Recovery

Recovery efforts consist of those activities that continue beyond the emergency period to restore critical community functions and begin to manage stabilization efforts.  The recovery phase begins immediately after the threat to human life has subsided, and the incident is stabilized.  The goal of the recovery phase is to bring the affected area back to some degree of normalcy.  Typical recovery actions that emergency management will support and/or coordinate include debris management and cleanup programs; facilitation of financial assistance for individuals, property owners, cities or communities; collaborate with public works on plans to rebuild roads, bridges, and key other facilities; and coordinate with county departments and community partners for sustained mass care for displaced human and animal populations.  Additional recovery activities may involve the reconstitution of government operations and services; implementation of additional measures to stabilize a community's social, political, and economic environment; evaluation of the incident to identify lessons learned; drafting of post incident reporting; and development of initiatives to mitigate against the effects of future incidents.

Recovery activities for the City of Laurel Department of Emergency Management include:

• Damage Assessments / Debris Management
• Public Assistance Support
  • Grants Management
    • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
• Short- and Long-Term Recovery Efforts Support and Coordination
• After Action Reviews / Improvement Plans
• Disaster Reimbursement Processing

Recovering from a Disaster

Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. 

Make Sure You and Your Family are Safe

• Your first concern after a disaster is your family's health and safety. You need to consider possible safety issues and monitor family health and well-being.
• If you are returning home following a disaster, know it can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution. You may be anxious to see your property, but do not return home before local officials say it is safe to return.
• Administer first aid and seek medical attention for any injured person following a disaster.
• Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

Then take things one step at a time, using guidance from local officials to know when it is safe to return and what hazards to watch for.

Safety Issues

• Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring and slippery floors.
• Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
• Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Do not enter your damaged home if:
  • You smell gas.
  • Floodwaters remain around the building.
  • Authorities have not declared it safe to enter.
• Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads, smoldering insulation and dead animals.
• Keep a battery-powered radio with you for emergency updates from local officials.

Help can be available through multiple sources. Your insurance company (if you have one), community organizations, and local officials can explain your options and how to get assistance. This section offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal.

If You Have Insurance:

• Contact your insurance agency to file a claim as soon as possible.
• Make sure to document all your damages – before you clean up, take photos and make a list.
• Save all your receipts for post-damage repair and clean up.
• If you have insurance and damages, you must file a claim with your insurance company.

If You Have Uninsured Damage:

• Contact your local emergency management agency.
• Let your local officials know of any damages you may have, and what immediate assistance you may need.
• Local officials and voluntary organizations are usually the best options for immediate needs such as food and shelter.

Replacing Vital Documents

It can feel overwhelming to deal with replacing lost documentation after a disaster.  The links and guidance below can help get you started with resources from state and federal partners on how to replace those important documents.