LEE COUNTY, Fla. — The thought of another hurricane already brewing in the Atlantic is creating anxiety for many people in Southwest Florida nearly nine months after Hurricane Ian ravaged the area. Mental health experts predict even more anxiety as the hurricane season progresses.
People who still don’t have their homes repaired or rooftops replaced are feeling even more anxiety as the threat of storms approaches the area.
Kurt Riffelmacher of Cape Coral said his family lost three homes, five cars and a truck.
One of those houses belongs to Rifflemacher’s 82-year-old mother, who’s still waiting on insurance to make repairs to her home.
“This street was lined with people’s prized possessions and belongings. We had a pile as high as the roof here,” Riffelmacher described.
Many neighborhoods were turned inside out and resembled war zones after Hurricane Ian devastated places like Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Pine Island and parts of Cape Coral.
Many people are left with PTSD as word that Tropical Storm Bret is developing in the Atlantic.
RELATED STORY: Tropical Storm Bret no longer a likely hurricane candidate
Debra Thiboutot of Cape Coral admitted the news made her a little bit nervous.
“I’m going to wait and get my facts together and watch the news,” she said.
ABC7 Meteorologist Jason Dunning stressed it’s important to strike the right tone, not alarm people and cause more panic when talking about a developing storm.
Dunning, who was part of the team forecasting Ian, said he is well aware of the sensitivity people are feeling.
“That was traumatic for us. It was traumatic for the residents of SWFL so now in the month of June when you see something like that, it’s a trigger,” Dunning stated.
Nurse practitioner Dr. Sue Hook said Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur with any kind of trauma.
“This storm was a trauma for all of us,” Hook said.
Dr. Hook runs the Samaritan Health and Wellness Clinic in Cape Coral. She lost her offices during Ian and was forced to work in tents in the parking lot following the storm until she received a temporary location.
Dr. Hook predicts even more storm anxiety in the months ahead.
“I know as this hurricane season progresses, more of our patients that come in that have suffered those losses…we’re going to start seeing increases in anxiety,” Hook said.
Mental health experts say anyone feeling anxiety should not stay focused on the “what if” scenarios. They say to take a break from the weather forecast once in a while, maybe take a walk, read a book or watch your favorite movie instead of focusing on the weather forecast. Anyone with severe anxiety should contact their healthcare provider.