After the Storm

• Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs.
• Learn about more than 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies.
• Apply for disaster assistance and reduce the number of forms you have to fill out.
• Check the status of your application.
• Find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you.
• Find programs to help with food and nutrition needs.

Do you need help for a business, local government, or community? If so, you may want to view our Other Recovery Help page. There you can find other resources that are not just for individuals.

Visit the Texas Department of Insurance page for information to help you recover and rebuild. Topics include:

• Filing a claim and what to expect
• Frequently asked questions
• Options if your insurance isn’t paying enough or denies a claim
• When repairs need a windstorm inspection
• How to avoid contractor scams

After an evacuation, city officials will notify property owners and residents when they may be allowed admittance as part of a phased reentry. Those seeking admittance will need to stay informed as to what geographic areas are being allowed reentry. When authorized to access the evacuated area, individuals will need to produce the following:

1. Current government issued photo identification, and
2. Any governmental document which includes an address or other means that identifies the location of their property including, but not limited to:
• Utility bill
• Mortgage deed
• Property tax documents

Please note, that while a phased reentry process is still in place, authorized individuals enter the evacuation zone at their own risk as only partial restoration of emergency services, public services, and utilities have occurred.

As you prepare to come home, please review the following tips and information from the Texas A&M Agrilife Disaster Extension Network:

Before you enter the home, check for gas leaks and damage to the electrical lines. If gas is leaking or the power lines are damaged, do not enter the home. When you return to your home after a flood or damaging storm, you will need items for cleaning up and making minor repairs as well as personal items.

Cleaning Supplies:

• Air freshener
• Bleach
• Bucket, 5-gallon, with lid
• Cleaner, household
• Clothes pins
• Clothesline
• Detergent, liquid laundry
• Disinfectant dish soap
• Gloves, latex
• Gloves, work
• Masks, N-95 rating
• Scouring pads
• Scrub brush
• Sponges
• Towels, cleaning
• Trash bags, heavy-duty

First Aid Kit:

• Aspirin
• Bandages, adhesive
• First aid booklet
• Gauze
• Gloves, sterile
• Ointments, antibiotic and burn
• Soap
• Sunscreen
• Thermometer
• Wipes, antibiotic

Food and Snacks:
See the Living Without Power chapter of the After a Disaster Guide Book for suggested foods and food storage and preparation supplies.

• Insect repellent that contains DEET
• Medications, prescriptions
• Personal hygiene items:
• Hand sanitizer, alcohol based
• Soap
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Towel, bath
• Washcloth
• Water (at least 1 gallon per person per day)

For Cleaning Up Outside:

• Sturdy shoes (with toes and hard soles)
• Tarp, to cover roof damage or use as an outdoor shade
• Tools
• Ax
• Chain saw for clearing trees
• Hacksaw
• Hammer and nails
• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Wrench
• Rope

How to clean up safely after a hurricane 

After the storm, and once you’ve determined that everyone is safe, it’s time to stay protected and clean up safely. Hurricane cleanup comes in many different varieties because there are so many different types of damage that can occur.

Our hurricane safe cleanup tips are designed to give you a starting point and help you navigate through the process. Learn more about hurricane cleanup safety and gather the equipment you need and protective gear.

Prepare for Cleanup Before the Hurricane Hits

Preparing for disaster cleanup — in the months leading up to hurricane season — can really pay off if you find yourself hunkering down and later in the throes of hurricane recovery. From safety equipment to disinfecting chemicals, you’ll need to gather these hurricane cleanup supplies and store them safely so they’re ready when you need them.

Take a look at these hurricane cleanup tips to help quickly get your life back to normal.

Safety Gear for Hurricane Cleanup

Before any cleanup begins, be sure you’re wearing your hurricane safety gear, including personal protective hurricane clothing. Here are a few essentials tools and items of clothing that you should pick up to help you stay safe:

• Waterproof boots that are thick-soled, chemical resistant
• Waterproof, chemical resistant work gloves
• NOISH-approved half or full-face N95 respirator (P or R ratings are acceptable) for removal of mold
• Hard hat
• Goggles
• Ear protection: either ear plugs or over the ear, if you’ll be working in noisy conditions
• At least two charged and inspected fire extinguishers

General Hurricane Cleanup Safety Tips

Cleaning up your home in the aftermath of a hurricane can be challenging. Be sure to get suited up and work in pairs with another person. It’s also important to pace yourself. When the weather is hot and humid, be sure you’re taking breaks and drinking plenty of water. Prioritize your work based on the greatest need.

Explore these key ideas to help you work safely when cleaning up your home after a hurricane:

1. Open all windows and doors
Water damage is a big concern, and the faster you can remove that moisture and humidity, the better. Opening all windows and doors allows for the free passage of air to affected areas. Open interior home doors as well — even cupboard doors.

