A Million Acres Lost; Texas Wildfires And The Aftermath

AMARILLO, Texas - March 11, 2024 - PRLog -- The Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas has burned over 1 million acres. It's destroyed hundreds of homes and devastated communities and farms. It's one of the largest fires in U.S. history.

"Weather extremes are now commonplace with destructive consequences," says author and psychologist Dr. Noelle Nelson (http://www.noellenelson.com/) in her Phoenix Rising - Surviving Catastrophic Loss: Fires, Floods, Hurricanes and Tornadoes (Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/PHOENIX-RISING-Surviving-Catastrophic-Hurricanes-ebook/dp/B0976RQFXX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Phoenix+Risings%2C+Noelle+Nelson&qid=1625864525&sr=8-1)). "People are losing their homes and possessions in these disasters at an increasing rate."

According to the Urban Institute (https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/more-3-million-americans-were-displaced-natural-disaster-past-year-how-can-we-prepare), more than 3 million people were displaced by natural disasters in the U.S. in 2023.  Nelson lost her home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire in Southern California. "Normal emotions when you lose your home and all your possessions include shock, despair and hopelessness," says Nelson.

"Everything is different," says Nelson. "The overwhelming temptation is to try to reconstruct your past life. The moment you accept that you can't is the moment you can start to heal."

Her other suggestions:

--Reach out to your "anchors." These are your close family and friends who you can rely on immediately after a disaster. whether they offer a room in their home, help you shop for essentials, let them.

--Until disaster strikes, we usually have no idea how caring and accepting of one another we truly are.  Sure, there are problems out there, but we also live in a world in which we are connected and want to help each other. Accept the kindness of strangers Some are volunteers from local charities and government agencies experienced in helping those affected by disasters to find shelter and resources. Others can be perfect strangers. Their kindness will get you on your feet faster and reduce stress.

--Stay grounded. As best as you can, continue with work, school, hobbies and other outside interests. These "normal" things will give you strength and purpose when everything else is not normal.

--Seek counseling, whether one-on-one or in a group setting. Local support groups can be a good source of information, friendship and comfort.

--Don't forget the past, but focus on creating a new and satisfying life for yourself.

"Will you still think about your home and the old life you had? Of course," says Nelson. "But creating a new story going forward and not dwelling on what is no longer here will give you purpose and focus that will help tremendously toward your recovery."

Phoenix Rising (https://www.amazon.com/PHOENIX-RISING-Surviving-Catastrop...) is available in paperback, audio (https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Rising-Surviving-Catastrop...) and on Kindle (https://www.amazon.com/PHOENIX-RISING-Surviving-Catastrophic-Hurricanes-ebook/dp/B0976RQFXX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Phoenix+Risings%2C+Noelle+Nelson&qid=1625864525&sr=8-1).