Recovery Planning

Planning Overview
The road to recovery may have many turns. The first step is to take stock of the situation to determine how best to proceed. Where confusion and chaos reign, a clear head will prevail. The steps below will help to lay the groundwork for this transition.

Focus on the Job Ahead

Make a list of what needs to be done and tackle it one step at a time. Focus on the top two or three items that need your attention - what is most important for me to do right now, what can wait until later. Adjust the list as conditions warrant.
Your safety and that of your family comes first. Your home and possessions are valuable, but most things can be replaced. Food clothing and shelter are essential for survival. You may need to make short-term housing arrangements until your home can be repaired.
Remember, you are not alone. Help is available from a number of sources. Talk to family, friends and neighbors who are dealing with similar problems and share information and ideas.
Check local television, radio and newspapers to see if the president has declared your community a disaster area (see also State of Emergency). You may be eligible for certain kinds of basic federal and state financial recovery aid even if you have insurance.
Register for assistance
Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance number, 1-800-462-9029 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY number for the speech or hearing impaired) as early as possible to register for assistance. You can also register online at http://www.fema.gov/assistance/register.shtm.
After your area has been declared a disaster area, one or more Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) may be opened to provide information on available loans and grants, legal matters and a host of other concerns related to the recovery process. Your local television, radio and newspapers will have the locations of the DRCs and the hours of operation. Before you go to a DRC or phone for assistance, you need to assemble the following documentation:
Your name, address, social security number, photo identification, and telephone numbers where you or a neighbor can be reached.
Directions to your property, starting from a major road, and a road map with an "X" marking the location of your property.
For insurance claims, take photographs or videotape the damage to the inside and outside your home. Separate your damaged and undamaged belongings. If possible, find receipts, cancelled checks or proofs of purchase for high-cost items, such as appliances, that you plan to claim.
Prepare to return home
When you get the okay to return to your home, give it some first aid to make it safe while you make necessary repairs, clean up the mess and salvage what you can. Make notes on what needs to be done, then organize the tasks. You will most likely need assistance in restoring flood-damaged utilities.
As you repair and rebuild, take any steps you can to reduce or eliminate damage from future disasters. In many cases, the steps are easy and inexpensive. If a water heater is destroyed, install the new one in an elevated position so it is not vulnerable the next time. While you're at it, have the main electrical panel moved to a better location.