Calm the Storm: Supporting Kids Through Hurricane Prep & Evacuation

When a hurricane is on the horizon, it’s not just about preparing our homes and stocking up on supplies—it's also about taking care of our family's emotional well-being. For children, hurricanes can bring a mix of confusion, fear, and anxiety. It’s perfectly okay to feel overwhelmed yourself, but you can still support your children while managing your own emotions and taking care of all the necessary preparations. It’s a lot to juggle, so I’ve put together some practical tips to help navigate this time with calm and confidence.

Explain What’s Happening in Simple, Age-Appropriate Ways

Before diving into explanations, start by checking in with what your child already knows. Use gentle questions that prompt age appropriate conversations. Here are some examples:

Ages 2-3: "Have you noticed all the rain we’ve been getting?"

Ages 3-6: "Have you ever heard about hurricanes before?"

Ages 4+: "What have you heard people saying about the storm?"

These questions give you a starting point to understand their perspective and address their concerns directly. 

Some children may already have basic knowledge or may have heard exaggerated or alarming information. Others might not be concerned about the hurricane at all but instead about something specific—like bringing a favorite toy along. That’s okay! Focus on what’s important to them, and meet them where they are.

For explaining hurricanes in a child-friendly way, consider using resources like The Magic School Bus: Hurricane Edition. This book (or cartoon episode) presents the science behind storms in a whimsical, engaging manner that children can easily understand. You can find a read-aloud version of the book on YouTube or stream the episode on Netflix.

Pro Tip: Turn off the TV! Constant news updates can heighten anxiety for both you and your children. Check in for weather advisories at set times (e.g., 5, 8, 11, 2 AM/PM), but don’t keep the news on as background noise.

Acknowledge Feelings: Yours & Theirs

Children are incredibly intuitive—they sense when something feels "off." Instead of hiding your own worries or brushing off their concerns, take a moment to name and validate the emotions—both theirs and yours. You can say something like:

"I’m feeling worried that this hurricane is coming. That’s why I’m packing the car, filling up water bottles, or planning to stay at Aunt Kelsey’s house. Worry helps us take action and stay safe when something unpredictable might happen."

By sharing your emotions in a confident and calm way, you help children understand that feelings are not something to be hidden or dismissed. They are signals that tell us what we need. Let your children know that their feelings have a purpose and they can ask for comfort or help when they need it.

Recommended Books About Worry:

- Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival

- Jack’s Worry by Sam Zuppardi

- When I Feel Worried by Cornelia Spelman

- When I Feel Scared by Cornelia Spelman

Don’t worry if you don’t have these books on hand—check out read-alouds on YouTube! These can be a great way to explore emotions together while calming those stormy feelings.

Highlight the Safety Measures You’re Taking

After validating their feelings and giving some context, explain the steps you’re taking to keep everyone safe. Emphasize actions the whole family is doing together, like boarding up windows, gathering supplies, or heading to a safer location.

This helps children see the connection between their emotions and real-life actions. It shows them that you have a plan and are taking proactive steps. Remind them, *“We’re doing all of these things to keep our family safe. It’s our way of taking care of each other.”*

Empower Them With Helper Job

Giving children a sense of purpose through small jobs can help pull them out of the anxiety loop and into a more regulated state. By involving them in preparation tasks, you shift them from feeling powerless to feeling empowered. 

Here are some simple, age-appropriate tasks that can help:

• Filling water bottles

• Holding wing nuts while securing window covers

• Helping clear yard toys and outdoor items

• Gathering blankets and doing laundry

These small jobs give children something concrete to focus on and make them feel like an important part of the family’s preparedness efforts.

Fun Activity Ideas

Storms can be unpredictable and overwhelming. Finding ways to create small “comfort zones” within your home can help ease children’s anxiety. Try building a fort with pillows and blankets, where they can retreat for some quiet time or pretend it’s a cozy campsite for the night.

Other activities to engage them:

• Flashlight Dance Parties: Create a special hurricane playlist and have a dance-off!

• Unbury Forgotten Toys: Pull out toys that have been put away for a while—novelty can be a great distraction.

• Combine Different Toys Together: Experiment by combining blocks with figurines or dolls with sensory items like water and string.

• Create a Hurricane Journal: Encourage children to draw or write about what’s happening and how they feel. This can be a therapeutic way to process the experience.

For more ideas and support during this time, check out our special COR Community Conversation: "Calm the Storm. It’s a free resource designed to help you and your children feel more grounded and connected. 

If you’re looking for continued support and encouragement during other life storms, join our COR Community. Together, we can navigate these unpredictable times with calm, confidence, and compassion. 

Let your children know that no matter what happens, you are there to weather the storm together. You’ve got this—and so do they. 💛