How to Cope Following a Flood

Remember that your feelings are normal. Whether you’re feeling grief, disbelief, shock, stress, irritability, apathy, anger, sadness, or any other negative emotion, know that you’re not alone, and you’re not wrong for feeling that way. These feelings are not a sign of weakness or failure, but a human reaction to what you’ve just experienced.^[1]

• Grief is a common reaction to experiencing a disaster. Even if there was no loss of life, it is normal to feel grief after losing your home or possessions, much the way you would after losing a loved one.^[2]

Heal at your own pace. Not everyone reacts or heals in the same way. As much as possible, try to avoid comparing yourself to others around you, whether they’re your neighbors, friends, or even family. Do what you need to do, at the pace that feels right for you.^[3]

• Pick one task at a time, and focus on that instead of trying to tackle everything at once.
• Just because those around you don’t seem stressed doesn’t mean they aren’t. Remember that everyone deals with stress in their own way.

Talk to others who were affected. Discuss what happened, talk together, and share your anxieties with those closest to you. Allow space for releasing the emotions you feel, whether they’re sadness, anger, frustration, helplessness, or something else. Realize that other people feel similarly, and that you’re not alone. Don’t be afraid to cry; crying is a natural response to a disaster, and is also a great way to release pent-up emotions.^[4]

Seek professional help from a crisis counselor. Volunteer agencies like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army offer special outreach programs and crisis counselors that can help you work through your experience.^[5]

Make sure you eat and sleep enough. You won’t be able to heal if you don’t take care of yourself physically. Maintain healthy eating and sleeping, and ensure you’re drinking plenty of safe water in the days and weeks following the flood.^[6]

Re-establish daily routines slowly. One way to heal is to return to things that are familiar and comfortable. Do laundry, wash the dishes, and watch TV if you can. If you have a temporary place to live, or if your house has been declared safe to live in, start cleaning and go grocery shopping. Go about as many daily tasks as possible and include things that make you happy in your day to day activities.^[7]

Avoid major news sources and images of the flood. Looking at the flood and hearing it discussed on an impartial level can often contribute to major stress and shock. If possible, avoid news sources and images, so you can cope with the flood at your own pace.^[8]

Seek out positivity. If you do pay attention to the news, make an effort to find positive stories, such as accounts of people in the community coming together to help each other. Spend time with people who are positive, upbeat, and working to change things for the better.

Spend time with friends and family. Now more than ever, band together with the people who love you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and be honest with your friends and family. Tell them if you need time, if you need advice, of if you just need a comforting presence or a place to stay. In the midst of confusion, don’t be afraid to rely on your friends and family to be your rock.^[9]

Practice gratitude. While it can be hard to see when you are struggling to cope with a crisis, good things can come from any situation. Take a moment to feel grateful for the positive parts of your experience – for example, think of the supportive people in your life, and consider how the flood may have brought your family or your community together.

• Remember that while things can be replaced, people cannot. Be grateful for your friends, family, and community.