From Preparation to Recovery: When Disaster Strikes
When disaster strikes, time is your most precious resource. Whether it’s a wildfire, hurricane, or flood, being ready to act can make all the difference for you and your loved ones. Having a clear plan helps you stay calm and focused during emergencies. In this article, I will walk you through how to prepare for evacuation, manage an emergency, and recover afterward. I’ll also explain how estate planning can safeguard your loved ones’ future, even in the most challenging times. Let’s get started so you can learn how to protect what matters most.
Packing Smart When Time Is Tight
Imagine an emergency where you have just 15 minutes to leave your home. What would you grab? It’s a scenario no one wants to face, but planning ahead can turn chaos into action. And, as we’re seeing with the hurricane that hit Asheville unexpectedly and the wildfires in Los Angeles, this is a scenario we all need to be ready for, and the time to plan is right now.
Start by packing a go-bag with the essentials you’d need if you had to leave in a hurry. Include chargers for your devices, as well as critical medical items like prescriptions, hearing aids, and oxygen if you or a loved one relies on them. Don’t forget your pets! Pack a leash, carrier, food, and any medication they need. Important documents such as birth certificates, passports, home insurance info, and your estate plan should go in a waterproof folder that’s easy to grab. Don’t forget a first aid kit, clothing for a few days, and enough water to get by until help arrives. Create this bag now, and keep it in a cool location in your home, ready to grab when needed. It’s a good practice always to keep your car fueled and packed with essentials like blankets, flashlights, and non-perishable snacks.
Add a list to the bag with a reminder of the additions you’ll make on the fly. Put on the list anything you use regularly that you don’t want to be packed away but you know you’d want to grab if you knew you’d never see it again, including things like collectibles, family jewelry, specific photos, and keepsakes. Make this list now and put it with your go bag, so you aren’t trying to think about what to grab in an emergency when you can’t think very clearly.
The key is to think ahead. Walk through your home room by room and decide what’s most important to you. Then create a checklist so you’re not scrambling when the clock is ticking. Create the checklist in an app on your phone so it’s accessible when you need it.
Staying Safe During the Emergency
When it’s time to evacuate, safety is your top priority. First, make sure everyone in your household knows the plan. Write emergency contact numbers on your forearm with a marker, especially for kids. This step could make all the difference if you get separated. Constrain pets to carriers or leashes so they’re easy to transport.
Alert a non-local emergency contact about your plans. If you have neighbors who are elderly or vulnerable, check on them and make sure they know what to do.
As you leave, take steps to protect your home. If time allows, turn off your HVAC system and gas, and unplug appliances. Close all windows, doors, and gates, and place fireproof tarps over wood piles or outdoor furniture. These small actions can make a big difference if disaster reaches your doorstep.
Remember, the most important thing is to get out safely. Do not stay behind to try to save belongings. You can replace things, but you can’t replace lives.
Recovering and Rebuilding After Disaster
Once the immediate danger has passed, the recovery process begins. The first step is finding a safe place to stay, whether it’s with family, friends, or at a shelter. Take photos of any damage to your property before you begin cleaning up—these will be crucial for insurance claims.
Organize your paperwork early. Gather receipts for repairs, hotel stays, and any other disaster-related expenses. Contact your insurance provider to start your claim and keep detailed records of all conversations.
Recovery isn’t just about financial steps; it’s about emotional healing too. Connect with others who have gone through similar experiences. Support groups and community networks can help you process your feelings and find resources you might not know are available.
Most people may not think about estate planning as a tool that can greatly simplify the recovery process and make it more easy - but only if you create a comprehensive and customized plan using my Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ process.
When you work with me to create a Life & Legacy Plan, I’ll support you to designate a trusted individual as your financial power of attorney, so they can step in to handle urgent matters like accessing bank accounts or paying bills while you focus on rebuilding. Similarly, a healthcare power of attorney ensures your medical needs are met if you’re injured or unable to make decisions. These are just two of many features that ensure your plan works when you need it to. Keep reading to learn more.
Finally, think about what you can do to prepare for the future. Rebuild with resilience in mind by using fireproof or flood-resistant materials. Restock your emergency kit and update your evacuation. Disasters can strike without warning, but every step you take now will make you stronger for the next time.
Life & Legacy Planning is Your Secret Weapon in Disaster Preparedness
Life & Legacy Planning isn’t just about passing on your wealth when you’re gone; it’s also about protecting your loved ones and ensuring your wishes are followed during your lifetime. In the context of disaster preparedness, as I mentioned above, it’s an often overlooked but essential tool.
If you have minor children, Kids Protection Planning is critical. By naming permanent and temporary guardians, you can ensure your kids are cared for by someone you trust if something happens to you - even if you aren’t able to care for them for a few days. This is especially important during chaotic and uncertain times.
A Life & Legacy Plan also helps protect your property. I can support you in creating a fully funded living trust, which means your assets will bypass the court process, giving your loved ones immediate access to funds and resources they may need after a disaster. Together, we can also include provisions for rebuilding or maintaining your home in your absence.
