Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website.

Make A PLAN

DISASTER RECOVERY

  • Coping with recovery

    TALK

    with others who understand and accept how you feel. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or faith-based leader to explore what meaning the event may have for you. Connect with other survivors of the disaster or other traumatic events and share your experience.

  • Body Movement

    Body Movement

    helps to get rid of the buildup of extra stress. Exercise once daily or in smaller amounts throughout the day. Be careful not to lift heavy weights. You can damage your muscles if you have too much adrenaline in your system. If you don’t like exercise, do something simple, like taking a walk, gently stretching, or meditating.

  • WELL-BEING

    Take Deep Breaths

    Deep breathing can move stress out of your body and help you to calm yourself. It can even help stop a panic attack.

  • PROCESS

    KNOW HOW

    to access local and national help to make the recovery process faster and less stressful. Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

recovering

Check out the FEMA website at the Local Resource Section on page Act.16 for information on recovering from specific disasters like tornadoes, flash floods and winter weather.

FEMA Website

health and safety guidelines

  • SAFETY

    Check for injuries.

  • STAY

    Don’t try to move anyone who is seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury.

  • STABILIZE

    If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

SAFETY TIPS

for coping after an emergency

  • REST

    GET ENOUGH
    REST

    Be aware of exhaustion. Pay attention to your physical self. Make sure to get enough sleep and rest each day. Don’t leave resting for the weekend. Eat healthy meals and snacks and make sure to drink plenty of water.

  • HEALTH

    STAY
    HYDRATED

    Pace yourself, drink plenty of clean water and eat well.

  • CLOTHES

    DRESS
    APPROPRIATELY

    Protect your hands and feet with sturdy work boots and gloves.

  • CLEAN

    WASH YOUR
    HANDS

    When working in debris, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water.

SAFETY ISSUES CREATED BY DISASTERS

  • WATCH OUT

    • Washed out roads
    • Contaminated buildings
    • Contaminated water
    • Gas leaks
    • Broken glass
    • Damaged electrical wiring
    • Slippery floors

  • INFORM LOCAL AUTHORITIES

    • Health and safety issues
    • Chemical spills
    • Downed power lines
    • Washed out roads
    • Smoldering insulation
    • Dead animals

  • DO'S

    • Enter the home carefully and check for damage
    • Be aware of loose and slippery floors
    • Turn off electricity
    • Open a window or door for an animal to leave on its own

  • DON'TS

    • Do not eat food or use supplies contaminated by floodwater
    • Do not try to rescue or corner an animal
    • Do not touch a dead animal

Take the Quiz

  • Question 1

    What should you do if you must move an unconscious person?

    Correct!

    To prevent further injury, stabilize the neck and back

    Incorrect

    To prevent further injury, stabilize the neck and back

  • Your Results

    0 Correct, 0 Wrong

State Damage Reporting Tool

iSTAT

Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool – This tool is designed to deploy early in a disaster impact area to gather Rapid Damage Assessment information revealing the scope and size of an event.  Use the QR Code to report the location, level of damage, and photographs of the damage to individual property or businesses.

pSTAT

Public State of Texas Assessment Tool – This tool is designed for local officials and trained damage assessment teams to collect location, the severity of damage, and costs associated with public infrastructure losses.

  • Make a Plan

    A little preparation could protect your life and the lives of those around you. It only takes a few minutes to develop a plan. When finished, you'll have a pocket-size emergency plan at hand.

  • Build a Kit

    Remember how long it took to pack for your last vacation? The last thing you want to worry about in a disaster is packing. That’s why everyone should have an Emergency Supply Kit ready to go. Use this checklist to help you assemble your kit.

/// Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website. ///