Extreme Weather and Mental Health

August 15, 2025

The physical effects of hurricanes and other natural disasters are known, but the psychological toll has often been overlooked. Events such as these can induce “disaster fatigue,” a form of emotional exhaustion that can reshape how people make choices in future situations.

While Southwestern states must endure hurricane season, residents in the West face similar stakes when confronted with several waves of massive wildfires. Look no further than the recent catastrophic Los Angeles fires to begin to understand the trauma survivors will endure for the rest of their lives.

Unfortunately, as the probability of natural disasters increases, so does disaster fatigue. That fatigue can make it challenging to encourage people to get out of harm’s way the next time they’re faced with a natural disaster.

In Florida, for instance, people are becoming less inclined to prepare for a second hurricane if they’re still digging out from the first. And it isn’t just fatigue from weather events. “It’s the COVID fatigue. It’s like, how many other things can they deal with? How much risk can they contend with?” says Laura Myers, a social scientist at the University of Alabama. “A lot of people are saying, ‘I’ve done all I can do, I’ve done the best I can do, and we’ll just see how it plays out.'”

If you think you may have experienced a form of disaster fatigue, here’s everything scientists know about the phenomenon so far and five ways to prevent or cope with the exhaustion.

What Exactly is Disaster Fatigue?

After constantly being warned about storms and other potential disasters, people can become emotionally worn out and mentally drained. Disaster or hurricane fatigue is a form of psychological exhaustion that occurs in individuals exposed to repeated weather events. Unlike acute stress, disaster fatigue accumulates over time, so repeated exposure to similar kinds of crises can wear an individual down to a point where their mind and body no longer have the energy to respond to threats.

The human body is built to handle stress in small amounts by activating the fight-or-flight response. During a threat, this system activates, enabling individuals to make quick, life-saving decisions. When someone knows that a natural disaster is coming, this system is hyperactivated for too long. Just one event is enough to trigger disaster fatigue, but repeated events without enough time to recuperate can leave the body overtaxed.

The Mental and Physical Symptoms of Disaster Fatigue

The kind of chronic stress endured during an extreme weather event can lead to anxiety, sleep disturbances, and even physical repercussions like headaches and digestive issues. Over time, people can also become emotionally numb or apathetic, especially in the face of a new disaster. Disaster fatigue can make it difficult for people to make decisions, while the likelihood of emotional outbursts increases, which can strain interpersonal relationships. 

“What people might be experiencing is: irritability, trouble enjoying the things that they usually enjoy,” says Katie Planchard, a licensed clinical social worker with Ellie Mental Health. “They might have sleep disturbances, they might have issues in some of their relationships, or going to work and doing the things that they would typically do on a normal basis.”

While disaster fatigue is a somewhat newly studied phenomenon, some researchers say that it appears to leave many people facing mental health challenges, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress. That means that even after the weather passes, people can be left with the remaining trauma of having been in a dangerous situation.

Five Ways to Prevent and Cope with Disaster Fatigue

Taking care of yourself is both beneficial to your well-being and enables you to be more resilient and better prepared for stress. By adopting habits that will maintain your physical and mental health at all times, people can become more equipped to handle stressful events when they do occur. 

1. Form a Routine. Routines provide a sense of normalcy and control in any situation. Try to maintain regular sleep patterns, mealtimes, and daily activities as much as possible. “Make sure that you’re still meeting your basic needs, try to get good quality sleep, try to stick with your normal routine, try to make sure you’re eating enough meals and getting good nutrition, and drinking enough water,” Planchard says.
2. Foster Connection. Social support is crucial during times of stress. Stay connected with friends, family, and community members. “If you have family and friends that you can talk to, make sure that you’re reaching out for that support,” Planchard says. “Reach out to your religious leaders. If you are working with a mental health professional, make sure you are talking with them.” Sharing your feelings and experiences with others can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation.
3. Exercise Regularly. Physical activity is a powerful stress reducer. Whether it’s a workout at home or going for a walk outside, make it an activity that you enjoy. Not only does exercise release endorphins, a natural mood booster, but physical activity can also improve sleep, which is often disturbed during stressful times.
4. Take Digital Breaks. While it’s essential to stay informed about weather developments, constant exposure to news and social media can exacerbate anxiety and stress. Try scheduling regular breaks to give yourself a rest from worrying. Try to engage in relaxing activities such as reading, listening to music, meditation, or spending time in nature.
5. Prepare For the Unexpected. By ensuring you have some money saved up in case you end up being out of work for an extended period, need to repair your home, or even relocate, you can alleviate the financial stress that often accompanies times of natural disasters. Another thing is to ensure that you and your loved ones have an evacuation plan. Considering the best course of action before disaster strikes can help ensure that you make the right decision in the moment and alleviate some of the stress ahead of time.

Insureyouknow.org

By finding ways to cope with stress, you can better prepare yourself for the unfortunate event of a natural disaster that strikes close to home. While it’s a misfortune that no one hopes for, taking care of yourself now is a way to feel like you’re getting ahead of whatever might come in the future. With Insureyouknow.org, you may store all of your identification, financial records, and medical information in one place, so that if disaster strikes, you’ll maintain access to your essential documents from anywhere. With one less thing to worry about, you can focus on what truly matters in an emergency: you and your loved one’s safety.

