Tornado fatigue and its impacts on people

MONROE and WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Thunderstorms, tornado watches, tornado warnings, they seemed to be almost weekly this time of year.

For many people, they are an annoyance, but for others, they bring up stronger emotions.

When your home and your family have been in the path, even the threat of severe weather can cause anxiety, fear, and even fatigue.

Since February, there have been two tornado outbreaks in the viewing area, as well as, major flooding and damaging winds.

It’s exhausting and seems like it’s never going to end.

That’s when the fatigue sets in and for those who’ve been impacted, hearing the words ‘severe weather’ can bring a flood of emotions.

“I was just scared to death. I was afraid for my family. I was afraid for me because I was at the house. I just got in my closet and covered up. I was crying I didn’t know what to do. It’s just scary,” says Hamilton resident Debra Lawrence.

The lifelong Hamilton native said hearing or thinking about severe weather is even scarier now, since an EF2 twister tore through her hometown, five days ago.

The threat of another line of storms has her prepared to go to the community storm shelter.

“Same thing fixing to happen. We just pray we get spared this time.”

Tornado fatigue is something Reverend Hubert Yates sees time and time again.

Back in April of 2014, he experienced it firsthand when Winston County got rocked by an EF4 tornado.

He played a big role in helping create the community group Winston Strong, and now helps communities across the state when they’re struck with disaster.

“We still have individuals in Winston County that when the weather gets bad, their anxiety levels get up. The fears begin to arise, again though, making plans and making preparations could alleviate a lot of that knowing what you’re going to do.”

Mary Frances Wilson said leaning on someone bigger than yourself will also help when it comes to weathering the storms.

“It brings back some memories, but I really don’t because I know that God is in control and He is going to handle it, whatever it is. I hope we do not go through another one, but if we do, you know, He’s going to take care of it.”

Wilson’s home was demolished in the Winston County tornado.

It was also the first of 350 homes to be rebuilt.

She says she hopes to never go through it again, but has advice for those in Hamilton who currently are.

“Listen to others that can give you some leadership advice and lean on the Lord and He will take care of it. You’ll be fine. It doesn’t seem like it right now, or it did not seem like it that day, but He will. He’ll walk you through and He’ll take care of it.”

Rev. Yates said he’s seeing a huge community response in Hamilton, friends helping friends and neighbors helping neighbors.