Students, especially young students, may need the most help understanding which disasters are risks in your area and that not all people live in areas at risk for hurricanes. However, almost any area can be greatly affected by flooding, which causes the most destruction in the wake of a hurricane. Use this opportunity to talk to them about the disasters that can happen in your area, as well as places your students commonly visit. Explain how people of all ages can take actions to prepare in order to be safer in the event of any emergency. Be positive and help manage anxiety about disasters by focusing on the action steps students can take to help others recover and to prepare themselves for hazards that could affect them. These actions include making donations, reaching out to new classmates that may have been affected, making a Family Disaster Plan, building a Disaster Supplies Kit, getting trained in First Aid and practicing safety drills at home and school. Empowering young people to take these actions now can help them for a lifetime, no matter where they live.
Your students may also be very concerned about people they know that have been displaced by the disaster or how to help those who have lost their homes. These talking points will help you support your students, including those who may now be in your class because they have been directly affected by the recent disaster events.
If you have students in your class who have been displaced because of the hurricane, the Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Tragic Events materials contain lessons and activities that address feelings of loss and sadness. The teacher background information also addresses some age-specific reactions to stress and trauma and provides tips for how to engage students in discussions around the events. There are also pre-written letters, called Home Connections, to send home with students to encourage families to continue discussions at home. These lesson plans and activity sheets can be downloaded for free at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters:
Use this guide to talk to students about their concerns and to answer questions they may have:
A hurricane is a huge tropical storm that packs heavy rain and strong winds which rotate around a center of low pressure. In the Northern Hemisphere, the circulation is counterclockwise and in the Southern Hemisphere it is clockwise. A tropical storm with sustained winds of 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour or greater is called a hurricane if it originates in the North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and eastern North Pacific Ocean; it is called a typhoon if it originates in the western Pacific Ocean and a tropical cyclone if it originates in the Indian Ocean. The word hurricane comes from the Spanish word huracán, which may have derived from the name of the Mayan storm god Huraken or from any number of other Caribbean native terms for evil spirits or big winds.
Lesson Plan 1: Under Pressure (Home Connection)
"Under Pressure"
Activity Sheet: A Weighty Problem
Lesson Plan 2: The Pressure Is On (Home Connection)
"Hurricane Basics"
Activity Sheet: Real-Life Hurricanes
Lesson Plan 3: Tracking Hurricanes (Home Connection)
"Where Is It Going?"
Activity Sheet: Where Is It Going?
"Wind Science"
Activity Sheet: The Galveston Hurricane: Just the Facts
Activity Sheet: Hurricane Problems
Will it happen here?
Hurricanes can occur anytime, however most develop between June 1 and November 1 when the conditions are the best over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. All that is needed for a hurricane to occur is some disturbed weather, warm ocean water, moisture in the air, and winds combined together for a few days. These forces interact with each other to develop a series of events that start with a tropical depression and can grow to a tropical storm and then a hurricane.
Tropical storms can make landfall anywhere along the gulf coast from Texas to Florida and up the east coast from Florida to Maine. The strongest weather from hurricanes is usually near where it comes ashore, but the heavy rains from hurricanes have fallen far away from the coast in states like Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
The National Weather Service's Tropical Prediction Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides a continuous watch over the oceans looking for favorable conditions where storms may develop. Meteorologists and other scientists evaluate this information to watch for a storm to develop. When a storm does develop, the Tropical Prediction Center will make predictions about the storm - where it will go, if it will get stronger or weaker and estimate its affects.
When the storm is predicted to be heading toward land, the National Weather Service will broadcast warnings to people in the communities that may be impacted. These warnings are broadcast through NOAA Weather Radios, news, and local television and radio stations to provide information on when the storm will be in your area and immediate actions to take to be safer.
Most importantly, if you live or will visit an area at risk for hurricanes, you can prepare and know what to do in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm. See the information in "How can I be safe?" to learn about preparedness actions that you and your students can take.
Key messages for students:
- Hurricanes can happen anytime during the year and happen most frequently between June 1 and November 1.
- Any state along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts can be hit by a hurricane.
- Even inland states not along the coasts can feel the affects of hurricanes – heavy winds and rain, tornadoes and flooding.
- Be aware of tropical storms that may develop into hurricanes and track where the storm is going.
- Prepare well ahead of time for hurricanes, or any hazard that may happen where you live or go to visit.
How can I be safe?
By following reports of a hurricane's path, communities know when to prepare. Timely warnings have helped to decrease the number of people who are injured or die because of hurricanes. However, damage to homes and other property continues to increase because more people live in coastal communities. No matter how big the hurricane or where people live, there are actions that people can take to keep themselves safe.
If you are in a hurricane-prone area:
- Find out if your home or school, family members' workplaces or other frequently visited locations are in areas at risk from flooding by storm surge or heavy rain.
