Major Financial Loss Due to Outage

My electric water heater was damaged or destroyed, likely when the power was restored. I have checked the breaker and pushed the reset button on the control panel (tried everything multiple times) but I still no hot water a week later. I don't know when I will have enough money to call someone in to diagnose the actual damage, and I have to shower at a friend's house. I'm stuck in this situation with no recourse or outside help. And, once I am able to have the exact diagnosis of the problem, I absolutely won't have enough funds to replace my water heater, if that's what is required. Would this have been preventable if I had turned all of my breakers off before the power was restored? The water heater is hard wired, so I was unable to unplug as I was able to do with other outlets to prevent power surge damage. What I would give to have had some advanced warning, and practical advice in preparing