(Video credit: Dr. Rob on an old cell phone camera so there is low resolution)
Even a middle school child realizes that they need to step up.
Listen to a student who survived Hurricane Katrina and facilitated his families preparedness and response to the next hurricane.
Recovering After an Emergency
Following a highly stressful and potentially traumatic event, many people will face a multitude of challenges. Described below are some of the different changes people may notice following a stressful event, as well as ways to handle the changes and challenges that follow.
Domestic Violence
Grief
Man Made Accident or Disaster
Crime
Terrorism
War
Natural Disasters: Storms
Natural Disaster: Floods
Many different events can be quite stressful and provoke different levels of trauma.
A stressful event can range from the ending of a relationship to a natural disaster to the passing of a loved one.
In the aftermath of a stressful and potentially traumatic event, it is careful to monitor your own physical, mental, and emotional health. To be a Force for Health, you need to make sure you are OK before you can help others.
You need to be safe and healthy to be a force for the health and safety of others.
Think of an oxygen mask on an airplane. Before you help the person next to you put on their mask, you put on your own.
To make sure you are doing alright after a stressful situation, ask yourself several questions:
- Do I feel different?
- Am I behaving differently?
- How do I recover?
- How do I ask for help?
- Who can I ask for help?
Remember…
Stress is normal, even healthy in some cases. It is OK to be stressed. Distress, however, is not healthy. Distress can be dangerous.
If you are in distress, ask for help!
Who can I ask?
Ask an adult you can trust to help you. This can be a parent, teacher, counselor, coach, or anyone in your community that you feel you can rely on.
Sometimes, people will not want to help you or be able to help you. Sometimes, asking someone to help you may actually put you at risk. Make sure the person who you are asking for help is someone you can trust will not harm you or betray your trust.
KEEP ASKING! Do not stop asking for help until you GET HELP. If you stop asking, then no one will know you need help. You have to keep asking and appealing to others to help you.
You are not alone. Someone will help you!
If you feel you might harm yourself, call the following:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
or dial 988 on your phone.
Support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
1-800-799-4889
Recovery Tips After a Disaster or Major Stressful Event
Recovery is not a single moment — it is a process. After the immediate danger has passed, the focus shifts from survival to stabilization and rebuilding. The most successful recoveries are structured, patient, and supported by both practical systems and strong relationships.
Immediate Stabilization
- Confirm the safety and location of all family members.
- Seek medical care for any injuries, even minor ones.
- Notify your designated out-of-area contact of your status.
- Follow official guidance before returning to damaged areas.
- Document all damage with photos and video before cleaning up.
- Secure the property if safe (board windows, cover roof damage, shut off utilities if needed).
Insurance & Financial Recovery
Insurance recovery requires organization and persistence. Start early and document everything.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to open a claim.
- Obtain a claim number and the adjuster’s contact information.
- Keep a written log of every phone call (date, time, name, summary).
- Take detailed photos and video of all damage before repairs.
- Do not discard damaged property until the adjuster approves (unless unsafe).
- Request advance payments if you need immediate housing or repairs.
- Keep receipts for temporary housing, food, clothing, and supplies.
- Obtain multiple contractor estimates if required.
- Review your policy carefully to understand coverage limits and deductibles.
- Escalate respectfully if delays occur; ask about formal review processes if needed.
- Seek local disaster assistance programs if insurance coverage is insufficient.
Housing & Basic Needs
Housing stability reduces stress and speeds recovery.
- Explore temporary housing options (family, friends, short-term rentals, shelters).
- Ask about FEMA or local housing assistance if eligible.
- Ensure utilities are safe before reoccupying your home.
- Watch for mold, gas leaks, structural instability, or water contamination.
- Prioritize safe sleeping areas first during repairs.
- Create a written repair timeline and budget.
- Communicate clearly with landlords or mortgage companies if impacted.
Physical Health Recovery
Stress affects the body long after the event.
- Resume regular medications and medical appointments.
- Stay hydrated and maintain balanced nutrition.
- Re-establish sleep routines as soon as possible.
- Avoid excessive alcohol or substance use.
- Gradually return to physical activity to reduce stress hormones.
- Seek medical evaluation for lingering symptoms (headaches, breathing issues, chest pain).
Mental & Emotional Health
Emotional recovery is just as important as physical rebuilding.
- Expect a range of emotions: shock, irritability, sadness, anxiety.
- Maintain connection with family, friends, and support networks.
- Limit exposure to distressing media coverage.
- Talk through your experience with someone you trust.
- Seek professional counseling if sleep disturbance, panic, or hopelessness persists.
- Watch for stress reactions in children (regression, clinginess, behavior changes).
- Participate in community or faith-based support if helpful.
Community & Long-Term Resilience
- Attend community recovery meetings to stay informed.
- Offer help to others when you are able — service supports healing.
- Participate in post-event debriefings to improve future preparedness.
- Update your disaster plan based on lessons learned.
- Rebuild your go kit and restock supplies once stable.
Recovery takes patience. There may be setbacks and frustrations, especially with paperwork and repairs. But step by step, organized action combined with social support restores stability. Resilience grows not only from surviving the disaster — but from how you rebuild afterward.
