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How to Help Someone With PTSD after a Natural Disaster

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious emotional and mental issue that can significantly impair a person’s ability to function in daily life. It often results in symptoms that occur after a natural disaster has been experienced. With the number of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornados, typhoons, and tsunamis that have occurred over the past few years, it should not be a surprise that the number of people experiencing symptoms of PTSD has increased dramatically. For loved ones and friends of those that have experienced a natural disaster, understanding the signs and symptoms and trying a few ideas focused on how to help someone with PTSD can help alleviate your anxiety as well.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

The signs and symptoms of those experiencing a traumatic event will be much like the stages of grief.

Intense emotional distress – resulting in difficulty concentrating, outbursts of anger, panic attacks, and difficulty sleeping.
The avoidance stage – where feelings of detachment, apathy, and hopelessness may take over.
Flashbacks – may result in physical reactions when a person is reminded of the traumatic event. They may also have recurrent nightmares and even daytime flashbacks.
Severe cases – will include paranoia, agitation, palpitations and even a loss of memory.
How to Help Someone With PTSD

While the symptoms of PTSD are similar in most cases, the severity is very individualized. Here are some ideas recommended by authorities when you’re trying to figure out how to help someone with PTSD.

1. Listen

When it comes to how to help someone with PTSD, one of the best ways is to be a good listener. Although human nature demands that advice be given in almost any situation, resist the urge. Be available, be empathetic, be sympathetic but don’t be pushy. A person with PTSD will talk when they’re ready. When they are ready to talk just remember that discussing the traumatic incident in their own way is an important part of the healing process. Don’t tell them to get over it or that everything will be okay. Most importantly, don’t remind them that it could have been worse. Instead, listen without disapproval, judgment or unsolicited advice.

2. Create a Sense of Safety

One of the symptoms of PTSD is a sense of paranoia. The world feels like it is an extremely dangerous place that is out to get them. Therefore, when learning how to help someone with PTSD it’s important to find ways to rebuild their sense of security. That can be accomplished by providing structure, dependability and predictability in a safe environment. You need to share your commitment to see the process through and reinforce the concept that your relationship and trustworthiness will be consistent.

3. Provide Social Support

When someone suffers from PTSD after a natural disaster it’s not uncommon for them to begin withdrawing even from family and friends. They often believe that others won’t understand, may pity them, may think they’re crazy and may even begin to be judgmental as they fail to recover at an expected rate. Personally, they may begin to feel ashamed or fear they’ll lose control. They may also not want to become a burden to those they love. It’s important to remember that too much isolation can be extremely detrimental to recovery. Therefore, it’s important to stay close while expressing love but begin to get them out a little at a time increasing the time away from home and intensity of destinations each time. Begin with a drive around the block in order to build up to a visit to the mall at Christmas.

4. Anticipate Triggers

PTSD is an emotional state that is just as hard for the patient to understand as it is for those around them. It’s not uncommon for people places and things to serve as triggers that revive the trauma and cause all the feelings to resurface from time to time. Although some triggers appear logical, others seem to have no relationship to the trauma at all. Crowds, physical restraints, confined spaces, funeral homes and hospitals often emit sounds, smells, or sensations that can be associated with acts that caused the trauma in the first place. Even dates and locations can cause a negative reaction. Avoiding triggers is a key to recovery. Eventually, with help, the brain will recover and the triggers will lessen.

5. Remain Calm

Individuals diagnosed with PTSD will be in a constant state of turmoil. Physical stressors can lead to overreactions and emotional outbursts that may appear unreasonable. Some use anger as a self-defense mechanism to mask fears, vulnerability and sadness while others will suppress their anger because they fear what they may do only to erupt later when they reach their breaking point. How you can help someone with PTSD the best is to try to diffuse the situation by remaining calm and reminding them that they’re safe.

You don’t want them to feel physically threatened so give them the space they need but always put your own safety first along with those around you. Minimizing input helps so turn off the TV, try to get them to go into the bathroom and turn off the lights and remind them to breathe slowly. If necessary, physically remove yourself and others from the situation to allow time for the person with PTSD to deescalate.

