• Find out if the authorities have declared the area safe.
• Return to your predetermined assembly point and contact your out-of-area contact person and make sure all family members have been accounted for.
• The main electrical switch to your home should be off before entering the structure, be careful when entering a structure that has been damaged.
• If possible, listen to the radio or contact authorities to find out if sewage lines are intact before turning on the water or using the toilet.
• When power is restored to your home, do not start all major appliances at once; turn them on gradually to reduce damage to sensitive equipment.
• Avoid downed, damaged or loose power lines and report them immediately to the local police and fire department, as well as to the local transmission and distribution services provider in your area.
• Never use a generator indoors, including garages, basements and crawlspaces, even with ventilation. Exhaust fumes contain high levels of carbon monoxide, which can be deadly if inhaled.
• Plug individual appliances into heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords and plug the cords into the generator. Check that the extension cords have a wire gauge adequate for the appliance loads. Make sure that each cord is free of cuts or tears and its plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• If your appliances have been submerged in water, they will need to be thoroughly dry for a week. Have them checked by qualified personnel before turning them on.
• In the most severe disasters, the federal government will assist with temporary housing, counseling, low-interest loans and grants, and other forms of assistance. FEMA will provide information through the media and community outreach about federal assistance and how to apply for it. You may also visit FEMA's web site to apply for assistance, FEMA's help line is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For speech or hearing-impaired community members: 1-800-462-7585.
• For a 24-hour toll-free hotline for any questions about government assistance, call: 1-800-FED-INFO

Learn more:

• Before a storm
• During a storm