RINGLE, Wis. (WSAW) – Living through severe weather like tornadoes can be a traumatic experience that isn’t easy to process.
A psychotherapist from Marshfield Clinic says these experiences can sometimes have long-lasting effects on survivors. They cause grief over the loss of homes and belongings that hold sentiment.
It’s been nearly two weeks since the Ringle tornado destroyed Karen Kubitz’s home.
“You hear the roar, you feel the pressure. Sounds like missiles or whatever hitting your house,” Kubitz said. She’s been in go mode ever since.
“All I can think of is document, document, document, because I’m going to need this for insurance. And I walk out the front, we walk out the front door and you don’t take in the damage. You start doing head counts,” Kubitz said.
Processing trauma
Kubitz has been checking on neighbors and planning how she’ll rebuild.
“Other things have to be done. And once things start to settle, I’ll probably have my own happy little breakdown somewhere and process it then,” she said.
Marshfield Clinic psychotherapist Laure Ann Blanchard says after these events, people go into reaction mode.
“You know, what am I going to do? Of course, initially, as it’s occurring, it’s worrying about those around you and being safe. As you work through that, I mean, the fear is something that can be very lasting for people,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard says that fear can turn into anxiety for future storms, PTSD and depression from loss. There are ways to work through it.
“Group work is one of those true healing pieces because you’re with others that have gone through and are experiencing what you are,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard recommends talking to people and trying to break down your thoughts. Prioritize what needs to be done now, and what can wait.
“Working through this shows great strength and courage. And validating people’s feelings will help people to move through this,” Blanchard said.
“I would not recommend the ride. But be there for one another,” Kubitz said.
Future storms may trigger survivors
Experts say tornado survivors could be triggered by storms. During any thunderstorms Ringle has had since the tornado, Kubitz says she’s felt okay.
“Because you didn’t have the high winds. You didn’t have the messages going off on your phones. And I think that if my phone would have kept going off, it would have been a different scenario, but my phone wasn’t going off, alerting me to take cover,” Kubitz said.
Blanchard says tornado survivors may get triggered in the future by sirens or changing weather.
“So, preparing ahead of time, that’s okay, this could happen. But right now we’re safe. We’re OK, and if it does happen and we don’t feel safe, we know where to go to be safe,” Blanchard said.
Blanchard says it will help to identify what triggers you. Remind yourself of what actions you can take to be safe. Try to talk to people about it. That could be a mental health professional or a community member. Any one of those things can bring healing.
If you don’t want to talk it through, Blanchard recommends podcasts that cover what you’re going through. She says we all need to feel validated, especially after suffering great loss.
Working through surviving a tornado can cause suicidal thoughts. If you’re feeling that right now, because of the tornado or any reason, you can call 988 or text HELLO to 741741 for help.
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