How to Recover your Home from a Natural Disaster
The good news is you've survived. Whether it's an earthquake, hurricane, flood, or wild fire you and your family are still alive, but in many ways now, at least psychologically, you have a bigger challenge ahead. Adrenaline helped you through your crisis, but now you'll have time to reflect. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Enough potable water per person and pet for three days to a week,
- the same with food,
- a first aid kit with manual,
- a flashlight and radio with extra batteries,
- a 3 day to a full week supply of medication,
- cash,
- a change of clothing,
- diapers and formula if needed,
- sturdy shoes,
- tools including a fire extinguisher, Swiss Army knife, Leatherman, wrench
- gloves and whistle,
- sanitation and hygiene supplies,
- identity papers including social security card, drivers license passport, green card, drivers license and passport
- Insurance papers
- family photos to aid in recovery.
Instructions
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Pay particular attention to your children. It's tough enough being a kid without have the world as you know it crash down around you. As you review your response to the disaster and think back on what you could have done better, spare your children from recriminations. It's essential that you offer a supportive environment for them and that you turn the experience into a life lesson. Before disaster strikes, it's time to remind your offspring about the steps they should take in responding to smoke detectors, funnel clouds, fire or shaking buildings. If they see you reacting with aplomb, they are more likely to keep fear at bay themselves. Let them know that it was a challenge that you all surmounted rather than a devastating setback.
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The disabled require additional care. If an elderly family member suffers from dementia, a disaster could tip her over the edge into confusion. You might have to make special accommodations for those with mobility issues.
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Pets need special attention too. Red Cross disaster shelters can't take in pets due to health regulations. (Seeing eye dogs are allowed.) If you've led your pet to safety, make sure that it is leashed, fed and watered. If a familiar setting is gone, it could wander off.
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Check for hazards when returning home. Downed power lines, leaky gas pipes and broken glass are just a few of the dangers that could threaten your return. If your home has water damage, you'll have to mitigate mold, which I covered in another Ehow article.
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Plan the steps you need to take to recover, getting everybody involved. Busy hands banish brooding. I've been through major fire sites where for street after street the only structures that survived were chimneys. If your family has to sift through ashes like these, emphasize what you find rather than what you lost.
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By far the best way to recover from a disaster is to prepare for it ahead of time. Everybody in your family should know what to do and whom to call if catastrophe strikes. For the last nineteen years, disaster prone Los Angeles has recommended that all of its residents keep the items handy that are listed at the beginning of this article.
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Know which agencies can help. Local authorities such as the fire department and police are the first responders to the scene. The Red Cross shows up soon afterwards with immediate help of shelter and food. When the President declares a disaster, the feds move in with assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA is a good resource for temporary housing and immediate assistance in a disaster aftermath. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers information on how to get housing help and answers questions about FHA mortgage relief and how to rebuild a home after a disaster. You should contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to get in line for an assessment.
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It's hard to take a disaster as an opportunity because your life has suddenly gotten a lot harder, but if you do so you can rebuild a home that is stronger, safer and more energy efficient than before.
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Resources
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Comments
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true..:)
