Survivors of Hurricane Ian face a long emotional road to recover from one of the most damaging storms to hit the U.S. mainland.
Joe Kuczko puts up a tarp next to his mobile home, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, in Pine Island, Fla., in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, – With her home gone and all her belongings trashed by Hurricane Ian, Alice Pujols wept as she picked through soggy clothes, toys and overturned furniture piled head-high outside a stranger’s house, looking to salvage something — anything — for her four children and herself.
“When someone’s in a state of trauma that so many are in, they don’t know where to begin,” said Beth Hatch, CEO of the Collier County, Florida, branch of the National Alliance of Mental Illness. “They need that hand-holding and they need to know that there’s so many people here to help them.” Research has shown that between a third and half of those who survive a disaster develop some type of mental distress, said Jennifer Horney, an epidemiology professor at the University of Delaware who studies natural disaster impacts on public health.
“It’s like a death of a loved one. The pain just comes and goes," he said. “There’s times when there are these little glimmers or slivers of hope. And then everything falls apart.” In recent days, the number of calls have doubled at Hatch's organization as people recognize they cannot rebuild their lives — and overcome trauma — alone.
She said the Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 suicides of men in their 70s was not typical so soon after a catastrophic event.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Nothing's left': Hurricane Ian leaves emotional toll behindSurvivors of Hurricane Ian face a long emotional road to recover from one of the most damaging storms to hit the U.S. mainland
Read more »
Hurricane Ian floods leave mess, insurance questions behindNORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Christine Barrett was inside her family’s North Port home during Hurricane Ian when one of her children started yelling that water was coming up from the shower. Then it started coming in from outside the house.
Read more »
Floridians adamant about rebuilding in areas devastated by Hurricane IanFloridians whose homes and businesses were destroyed during Hurricane Ian are adamant about rebuilding the communities that were destroyed during Hurricane Ian.
Read more »
Floridians adamant about rebuilding in areas devastated by Hurricane IanFORT MYERS, Fla. — Floridians whose homes and businesses were destroyed during Hurricane Ian are adamant about rebuilding the communities that were destroyed during Hurricane Ian.
Read more »
Lancaster Business Owner Helps Raise Money for Hurricane Ian VictimsLocal businesses in North Texas are raising funds to help those affected by Hurricane Ian.
Read more »
Hurricane Ian death toll now more than 100 after storm slams into Florida, North CarolinaNEW YORK — At least 120 people in Florida have died due to Hurricane Ian, according to local officials, as the death toll continues to climb a week after the powerful storm slammed into the state's southwestern coast.
Read more »