2. Protect yourself
If there is visible mold growth it’s time to wear rubber gloves and respiratory masks. Even if there isn’t mold, you’ll probably want a good pair of gloves and sturdy shoes to protect from any sharp debris or insects that may have moved into the wreckage.

3. Remove unsalvageable items
Your local government will give you information on where to place debris, but in the meantime, it’s best to move it out of the house. Take pictures of unsalvageable items and check with your insurance company to see if they want you to hold onto them until an adjuster can come and evaluate the damage.

4. Action for flooded houses
If your home has flooded then all damaged rugs, carpets and carpet padding should be photographed and removed. Water damaged sheet rock and insulation also needs to be cut about four inches above the water line and removed as well.

5. Disinfect and sanitize
The rule of thumb when cleaning household mold and water damaged areas is to mix one cup bleach to one gallon water. A spritzer bottle works well to evenly distribute the mixture. If you want to step up your game, try a disinfectant or sanitizer that is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be used in flood-impacted buildings.

Keeping Your Animals Safe after a Storm

• If you leave town after a disaster, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
• Make sure the storm has fully passed before going outside and assess damages before allowing children or animals out.
• In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Displaced objects and fallen trees can disorient pets and sharp debris could harm them.
• Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
• Keep kids and animals away from hazards such as downed power lines and water that may be contaminated.
• The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.
• Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, presenting new stresses and dangers. Your pet’s behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective. Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers. Animals need comforting, too. Comfort your pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their own home.

Tips for large animals:

If you have large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs on your property, be sure to prepare before a disaster.

• Ensure all animals have some form of identification.
• Evacuate animals whenever possible. Map out primary and secondary routes in advance.
• Make available vehicles and trailers needed for transporting and supporting each type of animal. Also make available experienced handlers and drivers. Note: It is best to allow animals a chance to become accustomed to vehicular travel so they are less frightened and easier to move.
  
• Ensure destinations have food, water, veterinary care and handling equipment.
• If evacuation is not possible, animal owners must decide whether to move large animals to shelter or turn them outside.

Salvaging Food after Flood/Storm Waters Have Been in Your Home

Follow these steps provided by fda.gov to keep your food safe during and after flood conditions:

• Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.
• Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water.
• Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps.
• Discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home-canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
• Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.
• Undamaged commercially-prepared foods in all-metal cans and "retort pouches" (like flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved if you follow this procedure:
  • Remove the labels, if they are the removable kind, since they can harbor dirt and bacteria.
  • Brush or wipe away any dirt or silt.
  • Thoroughly wash the cans or retort pouches with soap and water, using hot water if it is available. Rinse the cans or retort pouches with water that is safe for drinking, if available, since dirt or residual soap will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine sanitation.
  • Sanitize cans and retort pouches by immersion in one of the two following ways:
    1. Place in water and allow the water to come to a boil and continue boiling for 2 min., or
    2. Place in a freshly-made solution consisting of 1 tablespoon of unscented liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available) for 15 minutes.
  • Air dry cans or retort pouches for a minimum of 1 hour before opening or storing.
  • If the labels were removable, then re-label your cans or retort pouches, including the expiration date (if available), with a marking pen.
  • Food in reconditioned cans or retort pouches should be used as soon as possible thereafter.
• Any concentrated baby formula in reconditioned, all-metal containers must be diluted with clean, drinking water.
• Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes, and utensils (including can openers) with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse, and then sanitize them by boiling in clean water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available).
• Thoroughly wash counter tops with soap and water, using hot water if available. Rinse, and then sanitize by applying a solution of one tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available). Allow to air dry.

Use the resources below, provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to make sure your food and water is safe.

After a disaster such as a hurricane or flood, your food and water supplies may have become contaminated or been temporarily cut off.

• Cooking When the Power Goes Off (PDF) ( En Español (PDF) )
• Decontaminating Flooded Wells (PDF) ( En Español (PDF) )
• Disinfecting Water After a Disaster (PDF) ( En Español )
• Emergency Food and Water Supplies (PDF)
• Food Safety for Relief Volunteers (PDF)
• Foods & Supplies to Have on Hand When Power is Limited or Uncertain (PDF) ( En Español (PDF) )
• Handling Food or Drinks When Losing Power (PDF) ( En Español (PDF) )
• Identifying & Handling Spoiled Unsafe Food After a Disaster (PDF) ( En Español (PDF) )
• Protect Yourself and Others after a Chemical Fire (PDF)
• Shock Chlorination of Stored Water Supplies (PDF) ( En Español (PDF) )
• Wastewater Treatment Systems: responding to power outages and floods (PDF)
• Water is Vital – Especially after a Disaster (PDF)

Additional Resources:

• Emergency Shelter Sanitation Guidelines (PDF)
• Guidance to Retail Food Establishments Under a Boil Order (PDF)
• Reopening a Retail Food Establishment After an Emergency (PDF)