Giving in Times of Disaster: What Do You Need?

When a community experiences a disaster, such as a weather-related one, it goes through specific steps. The first one is search and rescue. Outsiders should ask people if they are OK, and then be prepared to listen - often repeatedly - to what they went through. Before offering help, whether bottled water, clothes, toiletries or whatever, ask first "What do you most need?" Those asking may be surprised at the answers.

The disaster doesn't end in a few days when the news media tires of the story and goes on to something else. Take time to keep asking, "How are you doing? What do you need?"

Whether it's a listening ear, a sense of routine and calm, replacement furniture, batteries or specialized equipment, the answers keep changing. Disasters take a long time to recover from...and life will never be the same.

If you have never experienced a weather disaster, it's a great time now to get prepared. Visit www.ready.gov and follow their suggestions. Get a weather radio, and prepare for the most likely weather emergencies in your community. Make copies of the most important financial, legal and professional records you might need after a disaster, such as your homeowner's or renter's insurance documents, your car insurance papers, your licenses, diplomas and certificates - and send one set of these to a trusted family member or friend who lives in another state, to hold in case it is ever needed. Make a second set and put it where you could grab it in the event of an evacuation. Being prepared increases your feeling of control and may reduce the after-effects of a disaster.

You can't prevent disasters, but you can get prepared for them and listen carefully to those who have experienced one.

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