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Health & Fitness

How to Help Your Loved Ones After a Storm

What to do after a storm to support friends and family who have been affected.

The East Coast superstorm itself is over, but now comes the difficult task of putting everything back together and resuming life as usual after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent Nor’easter. If you were lucky enough to escape the storms’ far-reaching effects, you may be wondering, What can I do to help? Here are five ways you can help your friends and family get back on their feet after the hurricane.

Send them love

If you live hundreds of miles from your friends and family affected by East Coast storms, you’re probably not able to hand-deliver homemade meals to your loved ones. That doesn’t mean you can’t send them some love via mail! Put together a care package filled with practical and meaningful items for them. Consider including healthy, non-perishable snacks; soft toys for the kids; warm, fuzzy blankets; and even treats for Fido or Spot. Add a few photos of them if their treasured home items were wiped out by flood damage. Of course, donating to the Red Cross is another fast and effective option to help countless families in need.  

Offer them a roof over their heads

Did your home escape the superstorm unscathed?  Consider opening up your guest room to friends or relatives whose houses are still without power, or who suffered serious flood damage. They’ll appreciate having a warm, familiar place to sleep and a hot shower! 


Clean out your closet

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Those clothes in the back of the closet that no longer fit you may be the perfect size for your nephew who lost everything to Hurricane Sandy’s flood damage. Take an hour to sort through your closet and find clothes to offer your friends and family, or to donate to a local shelter. Don’t forget the cold weather gear; there are plenty of people who could use warm clothes right now. Finally, don’t forget to look through your beauty supply stash as well—those mini shampoos and soaps you’ve been saving might just make a storm survivor’s day a little brighter.



Man the stove

There’s nothing more comforting than a home-cooked meal, but for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, grocery shopping (and finding a working kitchen) is a low priority right now. Cook a delicious meal for a friend or relative and hand deliver it, or invite them over to break bread together. You’ll help nurture their souls as well as their stomachs. 


Help them communicate

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For hurricane victims whose homes are still without electricity, making calls or looking up important numbers remains a challenge.  Invite a friend or relative who was affected by the storms over to your home and help them submit their insurance claims. Offer them the use of your phone and computer, and encourage them to get in touch with a restoration company to help them get their home back in order as quickly as possible! 

At Paul Davis Restoration / Emergency Services of Woodbury & St. Paul we are here to help you and your loved ones restore your homes and
lives after the storm.

We proudly serve the Twin Cities Metro Area.

         Woodbury - pdeswoodbury.com

         Bloomington / Richfield - pdesbloomington.com

         Lakeville / Scott County - pdesscottcounty.com

         Wayzata - pdeswayzata.com

         St. Paul - restorationstpaul.com

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