6. Take Care of Yourself

PTSD affects not only the individual afflicted but all those around them. It can be emotionally draining because the outcome of the condition is unpredictable. Each person is different and handles the condition differently and there is no manually explaining how to help someone with PTSD. Caregivers can end up becoming traumatized themselves if they don’t take care of themselves. Therefore, take time for yourself. Step away from the situation for a day, weekend or week and defuse. Then, when you go back remind yourself to take a deep breath and know that the condition does get better with proper treatment and time.

7. Make a Plan

Those with PTSD will suffer from nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks and eruptions. It is just part of the condition. It’s important you and the individual work together to map out what will help the situation seem less scary not only for both of you but also for those around you. If children are in the home it’s important to include them in the discussion as well. They need to know that the symptoms of PTSD are not their fault and has nothing to do with their behavior. Discuss what’s worked previously and what’s only made the situation worse.

Discuss the fact that during an episode the person with PTSD will disassociate and that everyone’s job is to get them grounded as quickly as possible. Tell the sufferer that they’re having an episode and that they’re safe, remind them of where they are, encourage them to breathe deeply and always ask before you touch them. Be sure the children have a safe place to go, as well, when an episode starts.

8. Get Professional Help

The only way to truly and permanently get over PTSD is with professional help. It can often be a “hard-sell” to the person suffering from the condition but it’s an important step to recovery. Make sure you time the discussion during a non-episodic period and remind them that if they find it unhelpful, they can cease treatment at any time. Once you get their foot in the door then it’s up to the doctor to convince them to keep coming.

Summing Up

Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to learn how to help someone with PTSD and to help them during their recovery. You don’t have to do this alone so don’t be afraid to build your own support system who can help take on some of the responsibilities of caring for your loved one. You need to be aware of your personal limits, take time to take care of yourself and remind yourself that with the right treatment and support PTSD is curable. Finally, this is no time to “fly by the seat of your pants” so make a plan. You know what to expect so now you need to figure out how to deal with it.

Disaster Relief In Houston – Urgent Info

There are the following Houston area.. Restaurants, Medical, Plumbing, Volunteering etc., providing flood relief:

Please find the consolidated list of different Business organization/Community Leaders supporting the Houston area community in the need.

1. Curry House in Cypress providing free food for 50 to 100 ppl in a short notice and more as needed if anyone wants to come and pickup @The curry house 10728 cypresscreek pkwy 77070 contact 713 725 9805

2. If anyone needs help evacuating pls update this group or call universal volunteers group on any of these phone #s Prasad 281-685-8016,Arvind – 650-619-7563, Vasu- 281-253-0085, Sankar- 832-276-9175, Kb-518-505-8484

3. Biryani Express in Pearland can give food packets- Nishanth +1 (281) 707-9574

4. Mattress Mac of Gallery Furniture announced he is opening his I45 store and Grand Parkway store for folks to come stay if needed. Including their pets! Such a nice gesture to make a difference while Houston is in need.

5. Deep Foods is providing free gift hampers (Juices, Cookies and Diyas/Candles) at Biryani Pot Katy location or at Swagath Groceries, Katy after 3 pm on 8/27. Thanks to Umang Mehta.

6. Folks – please feel free to reach out Dr Minni Malhotra for free medical consultation at 606-854-2551.

7. Hyderabad restaurant in woodlands is providing free food for those affected by this storm. Please spread this word so people will be benefited. First come First served basis. [email protected]+1 (361) 815-0166 Chandramouli

7. Masala Radio is on and broadcasting live. They will be announcing all this helpful information for anyone in need. Thx to everyone who is providing food, shelter information, and necessary contacts. They have a hummer that can travel in 3-foot of water. If anyone needs help to evacuate and you can’t get out because of high water, please let them know. This will probably be the best use of the Masala Hummrr yet. Please txt me. Me and some of my masala crew are ready to come. Contact Sunil Thakkar 2812776874 or text 7135451595

8. Universal Bakery and Biryani, Katy proving accommodation and food in their party hall for the community members impacted by the storm in Katy. Please don’t abuse it. Address: 27131 Cinco Ranch Blvd Ste:900, Katy, TX 77494. Contact Surya Anakala @ 732 447 5886 for more details.

