As people continue to recover from Hurricane Milton, residents are facing the mental and physical toll of a long and exhausting storm season. Many are still dealing with storm damage while fearing the possibility of more storms on the horizon.
John and Lynn Mazzerle, who have lived in Fort Myers for over 20 years, say this season has been especially difficult. The couple has weathered several major hurricanes, including Hurricane Charley in 2004, but they say this year feels different.
“We used to say once September’s over, it’s done,” said Lynn Mazzerle. “But now there’s another storm out there, and we’re still dealing with the aftermath of the last one.”
The Mazzerles’ backyard is still filled with tree debris from a massive tree that a tornado split in half during Hurricane Milton. They say removing the tree and other damage will cost them thousands of dollars.
“We can’t wrap our heads around another storm,” John Mazzerle said.
Mental health experts say back-to-back storms can cause “storm fatigue,” leaving people stressed, overwhelmed and struggling to recover emotionally. Tom Hofmann, a behavioral health expert with Lee Physicians Group, explains that constant trauma can wear people down, making it hard to fully process each storm before the next one arrives.
“It’s like your brain needs a reset,” Hofmann said. “You have to take time to recharge.”
As hurricane season continues, residents are advised to take time for self-care and find coping mechanisms to manage the emotional strain of living through repeated disasters.