Big Thompson Flood Victims: One Year Later

One year following the 1976 Big Thompson Flood, 65 elderly flood victims and 97 parents in their child rearing years were individually interviewed about their flood experience and recovery process. High losses were reported by both groups. Those who were able to return to living in the Canyon reported less psycho-physiological symptoms and used fewer drugs than those who were unable to return to Canyon living. Level of income was not found to be a significant variable. Men tended to increase their alcoholic consumption more than did women. Those who professed a religion reported more drug usage than victims who said they had no religion. The elderly group reported drinking less alcohol, coffee, tea and cola beverages than did the family group.