Hurricane Helene's damage wasn't just physical. Many face an emotional toll
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Trees and debris lay on the beach in Treasure Island after Hurricane Helene passed offshore. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Editor's note: This story includes information about suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the suicide and crisis hotline at 988. More resources are listed below.
Pinellas County emergency management director Cathie Perkins had been working for eight days straight when the tears broke through.
- "It's not home," Perkins said of the shelters open around the county for Hurricane Helene survivors, "but it's got electricity, it's got food, it's got people there that will give you a big hug" — her voice wavered.
- "So sorry," she said, pausing for a moment. When county administrator Barry Burton asked if he should take over: "No," she said. "I can do this."
Why it matters: The poignant moment at Tuesday's County Commission meeting underscores the emotional toll of Hurricane Helene, which killed at least 13 people locally and wrecked thousands of homes and businesses across Tampa Bay.
- "It's just so hard to imagine that one day, everything around you is beautiful and everything is normal, and then 24 hours later, it's gone," said Perkins, whose inland home was not impacted by the storm..
The big picture: Her thoughts in that moment of grief were of the thousands of residents who need not imagine: the loss is right in front of them, water-logged, buried in sand or washed away altogether.
Zoom in: Feeling distressed and sad after a disaster is normal — and there's no shame in seeking help, said Jennifer Horney, an epidemiology professor at the University of Delaware whose research focuses on health impacts after disasters.
- Nearly 80% of people impacted by a disaster will have some kind of mental health outcome, she said. That's based on a review of academic studies conducted about a decade ago.
- In the short term, that means issues like anxiety, sleep trouble and post-traumatic stress disorder, she said. In the long term, that could mean depression or suicidal ideation. Six people died by suicide in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
- Seniors, people with prior mental health conditions and those who witnessed direct impacts from a disaster are at a higher risk.
Between the lines: So are those who didn't but know someone who did, Horney said. That's worth noting in Tampa Bay, where a fractured reality has emerged in Helene's wake.
- On the coasts, there's widespread destruction. Inland, life appears almost normal.
What they're saying: It's led to feelings of guilt for Pinellas County Commissioner Dave Eggers, who during Tuesday's meeting openly grappled with how to talk to residents when his home in Dunedin made it through unscathed.
- "You just hug somebody that's going through it, and they're the ones going through it and you're the one being emotional about it, like, 'Wait what's wrong with this picture?'" he told Axios.
How to help: For those feeling overwhelmed or sad, lean on your friends, family and disaster aid organizations, Horney said.
- Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same, especially if you notice them starting to isolate themselves.
- And if the feelings persist, seek more hands-on help like counseling. As with a physical injury, she said, mental and emotional distress deserves urgent attention.
Mental health resources:
- The Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, multilingual crisis counseling to people experiencing emotional distress related to a natural disaster. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
- Dial 211 to reach the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, which can connect callers to emotional support and recovery resources.
- For Pinellas residents, the county recently launched Care About Me, an access line for non-crisis mental health services. Call or text 1-888-431-1998, and a behavioral specialist can assess your needs and schedule an appointment with a provider.
Go deeper: How to give help and get help in Tampa Bay