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Coping with trauma after a natural disaster
As wildfires rage in California, FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis analyzes what coping with a natural disaster can look and feel like feel by reviewing how Bay Area's residents have coped with back-to-back hurricanes in September and October of 2024.
TAMPA, Fla. - In Los Angeles, a hellscape of flames has sent thousands fleeing from their homes as wildfires instantly incinerated lifetimes of memories.
"It just took a long time to fathom that this could just, like, all disappear like that," said one Pacific Palisades neighbor.
A home in California burns from wildfires.
Losing everything at once can be a helpless feeling, and many in the Tampa community know this feeling all too well.
READ: Tampa native studying at UCLA just five miles away from Palisades Fire: ‘Lots of panicking’
"To reconcile how you rebuild your life because, after an event like this with such demolition, it's going to change," said Mac MacGary in Pacific Palisades.
The wildfires in LA can also be triggering for victims of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.
Dr. Patrick Porter is an expert in brain health; he said trauma is transforming.
"The brain has to rewire around that because it's always predicting our future. This is the future nobody could predict. So that's why it's even more traumatic," said Porter.
Porter explained that surviving natural disasters can alter your brain's chemistry, leading to a state of heightened anxiety and hypervigilance.
A grid of photos showing the wildfires in California.
"Stress is going to create what's called neural pruning, which means our brain is going to disconnect. So many important memories that they recalled easily will no longer be recalled. And that's going to have an effect on their moods," Porter said.
READ: What caused the California fires? What we know
Acknowledging the trauma you’ve been through instead of bottling up emotions is the first healthy step.
Porter says the brain craves routines, hates sugar, and thrives off movement, even if it's just a walk around the block.
He said the good news is that the brain is resilient and can heal, but it's about reframing your narrative and that you will get through this.
"We have to build certainty and by building our own routines. What are you doing today to build your health physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually?" Porter said. "Whatever you need to do, as long as you feel like you're moving in a positive progression."
Porter says it’s also really important for your mind not to have negative thoughts or images before you sleep; you shouldn't watch any fire videos 15-20 minutes before bed.
The same applies to hurricane recovery: don’t ruminate about rebuilding or your to-do list right before you sleep.
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