Death Abroad, Missing Persons, and Disaster
What do I do if a family member is missing after a natural disaster?
Short answer
Contact local emergency management and the disaster's family assistance center. In California, Cal OES coordinates mass casualty response. Provide identifying information to the coroner's office — they will be processing unidentified remains. NamUs (1-833-526-2887) can help match missing persons with unidentified remains.
What this usually means
Contact local emergency management and the disaster's family assistance center. In California, Cal OES coordinates mass casualty response. Provide identifying information to the coroner's office — they will be processing unidentified remains. NamUs (1-833-526-2887) can help match missing persons with unidentified remains.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.