Hidden toll of cyclones

NEW research has suggested cyclone rookies are misguided about the impact serious storms can have on a person’s mental health.

James Cook University PhD researcher Mitchell Scovell said people, who had not experienced a cyclone, thought the biggest impact would be in property damage, insurance claims and repairs.

However, he said, it was the negative emotional damage, such as feelings of stress, fear or helplessness, that was often the worst.

“People lucky enough not to have experienced nature at its worst tend to focus on damage to the physical environment,” he said.

“Basically, what differs between these two groups is their appreciation of the emotional impact of extreme weather and the inconvenience factor once you have to mop up.” The university is conducting an online survey about people’s attitudes to cyclones.

Bellenden Kerr sugarcane grower Angle Mustafa has lost count of how many cyclones he has been through.

He said most Far Northerners expected the unexpected during cyclone season.

“Most of us lost 70 per cent of the crop in Yasi” he said.

“When you have lived up here you always know there will be one round the corner.”

Mr Mustafa said he was “always on alert” during cyclone season and was confident new houses were better prepared.

“We took all our kids and went into the bathroom, because with Larry, the roof went off,” he said.

“The main thing is if you’re doing repairs to your house, make them cyclone standard.”

The JCU study involves filling out an online survey that should take about 15 minutes.