The hidden mental health affects of severe weather: from tornadoes to hurricanes

LOUISIANA ( KTAL/KMSS ) — Some studies have shown that extreme and severe weather can negatively impact one’s mental wellness.

A study from the American Public Health Association found that climate change can cause and intensify anxiety, which will negatively affect ones mental health. Whether it is hot weather, tornadoes, hurricanes or flooding, extreme weather can be detrimental to ones mental and emotional well-being, on top of the physical impact.

Many studies relating to the impacts of severe or extreme weather are focused on what individuals are experiencing physically. This can include the damage the storms cause, physical injuries, and death.

Extreme weather is familiar across the United States and Louisiana is no stranger to experiencing quite severe weather such as tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, and extreme heat. Experiencing extreme or severe weather can be traumatizing, stressful, and anxiety inducing.

One study shows that after Hurricane Katrina, the population reported symptoms of anger, anxiety, and acute stress reactions with early symptoms of PTSD. The same study shows that the same symptoms, plus depression were found after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Severe weather events can often contaminate the water and soil in it’s destructive path. This can cause illness among residents. Contaminated water, like the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, caused a correlation between stress, anxiety, and depression. When your access to clear, potable water is difficult or nonexistent, it can be incredibly stressful. Access to water is part of your basic physiological needs as a person.

A 2023 study in Water Research Journal found that “Insufficient drinking water services threaten users’ mental health through various identified mechanisms. Stress caused by lack of safe water was predictably identified as one of the most important factors, but water-service-related inequalities were surprisingly as significant.”

More studies need to be done to continue analyze the effects severe weather and a lack of access to clean drinking water has on someone’s mental health. As more scientists, psychologists, and experts research mental health and extreme weather, the more information will be in the hands of people experiencing changes in their mental well-being.

As climate change continues, studies show that there is a greater risk of more off-season tornadoes in a warmer future climate. Spring and summer are seeing a decrease in the number of EF1+ tornadoes whereas fall and winter are seeing a slight increase in the number of tornadoes in the United States.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center conducted a study examining the effects of experiencing a tornado on rates of suicide. Suicide rates have been on the rise in the US over the last several years. As of 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the country.

A meta-analysis by Beaglehole, showed that the rates of mental distress, disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder increase after a disaster or extreme weather event. Between one-third and one-half of those affected by an extreme weather event will develop some form of mental distress post disaster.

Those of us in the southeast have seen more and more frequent tornadoes throughout the last several years. It has been found that the original “tornado alley” has shifted geographically from the American Midwest to the Southeast. The tornadoes that typically hit the Midwest do not hit the Southeast in the same way. Tornadoes in southern states can occur at any time of day or night. Making the likelihood of tornadoes in the night increase.

Tornadoes that happen during the nighttime can increase anxiety and fear. Individuals may not know that a nighttime tornado has touched down until it is too late.

Communities in Southeastern states are less likely to be adequately prepared, leading to higher casualty rates. These ongoing changes in tornado activity put communities at risk for significant damage, which then puts survivors at risk of developing mental illness symptoms and suicidal behaviors.

Jessica Lowder
University of Nebraska Medical Center

The results from the study showed that nearly every group experienced increased suicide rates during the year that the tornadoes happened. Tentatively, the study showed that there is an associated risk of suicidal ideation after one experiences a tornado.

Tornadoes , hurricanes, and flooding are not the only extreme weather events that can negatively impact one’s mental health. An increase in hot temperatures correlates to an increase in substance use and mental health issues.

An August 2021 study in Environment International showed a 2.2 percent increase in mental health-related mortality as temperatures rose 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. The meta-analysis found that the problem will likely increase as global warming continues.

Climate change has brought out many changes in weather patterns all over the planet. Those living in the Southeastern part of the United States are likely to continue to see an increase in heat waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme weather events.

Caring for your mental health is important, but it is even more important to care for your mental health during bouts of severe weather. There are ways to cope when weather anxiety or depression strikes after a damaging storm.

Find a therapist who can help you gain coping skills. Create a safety plan for when severe weather hits. Utilize your local television and radio stations to remain weather aware.

Severe weather can be scary and stressful, nothing will fully take away every ounce of fear you may feel during those times. But you can be prepared and have a plan to help you get through the tough times.

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