Residents & Households

Review Your Homeowners or Renters Insurance

Before a disaster strikes, understand what your policy covers. Standard homeowners or renters insurance covers fire damage, but it's good to confirm the details. Check:

• What your policy covers (dwelling, personal property, temporary housing)

• Whether you have enough coverage to rebuild your home at current costs

• Your deductible (how much you pay out-of-pocket after a covered loss)

• Whether you have flood insurance (standard policies do not cover flood damage)

Who can help: Contact your insurance agent or broker. If you don't have an agent, ask friends and family for recommendations or call Wyoming's Department of Insurance.

Timeline: Review your insurance before fire season (spring or early summer) or before drought conditions develop.

Understand Flood Risk After Wildfire

If your home is downslope from burned forest, you may face increased flash-flood and debris-flow risk. Burned hillsides can't absorb heavy rain, and debris flows into valleys and communities below.

What to know: Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood. If you live in a high-risk area, consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

30-day waiting period: Most NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period, so if you buy coverage during fire season, you won't be protected immediately. 

Contact: Talk to your insurance agent or visit floodsmart.gov to check your risk and explore flood insurance options.

Create a Home Evacuation Plan

Knowing your evacuation route and having a plan for your family and pets can save lives. Work with your family now to prepare.

Include in your plan:

• Two evacuation routes from your neighborhood (in case one is blocked)

• Where you'll go (relative's house, shelter, hotel)

• A meeting place if family members get separated

• What to bring (important documents, medications, photos, irreplaceable items)

• A plan for your pets (carriers, leashes, pet supplies, shelters that accept pets)

Resource: Download evacuation checklists from Ready.gov/wildfires or ask your local emergency management office.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Have supplies ready now so you don't scramble during an emergency. Keep a 'go bag' at home that's easy to grab.

Your kit should include:

• Important documents (ID, insurance papers, property records)

• Medications and medical equipment

• Photos or videos of your home and belongings (for insurance claims)

• A week's worth of non-perishable food and water

• Flashlights, batteries, phone chargers

• First aid kit

Resource: Visit ready.gov or your county emergency management website for checklists.

Wildfire Webpage (University of Wyoming)

The University of Wyoming has a comprehensive wildfire resource website with information about fire prevention, living with wildfire, community efforts, and links to local resources.

What you'll find: Fire safety tips, community programs, links to state and federal wildfire resources, and information about Wyoming fire seasons.

Website: https://www.uwyo.edu/uwe/programs/wyo-disaster/wildfire.html

Who runs it: University of Wyoming Extension and the Wyoming Disaster Research Center

Wyoming Drought Website

The State of Wyoming maintains a drought website with current drought conditions, drought maps, and resources for farmers, ranchers, and residents affected by drought.

What you'll find: Current drought status, drought forecasts, links to financial assistance programs, water conservation tips, and emergency hay assistance information.

Website: https://drought.wyo.gov/

Who runs it: Wyoming State Engineer's Office and Wyoming Department of Agriculture

Local Emergency Preparedness Resources

Your county and local emergency management office can provide specific preparedness information for your area, including evacuation plans and local hazards.

Contact: Search '[Your County Name] Emergency Management' or '[Your City Name] Emergency Management' online, or call your county clerk's office.

What they offer: Local evacuation maps, community preparedness training, and information about local shelters and resources.

• Wyoming 211 - Call 211 or visit Wyoming 211 online to connect with local help for food, housing, utility, bills, and mental health support. 

• Disaster Distress Helpline - Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for free, confidential crisis counseling, available 24/7, if a disaster has affected your mental health. 

• Local shelter locations (FEMA)

• SBA Home and Personal Property Disaster Loans - Low-interest loans that help homeowners and renters repair or replace property damaged in a disaster. Call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

• Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) - Help paying heating and cooling bills for households that qualify, through the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) - If a federal disaster is declared and you lost work because of it, you may qualify for temporary unemployment help through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

• FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) - If the President declares a major disaster for your area, FEMA may help with temporary housing, home repairs, and other needs. In Wyoming, start with the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security at (307) 777-5768.

After a wildfire or drought event that affects your home, you may need temporary shelter while your home is repaired or rebuilt, or you may need help financing repairs. These programs can help.

FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) – Temporary Housing

If a federal disaster is declared for your area, FEMA may provide help with temporary housing while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. This includes temporary shelter options, rental assistance for a temporary home, or help with staying in a hotel.

Who qualifies: Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in a federally declared disaster who have unmet housing needs.

Important: FEMA only activates after the President declares a major disaster for your area. If a disaster has been declared, contact the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS).

Contact: Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS), Resilience and Recovery Program  •  (307) 777-5768  •  ashley.paulsrud@wyo.gov

SBA Home Disaster Loans – For Home Repairs and Rebuilding

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest loans to homeowners and renters to repair or replace homes, personal property, and livestock damaged by a disaster. Loans can cover structural repairs, replacement of household items, and livestock losses.