9. Does anyone need, dry food, cooked meal ? lunch or dinner for day or two , milk

or water? we will try our best to deliver for free. Pls call or text Dinesh Purohit 732 593 9650, from Cafe India & Bollywood Chowpaty Chaat, Sugar Land.

10. Biryani Pot Katy location is offering free food for those in need around Katy/Fulshear/Richmond/Rosenberg area, please call Vijay +1 (610) 714-2123restaurant is open all day…please pass on this message to friends and neighbors.

10. Surya Raguthu garu & Manjula Raguthu garu from Ace Pain Management offering free medical consultations. Please call for any medical help Dr Manjula Raguthu 956-639-8699, Medwin family medicine, Dr. Surya Raguthu 956-639-8666

11. Meridian Springs Primary Care is offering free e-consults thru video chats or phone calls to people who are in need of it. Contact number 281-826-1359. Thank you Dr. Bhavana Rao Sunil Gopalkrishna

12. This is Narender, Raghveer and Shreedhar from Houston and Sugar Land Area.We want to help to serve the Food up to 1000 people, who are in Shelters, please let us know Address of the shelters and contact person information to deliver and any officer is welcome to contact us or pick up the food.Narender, Raghveer and Shreedhar, 979-481-9999, 832-798-0394 and 832-728-2873

13. Biryani Pot Restaurant on [email protected] location is serving hot packed meals for those who are in real need especially in the surrounding area. Please contact Ravi at 614-558-7597 or Sreedhar at 832-727-5620, Heartfelt thanks to Biryani Pot!

14. Bawarchi Houston will be extending their help for the families who are going thru a hard time due to the Hurricane Harvey. KINDLY CONTACT THEM FOR FREE LUNCH N DINNER. Thanks for their help to Indian community

CONTACT – Naveen at 973-393-7117

16. Vishala Restaurant is providing free lunch and dinner for those who don’t have electricity or gas. They want to help families as much as possible during this hard time for next few days until storm impact is gone. If needed they are willing door deliver if it is needed.Communities from Alaina till Riverstone, they could make use of it. Please call Manoj Paladugu @ +1 (248) 778-8855 to provide a head count. Please give them heads up as they do this as free service. Thanks

? to Vishala Restaurant

17. Hyderabad House Katy will be providing free lunch, snacks & dinner boxes from today afternoon to Hurricane/Tornado impacted families and will continue for next couple of days as part of community service. Please contact Sudheer @ 713.714.7124 Note: Katy location will be closed every Monday, but will be OPEN on 08/28 to assist Hurricane/Tornado impacted families.

18. Anyone who needs help in electronic, plumbing or HVAC. We will help for free. Sanjay Gupta- 2818575474

Thanks for the help to our community

What Is the OSHA Emergency Action Plan? Tips on Creating One

The safety of workers should be a high priority for any employer. OSHA regulates workplace safety for businesses in the U.S. by providing guidelines for employers and employees. Workplace hazards vary depending on the operations that take place in a particular setting. The threats that chemical factory workers have to deal what are not the same as those in an office building. However, the need for an OSHA emergency action plan in the event of an emergency applies to all settings.

Emergencies such as fire or chemical spills can cause physical injuries and financial losses in large magnitudes. Instituting an action plan that employees can adhere to during such incidents minimizes the risks of damages. Not every employer, however, can come up with a workable OSHA emergency action plan, so a little help goes a long way.

What Is an OSHA Emergency Action Plan?

An EAP is an OSHA mandated written document that outlines the actions of workers during an emergency. However, an entity with less than ten workers does not have to write down its EAP. When unexpected incidents occur at the workplace, employees may not know the proper way to respond, and that can increase the risks of injuries and property damage. Companies should invest time in creating an OSHA emergency action plan and teaching it to employees. In certain emergencies like fires, individuals must know the specific procedures to follow.

Knowing how to use equipment such as fire extinguishers is also fundamental. An emergency action plan addresses all these elements. Preparedness for emergencies makes work less challenging for first responders and law enforcement officers. When individuals know how to evacuate from a burning building or clean up after a chemical spill, emergency services have an easier time coordination response activities.

The lack of an OSHA emergency action plan or a poorly organized one is reason enough for a workplace accident to get out of hand. There can be great confusion when workers don’t even know how to operate emergency exits. A comprehensive EAP should be based on the safety evaluations you have already conducted for your organization.

