Photo: KYUK Media / MaryCait Dolan. Trucks drive through deep water near the Brown’s Slough bridge — the only road to and from Bethel’s small boat harbor and Hangar Lake and Slough neighborhoods. October 12, 2025.

Plus, why documenting your home matters

Welcome back to This Week in Disasters! This newsletter combines expert perspectives with a weekly roundup of upcoming threats, recent natural disasters, and available survivor assistance. If you’re an HR, Risk, Employee Assistance, or Emergency Management professional (or you’re just really curious about disasters in the United States!) you’re in the right place.

Forecasted Risks for Next Week

Multi-day thunderstorm and flooding threat this weekend across the Midwest and the plains

Rapid Onset Drought (ROD) continues in parts of southeastern Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley, creating risk for wildfires

Major Disasters of the Last Week

Photo: Joshua Tree National Park during a 2022 wildfire; (photo/Hannah Schwalbe for NPS)

Disasters in the Headlines

How FEMA Is Forcing Disaster-Struck Towns to Fend for Themselves

The New York Times

Alaska Governor Asks For Presidential Disaster Declaration After Storm Devastates Coastal Communities

The Weather Channel

Natural Disaster Claims in 2025 to Again Top $100B Despite ‘Abnormally Low’ Q3 Events

Insurance Journal

New study values the benefits of mangroves for reducing property damages in recent hurricanes

PreventionWeb

PRO PERSPECTIVE

Why Documenting Your Home Matters

As hurricane season winds down and we prepare for winter, it's a good time to encourage people in your community to invest in documenting their home. We asked our in-house expert to share some context on why it's worth it.

With more than 21 years in insurance and residential construction, Justin Hoellerich, who leads Operations and Disaster Recovery Advising at Bright Harbor, has helped survivors of the Tubbs Fire, Marshall Fire, Hurricane Ian, Eaton Fire, and Palisades Fire navigate rebuilding, insurance, and risk assessment.

His Advice:

"Take the time to document what you have in your house via video and store it online or off premises"

Why This Matters:

• Stronger Insurance Claims. Photos, videos, receipts, and serial numbers provide proof of ownership and value.Without documentation, insurers may undervalue or deny items.

• Accurate Valuation. Helps you determine if you are properly insured and
  prevents costly surprises after a disaster.

• Reduced Stress After a Loss. Easier than trying to recall every item during recover and removes the burden of proving losses under pressure

• Legal and Financial Protection. Supports insurance disputes and IRS casualty loss claims

• Supports Disaster Recovery Assistance: FEMA and SBA programs often require evidence of loss. A personal inventory helps prove the scope of damage

The Takeaway:

Documenting your home is one of the simplest ways to strengthen recovery. And if you’d like to help them take the next step after initial documentation, share our new guide to building a Home Contents Inventory

Active Federal Major Disasters

There is usually a 60 day window to apply for help after a disaster is declared.  The following disasters are still actively taking applications from survivors for financial support.

The following disasters are actively taking applications from survivors for financial support. To apply, survivors can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800‑621‑3362.

Sign up for This Week in Disasters here.

Need more support for your employees or constituents? Bright Harbor can help.