Hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other extreme weather events can trigger significant anxiety, but mental health experts say preparation is key to managing the stress. Having a clear plan not only ensures physical safety but also supports mental wellbeing, according to specialists who have worked with disaster survivors.
Ruben Juarez, a health economist at the University of Hawaii who directed the Maui Wildfires Exposure Study, emphasised that preparation is one of the most powerful tools for both safety and mental health. He recommends creating an evacuation plan and assembling an emergency kit to regain a sense of control. Melissa Brymer, a psychologist and director of terrorism and disaster programmes at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, suggests using step-by-step guides from ready.gov/plan and the American Red Cross, and advises including provisions for people with disabilities, pregnant women, and pets.
Kevin Westmoreland, co-owner of The Corner Kitchen in Asheville, North Carolina, experienced the devastation of Hurricane Helene, which flooded his restaurant. He coped by using meditation and breathing exercises, and by focusing on the safety of his employees rather than material losses. “All you could do to get through it is try to take a breath and move forward, step by step,” he said.
Experts also recommend staying informed through trusted sources, sharing fears with supportive friends or therapists, and talking to children in a calm, factual manner. Brymer warns that children pick up on adult panic, so it is important to limit stressful conversations to adults only. After a disaster, restoring normalcy through routines, helping others, and seeking support can aid recovery.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests engaging in positive activities like volunteering or donating blood to counteract feelings of powerlessness. If anxiety symptoms persist for several weeks, it may indicate post-traumatic stress disorder and professional help should be sought.
