No matter where you live, natural disasters are practically impossible to ignore! With the change in our climate, especially if you live along the coastlines, it pays to know what to do post-disaster. I’ve written on this subject for several years, given talks, and worked with many clients in preparation; yet, I’ve not previously written about what to do after a disaster.
Post-disaster recovery can be painfully slow.
Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint… sorry for the clichéd metaphor. As often as I’ve helped and had to bear witness to the recovery process, I’ve learned it can take months, if not longer, to get through the first and second phases, outlined below.
Even if you didn’t experience personal property damage, you’ve likely been affected by the impact on the whole community, infrastructure, friends, family, and neighbors. For many in Asheville (2024), the struggle isn’t just with property damage, insurance, and FEMA claims. Disasters impact people’s livelihoods and mental health. If you want to offer support, look for local resources (in NC, Beloved Asheville, and CA, LA Strong). It takes YEARS for people, businesses, and communities to rebuild. Keep this in mind as you consider ongoing support for communities affected by disasters.
How to navigate the aftermath of damage
Working with clients who had to navigate the aftermath of damage to their homes and properties, I’ve seen how people were hard on themselves for not having prepared better. We are dealing with storms and disasters for which no amount of preparation can steady us. Shame and/or shock tend to lessen over time as we come to realize that we may have been in this position or may be in a similar one in the future. Increasingly, insurance companies and FEMA are denying claims due to flooding or other disasters.
So, what should we do now? This post offers both practical advice and resources. More than anything, I hope it comes across not as an ‘I told you so’ but as a compassionate hand on your shoulder, offering my support. For many people, there was no way to know what was to come, no way to prepare for losing everything so quickly.
Phase One: Safety First and Documentation.
Storms and disasters displace many people. Accessing your situation might not be viable initially. You may not have enough information for months to determine the next steps. Exhaustion, decision fatigue, shock, and being overwhelmed are all too common during this phase.
- Take a mental inventory of places, people, and systems in place to support you.
- Find safe short-term housing, clothing, and food. Shelters (such as the Red Cross), local non-profit organizations, churches (even if you are not affiliated), friends, and family are all valuable resources to consider.
- Don’t rely on technology or essential resources (such as safe drinking water and electricity). Be prepared to boil water, go without power, use a generator, and other similar contingencies.
- Talk to your neighbors and know who else is staying or leaving.
- Start a written list of resources and their contact information (get it out of your head!). Can you stay with friends or family, even temporarily, to rest and let your system reset before diving back into rebuilding?
- From this list, begin to assess which resources you need immediately versus those that are mid- or long-term in nature. See the FEMA Emergency Preparation list at the bottom of this post to help you determine what you might have or need.
- Evaluate the condition of your documents. Did you lose insurance policy information, personal identification, or other important documents? Create a list of what you currently have and what you may need to move forward.
- Document damage (only when it’s safe to do so!). Consider damage to both the structure (the building) and its contents (what’s inside, or your belongings). If you don’t have good documentation before the disaster, don’t worry. There are ways to reestablish those. Thankfully, most of us take plenty of photos to recreate our content and structure.
Mental Health & Emotional Support
Post-disaster is probably the most emotionally and physically vulnerable time to ask for help.
- Working through overwhelming tasks is much easier when you’re not alone. Offer your help in return. Community is vital at this time. Coming together will foster a sense of support and closure for your emotionally taxing tasks.
- Reward yourself in some small way. Take a nap, rest, stay hydrated, warm up, or cool down.
- Care for and pace yourself. Scream into a pillow, throw something (not at someone), and allow yourself to vent your emotions. Just don’t keep them bottled up.
- If you cannot manage your emotions and need professional support, this FREE hotline is available to natural disaster survivors.
Phase Two: Evaluate & Document
- Contact your insurance company to report the damage and initiate the process of filing a claim. You might not think you are eligible for anything if your property floods and you don’t have flood insurance. Still, it’s crucial to establish grounds for any denied claims or future disputes.