- Make a family communications plan and find an out-of-town family member or friend to contact to let them know where you are and what you plan to do when a storm threatens.
- Plan and practice your evacuation routes.
- Build a Disaster Supplies Kit. Gather all emergency supplies well ahead of time, including items you want to take with you if you need to evacuate.
- Discuss the hazards of tropical storms and hurricanes and then share your plans with all members of your family or those living in your home.
- Get trained in First Aid and CPR through your local Red Cross chapter. To find your local chapter, look in your local telephone directory or visit www.redcross.org and type in your zip code at the top of the page.
Preparedness information and actions can help in any emergency situation, whether it is a hurricane, earthquake, fire or act of terrorism. It is important for children to understand emergency plans for school and home and to practice them frequently. Encourage them to talk to their families about making a Family Disaster Plan, which includes how to contact family members if an emergency should occur when they are not together. Building a Disaster Supplies Kit for your classroom could also be a fun activity that you can do together. For information about what to include in school, classroom, and individual disaster supplies kits, visit www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/supply.html. Students can also benefit from first aid training with information ranging from calling 9-1-1 to what to do if someone is not breathing.
Key messages for students:
- Find out what disasters can happen where you live so you can be prepared.
- Know what to do before a disaster happens.
- Making a Family Disaster Plan can help family members know how to get in touch with one another when a disaster occurs.
- Practicing your plan and knowing how and when to call 9-1-1 will help you know exactly what to do if an emergency occurs.
- Building a Disaster Supplies Kit for your school, classroom, and home can ensure that you would have water, food, light and other emergency supplies for any kind of disaster.
- If a disaster happens, follow your plan and take your Disaster Supplies Kit with you.
Use the Masters of Disaster® Lesson Plans and Activity Sheets (activity sheets also available in Spanish on-line) to engage students in learning about disasters that happen where you live with hands-on, standards-based activities. Lesson plans are divided into sections and include background information needed to teach the lesson, activity outlines, and lists of materials needed for conducting the activities. These lesson plans and activity sheets can be downloaded for free at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters:
General Preparedness
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Floods
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Tornadoes
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Lightning
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Earthquakes
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Wildland Fires
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Fire Prevention and Safety
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Home Safety (injury prevention)
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8
What if I know someone who can't go home?
There are literally thousands of families who can't go home right now because it is unsafe for them to be there. For many of them, their homes have been severely damaged or completely destroyed by flood waters. Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage and in some cases completely stopped systems that provide electricity and clean water. In these areas, there is dangerous debris, no safe water to drink and very dirty conditions that can cause injuries and even disease.
Some of the children who can't go home have lost everything they had, including their toys and clothes. You can help students find ways to show that they care about the safety of disaster survivors and express their sympathy to those who are experiencing loss. Some of the children who lost their homes because of Hurricane Katrina may want to talk about what happened to them and some may not want to talk about it. Remind students that they can be good friends to those who've lost their homes by listening to their stories and to be understanding of those who don't want to talk about what has happened to them.
Key messages for students:
- Remember to show that you care. If you know or meet someone who has lost their home because of Hurricane Katrina, here are some things you can do to show that you care:
- Be a friend.
- Talk to your family and friends about ways you can help.
- Share what you have, such as toys and clothing or donating your allowance.
Talk to an adult you trust if you are concerned about what happened or worried about someone you know.
What can I do to help?
Students may find it empowering to become involved in helping survivors of the hurricane giving them, their families and even an entire school the opportunity to make a difference for those in need.. Undertaking a class or school project to provide financial support for relief efforts, to sponsor or promote blood drives and donations, and to thank local heroes provides a hands-on learning opportunity to embrace values of community involvement and good citizenship.
Donating money to a charity involved in disaster relief, like the American Red Cross, is the best way to help disaster survivors. Financial donations allow disaster volunteers to help those affected by the disaster faster so families can immediately buy the supplies they need most. By purchasing these supplies locally, money and time are used more wisely and not spent on transporting goods. An added benefit is that the local economy and local businesses get a financial boost.
There are many creative ways that school groups can raise money for charities like the American Red Cross. For a list of proven fundraisers and youth fundraising links, see "Fundraising Ideas and Resources for School Groups." When considering the many fundraising options available, keep these things in mind:
- Keep your fundraising efforts simple. Choosing a simple option can help you to involve many students and also be easier for the relief agency to process. Ideas include:
- Focusing student efforts on collecting small gifts such as coins or dollar bills.
- Converting coins into a check and then mailing it. A check will be easier for the relief agency to process during a busy disaster period.
- Donate coins through a Coinstar coin-counting machine. These machines are located in 10,000 grocery stores nationwide and accept donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund 365 days per year. To find a store close to where you live with a Coinstar machine, visit www.coinstar.com and type your zip code into the machine locator box.
- Avoid collecting items to donate. It is important that students, parents and teachers understand why certain types of donations, though well-intended, cannot be used by the Red Cross and other disaster relief organizations.