By integrating Life & Legacy Planning into your disaster preparedness efforts, you’re not just planning for the worst—you’re building a framework for recovery and resilience. And most importantly, you’re protecting all the people you hold dear.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Disasters are unpredictable, but preparation is your best defense. By packing smart, acting swiftly, and focusing on recovery, you can protect what matters most. Life & Legacy Planning adds another layer of security, giving you peace of mind that your loved ones and assets are protected no matter what happens. Use this guide to create a plan that keeps your family safe and your mind at ease. Remember, preparation isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving in the face of challenges.
How to Prepare for and Support Others Through Natural Disasters
When natural disasters strike, they can upend lives in an instant. Proper preparation can make a dramatic difference in preserving not just property, but also peace of mind. Whether you're creating your own disaster preparedness plan or supporting loved ones through a crisis, understanding both the practical and emotional aspects of disaster response is crucial.
Let's explore how to prepare for potential disasters and support those affected with sensitivity and compassion.
Creating Your Emergency Response Plan
The key to surviving any disaster is preparation. While we can't control when or how disasters strike, we can control how ready we are to respond. Here's what you need to know about creating an effective emergency response plan:
Time-Based Preparation Strategies. Your emergency response should be organized into clear time frames. In the first 15 minutes, focus on gathering essential medical items, important documents, and basic survival necessities. Within an hour, secure important financial and legal documents, including estate planning paperwork, insurance policies, and medical directives. If you have two hours, focus on preserving family heirlooms and irreplaceable personal items.
Document Organization and Protection. Keep all crucial documents in a readily accessible location. This includes your estate plan, insurance policies, medical information, and financial records. Consider maintaining digital copies in a secure cloud storage system. As your Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, we can help you create a comprehensive inventory of important documents and ensure they're properly organized and protected.
Property Protection and Insurance. Regular reviews of your insurance coverage are essential. Make sure your policies cover natural disasters common in your area. Document your belongings through photos and detailed inventories. Keep these records in multiple locations, including off-site storage or cloud-based systems.
Supporting Those Affected by Disaster
If someone you know has been affected by a natural disaster, knowing how to provide meaningful support while respecting their emotional state is crucial. Here are key guidelines for offering help:
Provide Open-Ended Support. Rather than making specific offers that require decisions from someone already overwhelmed, offer open-ended support: "I'm here for whatever you need, whenever you need it." This approach gives them the freedom to accept help on their terms.
Respect Their Space and Privacy. Avoid asking to see damaged property or requesting details about their losses unless they volunteer this information. These conversations can be deeply painful for disaster survivors. Let them lead any discussions about their experience.
Listen More Than You Speak. Resist the urge to offer silver linings or comparisons to others' situations. Simply being present and listening when they're ready to talk is often the most valuable support you can provide. Sometimes, just sitting quietly together is exactly what's needed.
Practical Steps for Recovery
If you or someone you know has been affected by a disaster, here are essential first steps toward recovery:
Contact your insurance company immediately to trigger "Loss of Use" coverage and begin the claims process.
Set up a PO Box for mail forwarding and use it as your primary contact address on all forms.
Document everything - take photos, save receipts, and keep detailed records of all communications with insurance and contractors.
Create a comprehensive inventory of lost items, room by room, including replacement costs at current market value.
Connect with local disaster relief organizations and register for available assistance programs.
Beyond these initial steps, long-term recovery requires careful attention to several key areas:
Financial Management. Work closely with your insurance adjuster but don't feel pressured to accept their first offer. Keep detailed records of all expenses related to your displacement and recovery. Remember that many items you purchase during this time may be reimbursable under your "Loss of Use" coverage.
Emotional Wellbeing. Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Give yourself permission to grieve your losses and process emotions at your own pace. Consider connecting with support groups of other disaster survivors who understand your experience. Many people find sharing experiences with others who've been through similar situations helps with healing.
Community Resources. Stay connected with your local community during recovery. Neighbors, religious organizations, and local non-profits often provide valuable support networks. Don't hesitate to accept help when offered - your community wants to support you through this challenging time.
How We Can Help
As your Personal Family Lawyer® Firm, we're here to help you prepare for and recover from disasters. We can:
Help you organize and protect crucial legal documents
Review your insurance coverage to identify potential gaps
Create or update your estate plan to include disaster contingencies
Guide you through the legal aspects of disaster recovery
Connect you with trusted resources and professionals
Remember, the time to prepare for a disaster is before it happens. Let us help you create a comprehensive plan that protects what matters most.
Book a call here to learn how we can help you prepare for the unexpected:
This article is a service of Mindful Legacy Planning. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life & Legacy PlanningⓇ Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life & Legacy Planning Session.
The content is sourced from Personal Family Lawyer® for use by Personal Family Lawyer® firms, a source believed to be providing accurate information. This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking legal advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.