What to Do Next If You Lost Your Home or Business in the Los Angeles Wildfires

Burung-burung liar sing saiki nyebabake krisis sing ora ditemokake ing Los Angeles County, nyebabake ribuan kanggo evakuasi lan nyenengake rumah-rumah lan bisnis. Yen sampeyan ana ing area sing terpengaruh utawa wis wis wis wis nyebabake kerugian, sampeyan bisa ngandhut campuran emosi: ketidakpastian, ketidakpastian, lan ndhuwur kesedihan. artikel iki nyedhiyakake panduan komprehensif kanggo mbantu sampeyan navigasi bahaya langsung saka kebakaran sing ana, akses sumber daya penting, lan miwiti perencanaan kanggo masa depan.

Los Angeles Wildfires: A Guide to Safety, Evacuation, and Assistance

1. Ensure Your Safety and Well-being

Keamanan lan kesejahteraan keluarga sampeyan paling penting. Yen sampeyan ing area sing terpengaruh:

Evacuate Immediately: If you are under a mandatory evacuation order, leave immediately. Do not delay. Your life is more important than your property.

Evacuation Warnings: Sekiripun sampeyan ana ing alarm evakuasi, bersiap-siap kanggo ninggalake ing wektu. Ngumpulake barang-barang penting lan siap kanggo ninggalake.

Stay Informed: Monitor official sources for real-time updates:

• Cal Fire: www.fire.ca.gov
• Cal OES: www.caloes.ca.gov
• LA County Emergency Management: www.lacounty.gov/emergency
• Local Law Enforcement: Tindakake akun media sosial kanggo update babagan evakuasi lan penutupan jalan.
• Emergency Alerts: Sign up for emergency alerts through your county's emergency notification system.
• Local warta: Pay close attention to local warta broadcasts (radio and television).

Prepare an Emergency Kit: If you haven't already, pack a "go-bag" with:

• Water (1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days)
• Non-perishable food (3-day supply)
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• First-aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Hand-crank or battery-powered radio
• Copies of important documents (ID, insurance, etc.)
• Cash
• Change of clothes
• Pet supplies (if applicable)

Protect Your Home (If Safe to Do So):

• Clear a defensible space around your home by removing dry vegetation.
• Close windows and doors.
• Turn off the gas supply at the meter if you evacuate.

Air Quality: Be mindful of poor air quality. Limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed. Consult your doctor if you have respiratory issues.

2. Prioritize Your Mental and Emotional Health

Pengalaman bencana bisa traumatik. Penting kanggo nyimpen kesejahteraan mental lan emosional:

• Disaster Distress Helpline: Provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
• LA County Mental Health Help Line: Call (800) 854-7771 or text "LA" to 741741 for immediate help or to access local mental health services.
• LA County Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 utawa teks "TalkWithUs" menyang 66746 kanggo dukungan emosional utawa sumber daya.
• SMC Center for Wellness & Wellbeing: The SMC Center for Wellness & Wellbeing nyedhiyakake layanan kesehatan mental sing cocog lan efektif kanggo siswa, uga konsultasi profesional kanggo fakultas lan staf.
• Reach Out: Talk to family, friends, neighbors, or spiritual advisors.
• Limit warta Exposure: While staying informed is important, constant exposure to warta coverage can increase stress.
• Self-Care: Try to maintain healthy routines as much as possible, including eating nutritious food, getting some rest, and finding moments of calm.

3. Immediate Assistance: Shelters, Food, and Essential Supplies

If you have been evacuated or need immediate assistance:

American Red Cross:

• Layanan: Emergency shelters, food, water, emotional support, assistance locating loved ones.
• Contact: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
• Find a Shelter: Text "SHELTER" and your ZIP code to 43362 or visit redcross.org/shelter.

Salvation Army:

• Layanan: Emergency assistance (food, clothing, essential items), emotional and spiritual care.
• Contact: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or visit their website at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

211 LA and Airbnb.org:

• Layanan: Airbnb.org wis kerja karo 211 LA kanggo nawakake perumahan temporary gratis kanggo wong sing diusir dening kebakaran liar.
• Contact: Contact 211 LA to request assistance.

