How to Combat Storm Anxiety

By Ella D.

This past week, February came to a close, and with that begins March, but March isn’t the only thing that has begun. Severe weather season is here as well, a season many wish didn’t exist. As temperatures warm and birds start to sing, we may forget what could be along the horizon. Although to many it may not be officially spring, March 1 does mark the start of the season for Meteorologists, and with that begins the three most astonishing and terrifying months in weather: severe weather season. The spring months serve as a transitional period of weather with warm, moist air surging north from the Gulf of Mexico colliding with cold, dry air lingering from Canada, causing Tornado outbreaks, flooding, high winds, major snowstorms and enormous temperature changes. To many, Spring is a season of happiness and hope, a breath of fresh air after the long months of winter, but to others, it is a season of anxiety and panic. These elements of weather are anxiety-inducing for many across America. Not being able to control the situation you are in, as well as not knowing what is going on, can be one of the most agonizing things to experience. Here are my top three ways of dealing with weather anxiety, coming from someone who has struggled with it in the past.  

1. Have a plan

Having a plan in place for when the warning sirens sound can take a lot of worry off your shoulders. You’ll know what to do, and you can tell yourself, if something were to happen, I am prepared, and I will be okay. Having a plan includes knowing where your safe spot is, prepping your safe spot beforehand by bringing blankets and pillows there, having a meeting spot in case you and your family were to get separated, having proper clothes on that include pants and closed-toed shoes and lastly having an emergency bag ready to quickly grab.

2. Have an emergency bag ready 

Getting an emergency bag together can provide much comfort knowing you can do something if things become bad. In the emergency bag I would include things like a first aid kit, bottled water, nonparishable food items such as crackers since you may need to stay in your safe spot for an extended period of time, weather radio, portable chargers, flashlights, batteries, Identification, medical information, blankets and a helmet to protect yourself from flying debris as well as anything your pets need. 

3. Watching Meteorologist 

I personally believe this helped me the most. Watching weather personnel, whether that be on your local news channel or a Meteorologist covering weather on YouTube, will help you to know where the storm is, when it will impact you and how bad it is. Knowing these things eases the fear of the unknown; just make sure the person you are watching is a credible resource.  

In doing these, you not only reduce your worries, but you also increase your safety, leading to a significantly reduced chance of being injured. I encourage you to do these things, but also do things that you have found and/or find that work for you, and as always, remember, don’t be scared, be prepared.