Coping With Natural Disasters: The Mental Health Impacts Of Hurricane Beryl

Natural disasters can be defined as uncontrollable, significant natural events, like hurricanes, that cause direct impacts on people living in a certain area. They may take down houses, lead to the loss of people and belongings, and contribute to mental and physical health concerns. Although the circumstances of each natural disaster are different, these events often have similar impacts on mental health. As you come across news about Hurricane Beryl in Texas, exploring the potential mental health impacts during and after the disaster can be a way to prepare for the future and cope with this traumatic time. If you’ve been affected by a natural disaster, consider seeking mental health support through therapy.

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Hurricane Beryl makes landfall in Texas: A 2024 natural disaster 

Hurricane Beryl, a tropical storm, originated in the Caribbean at the beginning of July 2024, moving through Barbados, Jamaica, and several islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It then moved up through Mexico and hit East Texas on July 8th, a Monday morning.

The hurricane has been labeled “category 1,” causing flooding, toppled power lines, treefall, and building damage. In many areas of the Texas coast, cities experienced power outages, leaving millions of people stuck inside their homes in the Texas heat without a way to find relief. The heatwave has been linked to the deaths of several individuals.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a hurricane warning press release on July 8th, stating that the hurricane would move inland over the coming week. 

The National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service have also provided updates on the hurricane’s path and severity, showing that Beryl has maintained maximum sustained winds since it made landfall in Texas. The Lower Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley are projected to be impacted, and individuals are cautioned to watch for flash flooding and power outages. Disaster relief efforts are still underway.

How natural disasters impact mental health 

As a storm surge is projected across the US during hurricane season, more people around the country may be worried about these disasters' overall mental and physical health impacts. Below are some ways hurricanes like Beryl and other natural disasters can impact mental wellness. 

Post-traumatic stress

Dislocation and loss

People experiencing natural disasters may lose their homes, vehicles, belongings, and loved ones, often leading to traumatic grief. Some people may not have the resources to rebuild, insure, or repurchase what was lost, and many lost items may have had sentimental value. 

Losing loved ones can add to the trauma associated with the natural disaster, as individuals may be forced to postpone their mourning to continue to cope with and get through the natural disaster safely. When the disaster ends, it can seem that the rest of the world “goes on living,” whereas those left behind may continue to struggle to find support as they grieve their losses.

Difficulty getting needs met

During disasters, people are often cut off from food, water, healthcare, electricity, and more. They may also be unable to take baths or engage in regular hygiene practices. When one’s home is lost, they may be without shelter, clothing, and protective items. Losing these necessities can lead to severe mental distress and may factor into the development of conditions like PTSD. 

Witnessing the traumatic impacts on others

People often believe that PTSD only develops in those who have directly been impacted by an event. However, people can develop PTSD from witnessing the trauma of others. For example, a person who has not lost their home but has witnessed the destruction of their neighbor’s home and seen the effects of loss on their community may also be at risk of PTSD or other mental health challenges. 

A sense of powerlessness 

People may experience a sense of being powerless to help themselves or others in their community. When a disaster occurs, the community often steps up to help each other through volunteer work, emotional support, and solidarity. However, when someone is unable to do as much as they’d like or wishes they could undo the impacts of the disaster as a whole, they might blame themselves for “not doing more” or “not being enough,” which can contribute to low self-esteem and depression. 

Illness

Natural disasters themselves can put individuals at a higher risk of illness as people may be exhausted, lacking basic necessities, and exposed to the weather. Mental health challenges can also put a person at a higher risk of illness, and illness may subsequently lead to mental health challenges. If a community does not have access to proper medical care during the disaster, people may struggle to get the help they need, which can lead to further complications. 

Sleep changes

Natural disasters often disrupt one’s routine and make falling or staying asleep difficult. People displaced by the disaster may not be able to sleep as they attempt to support others through what happened or cope with their daily life difficulties. Sleep deprivation can lead to further mental and physical health risks. 

How to cope with natural disasters like Hurricane Beryl

If you are going through a natural disaster or have been through one in the past, you’re not alone. Experiencing emotional challenges after a disaster can be normal, and you might have complex symptoms as you move forward and process what occurred or is still occurring for you or others. Below are some suggestions for coping as you work through this trauma. 

Find a routine 

Finding a way to reintegrate a routine into your life may help you regulate your nervous system. Completing the same tasks you used to complete on a schedule may prompt your body to sense that you are safe. A routine may also help you distract yourself from challenging emotions. If you are currently going through a natural disaster, you might find a routine by planning the day ahead each morning or signing up for a specific volunteer shift at a disaster relief shelter.

Help others

Volunteering often comes with mental health benefits. Being able to provide support, empathy, and guidance to others in your community may help you cope with your own challenges. Being part of an overall social community is often comforting to people in times of trauma, so knowing you have given back to those you care about and seeing the tangible effects of your effort may be helpful.

Use a creative outlet

Many challenging emotions may arise during a natural disaster. If you aren’t sure how to process these feelings, consider using a creative outlet like art, writing, or music. For example, you might write a poem about your feelings or a journal entry about each day of the disaster and what has occurred. 

After a natural disaster, you might create art about what it was like for you or write a song about the emotions you experienced. If you don’t consider yourself creative, you might release emotion by exercising, spending time in nature, or coloring in a coloring book. Try to find activities that help you express and release your emotions healthily. 

Talk about it with a therapist

Natural disasters can be traumatic events that tend to impact every person who experiences them in one way or another. Regardless of whether you have developed mental health challenges due to the disaster, talking to someone about what you’ve been through may help you process the experience. Therapy can be a beneficial resource during this time. 

If you face access barriers like financial struggles or a lack of providers in your area, you might also try online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. An online therapist can meet with you via phone, video, or live chat, and you can schedule sessions for a time that works for you. Support groups may also be available, empowering you to talk about what happened with others and form a community. 

Studies show that internet-based therapy is often effective in supporting people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or trauma. In a 2020 study on online eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR, a common treatment for PTSD) for individuals struggling with trauma related to COVID-19, researchers found that trauma symptoms were usually lessened by 55% for study participants.