Disaster Response: Coping with Hurricane Fatigue Tips

When you're facing a natural disaster threat, it becomes exhausting—mentally, emotionally, and even physically. It’s more than just being tired; disaster fatigue can leave you feeling numb or indifferent, making it harder to prepare for the next storm.

If you've been through something similar, you know the overwhelming stress of seeing another storm forecasted, hearing the warnings, and wondering how much more you can take.

Let’s talk about the symptoms of disaster fatigue and some ways to cope with it.

Hurricanes Helene and Milton: A Two-Week Test

Hurricane Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend area on September 24th, and just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key on October 9th.

Both storms intensified rapidly in the Gulf, causing widespread damage from Florida to Georgia and into parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. Here in Tampa Bay,

Helene brought record-breaking storm surge, devastating nearby beach communities, while Milton followed with severe wind damage and flooding from relentless rain.

Many people around me, and across the region, lost everything.

My Experience with Back-to-Back Hurricanes

Despite the destruction around us, we were fortunate to avoid major damage. Our biggest issue was tree debris to clean up, and we lost power for several hours during Helene and a few days after Milton.

Thankfully, we had a generator, which kept our food cold and our phones charged, allowing us to stream TV and pass the time.

Still, the emotional toll was heavy. Sitting through hours of wind howling at 60 to 70 miles per hour, with stronger gusts and rain pounding the windows, takes a toll on your nerves.

Living with three large oak trees around my home, I worried one might fall, especially with the ground so softened by all the rain. Thankfully, the trees held, but the anxiety didn’t go away.

We nearly ran out of gas for the generator, but just as it became critical, the power came back on.

Since we prepare in advance, we didn’t have to scramble for groceries or gas, but the stress was still there, lingering after the storms had passed.

So Why Am I So Wiped Out?

Despite avoiding serious damage, I felt completely drained after the storms. That’s the essence of disaster fatigue.

Even when you escape the physical destruction, the constant worry and preparation take their toll.

You’re on high alert for days, anticipating the worst, and that stress lingers long after the storm has passed.

Symptoms of Disaster Fatigue

Disaster fatigue sneaks up on you, especially after repeated threats and close calls. Over time, it wears you down emotionally, mentally, and physically. Here are some common symptoms:

• Emotional Exhaustion: The constant worry and preparation can leave you feeling drained and on edge.

• Apathy and Complacency: After multiple storms, it’s easy to become indifferent, thinking, "It won’t be that bad." This mindset can lead to dangerous decision-making.

• Physical Fatigue: The physical demands of storm prep—getting supplies, securing your home—are exhausting. After a while, it becomes harder to find the energy to do it all again.

• Difficulty Focusing: When disaster fatigue sets in, it’s harder to stay focused on both preparation and daily tasks.

• Irritability: It’s easy to become irritable with family, coworkers, or even the constant emergency alerts when you’re running on empty.

Coping with Disaster Fatigue

Recognizing the symptoms of disaster fatigue is the first step toward managing it. Here are some practical ways to cope:

• Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to admit that you’re tired. Disaster fatigue is a normal response to prolonged stress.

• Take Breaks: Step away from constant news updates. Staying informed is important, but overconsumption of disaster-related content can heighten stress.

• Prepare in Advance: Reduce the last-minute scramble by having a plan and supplies ready before a storm hits.

• Talk About It: Sharing your experience with others who have been through similar situations can help ease the burden.

• Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your well-being with healthy meals, rest, and activities that help you relax.

• Limit Exposure to Triggers: Set boundaries on how often you check the news or weather updates. You don’t need to follow every single update.

• Create a Support System: Share responsibilities with neighbors or friends. Whether it's splitting tasks or sharing supplies, working together can make things easier.

The Importance of an Emergency Plan

If you don’t already have an emergency plan, now is the time to make one. Write it down—don’t rely solely on your memory or phone, especially if the power goes out.

A physical plan provides guidance when stress is high and decisions are harder to make. 

Whether you’re sheltering in place or evacuating, having a plan in place can save valuable time and energy.

Sheltering in place means knowing how to secure your home, where your supplies are, and how to communicate with family.

If you need to evacuate, have a clear route, a place to stay, and all essentials like medications and important documents packed and ready.

After Hurricane Milton, we revised our plan. If another storm heads our way, we’ll book a reservation early, evacuate in advance and stay at a pet-friendly inland hotel.  This way, I won’t have to worry about our large oak trees falling.

Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

We were lucky to have a gas generator during the hurricanes, but we almost ran out of fuel. The Port of Tampa was closed, and local gas stations couldn't pump without electricity.

This experience pushed me to start researching solar generators.

We were also fortunate that post-hurricane temperatures were mild. If the storm had hit in the summer, we would have struggled with the heat and humidity. Now, we’re looking into portable fans and cooling systems to better prepare for future storms.

Conclusion

Facing back-to-back hurricanes has tested my endurance.

Disaster fatigue is real, and it can leave you feeling drained even if you escape major damage.

By recognizing the symptoms and taking steps to cope, we can better manage the mental and emotional toll of living in a hurricane-prone area.

Remember, it’s okay to feel tired, but with a solid plan and support, we can keep moving forward, one storm at a time.

Take Action Now

If disaster fatigue has been weighing on you, take a moment today to revisit your emergency plan or start one if you haven’t already.  

Not sure where to start, we offer a free Create Your Family Emergency Plan Guide.  Click HERE to order your free copy.  

Check your supplies, talk to your family, and make sure you’re prepared for the next storm—emotionally and physically.

And don’t forget to share your own experiences or tips in the comments below.

Let’s support each other through these challenging times by staying informed and connected.