Returning Home After a Disaster

When returning home following an evacuation order, it’s important to know what to expect as unseen dangers may exist. Ready.gov provides the following tips when first arriving to your home:

+Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage;

+Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports;

+Use a battery-powered flashlight (turned on outside and before entering) to inspect the damage;

+Be mindful of animals and use a stick to poke through debris; and

+Be cautious of fallen objects, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls.

FEMA also offers a free, online training module “Coming Home After a Disaster” to help you navigate the recovery process, including:

+Understanding what kind of repairs homeowners may handle themselves;

+Creating a recovery action plan;

+Learning how to assess and document damage; and

+Developing a homeowner’s action checklist.

This training module is part of FEMA’s “Preparedness Activities for Communities Everywhere” tools, which educate individuals about easy ways to prepare for various hazards.