Tornadoes and Severe Storms

Severe storms that produce tornadoes, strong wind gusts, lightning strikes, flash floods and other damaging effects can trigger emotional distress in those that experience them: survivors in impacted areas (including children and teens), loved ones of victims, those who have suffered damaged to or who have lost completely residential or business property, and first responders, rescue & recovery workers are all at risk.

Feelings such as overwhelming anxiety, constant worrying, trouble sleeping and other depression-like symptoms are common responses to disasters and traumatic events (before, during and after the event), although reactions can vary from person-to-person.  Most people that experience disasters are able to 'bounce back' in a short period of time, but others mayneed additional support in order to cope and move forward on the path ofrecovery.

The Disaster Distress Helpline provides year-round, 24/7 phone- and text-based crisis counseling to anyone who is experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters within the U.S. and territories. Those impacted by any tornado or the recent 6/29 derecho storm system that struck several states in the upper-Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions who might be experiencing distress and having difficulty coping can reach out to usany timefor support.

Risk Factors for Distress and Warning Signs

Forecasts

Forecasts for severe weather help us to get prepared- but can also trigger overwhelming
feelings of distress.
Because forecasts for severe storms can arise days ahead of time, as well as the overall unpredictable nature of the forecasts once they do take shape, those living in targeted areas may experience overwhelming anxiety, confusion, fear or a feeling of 'paralysis'- like wanting to shut down.  Those who have struggled to recover from past experiences with tornadoes or severe storms may be particularly vulnerable to distress when hearing of a forecast.

Warnings, Evacuations, and Returning to Impacted Areas

Once tornado or severe storm warnings are issued, the risk for distress becomes greater:

• Feeling unprepared, isolated, overwhelmed or confused: "I don't know what to do" (particularly if you are not at home or if you do not have a tornado or storm shelter)
• Not being able to reach a loved one in an impacted area during the event because cell and land lines are tied up, their power is out and so no access to social media, or if loved ones in the targeted area are not together during the storm (children at school, etc.)

During the storm or immediately after, distress can result from:

• As with forecasts, during the event difficult memories and emotions associated with similar traumatic experiences from the past for those in/around or anywhere outside of the impacted areas may be triggered and result in distress symptoms
• A sense of panic or confusion when seeking shelter during a tornado warning or when following evacuation orders issued due to flooding from the storm, the risk of flash floods or overall unsafe conditions in the aftermath of a storm- "I don't know where to go"; "What will happen if I leave",etc.
• Stress associated with temporary relocation to shelter or other setting: unfamiliar environment (particularly difficult for teens and children to adjust); concerns about accessibility for people with disabilities; separation from pets; difficulty sleeping, etc.  

Those with limited physical mobility or economic means (no car or access to mass
transit during evacuations), limited English-speaking, or those who may have pre-existing mental health concerns are all also particularly vulnerable to isolation before, during or immediately after the storm. 

Once power is restored or it is safe to return to impacted areas, additional distress may occur upon return to the impacted area if a home, business, school, place of worship or a beloved community gathering place such as a neighborhood park or wildlife refuge are damaged or destroyed.

After a Tornado or Severe Storm: Adjusting to a 'New Normal'

When loss of or major damage to any kind of property occurs, distress may arise from
having to adjust to a 'new normal':

• A new or temporary school: peers may be separated, there may be new teachers and other caregivers that are unfamiliar to younger kids, after-school activities may be disrupted
• Temporary or permanent loss of employment
• Overall disruption in home and community life: place of worship damaged or destroyed, neighbors displaced, feelings of overwhelm related to disaster recovery activities, etc.

First Responders, Rescue & Recovery Workers

First responders, rescue and recovery workers include:

• Fire fighters, police officers, EMTs, 9-1-1 operators and other fire / emergency / medical personnel
• Military service men and women
• Clergy
• Staff and volunteers serving with disaster-response or relief organizations, in a range of roles from sheltering to animal rescue, food service to crisis counseling. 

Risk factors for emotional distress among first responders, rescue & recovery
worker distress includes:

• Prolonged separation from loved ones (depending on the severity of the storm's impact, deployment may last for weeks or even months)
• Mental fatigue brought on from working long hours
• Working under difficult or challenging conditions that may be unstable during or immediately after disasters; risk to physical safety and other threats to life during rescue and recovery operations
• Disruption in home or work life brought on by deployment
• Vicarious trauma brought on by witnessing or being exposed in some way to difficult stories of survival or loss
• Difficulty readjusting to home or work life post-deployment.

