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Loss of housing (Part 2): The first 72 hours

By Carmen OToole

The moments immediately following a house fire, eviction, or evacuation order are disorienting and stressful. Panic causes errors. Without a plan, you may leave behind critical documents or end up in an unsafe shelter. A clear, methodical checklist ensures you act effectively to protect your family when your brain is in shock.

The Readiness Audit

If you had to leave your home in 15 minutes, are you ready?

  • 🟢 Green: You have a “Housing Loss” Go-Bag with physical leases/deeds and a pre-researched list of pet-friendly hotels.
  • 🟡 Yellow: You have a basic go-bag, but no documents or cash.
  • 🔴 Red: You have no plan and would rely on memory to grab items.

If you are Yellow or Red, execute Phase 1 immediately.

Phase 1: The “Housing Loss” Go-Bag

Goal: Carry your “life-in-a-bag.”

Your standard emergency kit is a start, but housing loss requires specific additions.

The Document Pouch (Waterproof)

  • Housing Docs: Physical copies of your Lease/Mortgage statement, Deed, and Insurance Declarations Page.
  • ID: Birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passports for everyone.
  • Digital Backup: A USB drive with scans of the above + your Home Inventory video.

The Financial Kit

  • Cash: A mix of small bills.
  • Info: A printed list of account numbers and customer service phone numbers.

Phase 2: The Safe Harbor Plan (Shelter)

Goal: Know where you could go before you have to go.

Tier 1: Friends & Family

  • The Prep: Have a frank conversation now. “If a storm forced an evacuation, could we stay for a day or two?”.
  • The Benefit: Most comfortable and immediate.

Tier 2: Official Shelters

  • The Source: Monitor your county’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) or the FEMA App for open locations.
  • The Reality: Be prepared for crowds and lack of privacy. Bring your own bedding and toiletries.

Tier 3: Paid Lodging

  • The Action: Pre-research hotels in neighboring towns.
  • Crucial Check: Check the Pet Policy. Many shelters do not accept pets, so knowing a pet-friendly hotel is critical.

Phase 3: The “Grab & Go” Protocol

Goal: Prioritize effectively under time pressure.

Create a list organized by time:

  • 5 Minutes: People, Pets, Go-Bags, Wallets/Phones, Critical Meds.
  • 15 Minutes: Laptops, External Hard Drives, and one box of sentimental items.
  • 30+ Minutes: Extra clothes, pet supplies, and papers not in your go-bag.

Phase 4: Initiating Recovery

Goal: Get into “the system” immediately.

If Disaster Strikes (Fire/Flood):

  1. Insurance: Call immediately to start a claim and ask about “Loss of Use” benefits.
  2. Red Cross: Contact them for immediate shelter, food, and clothing.
  3. FEMA: If a federal disaster is declared, register at DisasterAssistance.gov.

If Eviction Strikes:

  1. Do Not Self-Evict: An eviction notice is the start of a legal process, not the end.
  2. Get Help: Immediately contact a tenant’s rights organization or legal aid society.

The “Essential Kit” Checklist

  • The Document Pouch: Waterproof, containing Leases, Deeds, and IDs.
  • The Cash Reserve: Small bills kept in the go-bag.
  • The Contact Sheet: Printed list of family, doctors, and insurance agents.
  • The Shelter List: Addresses of Tier 1 friends and Tier 3 hotels.

The Scenario Planner (Contingencies)

Murphy’s Law Variation 1: “My phone died and I don’t know my sister’s number.”

  • The Trap: Reliance on digital contacts.
  • The Fix: The Analog Backup. Keep a printed list of essential phone numbers in your go-bag.

Murphy’s Law Variation 2: “We got separated during the evacuation.”

  • The Trap: Chaos and network congestion.
  • The Fix: The Out-of-Area Contact. Designate one out-of-state relative as the central “hub.” Everyone calls/texts them to check in.