Disaster Recovery

Immediate Assistance | Dealing with Stress | Helping Others Cope | Finances | Getting Help | Housing | For Professionals

Immediate Assistance

• AnswerLine — Answers basic household questions around disaster recovery like how to clean up mold and prepare food safely. Also gives referrals to University of Minnesota Extension Educators who can guide you through financial decisions related to disaster recovery. From Minnesota call 1-800-854-1678 (hours: 9 a.m.–noon and 1 p.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday) or email.
• Crisis Connection — Crisis counseling hotline for anyone calling from a Minnesota area code. Call them with your concerns at 866-379-6363.
• Farm Information Line — Answers general farm-related questions including what to do after a flood. From Minnesota area codes, call 1-800-232-9077 (hours: 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; voicemail available after hours) or email.
• Minnesota Farmer Assistance Network (MFAN) — Minnesota Department of Agriculture — Hotline staffed by veteran financial analysts who help producers facing crises. Also includes referral services for lenders, farm business management instructors, and extension educators as well as legal advice and crisis counseling. Call them at 1-877-898-MFAN (6326) or email them your concerns.

• Trying to Understand and Cope with Disasters — University of Minnesota Extension — Symptoms of stress and how to ease it; when to seek help.
• What are common personal reactions to a disaster? — University of Minnesota Extension — Information about common reactions and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Getting Through Tough Times: Communicating Under Pressure — University of Minnesota Extension — Speak carefully and listen attentively.
• Getting Through Tough Times: Controlling Stress — University of Minnesota Extension — How to take care of yourself; know when to seek help.
• Dealing with Stress: A Web-based Educational Series — Sowing the Seeds of Hope Coalition and partners including University of Minnesota Extension — Online workshops to help those that live/work in agriculture deal with stress.
• Grief and Crisis Decisions — University of Minnesota Extension — How each stage of grief affects decision-making.
• Change: Loss, Opportunity, and Resilience (Presentation, 8:45) — University of Minnesota Extension — When change is loss, people grieve.
• After a Natural Disaster: Coping with Loss — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — The five stages of grieving.
• After a Natural Disaster: Managing Anger — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — Change how you see things, say how you feel, and calm down.
• After a Natural Disaster: Ending Isolation — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — Talk, ask for help, and be with people.

See more on Dealing with Stress

Helping Others Cope

Children

• After a Natural Disaster: Talking with Children — University of Minnesota Extension and Partners — Accept kids’ feelings, be honest and reassuring, and let them help.
• Helping your Child Cope with Disaster — University of Minnesota Extension — Treat fears with kindness and understanding.
• It’s Important to Talk With Children About Disasters — University of Minnesota Extension — Make time to ask questions and listen; be available.
• Children and Disaster: From Fear to Hope — University of Minnesota Extension — Limit exposure to disaster news, provide structure and help others.
• After a Disaster: Parenting Ages 0-5 Year Olds — University of Minnesota Extension — Helping children between the ages of 0 - 5 cope with tornadoes.
• After a Disaster: Your Elementary Aged Child — University of Minnesota Extension — Help your elementary aged child get through the tornado.
• After a Disaster: Parenting Adolescents — University of Minnesota Extension — Tornadoes present adolescents with unique opportunities and challenges.
• After a Disaster: A Guide for Parents — University of Minnesota Extension — Signs of stress in kids of varying ages.

Older Adults

• Before a Disaster: Planning and Preparing Tips for Older Adults — University of Minnesota Extension — Preparation concerns for older adults.
• After a Disaster: Tips for Older Adults Living Alone — University of Minnesota Extension — Tips for older adults to reduce stress and regain control.

Finances

• Unit 5: Where am I financially? (From Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Tookit) —University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota — Assess your financial situation and start to make plans for long-term recovery.
• Financial Recovery From a Disaster: Where do I Start? (269 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota — Easy-to-use checklists for things to do before and after you can enter your property.
• Financial Recovery From a Disaster: Communication and Documentation (270 K PDF)—University of Minnesota Extension and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota—Discusses the importance of communication and gives simple strategies for documenting your communications.
• Financial Recovery From a Disaster: Planning for Clean-up (523 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota — Describes five steps that should be followed before clean-up and tools for documenting loss and replacing important papers.
• Monthly Budget/spending Plan for Families Who have Experienced a Natural Disaster (155 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Determine monthly family expenses/income prior and during a natural disaster in order to plan for future "recovery" expenses.
• Financial Information for Flood & Disaster Preparation and Recovery — University of Minnesota Extension — Review your policy with your insurance agent before disaster strikes.
• Adjusting to Suddenly Reduced Income — University of Minnesota Extension — Worksheets for managing emotions and finances.

• Records for a Disaster Insurance Claim

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  Good records save a lot of headaches even when disaster doesn’t strike you. But if it does, know what to do that will help you with the insurance claim process.

See more on Experiencing Tough Times Now

Housing

• Unit 6: Where will I live if I'm a homeowner? (From the Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit) (1.3 MB PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota — Assess your short- and long-term housing options and possible assistance and resources available to you as a homeowner.
• Unit 7: Where will I lLive if I'm a renter? (From the Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit) (1.2 MB PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota — Assess your short- and long-term housing options and possible assistance and resources available to you as a renter.
• Home Insurance Claims — University of Minnesota Extension — Keep careful records of damage and losses.

Getting Help

• Recovery After Disaster: The Family Financial Toolkit — University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota — Comprehensive toolkit discusses strategies and provides tools that can help you move along the road of financial recovery.
• Disaster Recovery Resources for Minnesota Families (87 K PDF) — University of Minnesota Extension — Lists resources that can help families who experience financial difficulties.
• Disaster Information (50 K PDF) — Office of the Minnesota Attorney General — Scams, landlord/tenant issues, and insurance.
• Getting Through Tough Times: Identifying Sources of Support and Friendship — University of Minnesota Extension — Build your personal network.
• Getting Through Tough Times: Community Agencies That Can Help — University of Minnesota Extension — Jobs, finances, fuel, housing, clothing, health and social services.