Hurricane Preparedness Blog

Hurricanes can affect children differently than adults.   A child’s life is heavily influenced by school and after-school activities, and when a hurricane affects this routine, a child’s world is turned upside down.   Oftentimes this can produce stress and confusion in a child’s life, and as adults, we may find it easier to cope than our children.   As we have mentioned before, an important part of preparing is accounting for the special needs of everyone in our family.   Because of their age, children will be uniquely impacted by hurricanes, and as adults, we can help prepare our children for the drastic changes hurricanes can bring before the drastic changes arrive.

An important part of preparing your family for hurricanes is creating a family hurricane plan that the entire family is involved in.   Just as preparing a hurricane plan helps ease your stress about hurricanes, it can also help children feel the same way.   As you put together a family hurricane plan, discuss this plan with everyone in the family.   Don’t brush off children’s questions about hurricanes, but consider limiting their exposure to graphic images of hurricanes on television, on the computer, and in the newspaper.   Encourage children to talk about their fears and ask questions; go over important safety rules with them.  As you put your  disaster supplies together, help your children be a part of this activity.   Have them get together items that they would like to take with them in the event of evacuation, or take your child shopping with you to pick up disaster supplies, explaining to them which items are practical.

There are helpful and fun activities online that can help a child prepare for disaster.  FEMA for Kids allows children to participate in games and puzzles while the child learns about disaster.   StormHero is an interactive game that teaches children how to select items for a disaster supply kit.   The Red Cross and FEMA offer a free Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book that can be printed out and colored by your young ones.

There are a number of options adults have to prepare children for hurricanes.   Don’t forget to help them this hurricane season and every hurricane season- they will need guidance and help from you to be adequately prepared, and this is an essential step to getting your family hurricane ready.

For tips on how to help children prepare for hurricanes and cope during and after hurricanes, please visit the upgraded version of our “Child Care” section of OneStorm and check out our new resources.