Local Assistance Centers (LACs):

• Availability: LACs may be set up as the situation evolves. They are one-stop shops for information and assistance.
• Information: Sekali karo Cal OES lan county lokal kanggo update ing lokasi lan layanan LAC.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company (If Safe to Do So)

If your property has been damaged and it is safe to do so, contact your insurance company to file a claim.

Gather Necessary Documents: Sampeyan nggunakake dokumen penting kayata polisi asuransi, inventory saka item rusak utawa hancur (kalau sampeyan duwe), lan apa-apa receipts utawa faktur sing terkait karo perbaikan utawa penggantian.

Document the Damage: Take photos and videos of the damage to your property and belongings. This documentation will be essential in supporting your claim. Only do this if it is safe to return to the property.

Understand Your Coverage: Ask your insurance agent or representative to explain your coverage limits for rebuilding or repairing your home, replacing personal belongings, and covering living expenses. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies typically cover wildfire-caused property damage to a home's structure, outbuildings, and personal belongings.

Keep Records: Maintain detailed records of all interactions with your insurance company, including phone calls, emails, and letters.

Insurance Gaps: It's important to review your policy carefully, as many property owners discover they are not fully insured for wildfire damage after a major fire.

• United Policyholders: A organisasi non-profit sing mbantu kanggo konsumen asuransi. Mereka nawakake sumber daya, lokakarya, lan panduan kanggo ngnavigasi proses klaim. Kunjungi situs web loro ing www.uphelp.org.

5. Government Assistance: Immediate and Future Potential

The federal government has declared a major disaster for California, making federal aid available.

Immediate Focus (Emergency Response):

Federal and state efforts are currently concentrated on:

• Fire Suppression: Funding firefighters, equipment, and resources.
• Evacuations: Supporting evacuation efforts.
• Emergency Shelters: Providing funding for temporary shelters and essential supplies.

Future Assistance (Register with FEMA Now):

FEMA Individual Assistance: Registering with FEMA NOW is crucial to access potential future assistance, which may include:

• Temporary Housing Assistance: Grants for hotels, rentals, or other temporary lodging.
• Essential Home Repairs: Grants to make your primary residence habitable.
• Other Needs Assistance: Funds for medical/dental costs, childcare, moving/storage, and essential personal belongings.

How to Register for FEMA:

1. Online: DisasterAssistance.gov (Fastest)
2. Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
3. FEMA Mobile App: Download the app.

Other Potential Long-Term Assistance Programs (Details to Come):

SBA Disaster Loans: Kredit dhuwit kanggo pemilik rumah, penyewa, lan bisnis. Registering karo FEMA iku prasyarat. Tambahan informasi: DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.

State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP): Bisa nyedhiyakake bantuan finansial tambahan kanggo kebutuhan sing ora ditutupi dening asuransi utawa program liyane. SSGP wis dirancang kanggo nyedhiyakake bantuan finansial kanggo individu lan keluarga sing duwe kerugian amarga bencana sing ora sepenuhnya ditutupi dening asuransi utawa program bantuan liyane. Ngedhiyakake hibah kanggo mbantu nyedhiyakake kebutuhan esensial, kayata perumahan (reparasi utawa penggantian rumah-rumah sing ditutupi pemilik, kalebu perbaikan struktural, penghapusan kothak, lan utilitas esensial), harta pribadi (penggantian barang pribadi esensial, kayata pakaian, furnitur, lan peralatan), transportasi (reparasi utawa penggantian kendaraan yen iku esensial kanggo kerja utawa urip sehari-hari), biaya medis lan dental (biaya terkait karo luka-luka utawa penyakit akibat bencana),

• Who is Eligible? Must be a legal resident of the U.S., must have lived in the affected area at the time of the disaster, must have experienced losses not fully covered by insurance or other assistance, and must meet income guidelines (typically based on family size and income).
• How to Apply: Contact your local county social services agency or the California Department of Social Layanan (CDSS) for information on how to apply. Be prepared to provide documentation of your losses, income, and other relevant information.

