Survivors of Disasters Resource Portal

Learn about possible reactions to disasters as well as resources for survivors to prepare for and cope with disasters or traumatic events.

Disasters of all types and sizes regularly affect people across the United States. These disasters can range from wildfires to hurricanes to mass violence and affect people directly as well as through exposure to media coverage of the incident. Often disasters occur with little or no warning. It is common for anyone who has been affected by a disaster to experience some level of reactions.

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline

If you need additional support following a disaster, the Disaster Distress Helpline offers toll-free crisis counseling and support. Call them at 1-800-985-5990. Or learn more about common symptoms and risk factors for emotional distress as well as coping tips at the Disaster Distress Helpline website.

Disaster Reactions

After a disaster, it is common to experience physical, behavioral, and emotional changes. Below are some possible feelings or changes that you may have after a disaster. It is common to experience these reactions in the days, weeks, and months following an event.

Anxiety or fear.
Overwhelming sadness.
Anger, especially if the event involved violence. Visit the Coping With Anger After a Disaster page or download Tips for Survivors: Coping With Anger After a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event for more information.
Guilt, even when you had no control over the traumatic event.
Disconnection, not caring about anything or anyone.
Numbness, or inability to feel either joy or sadness.
Stomachaches or diarrhea.
Headaches or other physical pains for no clear reason.
Jumpiness or being easily startled.
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, sleeping too much, or trouble relaxing.
An increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels.
Use or misuse of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or prescription medication in an attempt to reduce distressing feelings or to forget.
Outbursts of anger, feeling really irritated and blaming other people for everything.
The desire to be alone most of the time, self-isolation.
Trouble remembering things.
Trouble thinking clearly and concentrating.
Difficulty talking about what happened or listening to others talk about it.

For more information on common disaster reactions and how to cope with them, check out the SAMHSA DTAC tip sheet Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress or posters Have You Experienced a Disaster? and Have You and Your Family Been Affected by a Disaster? For more about helping children and teenagers cope with disaster, see the Children and Disasters web page.

Featured SAMHSA DTAC Resources

The SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) offers tip sheets and other resources to help survivors during and after disasters. Several tip sheets are available in languages other than English.

Disaster-specific Resource Collections

The SAMHSA Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series features sections specifically related to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, droughts, or earthquakes. These collections include resources on preparing for and recovering after specific types of disasters.

Other Helpful Resources

Plan ahead for disasters. Visit Ready.gov for information on preparing yourself and your family for disasters.

Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to learn about options for assistance from the government after a disaster.

Last Updated: 03/05/2024