June 13, 2024 • 7 min
Article Contents
We often see news reports about earthquakes and other natural disasters. It may seem that these are events that happen to other people. But in the US, dozens of major disasters happen each year, causing millions to leave their homes.
A disaster can happen to anyone, whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane or tornado. Having a plan will help you make better judgments. Keep reading to learn how to keep your head on straight while dealing with a disaster.
In a disaster, you might not know how to move forward. Don’t pressure yourself to handle everything at once. Instead, tackle the top priorities first.
The most important things to consider are health and physical safety. If you or your loved ones were physically hurt during the disaster, make sure to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
And don’t overlook your mental health. Are you feeling sad, unfocused or numb? Do you find yourself getting into arguments or losing sleep? If so, contact the American Red Cross, which offers free 24/7 counseling and support. Call their Disaster Distress Helpline at 800.985.5990.
It’s also important to protect your property against immediate dangers. If a disaster damages your home, think about which damage needs to be fixed first. If an earthquake or hurricane caused a gas leak or you suspect one, for example, you’ll want to get it repaired immediately. (Make sure to shut off gas during these disasters.) If your roof has a hole in it, get it fixed soon to avoid further damage.
Once you’ve attended to your health and any immediate dangers at your home, you can move onto other issues like filing insurance claims and making lower-priority repairs.
A disaster can happen to anyone, whether a wildfire, hurricane or tornado. Having a plan will help you make better judgments.
It may sound strange to focus on your finances after a disaster. But you’ll want to safeguard your money just as you would any physical property.
Take these steps to protect yourself financially after a natural disaster:
If your home was physically damaged or destroyed during the disaster, take these steps to make things right.
Patelco has a great resource page to help you find local help with things like food, medical care, and utilities.
During a disaster, you might face medical bills or other unexpected expenses. If a disaster affects your finances, rest assured that you’re not alone. Support is available and you have the right to ask for help with bills, fees, paperwork and more.
If you’re struggling financially after a disaster, start by getting organized. Make a list of your necessary bills and expenses including:
Then contact your providers and explain your situation. Many companies have policies in place to help people just like you, who have experienced a natural disaster or catastrophe.
Challenge: You’re struggling to pay your mortgage or rent.
Contact your mortgage lender or landlord right away to let them know.
You have the right to ask for help with your home loan. Ask your mortgage company which hardship options are available. They might offer a forbearance plan, which allows you to make smaller payments or even skip some payments. (You’ll still need to pay them later on, of course.)
If you’re having trouble making rent payments, your landlord might be willing to waive any late fees. And if your home is damaged, you have a right to ask for a rent discount.
Challenge: Your home was destroyed and you need financial help to rebuild.
If your home was damaged beyond repair, the FHA can help you get a mortgage to rebuild or buy a new home — without making a down payment.
Challenge: You’re having trouble paying your student loan.
Federal student loans have special natural disaster forbearance programs that you can apply for if you were affected by a federally declared disaster. A forbearance program allows you to stop making payments for a period of time. (Keep in mind that interest will continue to accrue.)
Challenge: You can’t afford to pay your energy company or Internet provider.
Utility companies may be willing to work with you, so give your provider a call.
Challenge: You’re worried that you might fall behind on your credit card bills.
Contact your credit card company. A customer service agent may be able to offer you flexibility until you get back on your feet.
Challenge: You need to connect with an affordable mental health provider.
One good way to reach social services is 211, which can connect you with local agencies that can help. And don’t be afraid to reach out to local nonprofits. Many are designed to help people dealing with a disaster.
You may have to swallow your pride to call these companies and ask them for help. But keep in mind that many are willing to help. They won’t just call and volunteer their support, though, so you have to be brave and reach out to them.
Keep in mind that your employer may also have resources that you can tap into. Talk to your HR department and see what they can offer.
Computers and mobile devices can make us incredibly vulnerable to fraud. Here are some tips to help you stay safe online.
When it comes to your credit score, there are two factors that matter the most. Find out the biggest factors, so you know the best way to increase your score. There are also other factors that affect your score, but they have a smaller effect.
Need money fast? Avoid the pitfalls of a payday loan and discover the many alternatives that may be available to you. The experts at Patelco can help!
