Disaster Preparation and Recovery

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

• Games

Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Older Adults

Summary

Preparing for a disaster can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that disasters cause. A disaster can be a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake. It might also be man-made, like a bioterrorist attack or chemical spill. You should know the risks and danger signs of different types of disasters. You should also have a disaster plan. Be ready to evacuate your home, and know how to treat basic medical problems. Make sure you have the insurance you need, including special types, like flood insurance.

No matter what kind of disaster you experience, it causes emotional distress. After a disaster, recovery can take time. Stay connected to your family and friends during this period.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Start Here

• Emergency Preparedness & Response (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• Clean Hands Save Lives: Emergency Situations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Clean Up Safely After a Natural Disaster (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water (Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water) Also in Spanish
• Home Use Devices: How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices That Require Electricity (Food and Drug Administration) - PDF
• Individuals with Access and Functional Needs (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Power Outage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Pet Disaster Preparedness (American Red Cross)
• Plan, Prepare and Protect Your Pet Before, During and After an Emergency (Food and Drug Administration)
• Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Shelter (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Travelers' Health: Environmental Hazards and Other Noninfectious Health Risks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish

Specifics

• Dust Storms (National Library of Medicine)
• How to Cope with Sheltering in Place (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF Also in Spanish
• Natural Disaster Recovery: Cleanup Hazard (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Also in Spanish
• Power Outages (Department of Homeland Security)

Games

• Disaster Master (Department of Homeland Security)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Disasters (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Responding to mental health needs after terror attacks.
• Article: Ebola outbreak not a PHEIC, says WHO.
• Article: Stopping the Gaps in Epidemic Preparedness.
• Disaster Preparation and Recovery -- see more articles
• Disaster relief -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• American Red Cross Also in Spanish
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish
• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Also in Spanish

Older Adults

• Disaster Preparedness for Alzheimer's Caregivers (National Institute on Aging)