Nothing can mentally prepare you for a hurricane. First you'll want the wind to stop and when they do you think it's over but it's not. Then the wind picks up again. It will be several more hours before the winds calm down and that is when you'll take your first look outside and see the damage. Weeks or months will go by before you manage to feel like yourself again because most of your neighborhood has drastically changed. Rest and don't push yourself too hard for exhaustion will add to your already stressed body.
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In time conditions will improve despite things moving slowly. If you need support contact your family & friends for assistance, share your experience with them or you can contact your local Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp for support or visit a place of worship. American Red Cross National Headquarters: Disaster Assistance info: (866) GET-INFO (866-438-4636)
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If you have children try to monitor their moods since they tend to soak in all the turmoil around them. Talk to them, allow them to express how they are feeling also FEMA has site for kids to share disaster experiences http://www.fema.gov/kids/k2k.htm The good news is that help is on the way so in the meantime keep your spirits up and if you are able to, help someone less fortunate than you. Fema Link: http://www.fema.gov Call to Apply for Assistance 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.
*** This article is intended to assist disaster victims which may or may not have power so please print and forward as needed.
Thank you!****
norbela