Nature has its way of keeping us on our toes, and the end of the wet season and La Nina is one such event that brings a sigh of relief for many people. Storms and floods bring unwanted chaos and destruction, and the anticipation of these events is causing people to seek out more information. While it is essential to stay informed, the question is, can an overload of information be more detrimental than helpful?
Studies have revealed that being involved in extreme events like floods can cause PTSD, and with the frequency of such events on the rise, it's no wonder that people feel anxious. However, erroneous forecasting and assumptions can exacerbate this anxiety, leading to people feeling unprepared for sudden storms, which can keep them stranded and fearful.
Misunderstandings can also lead to misguided attempts to spread awareness. For example, some kids went on strike from school with placards proclaiming more cyclones for Australia, while the actual data shows fewer cyclones crossing the continent. It might seem logical, a warmer climate equates to more cyclones. Some knowledge can do more harm than good. Such misconceptions can create unnecessary fear and anxiety, and it's essential to get accurate information before acting on it.
Being uninformed about the potential impacts of flash flooding, lightning, hail, or other storm-related events can be equally concerning, leaving people feeling powerless and out of control. During the Townsville floods, people understood the consequences of floods but did not know what conditions constituted floods in their region, which can lead to a false sense of security. People need to understand the risks and adequately prepare themselves to avoid unnecessary anxiety.
Clear and concise communication about potential hazards, along with appropriate preparation procedures, can help alleviate anxiety surrounding storm and flood-related events. However, overstating and exaggerating the severity of storms can also lead to unnecessary levels of anxiety. Doomscrolling is an example of such behaviour, with people constantly checking social media feeds for the more bad news. With every update, anxiety levels can rise, creating trigger warnings and exacerbating PTSD and other mental health problems.
Balancing the need for information alongside responsible messaging is crucial. No one size fits all solution exists, and it's vital to provide individualized and culturally informed messaging that considers people's specific contexts, needs, and concerns. Education plays a vital role, and it's essential to provide people with clear, concise, and accurate information on what they can do to stay safe during these events. With appropriate levels of knowledge, people can make informed decisions about what actions to take if and when extreme weather events occur.
References:
Uninformed studies
Doomscrolling studies
Trigger warning studies
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