After Hurricane Ida, here’s how to get help and stay safe in the difficult weeks ahead

By Holly Yan, CNN

Hurricane Ida victims returning to damaged homes face a torrent of challenges — if they’re lucky enough to have a home standing at all.

In the most devastated places, “Power outages will last weeks to possibly months,” the National Hurricane Center said. “Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

The onslaught of stress, grief and logistical nightmares can seem overwhelming. But experts say these tips can help victims stay safe, get help, protect their emotional health and take the first steps toward recovery:

Don’t go home until it’s truly safe

Just because the hurricane is over doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive. Residents should “return home only when local officials say it is safe to do so,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency says.

In hard-hit parts of Louisiana, many roads remained treacherous even after Ida passed. “A large portion of travel routes are blocked by downed trees and power lines,” Louisiana State Police said Monday. “In addition, there is standing water in some areas which can deteriorate roads and sweep vehicles away.”

State police said residents can visit 511la.org, call 511 or use Louisiana’s 511 smartphone app to check the status of roads.

And even after roads are reopened, drivers must stay vigilant for remaining hazards, Louisiana State Police said.

Ida’s trail of destruction includes flooding in several states.

“Don’t drive in flooded areas — cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters,” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. “They can be swept away or may stall in moving water.”

Use extreme caution when you get home

When it’s safe to go home, try to arrive during daytime hours so you don’t need any lights, the CDC says.

“Walk carefully around the outside of your home to check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage,” the National Weather Service says.

If your home is flooded, “wait to re-enter your home until professionals tell you it is safe, with no structural, electrical or other hazards,” the CDC says.

If the home is damaged, “leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises,” the CDC says. “Strange noises could mean the building about to fall.”

If you must use lighting, carry a battery-powered flashlight, not candles or gas-powered lanterns.

“Turn on your flashlight before entering a vacated building,” the National Weather Service says. “The battery could produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.”

Minimize the risk of electrocution

Flooded homes require additional precautions to prevent electrocution.

“If you have standing water in your home and can turn off the main power from a dry location, then go ahead and turn off the power,” the CDC says.

“If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off. NEVER turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.”

In general, “Do not wade in flood water, which can contain dangerous pathogens that cause illnesses, debris, chemicals, waste and wildlife,” the FEMA website Ready.gov says. “Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.”

Photograph the damage and seek help if needed

If it’s safe to go inside, don’t start cleaning right away. First, “contact your insurance company and take pictures of the home and your belongings,” the CDC says.

Those seeking federal assistance can call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) or apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Residents who have flood insurance from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program can start their claim at FloodSmart.gov.

Clean safely and beware of mold

“If your home has been flooded and has been closed up for several days, assume your home has mold,” the CDC says. “You need to completely dry everything, clean up the mold, and make sure you don’t still have a moisture problem.”

The CDC has a list of ways to eliminate and prevent mold growth, with or without electricity.

Mold can be cleaned by using a mixture of 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Don’t use the bleach solution in an enclosed space — make sure doors or windows are open, the CDC says.

But anyone with a lung condition such as asthma or who is immunocompromised “should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled, even if they do not have an allergy to mold,” the FEMA website Ready.gov says.

“Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.”

Any remaining floodwater can contain sewage and other hazards that can be difficult to see.

“Floodwater can contain dangerous bacteria from overflowing sewage and agricultural and industrial waste,” the CDC says.

“While skin contact with floodwater doesn’t pose a serious health risk by itself, eating or drinking anything contaminated with floodwater can cause diseases.”

Don’t succumb to deadly heat

Some Hurricane Ida survivors won’t have power for weeks — a potentially deadly scenario for those grappling with extreme heat without air conditioning.

“They’ve got to evacuate. It’s not what they want to do, it’s what they got to do if they want to stay alive,” said retired US Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, who led Task Force Katrina following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“Maybe there’ll be a few hardy (people) that will figure out how to do it,” Honoré told CNN on Tuesday.

“But your elderly and people with children, they just need to go take a FEMA vacation. Have FEMA give them a voucher to a hotel and count your blessing that you’re still alive.”

If you’re returning home just to start the cleaning process or take care of other tasks, be sure to pace yourself in the heat.

“If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity,” the CDC warns. “Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.”

With intense heat, it’s also important to drink plenty of fluids “regardless of how active you are,” the CDC says. “Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.”

Use generators safely and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Generators can be immensely helpful for storm victims without power. They can also be deadly when used incorrectly.

“Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms in areas dealing with power outages,” the National Weather Service says.

“Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage,” even if the doors and windows are open.

“Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows,” the NWS says.

Be extra cautious when using gas-powered appliances, as they can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

It’s also a good idea to have a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector, as carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless.

Make sure your food and water supplies are safe

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible until the power comes back. If it’s been less than four hours, food is still safe to eat. Otherwise, the food can be spoiled and cause serious illness.

“When in doubt, throw it out,” the CDC says.

Throw away any food that may have come into contact with floodwater or stormwater, perishable food that may have not been refrigerated properly and anything that does not look, smell or feel like it should.

If your area is under a boil water advisory, take that guidance seriously. If it’s not possible to boil water, use bottled water.

But never use contaminated water — either suspected or confirmed — to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice or make baby formula.

Take care of your emotional health

“Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster,” the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says.

When logistical nightmares collide with overwhelming emotions, don’t try to tough it out alone. That can actually impede your recovery, the CDC says.

“Taking care of your emotional health during an emergency will help you think clearly and react to the urgent needs to protect yourself and your family,” the CDC says.

“Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster.”

Storm victims can contact SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.

The helpline “is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster,” SAMHSA’s website says.

“Our staff members provide counseling and support before, during, and after disasters and refer people to local disaster-related resources for follow-up care and support.”

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CNN’s Theresa Waldrop and Naomi Thomas contributed to this report.