HOW TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF ECHUCA MOAMA IN EMERGENCY FLOOD

⚫️ The jobs of relatives & friends who are watching online news updates from afar has never been more important.

⚫️ Locals need clear minded, direct advice and reassurance from those who have slept.

⚫️ Watch for signs of shock in your loved ones when talking to them by phone or text.

⚫️ Help by going over basic procedures that often go overlooked in a crisis.

⚫️ If you’re feeling helpless, you can help by remaining calm and focused.

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CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK :
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⚫️ Do you have ample medication supplies?

⚫️ Do you have spare water supplies if flood sewerage compromises drinking water?

⚫️ Do you have a phone charger and back up batteries?

⚫️ Are you drinking plenty of water amid the humidity and sandbagging?

⚫️ Are you watching out for displaced snakes and wildlife? Be careful and caring.

⚫️ Have you packed a light bag with medication and essentials in case of sudden evacuation? You may not be able to think clearly when rushed.

⚫️ Are you checking SMS from emergency services before personal ones?

⚫️ Do you have the SES phone number saved to your contacts? 132 500

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UNDERSTAND SHOCK :
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⚫️ Flood emergencies trigger our brain’s primal survival responses.

⚫️ Severe shock, anxiety and dissociation can flood your adrenal system.

⚫️ Many locals are rushing to protect their families, pets, homes and businesses. This affects blood pressure and mental health.

⚫️ When adrenalin is flooding your brain and body, you may oscillate from feeling a rush of energy to a helpless numbness or even a detached quietness.

⚫️ When people don’t have adequate time to prepare for an emergency they go into Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn mode.

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WHAT TO LISTEN AND LOOK FOR DURING LEAD UP :
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SYMPTOM :

⭕️ BROKEN SENTENCES IN CONVERSATION

If someone is dashing from one sentence to another with their voice trailing off, this can indicate they are in shock and starting to dissociate. They can at times seem too relaxed or in denial. This is the brains way of protecting itself in FREEZE mode.

WHAT THEY NEED:
- Reassurance and patience
- To be allowed to fade in and out
- To not be talked over
- To hear a calm tone
- To have a break from new information
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SYMPTOM :

⭕️ TREMBLING HANDS, WEAK STOMACH, BUTTERFLIES, TEARS

These are obvious signs of anxiety, adrenal flooding in FREEZE MODE.

WHAT THEY NEED:
- Oxygen and quiet
- To be reminded to sit down, breathe and count out loud until it passes
- To be reassured that they will plan or respond better if they take a few minutes out first
- To be told you can help

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SYMPTOM :

⭕️ DANGEROUS, RUSHED BEHAVIOUR

If your loved one is operating heavy machinery to lift goods to higher ground, check if they’re following simple safety procedures. If they’ve forgetten to wear a hard hat and are driving forklifts or trucks erratically, that’s a sign they are in FIGHT OR FLIGHT MODE.

WHAT THEY NEED:
- To slow down
- To see stern eye contact
- To hear simple, step by step instructions
- To be reminded they are no good to anyone if they hurt or exhaust themselves
- To be offered simple assistance and relieved of decisions.

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SYMPTOM :

⭕️ ANGER AND BLAME

If your loved one is in “blame mode” this is the inverse of shame. Many are overwhelmed with shame that they didn’t prepare well enough, aren’t properly insured and don’t know what to do next. It’s natural to flip to blame when this occurs. This is a sign of FIGHT MODE.

WHAT THEY NEED:
- To be reminded it’s no one’s fault
- To be told it’s going to be okay
- To prioritise what matters. Focusing on exact dates of proposed river peaks will only lead to frustration. Natural disasters are unpredictable.
- To concede that we are all doing our best
- To know that the town has a robust community who will help no matter what happens, when
- To hear from those watching from afar that insurance contacts and links to relief funding are being taken care of
- To hear you can help them apply for instant relief funding online if they’re confused and lacking concentration due to stress

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SYMPTOM :

⭕️ CONSTANT CHECKING IN BY PHONE OR SOCIAL MEDIA

If someone is texting, calling or checking social media more regularly this can be a sign of FAWN MODE. It’s a sign they need more reassurance.

WHAT THEY NEED:
- To know they haven’t missed anything important.
- To receive a text from you before you text them.
- To have the inundation of conflicting information filtered properly
- To hear that you’ve checked reliable sources and that you will feed through any clear updates from :

⚫️ VIC SES Echuca Unit
⚫️ Coliban Water
⚫️ ABC Goulburn Murray

- To hear you will inform them of latest road closure information if they are forced to evacuate.

⚫️ Live Traffic VIC:
https://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

⚫️ Live Traffic NSW:
https://www.livetraffic.com/

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SYMPTOM :

⭕️ LACK OF SLEEP

During a crisis, lack of sleep leads to lack of concentration and good judgement. At the exact time the body and brain needs rest to gather energy for the coming days, adrenal flooding can lead to restless sleep when on high alert. This is a symptom of all 4 FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, FAWN modes.

WHAT THEY NEED:

- To be reminded it’s vital to lay still and rest even if sleep evades them.
- A warm cup of milk and honey before bed.
- To know they’ve done all they can and whatever happens, you’ll still be there.
- To visualise the army troops below who are here to help us all.

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⚫️ Please share advice for anyone who may need it in the coming week.

Thank you
Full Circle Counselling Echuca