SolveYourProblem Article Series: Hurricanes
Hurricane Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols

Hurricane Katrina: A Devastating Disaster

Hurricane Katrina was one of the biggest disasters of 2005. On August 26th, 2006 hundreds of thousands of people were left without a place to live and numerous of those people also were left jobless and penniless.

Fortunately, many people and organizations chipped in to help make lives easier for those people who have been affected by this terrible disaster. For instance, new homes were built, and relief funds were started to help hurricane victims get back on their feet. In addition, new job programs were set in place.

However, not even all this could necessarily cause people to forget this disaster. The biggest amount of apprehension arose on the anniversary of that terrible tropical flight of one year ago this past August.

Many people felt fearful and anxious, as well as uneasy and confused by the reactions they have felt during the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. However, those that have had this strong reaction have been told that the fear that they have hand regarding this event is a normal response to a tragedy of this type. It is a form of post-traumatic stress that many people have experienced.

Part of what had been established after Hurricane Katrina is Project Recovery. This service was founded to provide free crisis counseling services to those people and groups that were afflicted by Katrina. One of the things they have done besides counsel people is that they have created a brochure which was designed to briefly describe what Hurricane Katrina victims are going through.

It is to help the victims understand that they have been through quite a bit and that they are not alone and they can feel free to talk about it at any time. This Project Recovery and the Hurricane Katrina Anniversary Brochure is part of the process of what people used to help heal from this tragic event. This brochure as well as Project Recovery helps people know that they have places to turn to for further mental help as well.

The type of stress that happens on the anniversary date of a tragic event is often referred to as the Anniversary Reaction. People who have experienced the onslaught of Katrina dealt with a variety of emotions (other than anxiety). Some of those emotions include anger nightmares, flashbacks, depression, and extreme fear.

Some people may have also been sad, and have experienced insomnia or have developed eating disorder. Some of them go out of their way to avoid the reminders of the disaster, which others reflect on the way their lives have changed.

Those who have or are still dealing with the stress of Hurricane Katrina are advised to try various stress-reducing techniques. Some of these include taking time to relax, maintaining as many routines as possible, avoiding excess alcohol consumption as well as the consumption of illegal (or even legal) drugs.

Other coping mechanisms include taking care of your body and taking as much care for your family as you possible can. Also, remember that your family may be hurting too, and you will need each other during this time of recovery.

Those who want to fight the Anniversary Reaction can participate in a variety of activities. For instance, they can celebrate the strides they have made during the disaster. If you are one of those people you can tell how you survived and found a new job, received a new home, and you can share what has got you through. You can help others who are struggling worse that you are through this disaster, if you are able.

Even though remembering traumatic events that have directly affected your life can be painful, for some people times such as these can also be healing times. This is a time for people to get together and express their feelings. They can even be creative about it, and write about the disaster, or paint it, or even write a song about it.

Whatever people can do to contribute to the support of their community to help the better off they will be. The survivors of Katrina-who you most likely are one of, may possibly live for years to come and help others through similar instances.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2007

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