When disaster strikes, you may feel like your world’s crashing down around you.
Your first instinct may be to panic and feel overwhelmed. Your mind may race with all the possible outcomes and what-ifs. But it’s essential to stay calm and focused.
This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on what to do when disaster strikes. By the end, you’ll know the best way to handle any situation and be prepared for anything.
Natural Disasters Strike Often. Are You Prepared?
Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires often ravage communities without warning.
They displace thousands in Texas, Florida, California, and Illinois. Depending on the severity, you may have to leave your home for an extended period.
Just recently, Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane, struck through Cuba to Florida’s west coast. It battered through Fort Myers, with strong winds and storms leaving a path of destruction. Many people had to evacuate their homes and are now living in shelters.
Whether you live in an area prone to natural disasters or not, it’s always best to be prepared. A solid plan will help you stay calm and know what to do when disaster strikes.
What To Do When Disaster Strikes: Our 6-Step Home Moving Guide
They say failing to plan is planning to fail. When it comes to disaster preparedness, this couldn’t be more true. Having a plan in place can avoid the chaos and confusion that often comes with an emergency situation.
This epic guide will help homeowners after a disaster. Use it as a reference for what to do when disaster strikes, and you need to evacuate your home.
Step 1: Be Prepared
Your first step is to create an emergency kit. This kit should include essentials like food, water, and first-aid supplies. You may also want to include flashlights, batteries, and a radio.
You should also have important documents like insurance policies, IDs, and bank information in a safe place. Keeping them safe will make it easier to access them if you need to evacuate.
Next, create a communication plan. The communication plan is how you’ll stay in touch with your family if separated. Choose an out-of-town relative or friend who can be your point of contact. Make sure everyone in your family knows the plan and has the contact information.
Have a home inventory. A home inventory will be handy if you need to make an insurance claim. Take photos or videos of your belongings, especially any valuables.
Step 2: To Move Or Not To Move
One of the most complex decisions you’ll have to make during a disaster is whether or not to evacuate your home. This can be a difficult decision, especially if you’re unsure of the severity of the situation.
If you decide to stay put, you save time and money. You won’t have to worry about finding a place to stay or dealing with the hassle of moving.
However, the downsides outweigh the positives in most cases. If you stay, you could put yourself and your family in danger.
Moving is the most prudent decision. It’s a surefire way to get yourself and your family to safety.
When you move with a reputable company such as Green Van Lines, you can rest assured that your belongings will be well taken care of. A comprehensive insurance policy will cover them if anything gets damaged during the move.
When deciding whether or not to move, always err on the side of caution. If there’s doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Step 3: Store Your Valuables
After you decide to evacuate, you need to find a safe, convenient, and affordable place to store your belongings.
At Green Van Lines, we offer storage units that are clean, climate-controlled, and secure. They vary in size, from small units that can fit a few boxes to large units that can accommodate the contents of an entire home.
Whether you need temporary or long-term storage, we have a solution that’ll work for you.
All units are accessible 7 days a week. We understand that you may need to access your belongings at odd hours. Therefore, we offer extended access hours with prior notice.
Step 4: Re-Enter Your Home
Re-entering your home after a disaster can be both exhilarating and heartbreaking. Taking your time and having patience as you assess the damage is essential.
There are a few steps you should follow before re-entering your home:
- Do a thorough inspection: Check for structural damage with a home inspector. If there are any cracks in the foundation or walls, have them professionally repaired before re-entering your home.
- Determine its safety: Once you have determined that your home is structurally sound, assess the safety of the area around your home. If there’s debris or downed power lines, it isn’t safe to re-enter.
- Find out if utilities are working: Check with your local utility companies to determine if power, water, and gas work in your area. If they aren’t, don’t attempt to turn them on yourself. Wait until a professional arrives.
Step 5: The Repair
The first and most important thing you should do is to find out if your homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of repairs. If it does, great! If not, you may have to bear the financial burden yourself.
Once you have figured out how to finance the repairs, it’s time to get to work. Start by making a list of all the damaged items in your home. This list will help you keep track of what needs to be repaired and what needs to be replaced.
Then, contact a few reputable contractors in your area and get quotes. Be sure to read reviews before hiring anyone. Once you have found a contractor you trust, get started on the repairs as soon as possible.
Step 6: Move Back In
As soon as the repairs are completed, you can start moving your belongings back into your home.
We at Green Van Lines will move the items from storage and get them to your doorstep when needed. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, and we’ll do everything we can to make the process as smooth as possible.
What If You Need More Help?
In case you need more help after moving back into your home, a few organizations can help.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA provides financial assistance to homeowners and renters who a disaster has displaced. They can also help you with the cost of repairs. You can call them at +1-800-745-0243.
- Red Cross: The Red Cross provides disaster relief services, including temporary housing, food, and health services. You can contact them at +1-800-733-2767.
- Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA provides loans to homeowners and businesses affected by a disaster. Contact them on +1-800-827-5722.
We’re There When You Need Us Most
At Green Van Lines, we’re always there to help before and after a disaster strikes.
We have a wide range of services to help you through this difficult time. We provide special discounts for disaster relief to help you save money when you need it most.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you during this difficult time.