- Collections of assorted disaster relief supplies (food, clothing, toys, hygiene items and cleaning supplies) can drain already stretched resources dedicated to relief efforts by taking time to sort through and distribute.
- There may not be enough of an item for everyone in need, making it difficult to determine who should get what.
- The supplies might not get there in time or before the need is met in some other way.
- There may not be a place to store the donated supplies because of damaged warehouses or limited space.
Collected money can be sent to the American Red Cross in one of the following ways:
- Send donations to:
- Your local Red Cross chapter. Find your chapter in your local telephone directory or by using the zip code locator on www.redcross.org.
- American Red Cross
Disaster Relief Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
*When mailing a check, please make sure the donation intention is written on the check's memo line. Please do not mail cash.
- Use a credit card online at www.redcross.org.
- Call 1-800-HELP-NOW
(1-800-435-7669)
(1-800-257-7575 – Spanish)
Sponsor or promote a blood drive or encourage others to donate blood. Throughout the year there can be blood shortages. Now that so many lives have been disrupted because of the hurricane, students can better understand the need for regular blood donation as one of the keys to communities to being prepared in case something happens. Students may not be old enough to give blood, but they know someone who is! Help students identify people who may be able to donate blood. As a school, a class, or even as individuals, students can encourage others to donate blood so that blood is ready, available and on the shelf in advance of patients' needs. The phone number to call to schedule an appointment to donate blood is 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
Recognize your local heroes. Often students want to include personal notes to disaster survivors or thank you cards to rescue workers with their donation. Large disasters spark a huge volume of these cards, letters and drawings. Get students to think about and thank those local heroes in your own community who save people every day by responding to emergencies and disasters in your area. For example, children could write thank-you letters to the local fire department, police, hospital or Red Cross volunteers.
Key messages for students:
- Charities like the Red Cross have volunteers who go to the disaster area and use the money you give to set up shelters where families can sleep, get meals, clothing, counseling and personal items that are needed right away.
- The best way to help the disaster survivors is to collect money and send it to a charity like the American Red Cross.
- Brainstorm ways to encourage adults who can donate blood and get the word out.
- Take this opportunity to thank the heroes in your local community who help you prepare for and keep you safe from disasters and other emergencies every day.
Educator Resources
Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for more information about preparing for emergencies in your area. To find your local Red Cross chapter, look in your local telephone directory or use the zip code locator when you visit www.redcross.org. The Masters of Disaster and Facing Fear curriculum materials are aligned to core subject areas (mathematics, science, language arts, health, and social studies). Order these materials from your local chapter, or download those available on-line, to help you discuss emergency preparedness, fire and injury prevention, the science of disasters, and safety actions to take during disasters with your students:
Masters of Disaster® Curriculum Kits (includes Lesson Plans, Activity Sheets, videos, stickers, certificates)
Grades K-2 Stock No. A1140
Grades 3-5 Stock No. A1141
Grades 6-8 Stock No. A1142
Masters of Disaster Activity Sheets in Spanish
(downloadable version only and available at www.redcross.org/disaster/masters)
Facing Fear: Helping Young People Deal With Terrorism and Other Tragic Events (includes Lesson Plans and Activity Sheets Books)
Grades K-2 Stock No. A1360
Grades 3-5 Stock No. Stock No. A1361
Grades 6-8 Stock No. A1362
Grades 9-12 Stock No. A1363
Atlantic Hurricane Tracking Poster
Pk. 5 Stock No. P4003
Pk. 25 Stock No. P4003A
Helping Children Cope with Disaster
Pk. 50 Stock No. A4499 (FEMA 478)
Preparing for Disaster
Pk. 50 Stock No. A4600 (FEMA 475)
Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs
Pk. 50 Stock No. A 4497 (FEMA 476)
Food and Water in an Emergency
Pk. 50 Stock No. A5055 (FEMA 477)
RedCross.org Links:
American Red Cross
www.redcross.org
Hurricane Preparedness
http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_253_,00.html
Helping Children Cope with Disaster http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4499.pdf
Children and Disasters
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_602_,00.html
Article: Children Need Support to Cope After Disasters
http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_332_4075,00.html
Talking to Children About Disasters
http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/0109wtc/010914children.html
Helping Young Children Cope with Trauma
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe/childtrauma.html
Facing Fear Lessons K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12
http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters/facingfear/startk2.html (move the button to the grade level you want to download)
These web sites also provide more information related to this topic:
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/new/disasterresources.htm
Florida School Counselor Association
http://www.fla-schoolcounselor.org/crisis-links.asp
National Association of School Psychologists, Crisis Resources
http://www.nasponline.org/NEAT/crisismain.html
National Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention
http://www.promoteprevent.org/
National Child Traumatic Stress Network http://www.nctsnet.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=hom_main
UCLA School Mental Health Project: Center for Mental Health in Schools http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/
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