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

Lambang-lambang anu ayeuna ngajalankeun sakuliah Los Angeles County geus nyababkeun krisis unprecedented, ngabalukarkeun ribuan evakuasi jeung ngancurkeun loba imah jeung bisnis. Upami anjeun aya di wewengkon anu dipikawanoh atawa geus geus ngalamankeun kerugian, anjeun mungkin hadé ngalawan campuran emosi: ketakutan, ketidakpastian, jeung mungkin kesedihan. artikel ieu nyadiakeun panduan komprehensif pikeun mantuan Anjeun nambang ka bahaya langsung tina api anu terus dilakukeun, aksés sumber daya penting, jeung ngamimitian merencanakan pikeun masa depan.

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

1. Ensure Your Safety and Well-being

Jaga kaamanan anjeun jeung kaséhatan keluarga anjeun anu prioritas. Upami anjeun aya di wewengkon nu dipikawanoh:

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: Naha anjeun aya dina pangingkepan evakuasi, siapkeun pikeun ninggalkeun dina pemberitahuan saterusna. Ngumpulkeun barang-barang penting jeung jadi siap pikeun ninggalkeun.

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: Nurutkeun akun media sosial maranéhanana pikeun update ngeunaan evakuasi jeung 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 hiji bencana bisa traumatic. Éta penting pikeun nyadiakeun kaséhatan mental jeung emosi Anjeun:

• 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: Nelepon 1-800-985-5990 atawa teks "TalkWithUs" ka 66746 pikeun mantuan emosional atawa sumber daya.
• SMC Center for Wellness & Wellbeing: The SMC Center for Wellness & Wellbeing nyadiakeun layanan kaséhatan mental budaya jeung éféktif ka siswa, sakumaha ogé konsultasi profésional ka fakultas jeung 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 ngoperasikeun 211 LA pikeun nawiskeun perumahan temporary bébas pikeun anu dipindahkeun ku api liar.
• Contact: Contact 211 LA to request assistance.

Local Assistance Centers (LACs):

• Availability: LACs bisa diadegkeun sabudeureun situasina. Aranjeunna one-stop toko pikeun inpormasi jeung bantuan.
• Information: Kuring ku Cal OES jeung county lokal anjeun pikeun updates ngeunaan loka jeung jasa LAC.

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

Jika properti anjeun geus rusak jeung éta aman pikeun ngalakukeun ieu, hubungi perusahaan asuransi anjeun pikeun ngirim klaim.

Gather Necessary Documents: Awal ngobrol ka perusahaan asuransi anjeun, ngumpulkeun dokumén penting kayaning polis asuransi anjeun, inventory item rusak atawa dimekarkeun (jika anjeun gaduh hiji), jeung kasalahan atawa inpo ngeunaan perbaikan atawa 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 anu ngabalukarkeun konsumén asuransi. Aranjeunna nawarkeun sumber daya, bengkel, jeung panduan dina navigasi prosés klaim. Maca situs web maranéhanana di 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: pinjaman pangalusna pikeun pemilik imah, penyewa, jeung bisnis. Registering ku FEMA mangrupakeun prasyarat. More information: DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov.

State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP): Mungkin nyadiakeun bantuan finansial tambahan pikeun kagiatan anu teu ditangtukeun ku asuransi atawa program séjén. SSGP dirancang pikeun nyadiakeun bantuan finansial pikeun individu anu sahenteuna jeung keluarga anu nyadiakeun kerugian sakumaha bencana nu teu sepenuhnya ditangtukeun ku asuransi atawa program bantuan lianna. Ieu nyadiakeun beurat pikeun mantuan nyadiakeun kagiatan penting, kayaning perumahan (repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes, including structural repairs, debris removal, and essential utilities), harta pribadi (substitution of essential personal belongings, such as clothing, furniture, and appliances), transportation (repair or replacement of a vehicle if it is essential for work or daily living), medical and dental expenses (costs related to injuries or dise

• 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 sadia ngaliwatan Departemen Layanan Sosial California (www.cdss.ca.gov).

