Video: Tornadoes Take Emotional Toll on Victims

[jwplatform EfV9Axex]

CALEDONIA, Miss. (WCBI) — When a tornado touches down and causes lots of destruction, many may think about the physical impact of the storm. But what about the psychological impact?

Community Counseling Services’ mobile crisis response team spent several weeks in Louisville helping more than 100 storm victims.

“Mostly they’re going through, of course, still grieving, anxiety, depression, things of that nature, where of course it’s going to be a process,” said crisis coordinator Janice McGee.

Counselors say that’s natural, and things will get easier over time.

Even though it’s been more than a month since the storm, residents are still reaching out for help.

“We have set up appointments during the time we were there,” McGee said. “We set up appointments for them to come into the office to make follow-up appointments, and those people are coming in, but I know there’s plenty others out there that need the services, and we are encouraging them also to come in.”

The emotional impact is all too familiar for Caledonia. A tornado damaged the school campus there in 2008.

“The old middle school gym was completely destroyed,” said Principal Randy Barnett, Caledonia High School. “Our vocational buildings, which were two separate classrooms out where the parking lot is now, they were completely destroyed. Buses turned upside down, torn apart, but if it had come about 50 to 60 yards more this direction, it probably would’ve taken the whole campus.”

No one was injured. But ever since then, students and staff are more alert, because it can easily happen again.

“Students have responded real well in the six years that have passed from that,” Barnett said. “We don’t have any trouble doing tornado drills, fire drills, any kind of drills that we do. Students take them very seriously.”

They hope they won’t experience a tornado again, but at least they’re prepared.

If you need help, Community Counseling says you can always call one of their local offices, or their 24/7 crisis number at 1-800-943-3022.