Psychology Today cautions that the effects of PTSD can be hard to predict, so it's best to become familiar with the symptoms. Victims who have lost a pet or family member can attend grief counseling and seek help for survivor guilt. Parents should keep an eye on their kids and seek professional help for any behavioral signs that may indicate trauma.

The financial burden

The American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are usually on hand to provide immediate support and shelter to homeowners who have experienced trauma or damage due to a natural disaster. However, what happens when the dust settles? Once a homeowner is back on his feet, it's time to head home and assess the full extent of the damage. The premises may be dangerous to explore, so first make sure everything is structurally sound. Protective headgear, clothing and boots can help guard against minor injuries, which can be treated with a first-aid kit. Keep a cellphone on hand in case of an emergency.

Insurance companies can give advice about the types of documents they'll need to process claims and quote policy deductibles — the more photos and videos a homeowner takes, the better. Since damage repair can be a big financial setback, homeowners often have to contact their mortgage company to make hardship payment arrangements.Scammers can use this time to capitalize on vulnerable victims, so be wary when making monetary decisions.

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, right, talks with Bryan Phelan, left, and neighbor John Halloran in the driveway of Phelan's storm damaged home Tuesday, June 23, 2015, in Coal City, Ill., after a tornado passed through the area Monday evening.The National Weather Service confirmed a twister touched down in the community of approximately 5,000 residents, about 60 miles southwest of Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Picking up the pieces

It's a good idea to invest in a water- and fire-resistant safe ahead of time to protect car titles, social security cards and other information. If official legal documents were destroyed in the wake of a tornado, flood or other natural disaster, replacing them can be time consuming. Some important personal items to replace include:

• Birth, marriage and death certificates
• Passports and driver's licenses
• Credit cards
• Tax information
• Car titles and property deeds
• Insurance and medical documents

FEMA has a contact list of important phone numbers and addresses for the Social Security Administration, credit card companies, and other organizations that can help victims who need to replace documents.

See related story: 6 tips for safely cleaning up household hazardous waste after a storm

Plan ahead

These tools help victims recover from disastrous natural events, but is there anything that can be done in advance to ease some of the burden? Many families agree on an evacuation or shelter plan, and pack a disaster kit filled with essential items:

• Non-perishable food and water
• Clothing and blankets
• Flashlights and batteries
• Cellphone chargers
• Candles and matches

See related story: 18 tips for what to do before, during and after a power outage

The trauma of any natural disaster can leave a lifelong impact, but there are several resources available to aid survivors as they recover. Though careful planning can do much to lessen the risk of some of these challenges, there's no way to prepare for everything.

Homeowners should leave the legwork up to the professionals and volunteers, and go easy on themselves. Remember that homeowners aren't at fault, and though it might be a while until things feel normal again, any setback can be the start of a bright new beginning.

Bill Robinson currently serves as the vice president of operations for DKI Commercial Solutions, where he oversees disaster relief operations for commercial large loss in the United States. DKI Services is a national disaster restoration and remediation company for residential and commercial buildings.