- Document don’t destroy! Anything damaged should be photographed and listed. If battery use is limited, write lists on paper and take photos of specific items as you can. Details such as make, model, and serial numbers may be necessary. Be careful when walking around while doing this work. If the area has not had utilities turned off or the structural damage is unsafe, it’s best to do what you can from a distance.
- Contact utility companies to request that they conduct a damage assessment. Turn off breakers and ensure utility access is safe to work around; then proceed with documenting damages.
- Begin the process of filing for FEMA claims not covered by insurance. There may be general loss and structural issues, and you can file claims for other categories (short-term housing, food/clothing, etc.).
Phase Three: Clean-Up & Mitigation
- Once it’s safe to proceed with clean-up, determine the large and small tasks and assign them to the appropriate individuals.
- Hire reputable professionals or enlist the help of mutual aid and community volunteers to tackle things as a team. Categories of professionals might include mold remediation specialists, electricians, plumbers, tree removal services, structural engineers, architects, public adjusters (to help with claims disputes), and other contractors.
- Reach out to friends and family for help. Do you know someone great with administrative details or a carpenter who knows what things should cost (without being gouged!)? Now is the time to reach out and call on people, especially those outside your geographic region. They can and do want to help. Perhaps you can let them take some of the burden from you. Think about who wants to help you and how they can do so.
- Board or tarp up damaged areas to prevent further damage in the days/weeks to come.
- Work with volunteers and professional local, state, and federal agencies to begin filing repair claims.
- Contact professionals to obtain repair estimates. You may or may not need detailed estimates to obtain relief funding, but if your damages are severe, you will likely need to hire professionals. Therefore, obtain estimates as soon as it’s safe.
Phase Four: Rebuilding or Relocating
- You may have initially decided whether to stay or go. What you’ve learned may influence that choice, and it’s essential to recognize that changing your mind or reevaluating your circumstances is a significant part of moving forward.
- If you can stay and rebuild, start with structural and mechanical repairs (engineers and architects, plumbers and electricians, roofing and carpentry, etc.).
- Establish a realistic timeline for your living circumstances. If you are in temporary housing, is it available and affordable for the duration of your stay? Is it feasible for you to stay until you relocate or rebuild your home? Is there somewhere you can go if you’re unable to return to your home? Do you have a budget? Can you find a local spot, or do you need to go further? Is your job remote or flexible during this phase to support you?
- Managing your claims (FEMA, Loans, Insurance) can be a nuisance and downright overwhelming for some people. Enlist help for remote tasks.
- Pace yourself. Balance work, family, and reconstruction with breaks and rewards, however possible.
- Break the process into manageable chunks or phases. Establish a timeline to help you set goals and anticipate upcoming tasks, making the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
FEMA Recommended Emergency Supply Kit includes:
- 3-day Supply of Food and Water (1 Gal/person/day, nonperishable food, can opener, utensils, cooler with ice, and make a game of eating all the food in the fridge, then freezer)-rotate out perishables seasonally
- Pet Care (food, medications, bowls, water, leash, etc.)
- Health Supplies (medications, hearing aids, etc.)
- Personal Care Items (soap, wipes, toothbrush, TP, etc.)
- Safety Supplies (first aid, flashlights, lanterns/candles, whistle, multi-tool like a Swiss army knife)
- Electronics (cell phone, charger, extra batteries)
- Essential documents are ready to go in a water-safe/transportable container (e.g., a Ziploc bag or a small file box); for more information on what to bring, see this post.
- Books/music and games are ready to entertain you and your family in case of power outages.”
As you, your loved ones, and your community navigate this process, you will find other helpful resources and support, including mutual aid, community, and loved ones. If you are frustrated with institutions that seem unhelpful, I urge you not to give up. There may be considerable hurdles and loopholes to navigate, but ultimately, there is some reward at the end of the process. For many individuals, this is the only financial support available, and it’s not easy. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.