If your kids are old enough to attend school or have internet access, they’ve probably heard about Hurricane Helene and perhaps seen frightening images.
Days after the storm passed, families and individuals were still unaccounted for. Towns have been destroyed.
Even seeing it as an adult can be frightening, so how should we explain this to our kids?
Find Out What Your Kids Are Seeing Or Hearing
First, find out what your kids have seen or heard that has left them frightened and concerned.
There are some truly shocking images circulating, such as the before-and-after shots of Chimney Rock, North Carolina, where much of the town was washed away by flood waters. Search and rescue teams are still working, and as recently as Monday, some residents who had left for supplies and been prevented from returning were still hoping to be allowed into the town to check on pets.
Suppose your child is on any social media. In that case, they’ve likely seen posts circulating with photos of missing people, with their loved ones saying they haven’t been able to make contact and begging for information on whether those individuals are okay after the storm.
Ask your child what they are feeling or fearing after what they’ve seen.
Mr. Rogers Had The Right Idea, Unsurprisingly
Fred Rogers, known for his understanding, kind heart, and way of speaking to children, once answered this question in the simplest way.
He said that when he was a child, his mother would redirect his attention from whatever disaster or horror was on the news and have him look for a bright spot: the helpers.
When your child is focused on the doctors, the EMTs, the search and rescue teams, the people bringing food and supplies, and all the other carers, he sees that there is always hope and that if he’s ever in a scary situation, he can count on someone being there to help.
Being The Helpers Is Great, Too
If possible, you can take this a step further by allowing your child to help. In many areas, volunteers are currently packing up supplies and heading for the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia to help those who are still suffering.
Find out what items are being collected locally and allow your child to help if feasible. If possible, encourage your child to focus on items for children. (When we lost our home to a fire, my kids were given care packages by the Red Cross that included a small plush toy, a toothbrush, and other items, and I can assure you that when a child becomes aware that he owns nothing, in the hours between the loss and some suddenly-necessary clothes shopping, those little items mean a lot.)
You can also donate directly to organizations giving aid.
Another way for your child to feel connected to the help, especially if you’re not in a position to donate, is to allow them to write a card or letter to first responders and drop it in the mail. You can choose an organization that’s actively involved in helping after Helene or your local fire, EMS, or other emergency response personnel.
Talk About Preparedness & Emergency Plans
When kids see something scary in the news, they wonder what would happen if they were the ones experiencing it.
Talk to your kids about how your family prepares for hurricanes and other natural disasters. These plans may include having candles and shelf-stable food on hand for power outages or keeping an eye on weather reports and planning to evacuate if appropriate.
Suppose you’re in an area that typically gets hit by hurricanes or other extreme weather phenomena. In that case, you likely know what building is regularly set up as a shelter, and what other precautions are standard. (Growing up in eastern North Carolina, we definitely knew what parts of town were high ground and would face less flooding, and it was standard practice for folks in low-lying areas to move their vehicles to the school campus, where they were less likely to flood, for instance.) Your child may not have noticed these procedures, so show him, so that he knows his family and community take steps to prepare.
Talk To Your Kids About What Happens When Preparation Is Not Enough
Some of the areas hit by Hurricane Helene are hundreds of miles inland, and residents were not ready for the devastation the storm brought. Sometimes, disasters—storms, fires, floods—strike in a way that no one could have been prepared for.
Talk to your child about your family’s steps if something happens.
He should know the escape plan from your home in the case of an emergency, how to call 911 and recite his address, and what neighbors he could run to if he needed help.
Most of all, he should know that there is help and that families recover after tragedies, so speak to him about emergency personnel that would show up if he needed them and about aid organizations that help families rebuild their lives.
Keep Talking, Even After The Disaster Seems Over
The storm made the news. The most shocking images of the destruction will get the most shares on social media. The death tolls are constantly being updated.
When rebuilding begins, it won’t get as much attention. There may be local news stories, but most of it will not go wildly viral.
Unfortunately, this can leave the impression that when bad things happen, the story stops there. Make sure you speak to your child about recovery as it happens. Seek out stories about families who have rebuilt their homes, kids reunited with pets they thought were missing, and even electricity being restored and schools reopening.
Though these less-dramatic details can get lost in the discussion, they reassure your child that there is healing after a disaster.