Returning Home After a Disaster

Returning home after a major disaster can be both dangerous and difficult. Be careful when entering a disaster area, and be ready to adapt to the conditions at hand.

General

• Put on sturdy, hard-soled, shoes and work gloves for protection against glass or other debris.
• Use the phone only to report a life threatening emergency.
• Keep a battery operated radio with you to hear any emergency updates.
• Call your insurance agent.
• Keep records of all clean-up and repair costs.
• Don't throw away any damaged goods until a complete inventory is made, and photos are taken of your home and the damaged goods.
• Notify your local disaster relief service if you need housing, food, etc.
• Secure personal belongings.
• If you are a tenant, notify the landlord.
• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound open a window and leave the building. Shut off the main gas valve outside.
• If there is electrical damage, switch off the power at the main control panel.
• Check for injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
• If water pipes are damaged shut off the water supply at the main valve.
• Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids.

Flood

• Stay away from flood waters.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in contact with flood waters.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet in the flood. The mud left behind by flood waters can contain sewage and chemicals.
• Throw out food, cosmetics and medicines that have come into contact with flooded waters.
• If your basement is flooded, pump it out gradually (about 1/3 of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.

Fire

• Stay out of burned structures.
• Ask the fire department for assistance in retrieving important documents.

Earthquake

• Be prepared for aftershocks.
• Be careful when entering a damaged building. If you have any doubts about the integrity of the building have the structure inspected by a professional before entering.
• Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division