Your Home

There are many things to think about when you return home or find you need to rebuild after a disaster. The resources below can help. You can also find financial help, like disaster assistance loans by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

If you need to find a safe place to stay right now, visit our Emergency Shelter page.

Returning Home

Recovering from Disaster (PDF, 4 MB)
Get advice for you and your family on safety, health, and mental well-being after a disaster. This guide offers tips about returning home, seeking help, coping, and helping others. (FEMA)

Returning from DIsaster
Learn what you should do before you enter your home after a disaster. When you do go inside, learn about hazards you need to watch for. You can also learn what you might need to track for insurance. (Ready.gov)

Cleaning Up the Damage

Healthy Housing Resources
After a disaster, you have many things to consider. You need to know if your home is safe to return to; what hazards you may face; if any items will be safe to clean and save. Find guides, videos, resource links, and even an app that can help you recover and rebuild a healthy home. (HUD)

Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings
View topics on hazards you may find after a disaster when you return to your home or business. This could include structurally unsound buildings and chemical spills. (Environmental Protection Agency)

Resources for Flood Cleanup and Indoor Air Quality
Learn how to properly clean up after a flood and about air quality and the health hazards of mold. You can also learn what you should wear and what equipment you’ll need to clean safely. (Environmental Protection Agency)

After the Fire: Returning to Normal (PDF, 408 KB)
Learn what to expect after a fire. You’ll also need to know how to find a place to stay and what you can do to care for your family and pets. There are also tips and a checklist of next steps to begin recovery. (FEMA)

Preservation - Records Emergencies
Find guidelines on how to prepare records and family treasures before a disaster strikes. You can also learn how to care for materials after. (National Archives)

Rebuilding Stronger and Safer

Safer, Stronger, Protected Homes, and Communities
Find a list of resources to help home and business owners rebuild and prevent future damage from different hazards. Learn what mitigation is and why it matters. (FEMA)

Building Codes Toolkit
Get tools and guidance on building codes that anyone can use. Get guidance from best practices, input from field experts, and FEMA standards. (FEMA)

Rebuilding Greener

State and Local Energy Data
Get information on clean energy technologies that communities can use to lower energy use and costs. Learn about energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation. You can also learn how to develop an energy project for your community. (Department of Energy)

PVWatts Calculator
Use this National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) tool to estimate grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy production and cost. These details can help you decide if solar energy is right for your home or business. (Department of Energy)

Renewable Energy Atlas
View this interactive map to get a list of the renewable energy sources available in your area. You can expand the lists to see more details on each source. (Department of Energy)

Energy Star Products
Get a list of all products that have an Energy Star rating. You can get details on each product that may include an overview, specifications, and a buying guide. Some products may also show a link that allows you to find and compare products. (Environmental Protection Agency)

Water-saving Products
Learn about WaterSense and the products that carry the label. You can search to find a product you need by category and brand. You can also find out how much water, energy, and money you can save by using these products. (Environmental Protection Agency)

Last Updated: 03/26/2024