What to expect after surviving a disaster

Surviving the quake or fire is just the first step. An important one, yes — but the danger and challenge are rarely over right away. You will need to push on for the next several hours, days or even weeks. If your house is livable, stay in it even if the utilities are out because officials are trying to avoid congregate shelter settings as much as possible due to the coronavirus. This is where your survival kit will prove its worth, for food, water, first aid and the rest. Be prepared to go it alone for as long as three days. You may have turned off your gas, but if you smell or suspect a leak, don’t light a match or a candle or flip any light switch, which can cause a spark, until you’re sure the gas danger is over. Never touch a downed power line. If you are ordered to evacuate, you may be directed to an evacuation point, not a traditional shelter.

If you rent or decide not to replace your house, prepare to make relocation arrangements — signing a new lease, getting new furniture or other belongings, applying for insurance payments or governmental emergency assistance. If you are moving back into an apartment that was only damaged, the landlord is responsible for making your unit fit to live in again — but not for the loss of your personal property.

Take care of yourself. Consider counseling, stay healthy through exercise and good diet, stay current with your friends — in other words, recognize that you’ve gone through an emotional wringer, and let yourself process the grief. Remember: To some extent, you will be rebuilding your life, and that comes one slow step at a time.

Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle The CZU Lightning Complex that raged in Sonoma County in September damaged the property of a resident of Forestville but left her laundry intact.