Signs of emotional distress related to tornadoes and severe storm

Symptoms of distress may appear before the disaster during a prolonged forecast, during
the event itself, or may manifest in the hours, days, weeks, months or even years after the disaster.  Signs of distress can include:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and things
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or  like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains like constant stomachaches or headaches
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Excessive smoking, drinking or using drugs (including prescription medication)
• Feeling unusually confused or forgetful
• Worrying a lot of the time; feeling guilty but not sure why
• Feeling like you have to keep busy
• Hyper-vigilant- constantly thinking that something is going to happen, including when forecasts for any storm are issued whether or not they have the chance to produce tornadoes or other severe weather
• Constant yelling or fighting with family and friends; irritable*
• Having thoughts and memories related to the storm that you can't seem to get out of your head; nightmares
• 'Triggers' such as sights or sounds that 'take you back' to the storm; sweating or heart racing when you experience these triggers
• Unable to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or other dependents, trouble showing up to work or school on time or at all (excessive absences), trouble concentrating and getting things done, etc.
• Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else.

*Intimate Partner Violence or Family Violence

Sometimes before, during or after disasters, what may seem like 'fighting' between intimate partners or family members may actually be a symptom of a larger pattern of abuse.  For victims of intimate partner violence (dating or domestic violence); sexual violence (rape or other forms of sexual harassment or assault); or of family violence (child abuse, elder abuse, sexual abuse and other patterns of abuse and victimization between family members) disasters may heighten their sense of isolation and vulnerability before/during/or after the event. 

No matter the circumstances surrounding distress or what the symptoms may be in response to, it's important to reach out for help.

Where can I get help?

If you or someone you know shows any of these warning signs, whether you know they are in relation to a tropical storm or hurricane or if you aren't sure how they started ... Talk with us. You are not alone! Call our toll-free number 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (Spanish-speakers can text Hablanos to 66746) for support and counseling. Calls and texts are answered by trained, caring counselors from crisis call centers located throughout the U.S.

If you or someone you care about is or may be experiencing (in the past or currently) intimate partner, sexual, or family abuse or violence- call the Disaster Distress Helpline, or reach out to:

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
http://www.thehotline.org/  - TTY 1-800-787-3224

National Teen Dating Violence Hotline 1-866-331-9474
http://www.loveisrespect.org/  - TTY 1-866-331-8453 - Text "loveis" to 77054

Rape, Abuse, Incest National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
http://www.rainn.org/

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453 (4-A-CHILD)
http://www.childhelp.org/

National Center on Elder Abuse (U.S. Administration on Aging) Website with state-by-state resources: http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/Main_Site/Find_Help/State_Resources.aspx
 

Additional Resources 

Information and Referrals Within Tornado or Severe Storm-Impacted Areas

The national '2-1-1' system offers up-to-the-minute, local, disaster-specific information and resources. Visit http://www.211.org to locate a center serving a tornado or severe storm-impacted area or just dial '2-1-1'.

Local Crisis Counseling Services Within Tornado or Severe Storm-Impacted
Areas

Although the Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7/365 crisis counseling and support for all 50 states and territories, if you are looking to connect with a local crisis center, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org to look up the nearest call center serving the impacted area or call 1-800-273-TALK [8255].

Tip Sheets and Additional Information on Tornado or Severe Strom-related Distress

American Red Cross:Taking Care of your Emotional Health after a Disaster (PDF)

American Psychological Association: Managing Traumatic Stress: Tips for Recovering from Disasters and Other Traumatic Events http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/floods

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Recovery: After a Tornado http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/tornadoes#tabset-tab-5

National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Recovery: After a Flood http://www.nctsn.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters/floods

SAMHSA (Sustance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Traumatic Event (PDF)

Preparedness for Tornadoes and Severe Storms

Creating safety and emergency plans for your home and business can give you a sense of control when severe weather is forecasted, and help you and your loved ones to feel calmer when disasters and other emergencies do strike. 

For information on how to prepare for tornadoes and severe storms, visit:

ASPCA Disaster Preparedness for Pets http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/disaster-preparedness/

Centers for Disease Control Emergency Preparedness and Response: Tornadoes http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/

FEMA http://www.ready.gov/

Sesame Street Let's Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies (involving children in family preparedness) http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/ready

Geriatric Mental Health Foundation: Older Adults and Disaster- Disaster Preparedness & Response http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/consumer/disaster_prprdns.html