Information for primary healthcare providers to support preparation, response, and recovery.

Natural disasters like storms, cyclones, floods, or fire can be very frightening and upsetting for babies and young children. Playing a therapeutic game or reading a story with a caring adult can help a young child work through the scary experiences and ‘big feelings’.

It is common to experience a range of intense emotions following a traumatic event like a natural disaster. Some people may have experienced the event physically. Others may be affected in other ways whether it be concern about family and friends, hearing about people’s experiences during flooding, or extra workloads caused by the adverse event.

Fine smoke particles can cause health problems like itchy or burning eyes, throat irritation, a runny nose, and illnesses like bronchitis. They can also aggravate existing lung conditions, like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. Symptoms can occur for several days after smoke is inhaled.