News & Impact

If you have been impacted by the North Bay wildfires, now is the time to begin the difficult process of getting your life in order. Here are 10 tips to help you get started:

1. Get a post office box and have the post office begin forwarding all of your mail to it.
2. Start saving ALL of your receipts. Loss of use insurance will cover incidentals such as phone chargers, a hairbrush, clothes, etc.
3. Contact your homeowner’s/rental insurance to trigger “loss of use.” This typically will allow you to be in a similar property for a certain number of years and, depending on your policy, the coverage may have a dollar limit attached. Your coverage should also give you some immediate access to funds for essentials like clothes and food. JFCS is co-hosting a Recovery and Insurance workshop on Wed., Oct. 25, in Santa Rosa. Find out more here >
4. Register at the local shelters with the Red Cross, and apply to FEMA. Even for those affected who were covered by commercial, auto, and homeowner’s insurance at the time of the disaster FEMA is urging you to apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. FEMA is also currently operating at the Local Assistance Center from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm daily at 427 Mendocino Ave. in Santa Rosa.
5. Call all of your utilities and other services to freeze or cancel them: PG&E, your internet/cable provider, trash pick-up, water, home security service, etc. Call the rest of your insurance companies as needed to update your address.
6. Buy sturdy boots, gloves, and shovels so you can safely survey the damage and remains of your property. As you buy replacement items tell the storeowner about your situation. Many stores will give you some level of discount as their way of helping.
7. Start working on the personal property list. As difficult a step as this is, begin to write down all of your personal property losses the moment you remember—keep a list on your digital device or a pad of paper. Don’t forget to take pictures of the damage and of anything remaining. Make sure you list everything, even if it is beyond your policy limit. Remember, everything “above and beyond” the policy limit is considered a loss and can be claimed as such on your taxes. Contact your tax advisor for details.
8. Begin searching for a long-term rental. Depending on your insurance, you should be able to get a “like property” and your insurance can pay your rent directly. You might be living in your rental for two years, so choose wisely.
9. Don’t forget to delegate! This can be an overwhelming time and your friends and family will want to help. Let them do it and consider what tasks you can delegate to others. A few ideas include shopping for basic clothes and toiletries, preparing meals, driving you or your family to work/school, and researching suitable long-term housing listings online. It can be helpful to have a loved one accompany you on any of these tasks for moral support, as a note-taker, and to remind you to eat and take breaks!
10. Network with others. You will learn so much from others as you go through the rebuilding process. We all have our strengths, so don’t forget to share yours and listen to the advice from others going through the same challenges.

Learn more about JFCS’ Sonoma County Fire Survivor Services >

CONTACT JFCS FOR ASSISTANCE
707-303-1500
[email protected]