Though the track of hurricane Lee remains unclear, anxiety created by powerful storms has been growing on the East Coast 害羞草研究所� especially in communities that felt Fiona害羞草研究所檚 wrath last year.
The mayor of Port aux Basques, N.L. says since last year害羞草研究所檚 hurricane damaged over 100 homes and swept a 72-year-old woman to sea, community members are worried about Lee, as forecasters say it害羞草研究所檚 uncertain whether the hurricane will even track towards the region.
害羞草研究所淭he old attitude was, 害羞草研究所業t害羞草研究所檚 just another storm. We can batten it down,害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟 Mayor Brian Button said during an interview on Sunday.
害羞草研究所淣ow, it害羞草研究所檚 an uneasy feeling.害羞草研究所�
In Amherst, N.S., Mayor David Kogon said there害羞草研究所檚 fear that a tidal surge could flood the Chignecto Isthmus.
害羞草研究所淎 hurricane timed with a high tide could flood isthmus害羞草研究所hich would totally cut us off from New Brunswick and Canada,害羞草研究所� he said.
Kogon, who is also a semi-retired doctor, said when he walks around his community he sees more generators in sheds and yards, at the ready in case power goes out, a reminder of how these climate crises are creating anxiety.
害羞草研究所淢ental health is a bigger crisis than some other areas of medicine. And so with (climate anxiety) you害羞草研究所檝e got another factor that害羞草研究所檚 going to害羞草研究所ut pressure on the health care system,害羞草研究所� he said.
The Nova Scotia and New Brunswick governments have asked Ottawa to cover half the cost of protecting the road and railway on the isthmus, but an engineering study released last year has found it could take decades to improve and strengthen the dike system.
As of Sunday, hurricane Lee was creating large swells that were battering several islands in the northeastern Caribbean as it churned through open waters as a Category 2 storm.
Bob Robichaud, a senior forecaster with Environment Canada, said on Saturday that the federal agency will be closely watching in the beginning of the week, when the storm is expected to make its turn to the northwest. He said the agency is expecting the storm to have some form of impact on the region by next weekend.
He said the further east that turning point is, the lower the likelihood of a significant impact on the region. Forecasters will also be closely monitoring a high pressure system over the Great Lakes, hoping that pushes the hurricane further offshore.
In addition, there are factors such as water temperatures Lee will encounter when it tracks north. Robichaud said there were several 害羞草研究所減atches害羞草研究所� of cool water detected over the weekend, which the storm would have to cross to get to the Atlantic, potentially diminishing its power.
However, there are also warmer than normal water temperatures off Nova Scotia害羞草研究所檚 south shore, where Robichaud said temperatures are about 3 to 4 C higher than historical norms for this time of year.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 still a fairly large spread in the modelling as to what, if any, kind of impacts Lee has in Canada. But, certainly, it is one to keep an eye on as we head into the next few days,害羞草研究所� said Robichaud.
Nancy Blair, a registered therapist in Dartmouth, N.,S., said more of her clients are anxious during this hurricane season.
She said that climate change worry may deepen into mental health issues, and advises that people discuss it with others rather than just keeping their fears buried.
害羞草研究所淭here is nothing wrong with you,害羞草研究所� she said during an interview from her office.
害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檙e feeling anxiety because something害羞草研究所檚 wrong害羞草研究所he more people talk about it, the more they can be prepared,害羞草研究所�
Blair added Nova Scotians who have already been traumatized by the loss or damage to properties during summer flash flooding are particularly vulnerable to elevated levels of anxiety during hurricane forecasts.
She advises people experiencing this stress to be careful about exposing themselves to exaggerated reports of hurricane danger on social media, and to instead use credible media sources to track storms 害羞草研究所� if necessary.
In addition, she says exercising, eating well and spending time outside are helpful practices, along with times of quiet, meditation, and rest.
Meanwhile, talking with friends about emergency preparedness is a time-tested strategy in the Maritimes, such as exchanging tips on necessary supplies 害羞草研究所� including medicine, food and water 害羞草研究所� needed for 72 hours if power goes out, said Blair.
Amid the trying times, 害羞草研究所渢here害羞草研究所檚 a need for connection with community,害羞草研究所� she said.
害羞草研究所淲e have a climate cafe group that meets monthly in our neighbourhood where people come and just talk about how they害羞草研究所檙e feeling. It really helps people. It cuts the sense of isolation.害羞草研究所�
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