How to Start Over After a Hurricane

Hurricanes are natural forces that shake up the lives of families living in coastal areas. It's possible for a family to lose their home, their pets, their belongings and even their lives. Picking up the pieces and starting over after a hurricane is devastating, but your family can make it through.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Salvage anything you can, if you're able to go back to your home. If you have kids, don't take them with you; they don't need to see the destruction. Gather up anything that you think you can clean and still use.

2. Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for assistance. You can call 1-800-621-FEMA or locate the FEMA office set up closest to you; this agency sets up temporary housing facilities for hurricane victims. The agency may also give you a grant or loan to help get you on your feet.

3. Consider staying with a friend or family member. If you plan to relocate to another city or state, see if FEMA can help you find a job there. Rent a place if you can afford it; you may want to sign a short-term lease instead of obligating yourself to a full year.

4. Unpack your belongings and clean them up. You can get creative for furniture like using a large cardboard box for a coffee table, lawn chairs for seating and a picnic table for your dining table. You can get flatware, cups, plates and bowls at Goodwill very cheap. As you become more financially stable, you can replace these items.

5. Assure your family that the hurricane doesn't affect your family dynamic. This is especially important if you have children.

6. Get in touch with the American Red Cross for aid, especially if the hurricane happens shortly before Christmas. You can make a request for them to donate Christmas presents for your kids. Other local assistance programs may also be able to help.

7. Try to socialize with friends or make new ones. Get a job and enroll your kids in school after you get somewhat settled in. If this is not possible due to slow disaster relief, talk to FEMA to see what you can do.

Tips & Warnings

• Be very careful if you go back to your home to salvage your belongings and do this only after the National Guard gives your area clearance. There could be glass and other debris on the ground and water damage can rot out floors and ceilings, posing the hazard of collapse.
• Keep yourself and your family members busy doing things that are free or cheap to keep your spirits up. For example, the library has kids' programs and you can check out books and movies free of charge. See if there's a Freecycle program in your area so you can get necessities free of charge.