Informasi bakal kasedhiya liwat Departemen Layanan Sosial California (www.cdss.ca.gov).

Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP): DCMP nyedhiyakake dukungan lan bimbingan pribadi kanggo individu lan keluarga ing kabeh proses pemulihan. Manajer kasus bisa mbantu sampeyan ngevaluasi kebutuhan lan ngembangake rencana pemulihan, nindakake program bantuan, nyambung karo layanan (rumah, kerja, kesehatan mental, bantuan hukum, lan layanan esensial liyane), mbantu kanggo kebutuhan sampeyan (mengayomi sampeyan ngatasi masalah karo perusahaan asuransi, kontraktor, utawa agensi pemerintah), lan ngembangake strategi pemulihan jangka panjang (plan kanggo rebuilding, stabilitas keuangan, lan kesejahteraan emosional).

• Who is Eligible? Individual lan keluarga sing terpengaruh saka bencana sing perlu bantuan kanggo ngnavigasi proses pemulihan sing kompleks. Kriteria kelayakan bisa beda-beda tergantung ing program DCMP sing spesifik.
• How to Access: Contact your local county emergency management agency or social services department to inquire about DCMP services. FEMA may also refer individuals to DCMP providers.

Information will be available through your local county.

Disaster Legal Layanan (DLS): FEMA, karo American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, bisa nyedhiyakake bantuan hukum gratis kanggo mangsa pendapatan rendah (klaim asuransi, masalah penyewa / penyewa, lan liyane).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): Jika sampeyan nggawé pekerjaan amarga kebakaran liar, sampeyan bisa layak kanggo DUA.

6. Resources from Government and Aid Organizations

Banyak agensi pemerintah lan organisasi bantuan nuduhake support kanggo mangsa kebakaran liar:

FEMA:

• Layanan: Currently supporting emergency response. Register now for potential future assistance with temporary housing, essential repairs, etc.
• Contact: 1-800-621-3362, www.DisasterAssistance.gov

California Employment Development Department (EDD):

• Layanan: Information regarding what to do in case of a natural disaster. Assistance for those who may have lost a job due to the disaster.
• Contact: 1-800-300-5616, www.edd.ca.gov

California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD):

• Layanan: Disaster Recovery, including assistance and funding for those affected by natural disasters.
• Contact: 916-263-2771, [email protected], www.hcd.ca.gov

American Red Cross:

• Layanan: Emergency shelters, food, water, emotional support, assistance locating loved ones.
• Contact: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), www.redcross.org

California Fire Foundation:

• Layanan: Currently unknown. They usually offer grants, but their focus might have shifted due to the wildfires being active.
• Contact: www.cafirefoundation.org

Salvation Army:

• Layanan: Emergency Assistance (food, clothing, essential items), Emotional and Spiritual Care
• Contact: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn

California Community Foundation:

• Layanan: Long-Term Recovery Efforts
• Contact: 213-413-4130, www.calfund.org

7. Securing Temporary Housing (If Evacuated)

If you've been evacuated, finding temporary housing is a priority:

• Red Cross Shelters: Text "SHELTER" and your ZIP code to 43362 or visit redcross.org/shelter.
• Airbnb.org and 211 LA: Request free temporary housing assistance through 211 LA.
• FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance: Mungkin dadi kasedhiya nalika situasi ngembangake. Registering karo FEMA penting.
• Hotels Offering Discounts: Some hotels are offering discounted rates for evacuees. The Queen Mary hotel in Long Beach is offering rooms at $189, including a breakfast buffet for two and waived pet and historical preservation fees. Hotels in Big Bear are also offering assistance. Check their websites for more details.
• Additional emergency shelters, animal shelters, housing, and transportation assistance resources.
• Other Options: Staying with family or friends, renting an apartment (short-term), or considering a manufactured housing unit or RV (longer-term).

8. Looking Ahead: Recovery and Rebuilding

Lebih lengkap saka kerusakan iku ora dikenal, lan proses pemulihan bakal panjang.

