How To Pick Up The Pieces After A Hurricane

The physical and emotional damage caused by hurricanes is immeasurable. And yet, people in the western hemisphere brace themselves for hurricane season every year, hoping and praying their homes will be spared.

Indeed, no one ever expects a hurricane to destroy everything they've built. But it happens. Suddenly, you're left with nothing but the clothes on your back and your lost memories. It's a traumatizing experience that can leave you feeling lost and alone, especially if a hurricane destroys or damages your home.

Suppose this happens to you. What next? Great question. Here are a few tips on how to pick up the pieces and rebuild your life.

1. Don't try to do everything at once. After a hurricane, it can feel like a million things need to be done. But try to take it one step at a time. Otherwise, you'll end up feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.

2. Find a Place to Stay. If your home is uninhabitable, you'll need to find a place to stay in the meantime. This could be with family or friends, in a hotel, or a temporary housing unit provided by the government or a relief organization.

FEMA has a list of hotels participating in their Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which can help hurricane survivors find rooms at reduced rates. 

If you need help finding temporary housing, you can call FEMA's Helpline at 1–800–621-FEMA (3362). They will be able to assist you in finding resources in your area.

3. Get organized and make a plan. Once you've found a place to stay and taken the time to assess the damage, it's time to start getting organized. Make a list of all the things that need to be done and start working through them individually. Prioritize the most important tasks and delegate where possible.

For example, one of the first things you need to do is contact your insurance company. They will be able to help you file a claim and get the ball rolling on getting your home repaired or rebuilt.

4. Start Cleaning Up. Once you've taken care of the big things, it's time to start cleaning up. If your home is damaged but is still habitable, throw away any food that may have spoiled during the power outage.

Then, begin cleaning up any debris that may have blown into your home. Sort through your belongings and discard anything that is unsalvageable.

5. Begin Making Repairs. Once you've taken care of the major cleanup, it's time to begin making repairs. If your damage is cosmetic, like broken windows or downed fences, you can probably handle these repairs yourself.

However, if your damage is more significant, like a roof leak or water damage, you'll need to hire a professional contractor to make the repairs for you.

Repairing water damage is especially important because mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours of flooding. Call a professional mold remediation company immediately if you suspect mold in your home. Failure to do so could result in serious health problems for you and your family down the road.

6. Be patient with yourself - recovery takes time. After everything is said and done, giving yourself time to recover emotionally and physically is critical. Rehabilitation after such as significant event can take months or even years, so be patient with yourself and don't expect things to go back to normal overnight.

7. Remember that you are not alone. There are likely other people in your situation struggling to pick up the pieces. Connecting with these people will give you a sense of community and make you feel less alone. Together, you can help each other out and offer emotional support during this difficult time.

Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. So many people are willing to lend a helping hand - whether it's friends, family, or even strangers in your community.

8. Stay positive. It's easy to dwell on everything you've lost in the hurricane. But try to focus on what you have instead. Maybe you still have your health, or maybe you were able to salvage some crucial possessions. Whatever it is, focus on the positive and be grateful for what you have.

Rebuilding your life after a hurricane can feel like an impossible task. But it's important to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day - and neither will your new life be. So start small and take things one step at a time. Eventually, all those small steps will add up, and you'll find yourself in a better place.

Picking up the pieces after a hurricane is never going to be easy - but with these tips, I hope it will at least be manageable. Remember: take things one step at a time, stay positive, get organized, seek out help when needed, and be patient with yourself throughout the process. If we all work together, we can help those affected by these natural disasters get back on their feet again.