Exercise patience during Hurricane Florence recovery
Ever since Hurricane Florence smashed into the Carolinas, everyone has been trying to return to normal as quickly as possible.
As people who had evacuated Brunswick County slowly but surely returned, even those who came back to find minimal destruction to their property were inconvenienced while government offices and many local businesses remained closed because of structural damage or a lack of supplies and resources.
We know hundreds of homes were flooded, ruining the possession of entire households, but we are not sure yet exactly how many people have residences that are beyond repair.
We know hundreds of people have been served hot meals from volunteer organizations and received food and supplies through Brunswick Family Assistance, but we are still unsure how many more are left.
We know residents are seeking assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state Division of Employment Security and many other agencies, in addition to filing insurance claims as they struggle to pick up the pieces the hurricane left behind.
We also know there is no quick fix for any of this. And the longer these processes take, the more likely we are to lose our patience.
"When we experience a disaster or other stressful life event, we can have a variety of reactions, all of which can be common responses to difficult situations. Most of these reactions are temporary and will go away over time," the American Red Cross says. "Try to accept whatever reactions you may have. Look for ways to take one step at a time and focus on taking care of your disaster-related needs and those of your family."
The Red Cross recommends:
Setting priorities and tackling tasks in small steps.
Staying connected with family and friends. Giving and getting support is one of the most important things you can do.
Staying positive. Remind yourself of how you've successfully gotten through difficult times in the past. Reach out when you need support, and help others when they need it.
Being patient with yourself and those around you.
People who feel overwhelmed also can call the Disaster Distress Hotline, sponsored by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, at (800) 985-5990.
For many, a return to routine may take months or years. For those who lost loved ones, a sense of normalcy may never return. We must remember this and be kind to each other as we work as community to recover.
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