
As soon as you can get into your house, assess the damage and start taking notes. Make the necessary phone calls to your insurance companies for your car, house, and any other property you have covered. Make sure you have wildfire, tornado, or hurricane insurance, depending on the disaster. Cover any windows and openings in your home that might let in further water or debris. And, of course, drain any standing water you find.
Assess the Property Damage
Now that you’ve taken care of the immediate concerns, it’s time to take stock of everything in your house and on your property. This step is different from damage control in that you’re no longer trying to “stop the bleeding.” Now, you’re looking around, in every room, inside and outside, to see how much destruction the storm you faced has wrought. Your first call to the insurance just clued them into what happened. Now you have to be prepared to make a claim.
You’ll also want to know what you need to start repairing. Walk through your home and around the outside with a notebook in your hand. If you have documents proving the value of any personal items that have been lost or damaged, have those ready. Write down everything that needs to be fixed, replaced, or thrown away. You can also start examining your home to search for obvious signs of structural damage. It’s always better to be prepared.
Get to a Safe Place
Once you’ve done all you can at home and made all the calls you can make, it’s time to get yourself to a safe place. Many times, storms can last for days and even come back stronger after a break. Plus, your house may be in no state for you to stay in. You could get sick trying to stay in a house that has mold or is exposed to the elements. Also, thieves sometimes loot houses during and after a storm, and you want to avoid any dangerous criminal encounters.
If you can, stay with a friend or family member that’s not in the storm’s path. Many hotels offer deep discounts for people who have to evacuate from a natural disaster. If all else fails you can often find a shelter nearby that’s taking in disaster victims with nowhere else to go. Shelters will also usually have at least basic food and hygiene necessities thanks to local volunteers. Get yourself safe, dry, and fed, so you can rest while you figure out your next steps.
Keep Track of Expenses
While you’re taking care of all this business, make sure you track your expenses. In addition to covering any items lost or damaged during the storm, your insurance will typically also cover your expenses while you’re out of your home. Think about it, you’ve been forcibly displaced from your home, usually quickly. You’ll need to stay somewhere safe, eat and drink, wear comfortable clothes, and take care of your hygiene. Plus, you might need to travel.
All of these expenses and more should be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. Furthermore, many state relief programs will reimburse you for these costs as well. So, from the moment you have to leave your home due to a disaster, keep your receipts. Track all of your meals, drinks, essential items you have to buy, and accommodations. Also, make sure you keep track of the cost of your gas and any other money you spend to get to a safe place.
Check In With Yourself
Now that you’ve made the necessary calls and repairs to your home and property to prevent further damage, take a self-check. Victims of natural disasters often get treated by medical professionals when needed. They’ll usually be able to find shelter and food as well. But it’s still pretty rare to hear people talk about the psychological toll it takes on someone to survive and recover from a life-altering experience like the ones listed here.
Many people who experience a natural disaster like a hurricane or wildfire have very little notice to evacuate. They leave behind their whole lives and often have nothing to return to. It’s important that if you’ve just been through a home disaster, whatever it was, you take some time to feel your feelings. You’re safe now, so you can grieve, get therapy, talk to friends, and work through it. It’s important to recognize where you are, so you know where you want to go next.
Ultimately, of course, you want to avoid having to experience a natural disaster. But you can’t always avoid Mother Nature, and as the climate changes, you’re likely to see disasters popping up more frequently and with more ferocity. This means that in addition to being prepared for what might come, you’ll also want to be prepared for the aftermath. No matter where you are on this journey, remember to allow yourself grace and compassion as you go.
