The Emotional Impact on People Affected by an Extratropical Cyclone: a Descriptive Study

Abstract

Environmental disasters have been occurring more frequently in recent years, and these events have the potential to cause significant impacts, whether material or emotional, both on the affected city and on the individuals residing there. In this context, the objective of this study is to describe the possible emotional impacts of environmental disasters on people affected by the cyclone in the municipality of Caraá, Rio Grande do Sul. Additionally, it aims to understand the feelings and emotions of individuals affected by the disaster and the importance of community support in post-disaster reconstruction. A qualitative method was employed, using content analysis by categories based on theoretical references. The instruments used for data collection included a virtual communication group, a focus group, unstructured interviews, naturalistic observation, and photographic records of the environment. The study involved 10 participants, 6 women and 4 men, all over the age of 18, residing in the municipality whose homes and/or businesses were affected by the cyclone in June 2023. The results show that the participants experienced predominantly depowering emotional impacts, highlighting their vulnerability even a year and a half after the disaster. On the other hand, community resilience and mutual support emerged as important factors in rebuilding their lives following the disaster.