6 Tips for Creating an EAP

OSHA Minimum Requirements

Deciding what to include in your OSHA emergency action plan can be a bit daunting, especially when it’s the first time you are drawing up the document. You can begin with some basics, though. An emergency action plan should contain at least the minimum requirements put in place by OSHA. These are:

Reporting emergencies – the action plan should detail the different processes to follow in case of certain emergencies like calling the fire department or pulling the fire alarm.
How occupants will evacuate including the escape routes- in the event of an incident, your EAP should outline which paths people are supposed to follow when leaving. Exit diagrams are useful in this instance.
Processes for employees who have to remain for critical plant operations- if there are devices that can aggravate the situation, some employees may be required to stay behind to shut them down. Highlight how they should proceed.
Taking count after an evacuation – you have to ensure that every worker is accounted for in an orderly fashion. The procedure may include taking a roll call.
Proper procedures for workers who have to give medical attention- OSHA stipulates at least one worker should have first aid training.
The contact information of employees with more information- in instances where people need clarification, they should know which employees to turn to.

Evacuation of the Disabled

When drawing up your OSHA emergency action plan, factor in the evacuation of disabled persons. You can have one area where people with disabilities can gather in emergency cases. Of course, this section should be physically accessible to different types of disabilities. Your EAP also includes how you train workers with disabilities to respond to emergency situations.

Shut Down Protocols

The machinery in your workplace can pose certain risks during emergency situations. During floods, for instance, all electrical equipment should be off. Workers should know how to switch off devices correctly. The plan should name the employees with this responsibility. If training is necessary, then the OSHA emergency action plan should state that as well. List the locations of every utility shut off so that the persons responsible for the processes will not have trouble finding them.

Employee Communication System

In emergencies, workers should be able to communicate effectively even when in different parts of the building. Every worker has to be aware of this warning system. Ensure that you have a special communication signal for the visually or hearing impaired. If some of your workers don’t understand English very well, then make certain the communication system accounts for their needs.

Presence and Maintenance of Alarm Systems

OSHA requires workplaces to have proper alarm systems. It is advisable to install different systems for specific circumstances. For instance, in the event of a chemical or biological contamination, an alarm can trigger a sprinkler system where employees can wash off in an instant. In situations where an emergency needs containing, an alarm can initiate a lockdown. Your OSHA emergency action plan should outline how each of these alarms responds so that people know what means what. For instance, a fire alarm can have a siren and a blare for flood detection.

Employee Training

Laying out the necessary procedures during an emergency is not enough; workers should know how to execute them. Select several of your employees who will undergo training according to the action plan. Have some people who know how to carry out emergency medical aid. Pick some workers to learn how to deal with violence during emergencies. Trained workers are valuable assets in such situations because they know which steps to follow to get everyone to safety. Drills are useful in educating employees on how to respond to emergencies.

Summing Up

An emergency action plan is an essential document for any company. A myriad of variables will determine how detailed it has to be. The type of operations, number of employees, and proximity to emergency services are just a few. Once you have drawn up the EAP, store it in different formats. In case your electronic copies are not available, workers should have hard copies. The various departments in your organization should also go through the EAP to gauge its feasibility. Do you have an OSHA emergency action plan? What makes it effective?

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Emergency Pediatric Care or How to Help Children in a Crisis

Children require special emergency pediatric care, as they are more vulnerable to the effects of a disaster. Any parent, family member, or guardian, wants to make sure that their loved ones are safe. Planning for a disaster can be a bit overwhelming. However, you must be prepared for any emergency. Depending on the area where you live, you might be at risk for forest fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe weather. Let’s talk about why the little ones need more care and how you can help them during a crisis.

Why Are Children More Vulnerable?

Children are very different from adults because:

They are more prone to injuries and diseases.
Kids breathe in more air than adults do.
They have thinner, more delicate skin.
Children have fewer fluids in their bodies, thus fluid loss can have a larger effect on them.
They lose body heat faster.
Kids don’t fully understand the concept of safety.
They depend on adults.
Children may not know how to explain what hurts.
Kids do not fully understand the situation they are in.

It only takes three seconds for an earthquake to crush a home and the family inside it.

