Extreme Weather Poses Special Challenges to Chronically Ill

Very few people escape the trauma...that a natural weather disaster yields, but for families or individuals facing the added burden of chronic illness, that trauma is even more intense.

We are grateful that hurricane Irene ended up doing far less damage to the East Coast than was anticipated.   However, we could not avoid little pangs of anxiety over just the memory of what we (and hundreds of thousands of people living near the Gulf Coast) went through as Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, pummeled our world just a few years ago.  Very few people escape the trauma (to our minds, bodies, and property) that a natural weather disaster yields, but for families or individuals facing the added burden of chronic illness, that trauma is even more intense.

For those relying on special ionizing air filters, sleep apnea machines, oxygen therapy, special medical monitors, etc., the loss of electricity for even a few hours can be life threatening.

Living without electricity and air conditioning in an unbearably hot region, can make a drastic impact on chronic health conditions; from increased blood pressure to circulatory problems that can cause a sudden increase in overall edema (swelling), severe burning and redness in hands, fingers, and feet, (from autoimmune conditions like Raynaud’s and fibromyalgia), to respiratory complications for those with allergies, chemical sensitivities, asthma, and internal inflammatory symptoms. For those relying on special ionizing air filters, sleep apnea machines, oxygen therapy, special medical monitors, etc., the loss of electricity for even a few hours can be life threatening.

During that seemingly endless journey, I had severe chest pains - symptoms of unstable angina, and everyone’s health was challenged in the extreme heat and cramped conditions. 

The mandatory evacuation from Houston for hurricane Rita was a grueling 23 hour drive with my husband and his parents – who were also coping with several serious health conditions. Our destination was my younger sister’s home in the Dallas area which would have normally been a 5 hour drive.  During that seemingly endless journey, I experienced a severe bout of chest pain from unstable angina and everyone’s health was challenged in the extreme heat and cramped conditions. So when hurricane Ike came along just a few years later, we decided to try and stand our ground. Big mistake! Although Ike was only a category 3 hurricane it had an unexpected diameter or body that was much wider than was typical. So, after 8 or 9 relentless hours of high winds and rains pummeling homes, trees, power lines, and property, the resulting damage was more like that of a category 4  hurricane. 

As the hours slowly moved forward and the heat and humidity steadily rose; we ventured out to see what chaos the storm had wrought on our neighborhood.

Like so many other people, we optimistically thought (especially living just a few miles from the medical center) that our electricity would be back on within a few hours or, at least, by the following day.  As the hours slowly moved forward and the heat and humidity steadily rose; we ventured out to see what chaos the storm had wrought on our neighborhood. What we saw reflected the same scene throughout most of Galveston, Clear Lake, Houston, and cities as far as Huntsville. Our daughter, now living in her own place in The Woodlands (some 20+ miles north of Houston) found a large tree ensconced in one of her bedrooms.

In our area next to a large city park, golf course, and museums, debris from homes...sections of roofs, porches, doors, and siding, were strewn across yards and vehicles.

In our area next to a large city park, golf course, and museums, debris from homes – some more than 100 years old, including; sections of roofs, porches, doors, and siding, were strewn across yards and vehicles. Large trees that had stood for over a century were lying across streets with their branches broken across fallen electrical lines. By mid-afternoon, my fingers, feet and ankles were bright red and swelling steadily and my breathing was labored. We knew I would have to relocate to a place with electricity or expect to end up in one of the many over-crowded emergency rooms in Houston’s Medical Center.

It had been a terribly difficult year; we all felt tremendous loss when Mom July passed away ... Just a week after her funeral service, hurricane Ike hit...

It had been a terribly difficult year; we all felt tremendous loss when Mom July passed away a month after she experienced several strokes. Just a week after her funeral service, hurricane Ike hit and in the midst of his grief, Dad July was unwilling to relocate temporarily to a healthier environment in the FW/Dallas area. William drove me to my sister’s home and turned right around and drove back to Houston to watch over Dad.

William and his father, (who was determined to stand by the 100 year old family home) suffered through intense heat, humidity, and a nightly onslaught of hungry mosquitoes...  

My dear niece graciously loaned me her bedroom where there was a thermostat so I could stay cool and manage symptoms.  Meanwhile, William and his father, (who was determined to stand by the 100 year old family home) suffered through intense heat, humidity, and a nightly onslaught of hungry mosquitoes in the midst of their grief. Like most Houstonians, they watched in frustration as food in the freezers and refrigerators went bad. They spent 12 long days and nights without lights, air conditioning, hot water, or the use of any appliances, before the electricity was restored. It took a toll on relatively healthy individuals such as my husband but was devastating to others already weakened by illness. Although Dad July was adamant about riding out the effects of the storm, and seemed to be holding up health wise, his health suddenly worsened the following month. We lost him two months after Hurricane Ike.

Extreme heat, humidity, exposure to sun...typically takes an immediate toll on those of us battling chronic health conditions. But...like my husband’s father, the damage it exacts...may not be apparent until weeks later.

Extreme heat, humidity, exposure to sun, and the absence of electronic medical machines, monitors, etc. that help manage our symptoms, typically takes an immediate toll on those of us battling chronic health conditions. But for others like my husband’s father, the damage it exacts on one’s health may not be apparent until weeks later.

...like many other drought stricken areas of the country, we face the possibility of rolling blackouts...a dire matter for anyone with chronic and/or critical health challenges.

Now, as we face one of the hottest summers in 30 years, with temperatures of 107 degrees and heat indexes near 120, like many other drought stricken areas of the country, we face the possibility of rolling blackouts. This is an inconvenience for most but a dire matter for anyone with chronic and/or critical health challenges.

If you are facing a...weather disaster or...a mandatory power blackout – be prepared for the worst, and expect and pray for, the best.

If you are facing a hurricane or other weather disaster, or the possibility of a mandatory power blackout – be prepared for the worst and expect and pray for, the best.

{See following post, “Survival Tips for Chronically Ill; Coping With Extreme Heat from Weather Disasters & Power Outages”]

Cry Some, Laugh More, Pray Often ~ Jamey Lacy July