Document Damage (When Safe): Jika properti sampeyan wis rusak lan iku aman kanggo mbukak, dokuménsi kabeh karo gambar lan video kanggo asuransi lan klaim bantuan potensial.

Insurance Claims: Contact your insurance company as soon as it is safe to do so.

Debris Removal: Government-funded debris removal programs may become available. Stay informed through your local county.

Permitting and Reconstruction: Jika sampeyan kudu rebuild, sampeyan kudu ngalihake proses ngidini. kode gedhe lokal bisa ngganti wiwit kebakaran dimulai, nanging sampeyan ora bakal ngerti nganti iku wis diselesaikan.

SBA Loans: Explore SBA loans for long-term rebuilding.

State and Local Programs: Be aware of potential state and local assistance programs that may emerge.

Rebuild Smarter: Consider fire-resistant materials, defensible space, and updated building codes when rebuilding.

9. Preventing Future Wildfire Risk

Create Defensible Space: Mendhegake area bersih ing saindhenging rumah sampeyan, bebas saka vegetasi kering lan bahan-bahan sing bisa dimurnikan.

Use Fire-Resistant Materials: When rebuilding or making home improvements, choose fire-resistant roofing, siding, and windows.

Landscaping: Choose fire-resistant plants and maintain your landscaping regularly.

Community Efforts: Support local fire prevention and mitigation programs.

Emergency Watershed Program: Program Emergency Watershed nyedhiyakake saran pribadi lan bantuan finansial kanggo ngurangi ancaman sing bakal kanggo urip lan properti sing digawe dening banjir, kebakaran, badai angin, lan bencana alam liyane sing ngurangi watershed.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): Program BAER fokus ing stabilisasi darurat lan rehabilitasi wilayah sing terpengaruh saka kebakaran liar. Hal iki bisa kalebu tindakan kayata penanaman pohon, perbaikan kerusakan ing fasilitas, lan restorasi habitat. Program BAER uga bisa nginstal alat kontrol banyu utawa erosi, pabrik kanggo kontrol erosi utawa alasan stabilitas, nginstal langkah kontrol erosi ing situs budaya kritis, nginstal hambatan temporer kanggo nglindhungi wilayah sing diobati utawa ngulang, nginstal tanda-tanda peringatan, ngganti fasilitas sing berhubungan karo keamanan cilik, nginstal fitur drainage ukuran cocog ing jalan lan jalur, nghapus bahaya keamanan kritis, lan nghindari kerugian permanen habitat sing diancam lan diancam.

Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program: Program iki nyedhiyakake bantuan finansial lan teknis kanggo nyetirake praktek konservasi kayata pengepungan lan tanah pertanian utawa hutan sing rusak.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program: This program offers financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices, such as erosion control measures and tree planting. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers financial and technical assistance through contracts that can last up to ten years. They help with improving water and air quality, conserving water resources, enhancing soil health and reducing erosion, improving or creating wildlife habitat, and addressing other natural resource concerns.

• Who is Eligible? Agricultural producers (farmers, ranchers), owners of non-industrial private forestland, and Federally recognized Tribes are eligible.
• How to Apply? Kontak Pusat Layanan USDA lokal utawa kunjungi situs web NRCS California kanggo informasi liyane. aplikasi diwenehi kanthi terus-menerus, nanging ana periode peringkat khusus kanggo pertimbangan pendanaan.

10. Stay Informed

Cal Fire: www.fire.ca.gov

Cal OES: www.caloes.ca.gov

LA County Emergency Management: www.lacounty.gov/emergency

Local Law Enforcement: Follow their social media accounts.

Sign up kanggo alarm darurat liwat county.

Monitor local warta broadcasts.

The Los Angeles wildfires present an ongoing and evolving crisis. By staying informed, prioritizing safety, taking immediate action to access available resources, and preparing for potential future needs, you can navigate this challenging situation. Remember, you are not alone. Utilize the resources outlined in this guide, and seek support from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and your community. We will face this challenge together, and in time, we will rebuild.