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Four years ago, during the peak of the 2017 Hurricane Season, the United States was hit by 3 devastating hurricanes in just over 30 days; Harvey, Irma, and Maria (see map above).
Tens of millions of people were impacted, thousands died (see Mortality in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria), and millions of people were left either homeless, or without basic services (power, water, communications) for weeks and even months.
In 2018, a CAT 5 monster called Michael wiped out a wide swath of Florida's forgotten coast, while last year Dorian devastated the Bahamas. Along with past disasters, like Donna in 1960, Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1993, and Katrina in 2005, they all share one commonality.
The lives of the people who went through the worst of these storms were forever changed. Homes and businesses were lost, lives were lost, and in many cases - hope was lost as well.
While we think about the first 24 hours of a hurricane's impact as being the most dramatic and newsworthy, the real impact comes in the days, weeks, and months that follow. The loss in terms of mortality, morbidity and permanent disability, PTSD, homes and belongings, businesses, jobs and life savings, and continuity of a community are never fully tallied or appreciated.
We've looked at some of these after effects in the past.
There are always the usual post-disaster accidents; drownings, carbon monoxide poisoning from using charcoal or generators indoors. Falls from roofs or ladders from clearing debris, or chain saw accidents. And even skin infections and food poisoning from contaminated waters (see After The Storm Passes).
Heat (or cold) related deaths may occur when the power is out for extended periods (see MMWR: Heat-Related Deaths During an Extreme Heat Event), and people who rely on oxygen concentrators at home could find themselves in a life threatening situation.
And this year, burdened as we are by the COVID-19 pandemic, restoration of power and water, emergency relief efforts, insurance settlements, and repairs and reconstruction may all take longer than following previous disasters.
There is currently a nationwide lumber shortage, and supply chains are still stressed globally. Mutual aid, in the form of utility crews and medical teams from other states, may be limited due to the pandemic.
But there are some other post-disaster impacts that have only recently become well acknowledged.
In March of 2009, in a study led by Dr. Anand Irimpen (Associate Professor of clinical medicine at Tulane), it was disclosed that residents of New Orleans saw a 300% increase in heart attacks in the first 2 years after hurricane Katrina.
A follow up, published in 2014 (see Tulane University: Post-Katrina Heart Attack Rates - Revisited), once again found the impact of Katrina on cardiac health remained pronounced.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, which surveyed 1,043 survivors, found:
- More than 11% were diagnosed with a serious mental illness following the storm. This compares to just over 6% before the hurricane.
- 9.9% had mild-moderate mental illness, compared to 9.7% before Katrina.
- They estimated 200,000 people facing serious mental problems, such as PTSS (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome) and depression, in the three states most affected.
In 2014, in Post-Disaster Stress Cardiomyopathy: A Broken-Hearted Malady, we looked at a rare condition known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy – or stress induced cardiomyopathy which is often linked to extreme grief or stress, as might be experienced following a disaster.
Also known as broken heart syndrome, this acute ballooning of the heart ventricles is a well-recognized cause of acute heart failure and dangerous cardiac arrhythmia's.
While often hidden from view, the psychological impact of a disaster can be enormous and ongoing. In 2011, in Post Disaster Stress & Suicide Rates, we looked at the impacts of disaster-related PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
This has been recognized as such a pressing problem that the World Health Organization released a comprehensive Guidelines For Post-Trauma Mental Health Care book on the treatment of PTSD, acute stress, and bereavement in 2013.
Living as I do in hurricane country, I've made it a point to have a disaster plan, a disaster buddy, a bug-out destination, and the things I would need to survive without electricity, running water, open grocery stores or pharmacies for a week or longer.
As long-time readers of this blog already know, I was forced to put all of that into action last year with Hurricane Irma (see A Post Irma Update).
I do this not only for my physical health, but for my mental health as well. I sleep well at night knowing I'm prepared for the worst, and if it happens, I'll be less stressed and less challenged than had I not prepared. A few of my preparedness articles include:
The Gift Of Preparedness - 2019 Holiday Edition
My New (And Improved) Solar Battery Project (for CPAP)
My New Solar Power System (Updated For 2020)
For more, the CDC has a website geared to post-disaster stress.
Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), may be stressful for people and communities.
Learn more about coping during COVID-19.
During and after a disaster, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster. Connect with family, friends, and others in your community. Take care of yourself and each other, and know when and how to seek help.
People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment plans during an emergency and monitor for any new symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.
Explore the resources below to learn how to cope and take care of yourself and each other during an emergency.
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health
Planning Resources for State and Local Governments
Response Resources for Leaders
Responders: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself
A small reminder that in the wake of a disaster not all wounds bleed, not all fractures show up on an X-ray, and that the best treatment doesn't always come from inside your first aid kit.
