Home disasters are traumatic events that can significantly impact your daily life. In addition to damaging your property and possessions, disasters can make you feel intense stress. It’s normal to feel this way, but it can make getting back on your feet difficult.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to reduce stress and improve your mental health after a home disaster. Knowing what these are can help you manage home repair tasks and get back to living your life.
Steps to Take After a Disaster
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you need to do after a home disaster. Work through the steps below to orient yourself and prioritize your tasks.
1. Try to Stay Calm
It’s easier said than done, but staying calm is the best tool in an emergency. Right after a disaster, you may go into shock as your brain attempts to protect itself from what happened. This response is called psychological shock. The closer you are to the event, the more severe your shock response will be.
If you go into shock, your mind will focus on the fight, flight or freeze response. It’s hard to think clearly and make rational choices in this mindset. Try to calm yourself down and wait until the feeling of urgency subsides. One effective technique is deep breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold it for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth.
2. Check on Yourself, Family and Pets
During a home disaster, structural damage can harm those in the house. In the panic of getting to safety, people can also go missing.
Before addressing your home, check on yourself and look for any injuries you may have missed due to the adrenaline. Next, ensure your family and pets are all accounted for. If someone or a pet is missing, call local law enforcement or animal control to log your case. You should also call emergency services if someone is injured.
3. Call Your Insurance Provider
When everyone is safe, call your insurance provider. It’s essential to alert them as soon as possible so you can start the claims process. Some insurance providers also offer temporary accommodation in an emergency, which is helpful if your home is unlivable.
If you have the time and energy, read your insurance policy first. Knowing what your provider covers before you call can speed up the conversation and help you set realistic expectations for claims.
An important thing to note is that most insurance providers in the United States don’t cover all damage from all types of natural disasters. However, if you have taken additional coverage for these instances, your primary provider should handle the process.
4. Watch Out for Safety Risks
Before returning to your property, be aware of the possible safety risks. These risks can vary depending on your area and the type of disaster. Some common risks include:
- Wild animals: Natural disasters can destroy fences, gates and doors. Animals fleeing and seeking shelter may end up in your home. As you head inside, be cautious of potential wild animals and call your local animal control department if you spot any.
- Flood water: When it floods, your property may develop flood water pools. Floodwater is dangerous as it can contain sewerage, trash or hazardous chemicals that can make you sick. Stay away from standing water and practice safe hand hygiene.
- Structural damage: Depending on the disaster, your home may have suffered damage. Water and fire can weaken structural supports or flooring. If you notice cracks or failing structures, avoid going inside until a professional examines them.
- Gas leaks: Immediately evacuate your house if you smell gas. Open the windows and doors if you can and report the leak to your local gas company. A gas leak is dangerous as it could cause a fire or explosion.
You can wear personal protective equipment like gloves, masks and boots to protect yourself as you assess your home. If there are significant safety concerns, call local emergency services to assist and get your family to safety.
5. Make a List of the Damage
Your insurance provider will require detailed documentation of the damage in your home to process your claim. When it is safe to do so, go inside and make a list of each damaged area and item to show your provider how extensive the damage is.
Take as many high-quality pictures as possible so you have evidence to back up your claims. While you do this, note which damage needs immediate repairs to make your home safe to be inside again.
6. Limit Further Damage
You should do what you can to reduce further damage to your home following a disaster. Doing so can lower repair expenses. Your insurance provider will likely cover reasonable expenses from your attempts to protect your property. However, don’t make any permanent repairs to your home until your insurance provider approves it.
Here’s how you can prevent further damage in the event of these disasters:
- Fire: Ventilate your home by opening doors and using fans to reduce the smoke and toxic fumes inside.
- Storm: Place a tarp over roof damage to prevent water from entering. After a winter storm, use rakes to remove snow off your roof to prevent ice dams from forming.
- Flood: Drain the water from your home and remove all water-damaged items quickly to stop the build up of mold. Disinfect and clean the surfaces to kill mold and bacteria. Then, use fans or dehumidifiers and open the windows to dry out your home.
7. Remove Valuable Items
If there are any high-value items in your home you can’t secure, remove them and store them in a safe location. You can ask a friend if they can hold onto them or rent a temporary storage space.
Common Reactions to a Home Disaster
Many people face psychological distress after a disaster. This experience looks different for everyone, and you won’t know how you’ll react until it happens to you. However, there are some typical reactions you should be aware of to spot the signs of distress in yourself and others early.
During the disaster, you may experience any of the following symptoms of shock:
- A surge of adrenalin.
- Nausea, shaking or dizziness.
- A foggy, unclear mind.
- Faster pulse and a tight chest.
- Intense anger or fear.
- Emotional numbness.
Days, weeks and even months after a disaster, you may develop other symptoms associated with disaster-related stress. These can include:
- Trouble concentrating.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Headaches and body aches.
- Feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or loss.
- Lack of energy or motivation.
- Increased or decreased appetite.
- Mood swings.
- Limited attention span.
Coping With Disaster-Related Stress
There are various effective techniques you can use to manage disaster-related stress. Find one that works for you:
- Reach out: Chat with your family and friends about how you’re feeling. Sharing your thoughts with someone else helps you acknowledge and work through them.
- See a therapist: If you feel depressed or struggle to function at work or school, it may be time to reach out to a professional. Finding someone who specializes in trauma or post-disaster stress can improve your emotional safety and show you the best way to cope with your feelings.
- Join a support group: Check to see if your local area has any support groups for disaster victims. Sharing your story with others and hearing theirs can make you feel less alone in your situation.
- Practice self-care: Looking after yourself is vital in stressful times. Establish a sleep schedule, exercise regularly, drink lots of water and eat healthy meals to care for your body and mind. Self-care can alleviate stress and help you cope better.
- Use relaxation techniques: Relaxing in healthy ways can also reduce stress. You can try breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, massages and listening to calming music.
- Journal: Writing down your feelings and thoughts in a journal can help you process them. Painting is also a beneficial way to express your emotions.
- Have some fun: When you feel stressed and down, you may start focusing less on your social life and hobbies without realizing it. To perk yourself up, be intentional about going out, seeing friends and doing things that make you happy.
Take It One Day at a Time
The most important thing to remember is that healing takes time. It may take months or years to feel like yourself again, and that’s perfectly OK. Seeing your home damaged and losing your possessions are traumatic experiences. It can be hard to comprehend what has happened to you and your family. Give yourself grace and take each day as it comes.
Author Bio
Jack Shaw is a senior writer and editor at Modded, where he passionately explores the intricate connections between physical health, mental well-being, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content, Jack’s articles offer valuable insights into living a balanced and fulfilling life.