In just five hours, a flood can as much as drown a whole town. As a result, thousands of kids can be left vulnerable to deadly diseases such as malaria or cholera.

Seven days is all it takes for the lives of children to be threatened. Many countries run out of food and water and the outcome of such as disaster is malnutrition and salvation.

Are You and Your Family at Risk?

The Alert Systems Group’s disaster risk map provides us with information about the possible risks you may be facing depending on where you live. Natural disasters can affect anyone. The same goes for man-made ones. Different types of emergencies require different skills and different knowledge on how to handle them.

How to Prepare for Emergencies

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Family Readiness Kit can help you be prepared for almost every natural disaster. It was developed by specialists after discussing with thousands of families. The feedback they received helped make a set of unique, vital materials. The kit can be used at home by any member of the family.

It is important for adults to be prepared to meet the emotional needs of their children. Kids often say that their parents avoid discussing disaster. However, talking about these natural events may make the young ones feel safer.

Although it may be difficult to start preparing for an emergency, once you dive into the process, it becomes a lot easier. All family members can come together to make a disaster plan. Even the child’s doctor can help. Consequently, during your next visit to the doctor’s office, ask them how should you prepare for an emergency.

How to Communicate with Your Children

Tell them about the disasters that could happen in the area where you live. Teach them what are the different warning signs (fire alarm, tornado siren, and more).
Show them where the list of contact is. It’s important they know where to find the doctor’s or the pharmacy’s phone numbers.
Teach them what 911 is and how to dial the number.
Consider using the Child ID Card. Place a copy in their backpack.
Arrange a meeting place in case you ever become separated from the rest of the family.
Install the Red Cross Emergency App. If your kid is old enough for a phone, download the app to their smartphone. It will alert them of any watch or warning.
Show children where the smoke alarms are.
Teach the young ones how to use the fire extinguisher.

Who Provides Emergency Pediatric Care?

Children requiring emergency pediatric care have unique needs, especially when their lives are threatened. The majority of kids, either ill or injured, are brought to community hospital emergency departments. Furthermore, emergency medical services agencies can provide out-of-hospital care.

To meet the requirements of pediatric care, the Emergency Nurses Association developed the ENPC certification course. The Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course is intended to improve the care of the children by increasing the level of knowledge, the skills, and the confidence among the nursing staff.

Your neighbors may become lifesavers as well. Learn who has special qualifications such as doctors, nurses, or other emergency care practitioners.

Post-Disaster Psychological Needs

Emergency pediatric care does not end with the process of preparing for a disaster or the medical care given to treat injuries or illnesses. Parents must be aware that the psychological effects do not just disappear. Once the event has passed, you must take care of your child’s needs for a long period of time. Experts say that children can show signs of trauma for up to two years. These signs are often in the form of nightmares, but there may be other problems as well.

Children need support regardless of the fact that they may seem fine. Sometimes, kids do no exhibit signs of trauma for months after the event. Furthermore, some children may never show signs of distress, but there will be long-lasting psychological effects nonetheless. Therefore, observe your child’s behavioral changes carefully. After a trauma, children need extra counseling and attention.

Parents must seek professional help, but they must also help their children cope with what has happened. Talk to them about their fears. Ask them what they are concerned about. Listen to their feelings without judging. Try to understand their fears regardless of the fact that they may seem irrational.

Offer them reassurance that they will always be taken care of. It is also important they know they know that their family will stick together. Let them cry if they need to, and remind them that it is ok to be afraid from time to time. They do not always have to be brave. They may feel that everything is out of their control. Therefore, show them that there are many things that they are still in control of.

It’s important you remember that a disaster can occur at any given time. Luckily, there are ways to keep your children safe. The key thing to do is be prepared and teach your children everything you know. Have them learn early on about the possible danger in your area, how to avoid it, and where to find emergency pediatric care.

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National Flood Insurance Program – How to Be Eligible

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was established in 1968 to enable property owners to purchase flood insurances as protection against losses due to floods. Sadly, floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States. It is also the costlier. Fortunately, certain communities are eligible for participating in the NFIP. We will discuss the requirements for joining the program to find out if you are eligible for it.

Eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program

To participate in this program, a community must adopt and enforce the regulations that meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. The requirements are intended to reduce the members of the community’s costs for flood relief and to prevent any loss of life or property. Nationwide, over 20,000 communities have joined the National Flood Insurance Program.

The flood hazard map provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must be studied carefully by the community. It has to determine whether the insurance and the floodplain management are beneficial to the citizens of the community.

An important matter that some property owners may not be aware of is the fact that homeowners insurance policies do not usually cover flood losses. Furthermore, many property owners are not aware that their residing area is flood-prone. Any community can join the National Flood Insurance Program, regardless of the fact that it may not be flood-prone. Citizens participating in this program will then be able to purchase the flood insurance.

What Are the Requirements for Joining NFIP?

Citizens living in high-risk areas that have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender are obliged to purchase a flood insurance. Furthermore, they must carry it for the life of the mortgage. Other citizens with a mortgage but living in outside a high-risk area, can also purchase the flood insurance. They may also qualify for Preferred Risk Policies.

The minimum management requirements that communities must adopt in order to join the National Flood Insurance Program are located in the Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 60.3. Each of the requirements depends on the type of hazard data that FEMA provides the community with.

However, meeting the requirements is not enough. The floodplain management regulations of a community must also be legally enforceable. State authority for floodplain management differs from State to State. It is quite possible for your State to require superior regulations than the minimum requirements of the NFIP.

Certain States require that the communities who wish to join NFIP must submit the floodplain management regulations for approval to the State. The State NFIP Coordinating Agency can offer assistance to any community who wishes to find out the State’s requirements.

Contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Office or the National Flood Insurance Program State Coordinating Agency for more information. They can provide you with the model floodplain management ordinance and all the guidance needed to meet the required conditions.

What Types of Regulations Are There?

The floodplain management regulations for communities are generally zoning ordinances, subdivision ordinance, building codes, sanitary regulations, and “stand alone” ordinances.

The approach of each community depends on the State laws and how they choose to manage their flood hazards.

What Is the Waiting Period?

Generally speaking, a policy will only take effect after 30 days from the purchasing of the flood insurance. However, if a citizen purchases the policy in connection with a mortgage, the waiting period does not apply.

Do I Need the Flood Insurance?

Yes. Even if you live in a low-to-moderate flood risk area, it is advisable you purchase the flood insurance. All areas are susceptible to some degree of flooding. As a matter of fact, communities living outside the high-risk areas make for approximately 25 percent of the NFIP’s claims.

Property owners should ask their agents if they qualify for the Preferred Risk Policy. This provides low-priced flood insurance protection. It can even go as low as $112 a year.

How Do I File a Claim?

Filing a claim is a three-step process:

Notify the insurer. Contact your agent or the insurance company to start filing the claim. An adjuster should usually contact you after a couple of days since filing your claim. If this does not happen, then contact your insurer again.
Document the damage. You will need evidence of the damage (both to your home and possessions) to prepare the repair estimate. Consequently, you must take photos of any damage. This includes anything from discarded objects to structural damage. You should also make a list of both lost and damaged objects. Include their value, date of purchase, and receipts.
Complete the Proof of Loss. The Proof of Loss is a sworn statement made by the insured regarding the amount that they claim. Your adjuster will help you prepare this statement. You must file the Proof of Loss with your insurer within 60 days from the disaster.

What Happens If I Do Not Join NFIP?

Non-participating communities that are not flood-prone are not a subject to any sanction. However, if a community that has been identified as flood-prone does not qualify for the NFIP within a year, the following sanctions apply:

Property owners will no longer be eligible to purchase the NFIP flood insurance policy.
Federal grants or loans for development will no longer be available in identified flood hazard areas.
Federal disaster assistance will not be provided.
Federally insured and regulated lending institutions will not be allowed to make loans for insurable buildings.
Federal mortgage insurance and loan guarantees will not be provided.

While the participation in this program is voluntary, it is important you join NFIP. An important benefit of participation is that you and other members of the community are provided with the opportunity protect yourselves from flood losses. Another important aspect is the fact that certain communities may be sanctioned if they do not qualify for the program. Which is highly detrimental considering that Federal agencies will no longer provide financial assistance for citizens in specific flood hazard areas. Now that you know the benefits and the consequences of not joining NFIP, make the right decision for your wellbeing.

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