In my decades of living with a storm phobia, I have learned a few things. Remembering them can be an issue, especially when I'm in the throes of nervousness.
Here's a (not so brief) rundown.
I hope this will help others dealing with a storm phobia.
I know you're out there.
1) Weather people hype severe weather.
Some do this more than others. Unfortunately, it's their job. Kind of, anyway. They have to inform the public of the risks. But I think they also should tamp down the hysteria. If there is even a slight threat of tornadoes, they will sometimes mention that first. Often they shout tornadoes when that isn't the biggest threat of the day.
2) Predictions are just that - possibilities.
Weather is not an exact science. All the ingredients have to come together to produce severe weather. There needs to be lift, instability, a clash of warm and cool air. If one element is missing, the storms won't fire. Sometimes it looks like everything in place for a stormy day, but then it just doesn't happen. Also, occasionally late night or morning storms will "work over" the atmosphere, which creates stability so predicted storms don't materialize later. So take forecasts and possibilities for what they are - a chance that something will happen, and only that.
3) Destructive tornadoes are actually rare.
The reason deadly tornadoes get so much media coverage is that they don't happen very often, although it seems like they do. Most tornadoes are weak, short-lived, and do little damage. More people die or are injured by floods and lightening than by tornadoes. If you are in a sturdy building, you will likely be fine. Most damage caused by high winds, hail, or tornadoes involve windows breaking or roofs getting damaged. Sometimes trees fall on buildings.
4) Where you are can determine how safe you are in a storm.
The worst places to be in a bad storm are in a mobile home, in a car, under an overpass, near a tree, or holding an umbrella.You should also not be in the shower or on the telephone. If you are not in any of those places, you should be okay. The best places to be in a storm are in an interior hallway, bathroom, or closet of a sturdy structure, away from windows. Even if a destructive tornado hits your house, you can make it if you are in a safe place. An EF3 tornado went through a small Texas town a few weeks ago. A grandmother's house was destroyed, but she and her grandchildren survived because they were hunkered down in the hallway. When category 5 hurricane Michael hit last year, people in a hotel near the water lived to tell the tale because they took shelter in a first floor hallway. The choices you make can determine your fate in a storm. Of course that doesn't mean you're going to die if you are in a car or a mobile home. I'm simply saying those aren't the best places to ride out a big storm.
5) A watch means that bad weather MAY happen.
Severe weather is never guaranteed. And a watch usually covers a large area, including several counties. That doesn't mean the entire watch area will see big storms. Also, a watch usually lasts for four to eight hours. Sometimes it is stormy during the entire length of a watch, but usually not. Often storms will form and roll through sometime in that period.
6) When a warning is issued for your county, don't assume the worst.
A warning means that either a severe storm or tornado has been sighted, or it is radar-indicated. There is a big difference here. Radar indicated tornadoes sometimes never materialize. Sometimes it is a funnel cloud or rotation that never creates a tornado. Also, the storm may be in your county, but isn't heading your way. Bulletins when a warning is issued will outline what direction the storm is moving in, how quickly, and what type of weather is being indicated: large hail, strong winds, or possibly a tornado. Severe storms can fire up quickly and then weaken or even dissipate. Sometimes a warning is canceled when this happens.
7) It doesn't do any good to worry days in advance.
This is unfortunately a big one for me, because I have anticipatory anxiety. Weather people often hype possible bad weather days in advance. There is some reason for this: People make plans, and if the plans involve traveling or outdoor events, like a wedding or a birthday party or a golf tournament, it can be good to know that a storm may interrupt that event. But forecasts are sometimes altered day by day, even hour by hour. You can monitor the weather, but know that it can always change - sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better.
Bottom line: You can't affect the weather. Wishing that a storm would dissipate, or never materialize in the first place, isn't possible. What you can do is learn to control your phobia. There is nothing wrong with a healthy fear of severe storms. Respecting bad weather and knowing what to do when you are in a storm will keep you safe. Educating yourself about weather phenomena can help you deal with your fear. But also, too much focus can fuel your phobia. Work on distracting yourself during bad weather. Clean the house. Read a book. Spend time with friends. Run the dishwasher, turn up the volume of the television, run a load of laundry to drown out the sounds of high winds or thunder. Do what you need to do to keep yourself both safe and calm.
librarianintx
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