Post by The Australian National University

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle recently wreaked havoc across Western Australia, destroying crops, marine ecosystems and even turning the sky blood red. These traumatic scenes are, sadly, only the prelude to a far less visible ordeal. Natural disaster researcher and anthropologist Dr Tim Heffernan Ph.D. says recovery is not a linear or quick process. "It’s protracted and complex and often changes the community in quite fundamental ways,” he says “The issues that emerge in the aftermath of disaster make it difficult. For many regional communities in Australia, it means years of living with trauma, isolation, inequality and community disagreement.” As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the Australian government must take bold action to support local communities. But Heffernan warns our current disaster recovery protocols are not entirely up to the challenge.  Read more in ANU Reporter: quicklink.anu.edu.au/en31 ANU Research and Innovation ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences