By Carrie Zeisse, chief executive officer of Tampa Bay Thrives
Tampa Bay residents are no strangers to hurricane season, despite the area being spared a significant, direct, hit for over a century. This past October, however, a devastating one-two punch hit the region. Hurricane Helene’s storm surge was followed by Milton’s high winds and torrential rain, leaving destruction estimated in the billions. Millions lost power and thousands of homes were destroyed.
The back-to-back nature of these storms created an unprecedented strain on mental health. Residents prepared to either stay or evacuate, only to return to survey the damage and begin rebuilding, both individually and as a community. Those who hunkered down at home faced a frightening and stressful experience, while evacuees contended with traffic, fuel shortages and uncertainty about where to go, when to leave, and when to return. Family circumstances further complicated decisions, from caring for infants and pets to having family members who needed to remain on call for their jobs.
Hurricanes and flooding can lead to increased anxiety, depression and stress, exacerbating existing mental health problems or sparking new issues, such as PTSD. Research shows that after flooding, mental health may be the biggest health concern. Though it’s essential for officials to communicate the serious threats of weather events like these, the dire warnings of a potential direct hit from Hurricane Milton heightened fears, and anxiety, for many, including young children.
It’s important to remember that strong emotions are normal when facing a weather-related disaster. People may experience concerns about family, home and safety, profound grief and anger after a loss or even survivors’ guilt. Regardless of the outcome, the intense adrenaline rush felt during such events eventually subsides, often leaving people physically and emotionally drained. When this crash coincides with ongoing issues like fuel shortages, power outages and flooding, the toll on mental health can be overwhelming. Our normal has been redefined, and familiar ways of coping may not be enough.
As we work toward recovery as a community, it’s crucial to recognize that everyone who experiences a disaster is affected in some way, and waves of emotions are to be expected. Your energy and feelings will fluctuate. Check in with yourself, and those around you, and experiment with different coping strategies, until you find something restorative. If you’re experiencing prolonged distress or worsening mental health, don’t hesitate to seek additional support. Together, we can come together as a community to help those in need and support each other through this challenging time.
Here are some ways to ease disaster-related stress:
Talk to someone about your feelings—anger, sorrow or other emotions—even if it’s difficult. Resources like 211 and the Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) are available to help.
If you’re in crisis, call 988 for immediate assistance.
Seek aid from your local government or FEMA. Be persistent, and patient, as processing applications can take time. FEMA, for instance, recently expanded its aid categories to include grocery and medicine losses from power outages and has reopened previously declined cases.
Take care of yourself through healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation and meditation.
Maintain as normal a routine as possible for you and your family, limiting overwhelming responsibilities.
Spend time with family, friends and community, or religious groups.
Ensure you’re ready for future events by restocking your disaster supplies and updating your family disaster plan. Positive actions like these can be comforting.
Additionally, limit your exposure to news and social media and prioritize activities that replenish your energy over those that drain you. Hurricane fatigue is real, and its effects can be long-lasting. Remember, grief is a process, not a destination, and you are not alone.
Tampa Bay Thrives offers resources to support post-disaster mental health, which will be updated as more become available: tampabaythrives.org
