Just curious what has or hasn’t been helpful to those that have dealt with major events (flood threat, wildfire threat, etc.). ------------------------------------------n
The anxiety for things like flood, wildfire, can go on for days for residents. Should I leave, should I stay , what will happen to my home, etc.
That period when you don’t know where something will land is very stressful. Media coverage is nonstop. Please don’t add unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation. Examples: Only sibling out of state a few years ago knew a major hurricane was headed our way ( and it did hit us and caused $15,000 in damage). She told me she had a mammogram that was suspicious. She is not married but had friends to confide in until her anxiety passed. Added lots of anxiety to an already stressful situation. We had just dealt with my mother and her illnesses and death and I just was very anxious to think about this. Just now, OOS BIL emails and spends one line to say hope you don’t get hit too hard and then talks about his new book coming up. He had something legal a couple of days ago he wanted to send my H to sign. H told him he was out of town, his wife had a potential hurricane on the way and suggested he wait until next week to send it. Well, he wanted to send it anyway so one more thing to safeguard against flood waters. Our area should be fine but that was not so sure earlier in the week. I’m just sensitive I think! OOS SIL texted and called today to make sure we were okay, and that was much appreciated.
Stay safe, everyone! All the best to those in the path of the storm!
We have been through ice storms and floods when we lived in the NE. My husband worked for a utility and I was often alone with 2 children and no power. We have been through several hurricanes in Florida and the islands. You can easily have flashbacks to previous stressful natural disasters. Ignore the demands placed upon you by others during these times. Make sure that you are well prepared prior to a disaster. TURN OFF THE WEATHER CHANEL! We stopped watching it and paid attention to a local meteorologist and our local alerts. Thoughts and prayers with all who are in the path of this storm.
Yes, we have been through hurricanes a few times, very stressful. The phone call from my OOS SIL today really touched me. I tried a couple of times to divert the conversation to a couple of positive things I knew she had going on in her life. We got to that eventually but not before she knew I would be okay (have food, water, neighbors know I’m by myself, etc.). I was very appreciative of her texts and then phone call.
I agree with ECmotherx2 about paying attention to local meteorologists and not the national forecasters. In my experience, the information has been more useful and there’s been far less sensationalism.
As far as what has or hasn’t been helpful during past stressful events, we have a couple of relatives who were consistently unhelpful or so self-focused that they didn’t care about negatively impacting us. We’re now estranged from them for other, more serious, reasons but it’s been a relief to not have to deal with them when there’s a crisis or threat of a crisis. On the other hand, we have some relatives who’ve offered to house us if the need arises and that’s appreciated. Likewise, we make the same offer to close relatives and friends.
We’ve sent money to relatives who’ve been through a natural disaster, serious accident, etc. We tell them that if we lived nearby we’d help with meals, a place to stay, etc., but since we don’t then we hope the funds will help with immediate expenses or stuff insurance won’t cover. That seems to forestall protests or polite refusals, and they’ve thanked us multiple times.
In the two examples you gave, Sevmom, I’d give the woman freaked out about her mammogram a pass but I’d tell BIL that you couldn’t be responsible for whatever he wanted to send getting lost or destroyed then don’t give it another thought. It’s entirely on him if the papers are never found.
Oh, yes, I 've given my sister a pass about the suspicious mammogram but it was definitely stressful at the time.
One of my sons bought me a train ticket to get out of town if I needed to and offered his apartment… I decided to stay as forecasts changed and the ticket was refundable. But, I was so touched he did that… Other son texted and called with concern and I assured him I will be fine. So helpful just to have people let you know they are thinking of you (and offering tangible support it needed).
Re: local media and officials. Even they can be sensational. Terms like potentially catastrophic, Biblical,mandatory evacuations, etc were being thrown around locally as recently as yesterday, but luckily the media and officials seem to have calmed down!
Thank you, @Silpat , I was by no means a perfect mother and have made my fair share of mistakes. I’m just thankful I have kids that don’t seem to hold grudges!
A few weeks ago, there was a “100-year” rainfall in my area, i.e., 13 inches of rain in one afternoon and evening. One of my coworkers who lives nearby but not in a 13-inches area texted me to see if I was okay. I really appreciated that!
Agree with ECmotherx2! We used to laugh about the “hysterical wives club” at work. These women would start calling/texting their husband 20x per day anytime a hurricane showed up in the gulf. It’s because they’re home with the media all day and fall into panic. It’s really sad when the media used scare tactics instead of just urging reasonable previous precautions.