Now What? What to Do Post-Disaster and How Emergency Food Can Help:

Citizens in states like Louisiana and Mississippi are struggling to clean up the mess left by Hurricane Isaac, many homes have been ravaged and flood damage is difficult to recover from. We talk a lot about preparing for disasters and emergencies, but what do we do once the storm passes?

If you are well prepared you’ll have a supply of emergency food, water, and supplies like generators and alternate heat. Often in disaster scenarios power outages last for days or weeks, which is where this really comes in handy. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stay put and rely on your own supplies. Whether or not you have a home to return to or stow away in is another issue, however. Have a plan set in place for where you may go if you do lose your home, and be sure to collect any belongings from the wreckage you may need, but do so safely. Structural damage to a house can be extremely hazardous, do not attempt to do so alone or at all if it appears too unsteady.

After a disaster, there are a lot of things to look out for that can be potential hazards or threats to your safety as well. Again, structural damage is a main issue, buildings, homes, and roads can become hazardous after a storm. Flooding after a hurricane is also very problematic, and is sometimes the worst part. It can take a long time for flooding to subside, and in the meantime entire towns can be destroyed.

Another threat comes to surface after a storm that can often be less obvious than the others: con artists seeking to profit from the aftermath. These opportunists come out of the framework in many forms: unlicensed contractors eager to ‘rebuild’ your home for a hefty cost upfront and a lousy unprofessional job. Groups who claim to be a part of a disaster relief drive collecting money to aid survivors, only to keep their earnings for themselves. Even price gougers, increasing costs of necessities in a crisis, such as food, water, and supplies.

By having prepared ahead of time and relying on yourself and your own survival food and supplies, you are better able to avoid many issues such as price gouging and empty overrun stores. Even after the storm is over, don’t forget to stay aware of all hazards, threats, and scams. Prepare now!