Think of the Children When the Storm Wind Blows: Reflections of an UMCOR Worker

by Tom Hazelwood

Posted: September 2, 2004 Print-friendly

As I left Florida this afternoon for a few days rest away from the relentless activities of Hurricane Charley response and Hurricane Frances preparation, I got a quick glimpse of an article that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel about children and preparing for the coming storm and it made me pause.

Everyone, children, youth and adult alike are very nervous about the approach of Hurricane Frances. Mary Gaudreau, director of care ministries of the Oklahoma Annual Conference Disaster Response, has spoken extensively about the added trauma of people who have been through a storm, when another one approaches.

I want to give an extra moment here to lift up children and youth. This applies not only to those who are preparing for the probability of Hurricane Frances, but for any family who is preparing for any storm. If a child is anxious about the storm, experts in both pastoral care and mental-health say, parents should answer his or her questions honestly and reassuringly.

My children are older teenagers now, but I know, even now, my number one job as a parent is to keep my children safe. We have to remind and reassure our children that we are there to protect them. Young children are often scared of storms and we should remind them that we have gotten through them before and you will again this time.

Experts say that young children may have little idea of what's going on. But even so, it's helpful to make them part of the storm preparations. Teenagers can gather the candles and flashlights and fill the bathtub with water. Little kids can choose what games or stuffed animals they want to have nearby. All of our UMCOR material gives emphasis to allowing people to make choices for themselves. We work at empowering individuals so they will feel more in control. Working as a family and letting everyone have a part in the preparations will help everyone feel less powerless.

Older children are likely to have some "what if" questions. What if the house is damaged? What if people are hurt? Answer them honestly, experts said, without overwhelming them. Don't be dismissive of their fears, and never lie to them in order to make them feel better.

Never promise that the storm won't come your way or that nothing will happen to the family home. Be honest with your children, tell them you are doing all you can to prepare and that you will face whatever happens together as a family. We must never forget to remind ourselves and our children of the faith to which we hold. The Lord has promised to be with us in all circumstances. We never face the storm alone.

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
The Lord Almighty is here among us...
(Psalm 46:1-3,7a, The Living Translation)

Peace be with you,
F. Thomas Hazelwood
UMCOR Emergency Services Office

Tom Hazelwood is executive secretary for disaster response in the United States for the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR). He has directed national disaster response for the agency since 1998.

Parents can help children master their fears of bad storms like Hurricanes Charley and Frances by making them a part of the preparations. Let them have a favorite toy nearby. Be honest, and let them know you're doing all you can to prepare. Credit: James Hackbarth.

As Hurricane Frances approaches, children who just experienced Hurricane Charley are especially anxious. These three children of migrant workers survived the devastating storm's onslaught on Arcadia, Florida. Credit: Tom Hazelwood/UMCOR, August 2004

Resources About Children, Disasters, and Trauma

A Kit for Ministry with Children After a Disaster, Dakotas Annual Conference, United Methodist Church.
After A Disaster: How To Help Child Victims, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Helping Children Cope with Disaster, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters National Institute of Mental Health(NIMH).
Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery, Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

How to Participate in This Response

Donations for the denomination's response to Charley and other hurricanes should be earmarked for Hurricanes 2004, UMCOR Advance #982410. Checks written to UMCOR can be placed in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, N.Y. 10115. Credit card donations can be made by calling toll free, 1-800-554-8583.

Flood Buckets

UMCOR urges United Methodists to help replenish supplies of flood buckets that have been sent to Florida. The buckets include such items as sponges, brushes, trash bags and various types of cleaning materials. Specifications can be found online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/. Completed flood buckets--and $1.50 per bucket to cover reshipping-- should be sent to UMCOR Sager Brown, 101 Sager Brown Rd., Baldwin, LA 70514.

UMCOR is also requesting donations for its Material Resource Ministry, Advance #901440 for cleaning supplies that the staff and volunteers at the Sager Brown Depot will use to assemble flood buckets.

Volunteers