Loan amounts: Up to $200,000 for home repairs; up to $40,000 for personal property

Interest rate: Fixed at 3.75% (as of 2026; may vary)

Who qualifies: Homeowners and renters in a disaster area (no federal disaster declaration required if you meet other criteria)

How to apply: Online at disasterloan.sba.gov, or call the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center.

Contact: SBA Disaster Customer Service Center  •  1-800-659-2955  •  disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

For questions about Wyoming-specific programs: Amy Lea, Wyoming District Director  •  (307) 247-3191  •  amy.lea@sba.gov

Timeline: Applications can be submitted during and immediately after a disaster. Decisions may take several weeks.

USDA Rural Development – Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan

If you live in a rural area, USDA Rural Development may help you finance a new home or repair an existing one with favorable terms. This is a guaranteed loan program, so you borrow from a local lender, but USDA backs the loan.

Who qualifies: Low- and moderate-income households in eligible rural areas. Area eligibility is based on population and location, so not all of Wyoming qualifies, but most rural counties do.

Eligible uses: Buying, building, repairing, or improving a home; down payment as low as 3% or even 0% in some cases

Contact: USDA Rural Development, Wyoming State Office  •  (307) 233-6700  •  rd.usda.gov/wy

Note: This program is not disaster-specific but can be used for post-disaster home repair in eligible rural areas.

After a disaster, you may have lost income, faced unexpected expenses, or struggled to cover basic bills while recovering. These programs can help bridge the gap.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

If a federal disaster is declared and you lost work because of the disaster (even if you're self-employed or not normally eligible for unemployment), DUA provides temporary unemployment benefits to help you while you recover.

Who qualifies: People who lost work due to a federally declared disaster (employees, self-employed, farmers, ranchers)

Benefit amount: Typically 50% of your average weekly wage, up to the state maximum (usually $500–$600/week in Wyoming)

Duration: Usually up to 26 weeks from the disaster date

Contact: Wyoming Department of Workforce Services  •  (307) 777-3700  •  dla@wyo.gov

When it's available: Only after a federal disaster declaration. Check with your local workforce office or the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

Tax Relief in Federal Disaster Areas

If you live in a federally declared disaster area, the IRS allows you to deduct personal casualty losses (damage to your home, vehicle, or personal property) on your federal tax return. You may also be able to claim the loss on the prior year's return to get a faster refund.

Who qualifies: Residents in a federally declared disaster area who suffered personal property damage

What you can deduct: Uninsured or partially insured losses to your home, car, and personal possessions (not covered by insurance)

Contact: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  •  1-800-829-1040 (tax help line)  •  irs.gov/disasters

Resource: Visit the IRS website for worksheets and detailed guidance on how to claim disaster losses. Consult a tax professional if you're unsure how much you can claim.

For more information, IRS Disaster Relief Payment Exclusion Ended: CLA 

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

If you have a low income and struggle to pay your heating or cooling bills, LIHEAP helps eligible households pay utility costs. After a disaster, this can be especially important if you've incurred emergency home repair expenses.

Who qualifies: Households with income at or below 60% of the state median income (roughly $2,400–$3,500/month for a family of 3, depending on household size)

What it covers: Heating and cooling assistance; may also cover utility deposits and emergency repair of furnaces or air conditioners

Contact: Wyoming Department of Family Services  •  (307) 777-5496  •  wyohhs.wyo.gov/liheap

Application period: Usually September through May for heating assistance. Contact your local office for application deadlines.

Recovering from a disaster is expensive and stressful. If you're struggling to afford food while managing recovery costs, these resources can help.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

When a major disaster occurs, the federal government sometimes makes temporary food assistance available to residents who were affected, even if they wouldn't normally qualify for SNAP (food stamps). D-SNAP is a temporary emergency program.

Who qualifies: Residents in a declared disaster area who have disaster-related needs (lost income, lost employment, unable to work, or left with insufficient income due to the disaster)

What you get: A temporary electronic benefit card to buy food at participating grocery stores

Duration: Temporary program, usually lasting a few weeks after declaration

Contact: Wyoming Department of Family Services  •  (307) 777-5490  •  wyohhs.wyo.gov

Availability: Not automatic; Wyoming must apply for the program with federal approval after a disaster. If you're eligible, the state will announce the program, dates, and application locations.

Wyoming 211 – Immediate Food & Basic Needs

Wyoming 211 is a free helpline and online resource that connects you with local food banks, meal programs, and other emergency assistance. Call or go online to find the nearest food resources in your area.

Who can call: Anyone in Wyoming needing food, utilities, shelter, or other emergency help

Contact: Call 211 or visit 211.org/wyoming

What they help with: Food banks and community meals, utility assistance, emergency shelter, childcare, health services, and more

Hours: Available 24/7 for calls and online searches