Is Your Home Ready for Extreme Weather?

January 1, 2025

From wildfire season with smoky air to higher temperatures and unexpected blackouts during freezing temps, the reality of extreme weather conditions is causing homeowners to better prepare their homes. While every homeowner should feel safe at home, a recent survey by Certain Teed revealed that less than 48% of people feel confident in their home’s durability in the face of extreme weather.

The good news is that smart updates will bring peace of mind and add value to your home. While some projects cost more money and time than others, there are several that require less of an upfront investment. No matter your budget, here are five easy home improvement areas to consider to protect your home and feel safer during weather events.

HVAC Systems Can Protect Against Temperatures and Poor Air Quality

Because people spend 90 percent of their time indoors, the quality of your home’s indoor air is crucial to the quality of your home life. One way homeowners can prepare for extreme weather and climate events is to make sure they have a reliable and well-maintained HVAC system in place. While it can be difficult to predict when climate-related issues may happen, an HVAC system can maintain inside temperatures, withstand harsh weather outside, and provide filtration that improves indoor air quality no matter what unfolds.

Preventative maintenance on your HVAC system and changing the filter every 30 to 90 days will help prolong the life and quality of your investment. Keeping your system at or above 64 degrees Fahrenheit during the colder months also helps prevent expensive issues like frozen and burst pipes.

Choose the Right Roofing Materials For Your Climate

Roof upgrades significantly increase your home’s resilience as well as its value. “The roof is the first line of defense on a home,” says Teed Lucas Hamilton, manager of applied building science at Certain. “It is important to select the right materials for your climate,” he says. Impact-resistant roofing, solar reflective shingles to combat rising temperatures, and fire-resistant materials are all things to consider when choosing roofing materials. In areas where strong wind is a possibility, hurricane fastening and straps can also further secure your roof.

When updating the roof, take into account the gutters. Simple add-ons like leaf filters help prevent blockages so that water doesn’t back up during heavy rainfall. When flooding is a concern, gutters should direct drainage away from the home’s foundation. Too much water around the foundation can lead to serious structural issues in the future, such as cracks in the foundation. A sump pump, which runs automatically to keep water out of basements and away from the foundation, is another wise investment in areas with heavy rain and storms.

Consider Window Updates or Replacements

In areas where debris impact is an issue, shutters that can cover existing windows ahead of a storm can safeguard a home during large storms. Impact windows, which have a heavy-duty frame and glass that’s engineered to remain intact even if it breaks in a collision, are another option, but depending on the number of windows your home has, they can get expensive.

Less expensive alternatives to shutters and window replacements include sealing existing windows and applying tints.

“First, use caulk to seal up any holes and cracks on the outside. Then apply weatherstripping and use a window or door insulation kit to block the cold and heat from the inside,” Hamilton says. “These changes help strengthen the barrier between your home and the outdoors, saving on heating and cooling and keeping the elements outside.”

Applying window tinting is another example of an inexpensive update that can block up to 80% of summer solar heat while also keeping some heat inside during winter months. Updates such as these protect from weather and increase energy efficiency by creating a better barrier between your home and the outside elements.

Make Simple Exterior Updates

Steel doors, which are made of more durable materials than some more elaborate door styles, upgrade a home’s entry points by withstanding storms. When certain updates, such as replacing every window in the house, are not in your budget, replacing the home’s main entry points with stronger doors can be a good place to start.

Changing the color of your exterior paint is another affordable update that can help with temperature control. “You might think that choosing the exterior color of your home is only about picking what color you like best,” says Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, formerly known as Angie’s List. “The climate you live in is crucial to picking the right color.”

In hot climates, light colors will help to reflect the sun and keep the interior cool, while those who live in climates prone to extreme colds should choose darker tones to retain heat better.

Maintenance is Key to Safeguarding Your Property

With increased extreme weather events, your home could be damaged slowly over time. It becomes more important to inspect your home for changes and keep up on maintenance to prevent larger repairs and damage down the road. Checking your roof after storms, such as noting any cracks, sagging, or debris in the gutters, is an important part of keeping your roof resilient during the next event. Trees around your home should also be checked for cracks in large branches or soggy soil around the roots, as those should be addressed to prevent damage in a future storm. Gutters should also be cleared regularly to prevent blockages, as well as collect debris from the yard that could become projectiles.

Insureyouknow.org Make sure you’re aware of how your community issues weather alerts. While some use outdoor sirens, others depend on media and smartphones to alert residents of severe storms. No matter what kind of hazards your community may be prone to, the National Weather Service recommends developing a plan with your family ahead of time, such as knowing where your emergency meeting place is or where the safe room is in your home. Safe rooms are usually those without windows at the lowest level of your home. In the event that your home is compromised, Insureyouknow.org can protect all of your vulnerable paper documents by ensuring digital access, providing you with one less thing to worry about so that you may focus on the safety of yourself and your loved ones.