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Recovering From a Natural Disaster in College A Student’s Guide for What to do on Campus

Be it a raging wildfire in California, a hurricane in New York or mass flooding in Texas, natural disasters are a fact of life. Between 2000 and 2012, worldwide natural disasters affected nearly three billion people and cost $1.7 trillion in damages. Figuring out what to do in the immediate aftermath of a disaster is a challenge for anyone, but students living away from home from the first time may feel particularly vulnerable. The following resources can help.

Meet the Expert

Bill Begal Founder & Disaster Restoration Expert, Begal Enterprises

Meet the Expert

Bill Begal

Founder & Disaster Restoration Expert, Begal Enterprises

Bill Begal is the founder and President of Begal Enterprises, Inc., a full service Disaster Restoration Company based in Rockville, MD, with a national response, capabilities and presence. Begal Enterprises services include recovery after flood, fire, mold and wind damage, as well as designing disaster preparedness plans for companies and their properties. Mr. Begal is highly regarded throughout the disaster preparedness and response industry. He is the author of numerous articles published in a wide variety of industry related periodicals, has lectured on disaster topics at conferences, and has served as an expert witness on these same issues. He has also given commentary on disasters to print and television media on more than 90 occasions.

Written By

Katy McWhirter

Meet the Writer

Katy McWhirter

Katy McWhirter is a nationally-recognized historian and writer based in Louisville, Kentucky. After stints in nonprofit management and government relations, she worked abroad in educational marketing. McWhirter returned to America in 2014 to combine her two passions: writing and education. She has published two popular history books and is currently working on her third, a biography. McWhirter holds a bachelor’s in social entrepreneurship from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and a master’s in modern history from the University of York in York, United Kingdom. More of her work can be found at www.kathleenmcwhirter.com.

What to Do Right After a Disaster

Many schools have disaster plans in place to help students prepare for a natural disaster and know what to do immediately after one occurs. For example, Texas A&M University offers tips and suggestions related to disaster preparedness, while Barnard College has a public emergency management and disaster preparedness plan for all students to access. Check your school’s website for similar instructions.

Bill Begal, a natural disaster preparedness specialist, has these additional tips for college students who want to be ready before a natural disaster happens and to know what to do in the hours and days after such an event.

  • Create a “go” bag

    When students know a natural disaster is coming, having a “go” bag can help them move to safety quickly when it’s time to evacuate. “Think of what you need and cannot live without,” says Begal. “These need to be essential items you can grab and go with a moment’s notice.”

    Items he suggests include a battery-operated radio and flashlight, first aid kit, cash, photo copies of documents, Ziploc bags, blankets, clothing, toiletries and non-perishable foods.

  • Sign up for your school’s text notification system

    “Real information in a timely manner can be the difference in making critical timeline decisions,” says Begal. “Your university’s text notification system will likely be the best, specialized information you’ll be able to find about what’s happening at the school during moments of crisis.”

  • Check yourself for injuries

    “In the moments after a hurricane or other disaster, it’s important to make sure you’re okay,” says Begal. “If you do have cuts or scrapes, use the first aid kit to attend to these wounds. If it’s something more serious, use the whistle from the kit to draw attention to your location, or try to yell for the attention of first responders.”

  • Stay in a safe place

    “In lots of natural disasters, many accidents happen after the worst of the event due to people being out and about too quickly,” notes Begal. “If the building you were staying in was destroyed, by all means seek shelter, but also remember that the aftereffects of a natural disaster can also be dangerous. Look out for falling debris or rising flood waters when evacuating.”

  • Make contact when possible

    “Part of the responsibility of colleges and universities is to protect and account for their students, and administrators will be in a frenzy to locate learners once something like this happens,” states Begal. “Without putting yourself in any further danger, try to get in touch with the school soon after the event to let them know your whereabouts.”

Support for Students Affected by a Disaster

Once students and their families are safe, they often have many questions about what must be done to recover from a natural disaster. While circumstances for each person are unique, the resources given below are designed to help students begin the process of recovery.

How a Natural Disaster Can Affect Your College Application

The very nature of disasters makes it difficult to plan for them, and sometimes these events can have direct impact on a student’s ability to apply for or attend college. Fortunately, many institutions have policies in place to help students.

Students whose standardized test scores are delayed, be it because they weren’t able to take the test yet or that grades are being held up, can contact prospective institutions to let them know that testing has been rescheduled or the release of scores will be delayed.

Students who are behind on their applications can often receive an extension on the early action deadline, and possibly even the general application deadline, depending on their circumstances.

Students who find themselves unable to pay for application fees due to a natural disaster can request a fee waiver based on circumstances beyond their control.

Students whose financial situations have changed after submitting the FAFSA because of a natural disaster may be able to work directly with their chosen school’s financial aid department to update their financial status and find other aid sources to help cover funds no longer available after the disaster.

Students whose grades have been affected by a natural disaster while finishing their senior years should contact their prospective college’s admissions department (and if necessary, have an administrator from their school do the same) to explain how and why grades have been impacted.

Referees and school administrators who need more time to turn in documents can contact schools directly to let them know if recommendations, transcripts or other required materials are going to be late.

How College Students Can Help After a Disaster

Depending on the time and resources they have, there are many ways college students can help after a natural disaster. These ideas are designed to help students think about how they can make a positive impact in their local communities and further afield.

Donate money

If you have the financial means, donating money directly to a reputable relief agency helps get resources and help to those who need it most in the days directly after a natural disaster. Many organizations make it easy to donate by providing numbers where you can text a pledge or donate directly via their websites. Use a resource like GuideStar or Charity Navigator to see which organizations and charities are reputable.

If funds are tight, consider holding a bake sale, garage sale or other event where individuals can make or donate items, with all proceeds going toward a chosen relief organization.

If it won’t work to hold an event at your school’s physical location, consider taking your passion to social media to virtually fundraise. Websites like YouCaring and GoFundMe allow individuals to create free pages to share their cause and collect donations from friends and family before sending money directly to the chosen organization.

Even if someone can’t donate money, they may be able to contribute life-giving supplies in the wake of a disaster, including hygienic, medical and household products. Consider holding an event in your dorm or even at home over the summer or holidays and ask people to donate unused or extra supplies.

Aside from donations, one of the most effective ways college students can donate after a natural disaster is to give their time. Even if the event didn’t happen in a location near you, organizations like Feeding America and the United Methodist Committee on Relief are always looking for volunteers to help pack boxes of food or relief supply kits that can be shipped to those in need.

Organizations That Help After a Disaster

These organizations have been recognized for their dedication and innovation when it comes to helping those who have experienced loss after a disaster.

American Red Cross

The ARM responds to nearly 64,000 disasters annually, with 90 percent of those incidents being home fires. Other examples include hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and wildfires.

Americares

Americares responds in a timely manner to disasters of all types, providing on-the-ground support and resources. The organization also provides thousands of emergency boxes, hygiene kits and first-aid kits to those affected by disasters.

All Hands Volunteers

This national non-profit mobilizes individuals who want to make a difference and serve their communities in the wake of a disaster.

World Relief

World Relief focuses on both domestic and international disasters, providing resources, support services and funding to help families and individuals rebuild.