After a disaster, people's lives are interrupted and

routines become disrupted. Changes take place and

suddenly many things do not work and are unavailable.

Whether a flood, tornado, hurricane, winter storm or

earthquake occurs, many will undergo several stages or

recovery. During this process, one might find that food,

water, electricity, refrigeration are scarce or

unattainable and the ability to drive is hindered.

Important documents are lost but there are ways to

recover records. Here is a list of what to expect when

undergoing recovery stages.

Individuals will want to make sure family members are

safe and out of harm's way. If anyone is injured, weak,

extremely distressed, or has any other unusual

symptoms, seek medical help right away.

It is important to check up on your neighbors and pets --

especially disabled persons, children who may have

been alone when the disaster struck, and elderly people

who may stay inside from fear or disability.

You will be in a hurry to get back in your home but

remember that there are serious risks. Enter your home

with caution and do not light an open flame. If you can

safely turn off your gas and electricity, do so. Let utility

crews turn them back on when they determine it's safe

to do so.

Don't be in any hurry to go back into your home. There

are many risks, from floors or ceilings giving way to

live wires to gas leaks. Don't go in if the gas and

electricity haven't been turned off, and don't try to turn

them back on yourself. Report any downed power lines

or broken gas lines right away.

However, if it's safe to go back in your home, try to

collect necessities and important papers --insurance

information, medication, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and

valuables such as credit cards, bank books, cash, and

jewelry. You may want to save important documents

from your computer onto diskettes (if the power is on

and it won't take too long).

It is important to stay off the roads so emergency

workers can move quickly. And stay out of their way as

they work.

Fraud and crime. Unfortunately, disasters can bring out

looters and con artists. Make sure you are careful and keep

an eye out for elderly neighbors who may easily fall victim

of being conned.

In addition, be wary of people who offer to help if

you don't know them and they aren't part of an identifiable

organization, especially if they offer to come into your

home. If your house is looted, notify the police

immediately. You may need that police report to file an

insurance claim.

Be careful of disease-carrying animals and poisonous

snakes for they may also find themselves homeless. Try to

avoid putting your hands or feet under debris where an

animal may be hiding. Wear boots and long, heavy pants

when clearing out debris can be beneficial.

It is helpful to keep listening to radio or TV for news --

about what to do, where to go, what places are dangerous

(roads with fallen trees, unsafe bridges), and how to contact

the local disaster relief services, such as the American Red

Cross or the Salvation Army. Relief services can help with

such immediate needs as shelter, food, medicine,

eyeglasses, and clothing.

A Disaster Recovery Center may be established in or near

the community affected by the disaster. There you can meet

with representatives of federal, state, local, and volunteer

agencies.

Local churches, service organizations (such as the Kiwanis

Club, Lions, or Knights of Columbus), large local

employers, and local newspapers and banks may offer help.

Move quickly to replace important documents that were

lost or destroyed – your driver's license, auto registration,

bank books, insurance policies, health insurance cards,

credit cards, titles to deeds, stocks and bonds, wills, and

other important documents.

Do what you can to reconstruct lost financial records.

Banks, credit card companies, and utilities may be able to

provide you with some back statements. The IRS can

provide previous federal tax returns. Information on the

Start saving receipts for all your expenses, or at least

keeping a record of them. These will help both in filing an

insurance claim and in claiming losses when you file your

income tax return.

Make lists, as soon as possible, of all property that was

damaged or destroyed. These will prove useful for your

own purposes, and essential for filing insurance claims or

seeking financial assistance. Document as much of the

damage as you can with photographs or a videotape.

Do your best to recall everything that's missing. Go over

photos you have taken inside your home, and ask friends

and family if they have any. Draw floor plans of each room

to help you remember what items were there. You can also

jog your memory by walking down the aisles of

department stores, looking through shopping catalogues,

and scanning the classified ads in the newspaper.

Let utility companies know if they should stop billing to

your home because it has been destroyed or you can't live

in it.

Get in touch with creditors right away. Most will be

willing to help you get through this situation, especially if

many people have been affected.

Unemployment benefits. If you lose your job due to a

disaster and are not eligible for regular Unemployment

Insurance compensation, you can apply for Disaster

Unemployment Assistance. Call 800-462-9029

(TTY: 800-462-7585) or your local unemployment office.

Tax relief. You may be eligible for significant tax

deductions or refunds. The rules are complicated, so it's a

good idea to work with a tax adviser or other qualified

professional.

Salvage what you can. Professional fire and water

damage restoration businesses can help, but check with

your insurance company to see who'll be paying for

these services. Don't throw away damaged goods until

you've made a complete inventory. If you need to get rid

of something that's dangerous or in the way,

make a record of it.

Make necessary immediate repairs. To prevent further

damage, you may need to patch the roof, board up

windows, or tear down a damaged chimney. The Red

Cross and other volunteer organizations may be able to

help you obtain materials or provide volunteers to help

with the work.

Lastly, during this crisis, it is important to try to

maintain as much of a routine as possible.

When so much of your everyday life has been disrupted,

it is especially helpful to maintain as much of a normal

routine as possible. This is worth some extra effort,

because maintaining order and routines helps you deal

more effectively with all the work of recovering from a

disaster.

Make sure your child gets to school (if it's open) and

keeps up with homework. Have meals together as a

family. Find time to be together. Watch a TV show

together, listen to a favorite radio program, do the daily

crossword puzzle, or get together with friends. List

important jobs and chores, get them done, and then

check them off your list.

As you return to familiar routines, you'll start to feel that

life is returning to normal once again.