6 September 2023, was the 6-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma. Since that time, there have been many other natural disasters, and so, on today’s show, I discuss some of the real life, devastating, and life-changing experiences that come with these large-scale weather events and disasters.
I share some of my lived experiences from Hurricane Irma. I then look at life after Irma from the perspectives of: the unshakeable nature of the human spirit, and some of my mental health experiences, including some PTSD symptoms, so that we can all have an awareness of what these can look like.
I round of the discussion by looking ahead at what’s next. I discuss some of the recent scientific data around hurricanes, and talk about some potential solutions that may work towards protecting ourselves from strong storms.
Topics:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:52 Recap of last week’s show
00:06:29 Today’s show
00:10:05 Hurricane Irma
00:10:47 Data from the National Hurricane Center, NHC
00:13:07 The lived experience of Irma
00:21:05 Life After Irma – the unshakeable nature of the human spirit
00:22:28 Life After Irma – mental health experiences
00:24:39 Some of the symptoms of PTSD to look out for – in yourself, and others
00:26:08 Helping someone with PTSD
00:30:02 Life After Irma – the climate and what next?
00:32:27 Study Undertaken at Princeton University
00:35:11 What it all means – now
00:36:29 2nd World Conference on Climate Change & Sustainability
00:37:36 Potential solutions
00:38:53 Conclusions
Online resources:
Euro News, Three people die in Serbia as a second deadly storm rips through the Balkans this week: https://www.euronews.com/2023/07/22/three-people-die-in-serbia-as-a-second-deadly-storm-rips-through-the-balkans-this-week
BBC, Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece streets turn to rivers in deadly floods: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-66728709
National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL112017_Irma.pdf
Washington Post, Bonnie Berkowitz, Laris Karklis, Reuben Fischer-Baum, Chiqui Esteban, How big is Hurricane Irma?: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/national/how-big-is-hurricane-irma/#:~:text=About%20425%20miles%20wide%2C%20Irma,of%20South%20Florida%20in%201992
BBC, Hurricane Irma: Survivors describe ‘total devastation’: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41190649
Helpguide, Helping Someone with PTSD: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/helping-someone-with-ptsd.htm
National Public Radio, Why hurricanes feel like they’re getting more frequent: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/27/1158969044/why-hurricanes-feel-like-theyre-getting-more-frequent
Nature Climate Change, Dazhi Xi, Ning Lin & Avantika Gori, Increasing sequential tropical cyclone hazards along the US East and Gulf Coasts: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-023-01595-7
World Conference on Climate Change & Sustainability, 16-18 October 2023: https://climateweek.thepeopleevents.comProgram: https://climateweek.thepeopleevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Climate_Week_2023_Rome_Agenda.pdf
Note:
Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional.
The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. Copyright Shuvra Deb ©
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