What do I do if a family member is missing after a natural disaster?

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 help for coroner contacts, vital records, cost tools, and paperwork.
• Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
• Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.

Related questions

• What do I do when a U.S. citizen dies abroad?
• How do I bring a body home from another country?
• What is a Consular Report of Death and how do I use it?
• What if a family member is missing and presumed dead?
• Can I declare someone legally dead before 5 years in California?