A hurricane is a severe tropical storm, that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico or in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes need warm tropical oceans, moisture and light winds above them. If the right conditions last long enough, a hurricane can produce violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains and floods.
Hurricanes rotate in a counterclockwise direction around an "eye." Hurricanes have winds at least 74 miles per hour. There are on average six Atlantic hurricanes each year; over a 3-year period, approximately five hurricanes strike the United States coastline from Texas to Maine.
When hurricanes move onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and heavy waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. The heavy waves are called a storm surge. Storm surge is very dangerous and a major reason why you MUST stay away from the ocean during a hurricane warning or hurricane.
Learn more about hurricanes and much more one the websites listed below that are specially tailored for kids!
Disasters strike quickly and without warning. These events can be traumatic for adults, but they are frightening to children if they do not know what to do. During a disaster, children may have to leave their homes and have their daily routines disrupted. This may leave a child frightened, anxious and confused. As an adult, you will need to cope with disaster and also give your children crucial guidance about how to respond and handle the situation.
Children depend on their daily routines: They wake up, eat breakfast, go to school, play with friends. When emergencies or disasters interrupt this routine, some children have difficulty coping with these changes.
In a disaster, they will look to you and other adults for help and guidance. How you react to an emergency gives them clues about how to act. If you react with alarm, a child may become scared. They see our fear as proof that the danger is real. That is why it is important to have a plan for each hazard that threatens our community and to ensure that children are included in development and exercising the plan.
Children's fears also may stem from their imagination, and you should take these feelings seriously. A child who feels afraid, is afraid. Your words and actions can provide reassurance.
Feelings of fear are healthy and natural for adults and children. But as an adult, you need to keep control of the situation. When you're sure that danger has passed, concentrate on your child's emotional needs by asking the child to explain what is troubling them. Your response during this "problem time" may have a lasting impact. Be aware that after a disaster, children are most afraid that:
You can develop your family disaster plan by following these simple steps:
After The Disaster
It might be helpful to print and save this page should you need to access it during an emergency.
View more detailed descriptions of plans and kits.