Surviving Catastrophe — What to Do When You Have Lost Everything

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash

At the time of this post, people in Florida and North Carolina are reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. When disaster strikes, there is a moment after the winds calm and the waters recede when the reality sinks in: everything is gone. I have been there. I know what it means to stand in front of a pile of mud and debris that used to be your home. After Hurricane Katrina, I learned that surviving the storm is just the beginning. The real challenge is the long road to recovery that follows.

Taking Care of Yourself and Reconnecting
The first step to recovery is self-care. When the world you knew collapses, your emotional and physical health can be easily overlooked in the rush to put the pieces back together. Find moments of calm, however small, and reconnect with the people who make you feel safe. In the aftermath of Katrina, I leaned heavily on friends and family — sometimes it was as simple as sharing a meal or just being together in silence.

There is also a power in rebuilding those connections. These bonds can be lifelines, offering both the practical help you need and the emotional stability that is critical when trying to process loss. Rebuilding doesn’t have to mean just physical infrastructure; it’s about finding ways to be okay again, together.