By Salute to Spouses Staff

Nature strikes. After the tears and the destruction, it is time to pick up the pieces and start again.

For military families who move between states, and climates, knowing what to do after a natural disaster can be even more difficult. They didn’t grow up learning about tornadoes, hurricanes or mudslides. Every piece of information is new information.

Military spouses around the nation have been sharing - and adding to - a list of things “to do” after disaster strikes. It is the culmination of decades of experience of hundreds of women.

Keep it handy, be prepared and help those around you. Together it will be better.

If your home has not flooded but looks like it will:
* Get a time stamp app and take photos of every room in your house (including closets and pantries)
* Take photos of all your furniture and appliances, including a photo of the label with the model and serial numbers (this includes computers, vacuums, and small kitchen appliances - basically anything with a plug)
* Keep all important documents, insurance information, receipts for appliances, and important photos with you
* Put as many valuable items up in your attic or high in your closets
If your house has flooded:
* Cut off power to the house asap
* Contact your insurance company
* Contact FEMA
* Order dehumidifiers, box fans, face masks, and Microban/sprayer bottle online asap - these things will be very hard to find once clean up starts
* Get a time stamp app for your phone so you can document the damage for your insurance company. BEFORE entering your home, take photos of the water line around the outside of your house. Take photos of the water line in every room, including the garage, pantries, and closets.
* Keep a sample of flooring (1 square foot) from each room in the house so insurance gives you proper compensation for those materials
* Make a list of all appliances, furniture, and clothing that was damaged
* Look up videos on YouTube on how to quickly remove sheet rock. It will save you demo time and it will make things easier when your contractor reinstalls your walls
* Get license and insurance info from every contractor you talk to! Do not hire someone who is not licensed and insured. A good contractor will have this with them and will not hesitate to give proof of these things