It's fine and well to tell you to just stay calm and keep your head down when one of nature's most ferocious displays is challenging your mortality. I for one, was pretty shaken up as a kid by it.  Still, it doesn't take a wealth of brains to know to stay in your shelter until you are absolutely sure it's over.  The thing to do once it is over, is to keep your cool if you are fine, because other people may need you.

If you are OK, priority number one is making sure your family is well. Whether that is first aid, calling emergency services, or calming a crying child, well, my friend, that's the most important job in the face of a disaster. Once that's done, you have to look after your neighbors, and in a perfect world, they should be looking after you. You might very well need to go to them for help. It's also natural to want to let people know you are well. Use a service like Notify if you can, rather than tie up communication resources that will be needed by fire, police and paramedics.

Look after your kids. If they are like me and have "older brother" syndrome, they are going to tell you everything is fine...when it isn't. Kids are much tougher than we sometimes give them credit for, but giving them some parental support right after a disaster is very important to their long term mental health. You may prevent them from someday growing up to write articles like this one.

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Of course, if you have been a regular reader of this site, you already know to have three to five days of water and food and other emergency supplies stocked, right? It's a cheap insurance plan really. You don't have to go crazy. All you need is less than $100 in one trip to Wal-Mart.

Whether you find yourself seeking help or offering it, be sure to look for downed power lines and stay clear of them. Be on the lookout also for confused and displaced animals, wild and otherwise that may be more aggressive than normal, like dogs, snakes, or Godzilla. I'm kidding of course. Everyone knows Godzilla only attacks Tokyo.

You'll need to make temporary repairs to any immediate damage to your home that may be letting the rain or wind in (or invite the prying eyes and hands of looters). Disaster can bring out the best and worst in people, and you should do your best not to encourage your own victimization in what is already a troubling time. Check your gas, electricity and water for damage.

If you smell gas, don't turn on any electric appliances or lights. A tiny spark may be enough for you-know-what, and of course, you aren't foolish enough to be a smoker so I won't need to tell you not to light up. Open your windows and let the gas escape before shutting of your gas main. If your electricity is shorting out, fire up the generator.

Feel free to make the repairs you need. If the damage is too great, you may need to seek temporary housing. Most insurance policies are going to reimburse you for either, so don't let the cost get you down. Just keep those receipts!

Make a list of any all personal property that's been damaged or destroyed. If you absolutely need to toss things away, at least take a photograph of it. This process, as well as the process of dealing with your insurance company and adjusters are going to be far easier if you have a home inventory.

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It's natural to want to set things back to the way they used to be, but as I warned before, disaster can sometimes invite exploitation. Don't be rushed into signing any repair contracts. If you hire a contractor to do any work, investigate credentials. Your adjuster, local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau will be resourceful for helping you in this endeavor. You'll need to know if the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work, not just construction. Be sure of payment terms and talk to your agent or adjuster before signing anything.

Notify your insurance agent as soon as you can. Your agent is going to be very busy, so you can well expect to just leave a message and wait a while before they return the call. If you have vacated hour home, be sure they know how to reach you. To save time and headaches, consider a service like Pamemo Platinum Protection to keep in touch with family and help manage your lost inventory when dealing with insurance agents and adjusters.