Disaster Case Management Program (DCMP): Mungkin nyadiakeun bimbingan anu dipersonalisasi sarta dukungan ngaliwatan prosés pemulihan. DCMP nyadiakeun dukungan anu dipersonalisasi jeung bimbingan ka individu jeung keluarga ngaliwatan prosés pemulihan. Manajer kasus bisa mantuan anjeun ngukur sarat anjeun sarta ngembangkeun rencana pemulihan, nyadiakeun program bantuan, sambungan jeung jasa (pemilihan, kerja, kaséhatan mental, bantuan hukum, jeung jasa penting lianna), ngabalukarkeun sarat anjeun (mantenna mantuan anjeun ngurungkeun masalah jeung perusahaan asuransi, kontraktor, atawa agénsi pemerintah), sarta ngembangkeun strategi pemulihan jangka panjang (plan pikeun rebuilding, stabilitas finansial, sarta well-being emosional).

• Who is Eligible? Individual na keluarga dipikawanoh ku bencana anu kudu mantuan navigasi prosés pemulihan anu kompleks. kriteria kelayakan bisa béda tergantung kana program DCMP husus.
• 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, jeung American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, bisa nawiskeun bantuan hukum bébas ka survivors low-income (klaim asuransi, landlord / tenant masalah, jsb).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA): Naha anjeun nganteurkeun pekerjaan anjeun sakali api, anjeun bisa jadi sahenteuna pikeun DUA.

6. Resources from Government and Aid Organizations

Number agénsi pamaréntah jeung organisasi bantuan nawarkeun dukungan ka korban api 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 jadi sadia saprak situasina ngembangkeun. Registering ku FEMA téh 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

Ganjaran lengkep tina kerusakan masih unknown, sarta prosés pemulihan bakal panjang. Di handap ieu naon kudu diingat pikeun masa depan:

Document Damage (When Safe): Jika properti anjeun rusak jeung éta aman pikeun balik, dokuménkeun sakabehna ku gambar jeung video pikeun asuransi jeung 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: Naha anjeun kudu rebuild, anjeun kudu nambihan prosés ngidinan. kode bangunan lokal mungkin geus diubah saprak api dimimitian, tapi anjeun teu bakal nyaho nepi ka aranjeunna geus diakhiri.

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: Mantenna hiji wewengkon bersih di sakuliah imah anjeun, bebas ti vegetasi kering jeung bahan api.

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: The Emergency Watershed Program nyadiakeun nasihat anu dipersonalisasi jeung bantuan finansial pikeun ngabalukarkeun ancaman imminent ka kahirupan jeung properti disababkeun ku banjir, api, badai angin, jeung bencana alam séjén nu ngabalukarkeun hiji watershed.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): Program BAER fokus dina stabilisasi darurat jeung rehabilitasi wewengkon nu dipikawanoh ku api liar. Hal ieu bisa kalebet aksi kayaning ngaronjatkeun pohon, ngaronjatkeun kerosakan ka fasilitas, sarta ngaronjatkeun habitat. Program BAER oge bisa masang alat kontrol cai atawa erosi, pabrik pikeun kontrol erosi atawa alasan stabilitas, masang langkah kontrol erosi di situs budaya kritis, masang barrier sementara pikeun ngaronjatkeun wewengkon anu diobati atawa ngaronjatkeun, masang tanda peringatan, ngarobah fasilitas anu kawates kaamanan, masang fitur drainage ukuran cocog dina jalan jeung jalur, nyingkahan bahaya kawates kaamanan kritis, sarta nyegah kerugian permanén habitat anu dilangsungkeun jeung diancam. Sanajan kitu, éta teu bisa ngaronjatkeun hutan komérsial atawa rumput pikeun ng

Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program: Program ieu nyadiakeun bantuan finansial jeung teknis pikeun ngaronjatkeun praktek konservasi kayaning peregangan jeung lahan pertanian atawa hutan 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 anjeun atawa kunjungi situs web NRCS California pikeun leuwih informasi. aplikasi anu diterima dina basis terus, tapi aya periode ranking husus pikeun pertimbangan dana.

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.

Nandékeun pikeun alerts darurat ngaliwatan county Anjeun.

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.