As the number and ferocity of hurricanes, fires, and other disasters increases, so too does the number of people forced from their homes. Some 3.2 million people were displaced by disasters in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and one-third of them could not return home for more than a month.
Losing your home and everything in it, then having to invest time and money to repair and replace everything, is extremely difficult; navigating insurance companies, government agencies, and legal issues is exhausting and nerve-racking. To help you through it, Grist put together a guide to the process for renters and homeowners.
Jump to:↓ Protecting your belongings and documents ↓ Are you a renter? Know your rights ↓ How to navigate government aid, donations, and insurance ↓ How to avoid fraud and scams ↓ Building a new home or repairing your home
Protecting your belongings and documentsIf you live in a region that’s particularly prone to disasters — hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, for example, or fires in the West — yo... Read more