Natural Disaster Tornadoes - Major Stressor For Me

[Lionheart]

The “Super Outbreak of April 3-4, 1974” occurred across portions of the Midwest, Lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast.

In what was the worst tornado outbreak of the 20th century, there were 148 tornadoes over the course of just 18 hours, over half of which were classified as significant at F-2 strength or higher.

I was 13 years old when this happened and I thought it was the end of the world! I guess it's safe to say that it was traumatizing for me and tornadoes are now a stressor.

*(This was not the cause of my PTSD, but the time period did overlap with some of the other causes of trauma as 1974 was the roughest year of my entire life).

Now that tornado season is here again, I am freaking out, (ie;flashbacks?), every time a storm pops up.

It is safe to say that I am not a fan of bad storms with high winds. * (I live in what is known as "tornado alley").

I have yet to discuss this with my therapist but would like to get some feedback here before I do. I would like to know if others have this same problem with tornadoes or storms and what has helped you with your anxiety levels.

 

[Nam]

My parents talk about the tornados of '74. It's ingrained in everyone's memory: where were you during the tornado? Like every child that grew up in the Midwest, especially on a farm (farmers are obsessed with weather), I had nightmares about tornados. As many as 12 of them coming after me and my family. And yet, I would love to see one for real. I wonder how I would feel after the fact...

My advice is to Emergency prepare: Water bottles, weather radio, matches, blankets, food, can opener, batteries, anything else that makes you feel better in your safe place. Practice your drills. Have a meeting place with loved ones.

There are many sites that will help with emergency prep. Take what you need to feel safer.

I tend to study and research to death things that scare me for a little resemblance of control...even if it's a fallacy. Tornados are studied. Many vids, stories, accounts, and scientific data are there to study.

Then, remember, that shit happens...for no reason at all. Control what you can, let go what you can't.

 

[Lionheart]

Thank you @Nam

I appreciate the feedback!!!! I realize that tornadoes are a legitimate fear, but my reaction to even a thunderstorm, at this time of year, is over the top.

I think if I had underground protection I would not be so worried when a storm blows in, but because I don't have that, I feel especially vulnerable to these unpredictable and destructive forces.

If you have ever heard a tornado siren you know that it sounds as if a war is about to take place. They really creep me out!!!

For those who aren't familiar with tornadoes, the force of the winds is so damaging that it can blow a piece of straw straight through a telephone pole, or demolish one house and leave the next home untouched.

Often a tornado will form and when it does, the weather stations depend on the eyewitness accounts of others to help them report and warn of them. So, one could form before the national weather service has the opportunity to warn everyone.

Anyway the closer we get to the anniversary of the 1974 super outbreak and tornado season, the more I start to feel anxiety and panic.

Perhaps I can see if there is a shelter I can go to when the threat is imminent.

 

[TXbandit]

Every tornado season, chasers are 100% committed to calling in and reporting tornados, studying them, trying new methods to put into place for better, more efficient, early warning systems across the U.S. Every year it's getting better and they are gaining new ground on how to better report from weather modules, satellites, on the ground etc. There are also better designed mass shelters being developed for most schools and cities. Just look at Moore, Oklahoma for example...our even Joplin, Missouri.

You can't stop mother nature. Plain and simple and as Nam said, shit happens. I know none of this will help when the time comes. Just know there are people out there busting their butts and putting their lives on the line to make this warning system what it should be. To warn early and educate people in tornado preparedness. Hugs and I apologize for raising your anxiety about the upcoming season on chat yesterday :oops: :D

 

[Lionheart]

@TXbandit Thank you for the information about early warning systems. it is comforting to know that there are people working to improve things.

I believe I could allay my fears quite a bit, if I had underground shelter from tornado threats rather than having to cower in the bathroom at ground level.

No apologies are necessary, as I was already becoming hyper-vigilant due to the time of year, but it is still very much appreciated!!!

Hugs,
Lion

 

[TXbandit]

You are more than welcome!

Have you looked in to DIY shelters? I have seen some pretty affordable, easy DIY shelters. I am trying to convince and pleading with my parents to put one in. It would be worth the money to do it.

Tx

 

[SurvivorEF3]

I just saw this thread tonight because I googled 'tornado ptsd'. I've never had PTSD or even much anxiety before, but on May 10, 2015, our home was destroyed around us by an ef3 that hit Van, TX (called a killer tornado because it killed 2 people on our street). Our home was the only home on our side of the block that had any bit of walls left in place (not intact, but still at house site). We were in the hallway when it hit (myself, husband and 4 children from ages 8 years to 9 weeks.) No injuries thank God. In fact, even with the 2 deaths and multiple serious injuries, no children on the street were hurt. Our next door neighbors were thrown 300 feet in the opposite direction that there house was thrown. Injuries, yes, severe, but they survived.
I'd been looking on weather all evening because we were under a watch, but even with that and knowing tornadoes were possible, we didn't have enough time to leave when the warning was issued and the sirens went off. Total it was about 90 seconds from the warning to when it was already done tearing up our house. We moved immediately to a different part of Texas where people keep telling me tornadoes don't happen (I know they can happen anywhere) and I know in our city, there hasn't been a tornado in 60 years. But it's raining and thundering now and I can't sleep. My body and brain are on high alert because of the noises. I keep staring at radar and I have the weather radio on and just listening to the repeat broadcast that's been going for hours now. I'll sit out this storm and sleep when it's over. I know there's nothing I can do, but I can't sleep anyway. I just want you to know you're not alone.

 

[Lionheart]

We had a brief storm yesterday that blew tree limbs down to the point that they blocked our driveway. It was sudden and while it was not the most intense storm I have ever been through, it does create general anxiety for me.

I think a lot of things are tied into the day/night of the tornadoes in 1974 and it was more than just the black skies and threat of high winds that disturb me about that time in my life. I believed I was going to die (IE:; was being punished by God because I had been forced to have sex with a man).

I was terrified that I was about to be struck by the powerful forces of nature (God) and the memory of that day in my life comes through with crystal clarity when it storms.

 

[hodge]

I have the same fear, Lionheart. We had a tornado nearby several years ago. I have never been so scared in my life, and I've been raped and attacked and other crap. But when that siren went off, we got to the basement, got all our pets to the basement, which took awhile, and I shook so badly and hung on to my husband. At one point he went to look out a window and he never has told me what he saw, because I guess it was pretty scary. I don't remember ever literally shaking from fear than I did during that tornado. Ever since then, I have been hypervigilent about weather. I always have a weather website up on my computer and monitor when there are storms forecasted like there are today.

 

[Lionheart]

Thank you @hodge for sharing!!!!

I know it is not easy to discuss these things; tornadoes are unpredictable and uncontrollable, but we do have some control over how we respond to tornadic storms. I am trying to find a place to go during tornado weather as we do not have a basement or cellar to protect us.

Right now, the only plan we have in place is to get to the center of the house, (which is the bathroom or hallway to the bathroom), and it makes me feel really uneasy that we are going to be at ground level. I am thinking of contacting the Fire Department or Police for suggestions.

At least if we were below ground level, I would believe I stood a chance......otherwise it is just too risky for me and does nothing to relive the fear. anxiety and panic that can arise.

 

[hodge]

I'm so sorry you do not have a basement or cellar, Lionheart. But there must be a shelter in your town, a school or town hall?

 

[Lionheart]

Thanks @hodge

I am going to be looking for a safe shelter nearby, very soon...a school or perhaps a store etc