Natural disasters like hurricanes can leave a lot of destruction in their wake. The people
affected by it may feel that their life has turned upside down, leading to feelings of panic and
confusion. If the area you live in has been affected by a storm, you need to be aware of how to deal with the aftermath. Here are some tips to make the recovery process after a hurricane
easier for you.
Follow All Safety Precautions
It's obvious that you would want to return home to start the cleanup and rebuilding process
once the storm is over. But it's important to follow all precautions to keep yourself and your family safe. For example, try to stay away from flood water - it may contain several
contaminants including bacteria and toxic chemicals that can affect your health adversely.
Also, there may be live wires from power lines affected by the hurricane, which puts you at risk of being electrocuted. Stay away from any structures damaged by the storm. If you are indoors and feel structural movements or unusual noises, get out of the building immediately. It may be a sign that the building is about to collapse. If you have been injured during the hurricane, make sure to apply first aid to prevent chances of infection.
Also, pay attention to what you eat and drink. Discard any food that has come in contact with
flood water, even if it seems okay. It may have been contaminated by the germs present in the flood water, and consuming those will only put your health at risk. The same goes for drinking water. Do not drink anything other than bottled water or water that has been confirmed safe for consumption by the authorities.
And lastly, maintain basic personal hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water after
touching anything contaminated with flood water. This will help protect you and your family
against illnesses.
Reach Out For Assistance
Several governmental and non-governmental organizations offer assistance programs for
people affected by natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact these organizations for support. You can expect assistance related to rebuilding your house, finding temporary accommodation on rent, food assistance, and so on. If you are a business owner who has suffered losses due to the hurricane, you also might be eligible for low-interest loans.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
If you have insurance for your home, make sure to file a claim with your insurance company
detailing all the damages and losses as soon as possible. The process will likely take some time - so contacting them as early as possible can help you get your claim amount faster.
Make sure you have documented the extent of damages before starting to clean up, as the
insurance company will need all the evidence before approving your claim. Photograph
everything - from the water level inside your house to all damages done to your possession.
You will find them useful when submitting your claim.
Don't Fall For Disaster Scams
Disaster scams are pretty common after a hurricane, and unfortunately, many unsuspecting
people fall victim to them. For example, opportunistic scammers will try to reach out to people
affected by the hurricane promising home repair services, only to vanish with the sum of
money. Another common scam involves collecting donations from people to help the
individuals affected by the disaster.
You can avoid falling for such scams by verifying all the information provided by any person
who reaches out to you. If you are opting for any repair services, look online for reviews on the contractor to minimize the chances of fraud. Never pay any money upfront on the promise of availing of any kind of services.
Prioritize Emotional Health
Natural disasters can be traumatic for the people affected by them. Therefore, it's also crucial to take care of your mental and emotional health once the storm passes. Talk to your friends and family and encourage them to open up about their feelings. And if you or your loved ones show any signs of anxiety or depression, don't hesitate to reach out to a counselor for help.
Summing Up
Recovering from natural disasters like hurricanes takes time and plenty of patience. We hope
that these tips will help make your journey of recovering from the storm and its aftermath
easier.