
COVID-19 HOTLINES
Centers for Disease Control
800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY 888-232-6348
These Hotlines Have Special Assistance for COVID-19 Support
800-985-5990
(press 2 for Spanish),
Or Text "TalkWithUs" for English or
"Habano" for Spanish to 66746.
Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-TALK (8255) for English
888-628-9454 for Spanish
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
Or text "LOVEIS" to 22522
800-4AChild
(800-422-4453)
Or text 1-800-422-4453
National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE (4673)
800-677-1116
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Or Crisis Chat text 8388255
Natural disasters
Who’s at risk?
Research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that lower-income individuals are most at risk from natural disasters. Although they receive disaster warnings, they can often not react or have the emergency funds to prepare in advance. SAMHSA considers lower-income individuals as those with lower incomes, public housing residents, and homeless or unemployed individuals.
“The elderly, disabled, and homeless are the ones more vulnerable during a natural disaster,” says Lindsey Maxwell. As the co-founder of her blog Where You Make It, she has converted two vans and traveled the U.S. extensively.
It’s also true that some locations may pose a greater risk to its residents than others.
Types of disasters by state
Florida may be known for its hurricanes, but according to the Insurance Information Institute (III), these are the top five costliest states based upon their cumulative reported insured losses.
Costliest states by insured catastrophe losses, 2019
StateType of natural disasters
Estimated insured loss (millions)
Number of claims
Texas
Hurricanes, hailstorms, tornadoes, flood, fire, extreme heat and cold$7,236.4583,050
Illinois
Severe storms, flood, tornadoes, snow$1,707.2168,100
Colorado
Hailstorms, fire, flood, droughts, blizzards$1,366.9127,450
OhioSevere storms, flood, tornado, snow$1,345.1106,950
CaliforniaWildfires, earthquakes, flood, severe storms$1,321.771,450
What is usually covered by insurance?Having insurance coverage can help in the face of a disaster with replacing lost items and giving you a place to stay while your home is being repaired. The III breaks down the basic coverage types that typically come with the standard homeowners or renters insurance policy. Below, highlights the property coverage that typically applies in the event of a natural disaster.
Insurance coverage by property policy type
Dwelling & personal property
Hazard typeBasic HO-1Broad HO-2
Fire or lightning✔✔
Windstorm or hail✔✔
Explosion✔✔
Smoke✔✔
Volcanic eruption✔✔
Falling object✔
Weight of ice, snow or sleet✔
Dwelling
Hazard type Special HO-3
Fire or lightning✔
Windstorm or hail✔
Explosion✔
Smoke✔
Volcanic eruption✔
Falling object✔
Weight of ice, snow or sleet✔
Personal property
Hazard typeSpecial HO-3Renters HO-4Condo/Co-op HO-6
Fire or lightning✔✔✔
Windstorm or hail✔✔✔
Explosion✔✔✔
Smoke✔✔✔
Volcanic eruption✔✔✔
Falling object✔✔✔
Weight of ice, snow or sleet✔✔✔
Dwelling & personal property
Hazard typeModified coverage HO-8
Fire or lightning✔
Windstorm or hail✔
Explosion✔
Smoke✔
Volcanic eruption✔
Falling object
Weight of ice, snow or sleet
What is not covered by insurance?
While property insurance should cover most natural disaster claims, certain catastrophic events would be excluded from your standard property coverage. Without the proper coverage for these events, it could leave you in a serious bind.
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Floods: flood insurance usually requires separate insurance coverage that can be purchased from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
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Earthquakes: earthquake insurance is usually an add-on coverage that you purchase for your policy. In California, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a useful resource.
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Maintenance damage: mold and termite infestation is considered a failure to maintain your home, so it may not be covered unless you purchase extra protection.
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Sewer backup: sewer backup requires additional insurance coverage as it is not commonly included in the standard homeowners, renters or flood process.
Be prepared
When you live in a high-risk area, the best thing you can do is be prepared, says Robert Stam. Today, he is the CEO of SEO Mandarin and caught the travel bug in his earlier years. “I spent several years traveling, living in and working out of my vehicle,” he explains.
“What living out of a car teaches is that with proper preparation, we can survive, even thrive, with the bare minimum,” he says. “While it may not be a sustainable long-term arrangement for many people, equipping a car with a basic camping kit can provide shelter and sustenance from even the most basic of vehicles.”
Emergency bag
When Maxwell was traversing the country, her emergency kit was an invaluable partner on her travels. It is something she stresses the importance of now. “It’s crucial before a natural disaster hits your local area to create your own portable disaster kit. It would be best if you grabbed essential supplies you will need, such as important documents.”
STATE BY STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND RESOURCES
Alabama Department of Public Health
Alabama COVID-19 Resources for Healthcare Providers
Alabama COVID-19 Information Page on Testing
Alaska Division of Public Health
Alaska COVID-19 Information for Healthcare Providers
Alaska Count of COVID-19 Cases
Arizona Department of Health Services
Arizona COVID-19 Clinician Fact Sheet
Arizona Clinicians encouraged to contact the local health department for COVID-19 testing
Arizona COVID-19 Hotline 1-844-542-8201
Arkansas Clinical Resources and Forms
California Department of Public Health
California COVID-19 Information
California Facility Letters (Mixed in with other information)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Colorado COVIC-19 Resources for Healthcare Providers
Colorado COVID-19 Hotline 303-389-1687 or 877-462-2911
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Connecticut COVID-19 Information
Connecticut healthcare departments to order tests
Delaware Division of Public Health
Delaware Information for Healthcare Providers
Delaware COVID-19 Hotline 866-408-1899
District of Columbia Department of Health
DC Notices for Healthcare Providers
Florida COVID-19 Information and Tool Kit
Florida COVID-19 Guidance for Healthcare Providers
Florida COVID 19 Hotline 1-866-779-6121
Georgia Department of Public Health
Hawaii COVID-19 resources for Healthcare Providers
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois COVID-19 Resources for Healthcare Providers
Indiana COVID-19 Information including Healthcare Providers
Indiana Instructions for COVID-19 Tests sent to state labs
Iowa Department of Public Health
Iowa COVID-19 Information including Healthcare Providers
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Kansas COVID-19 Information including Healthcare Providers
Kentucky Department for Public Health
Kentucky COVID-19 Information including Healthcare Providers
Kentucky Division of Laboratory Services
Louisiana Department of Health
Louisiana COVID-19 Resources for Healthcare Providers
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Maine COVID-19 Information including Healthcare Providers
Maryland COVID-19 Information including Healthcare Providers
Maryland COVID-19 suspected patient reporting line 410-767-6500
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Massachusetts COVID-19 Information
Massachusetts COVID-19 Cases, Testing and Monitoring
Massachusetts COVID-19 Infectious Disease Reporting 617-983-6800
Michigan Department of Public Health
Michigan Resources for Healthcare Providers
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota COVID-19 Information
Minnesota COVID-19 Hotline 651-201-3920
Mississippi State Department of Health
Mississippi COVID-19 Information
Mississippi Resources for Healthcare Providers
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Missouri Resources for Healthcare Providers