In times of crisis: listener observation

Five days ago our country was striked by catastrophic floods. Nothing like this happened before.And my question isn't from a place so people would feel sorry for us. It is from observing my actions/behaviours from this experience which brings this question.In these moments  it feels that ego is stepped from the front stage. And things I wouldn't normally do are being done. Shame and fear to protect the identity don't run the show in these circumstances. My question is if this is due to being more aligned with reality in moments like natural disasters, wars etc.?When the real body/life existence is at stake and not the survival of the identity.