Frequently Asked Questions for Week 1 on WindRainFlood.Com. Get all the answers you need to navigate the first week of your disaster recovery process.
By Murray Wennerlund, published , updated .
Step-by-step guide to accessing emergency food assistance, distribution centers, SNAP benefits, and volunteer organization support following a disaster.
Published: September 28, 2023 | Last Modified: September 22, 2025
Ensure you have enough food supplies on hand. Whenever someone offers you food or the opportunity to store it, accept it, even if you don't think you need it right away.
If you hear about food distribution centers set up nearby, make sure to assign at least one person from your household to go there for hot meals 2 to 3 times a day.
Certain food services operate from mobile units, and you'll need to listen for their announcements or updates. These units don't follow fixed routes and don't visit the same places frequently. Connect with your online community to locate these mobile food trucks, enabling you to meet them and obtain extra meals.
Food assistance programs, also known as SNAP, are managed at the state level and are separate from the FEMA process. FEMA later reimburses the state for providing this aid to disaster survivors. This assistance can be provided within 1 to 14 days following the disaster.
Major faith-based groups provide immediate food assistance. Key organizations include Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Catholic Charities USA, Mennonite Disaster Service, Lutheran Disaster Response, Samaritan's Purse, UMCOR, Islamic Relief USA, Adventist Community Services, and Episcopal Relief & Development.
Major organizations include American Red Cross, Feeding America, Team Rubicon, Convoy of Hope, Operation BBQ Relief, World Central Kitchen, and Direct Relief. These groups provide emergency meals and food distribution in disaster-affected areas.
Every community will have local groups providing food services if possible. Many local food businesses share with those impacted by the disaster free or low cost meals. Often times you'll find vendors traveling random streets with food to distribute.
This section outlines the steps to ensure safety, contact authorities, contact insurance companies, register for federal assistance, document the damage, follow official instructions, mitigate further damage, keep records, seek local assistance, and stay patient and persistent.
More on this subject: Week 1
This section explains the role of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SBA (Small Business Administration) in providing disaster assistance, such as grants and loans, to eligible homeowners.
More on this subject: Week 1
The page advises homeowners to contact their insurance companies promptly, take time-date stamped photos and videos of the damage, and keep a record of all communication with insurers and agencies. It also warns homeowners to be aware of all their options before accepting any SBA disaster loan.
More on this topic: Week 1
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross are two such organizations that provide temporary housing assistance to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster. FEMA's Individual Assistance program provides financial assistance to homeowners and renters, while the Red Cross offers shelters if you have to evacuate your home during a disaster.
More on this topic: Week 1
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners. It is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance to meet the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods.
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The Disaster Home Loans program provides creditworthy homeowners with up to $200,000 to repair or restore their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition. The loans are designed to help homeowners affected by disasters who do not have the means to finance repairs or restoration themselves.
More on this topic: Week 1
To apply for temporary shelter assistance, you need to register with FEMA. You can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Once you've registered, you'll be able to find short-term shelter options near you and work towards long-term solutions.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal agency that provides support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. In the context of disaster recovery, the SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and businesses to aid in recovery efforts.
More on this topic: Week 1
A FEMA grant is financial assistance that does not need to be repaid as long as the funds are used for approved activities outlined in your grant award documentation. A loan, on the other hand, is a sum of money that must be repaid with interest.
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Contact your insurance company promptly to initiate the claims process. Make sure to document the damage by taking photos and keeping records of all communication with your insurer.
More on this topic: Week 1
Volunteer groups like the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity provide disaster relief services, including temporary housing assistance. They also play a significant role in rebuilding communities and restoring infrastructure.
More on this topic: Week 1
If the damage is severe and your home is not safe to inhabit or you are unsure, evacuate immediately and seek temporary shelter with friends, family, or at a designated emergency shelter. The safety of you and your family should be the top priority.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
Ensure you have enough food supplies on hand. Whenever someone offers you food or the opportunity to store it, accept it, even if you don't think you need it right away.
More on this topic: Food Assistance.
If you hear about food distribution centers set up nearby, make sure to assign at least one person from your household to go there for hot meals 2 to 3 times a day.
More on this topic: Food Assistance.
Certain food services operate from mobile units, and you'll need to listen for their announcements or updates. These units don't follow fixed routes and don't visit the same places frequently. Connect with your online community to locate these mobile food trucks, enabling you to meet them and obtain extra meals.
More on this topic: Food Assistance.
Food assistance programs, also known as SNAP, are managed at the state level and are separate from the FEMA process. FEMA later reimburses the state for providing this aid to disaster survivors. This assistance can be provided within 1 to 14 days following the disaster.
More on this topic: Food Assistance.
Major faith-based volunteer groups that respond with food aid after disasters include the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Catholic Charities USA, Mennonite Disaster Service, Lutheran Disaster Response, and Samaritan's Purse.
More on this topic: Food Assistance.
Securing shelter is your immediate priority. Whether it's staying in your car, setting up a tent in your front yard, hunkering down in your recreational trailer, or seeking refuge with friends and family, it's crucial to establish short-term shelter, which may last anywhere from 1 to 30 days, to provide you with the necessary time to find a long-term housing solution that will be offered by FEMA and HUD for up to 22 to 32 months if needed.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
FEMA's transitional shelter program will pay for your hotel stay while you are displaced only after you register and qualify for TSA. Hotels and motels that provide rooms paid by FEMA vouchers require FEMA registration.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to talk with someone in person for guidance or information.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
The Red Cross offers shelters if you have to evacuate your home during a disaster.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
The FCC Dial 211 for Essential Community Services program provides basic human needs resources, including food and clothing banks, shelters, rent assistance, and utility assistance.
More on this topic: Shelter Assistance.
Various organizations and agencies have a role in providing prescriptions and healthcare to disaster survivors in the aftermath of emergencies. These include the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), local public health departments, healthcare providers and hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
More on this topic: Medical Assistance.
HHS / ASPR is responsible for public health and healthcare services. During disasters, agencies within HHS, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), work to provide medical support and resources to affected communities.
More on this topic: Medical Assistance.
MRC units are community-based volunteer organizations that assist in public health emergency responses. They can provide medical services, including prescription assistance and healthcare, to disaster survivors.
More on this topic: Medical Assistance.
Local health departments often play a crucial role in disaster response by providing medical services and coordinating with healthcare providers to ensure access to prescriptions and healthcare for survivors.
More on this topic: Medical Assistance.
Organizations like Direct Relief, Americares, and International Medical Corps specialize in providing medical assistance, including prescriptions, healthcare services, and medical supplies, during disasters.
More on this topic: Medical Assistance.
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program offers temporary benefits to individuals who have lost their employment or self-employment directly due to a major disaster. This assistance is available to those who do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance (UI).
More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
The eligibility for DUA is determined by the state UI agency, which first checks if individuals qualify for regular UI benefits. If they are eligible for regular UI benefits, they will receive those instead of DUA.
More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
The U.S. Department of Labor oversees the DUA program and collaborates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security. The administration of DUA is carried out by state UI agencies acting as representatives of the Federal government whenever a disaster declaration, including DUA, is issued for "individual assistance".
More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
A "Major Disaster" encompasses any significant natural or man-made catastrophe, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, or other incidents like explosions or natural gas leaks. It leads to a Presidential declaration of a disaster. Such a declaration is issued when it's established that governmental aid is necessary for communities and individuals who have been directly impacted by the disaster. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) becomes accessible when the declaration includes provisions for individual assistance, including DUA.
More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
Upon the request of a state Governor or Tribal Governor/Chief, the President has the authority to declare a major disaster in the state. This declaration specifies the areas impacted by the disaster and may grant authorization for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Public announcements are issued to inform the public of the availability of DUA.
More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
One of the following conditions of unemployment must have occurred as a direct result of the disaster to qualify for DUA: the individual has had a week of unemployment following the date the major disaster began; the individual is unable to reach his/her place of employment; the individual was scheduled to start work and the job no longer exists or the individual was unable to reach the job; the individual became the breadwinner or major support because the head of the household died as a direct result of the disaster; or the individual cannot work because of an injury caused as a direct result of the disaster.
More on this topic: Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
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