How to Recover from a Disaster

Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful.

This section offers some links to both federal and local agencies that can assist you after disaster strikes to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal.

Disaster Assistance

Learn more about what these agencies can offer during a disaster:

Disaster Assistance for Businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers assistance to businesses that have been involved in a disaster. For more information on how to get disaster assistance or disaster loans, click on the following links:

Report Damage to Property

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) encourages citizens to report damage to property, homes and businesses, using the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) damage survey. The survey information aids emergency management officials in understanding damages that have occurred and helps officials determine if the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource needs. Texans are encouraged to assist the damage assessment process by uploading photos and including important details about any losses.

TDEM has published a tutorial video explaining the iSTAT surveys.

Reporting damage through the iSTAT tool is voluntary and not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency. It does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

Before Giving to a Charity

Unfortunately, donation scams exist and instead of supporting a worthy cause, you might find you are contributing to the bank account of a scam artist. If you are interested in donating to a charity to support a disaster, do some research before you give.

The Federal Trade Commission provides some good tips to ensure that the money you donate is being put to good use.