After a Winter Storm

• After a winter storm, the road to recovery can be challenging. It may take several weeks for clean-up and rebuilding.
• If your home is damaged, no longer safe, and/or has lost power, you may want to go to a designated public shelter. Call 311 for information on how you can get assistance. Follow local media for information on shelters.
• Text SHELTER plus your ZIP code (for example, Shelter 20472) to the number 43362 (FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area. You can also find a shelter near you by checking out the FEMA mobile app at fema.gov/mobile-app.
• Friends, family, and neighbors will likely be the first to provide help. Plan with neighbors now to help each other and share resources.
• Nonprofit and faith-based organizations often provide support immediately after a winter storm. If you or someone in your household has a disability, an access or functional need, and receives disability services, contact your local disability service provider for assistance.
• Insurance is an essential part of recovery. If you have insurance, you may receive financial compensation for some of your losses. Take pictures to document your damage and file a claim as soon as possible. Do what you can to prevent further damage, for example, putting a tarp on a damaged roof, because insurance may not cover damage that occurs after the winter storm.
• The Federal Government provides assistance only when the President declares an area to be a federal disaster. FEMA may provide financial assistance for basic needs that cannot be met by other sources.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture may also provide disaster assistance. Insurance claims and other forms of assistance may take time to arrive, and, if you are missing key documents, additional delays are possible.
• Call 311 to find out if San Antonio has been declared an area to be a federal disaster after a winter storm.

Learn from Every Storm

• Restock your emergency supplies to be ready in case another storm hits. Assess how well your supplies and family plan worked.
• What could you have done better? Take a few minutes to improve your family plan and supplies before the next winter storm hits.
• Talk to your neighbors and colleagues about their experiences and share tips with each other.