Parent Guidelines for Helping Children Before, During, and After a Tornado

Children's reaction to tornados and their aftermaths are strongly influenced by how their parents, teachers, and other caregivers cope during and after the storms. They often turn to these adults for information, comfort, and help. There are many reactions to tornadoes and other frightening events that are common among children. These generally diminish with time, but knowing these reactions are like - and normal - can help parents be prepared.

Common Reactions

• Feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry about safety of self and others (including pets):
  • Children may have increased fears and worries about separation from family members
  • Young children may become more clingily to parents, siblings, or teachers
• Fears about another tornado coming
• Increased anxiety over future tornado warnings
• Changes in behavior
  • Increased activity level
  • Decreased concentration and attention
  • Increased irritability
  • Withdrawal
  • Angry outbursts
  • Aggression
• Increased physical complaints (e.g., headaches, stomachaches, aches and pains)
• Changes in school performance
• Prolonged focus on the tornado (e.g., talking repeatedly about it - young children may "play" the event)
• Increased sensitivity to sounds (e.g., wind and other loud noises)
• Changes in sleep
• Changes in appetite
• Lack of interest in usual activities, including interest in playing with friends
• Regressive behaviors in young children (e.g., baby talk, bedwetting, tantrums)
• Increased chance of high-risk behaviors in adolescents (e.g., drinking, substance abuse, self-injurious behaviors

Preparing Beforehand

Being prepared beforehand is the best way to help children and family members after a tornado. The following are ways in which families can be better prepared for the event of a tornado:

• Develop a plan to shelter in place.
• Make a family and preparedness and communication plan.
• Regularly practice the emergency plan.
• Be informed about local tornado sirens and how to access updated official tornado information.
  • Help family become familiar with different tornado alerts:
    • Tornado Watch: Indicates weather conditions are favorable for forming a tornado and people need to monitor for changing weather conditions or updated alerts.
    • Tornado Warning: indicates that a tornado has formed and people need to seek shelter quickly.
•  Assemble an emergency supply kit.
• Plan for children's needs.
  • Teach children the warning signs and what to do when they hear the tornado sirens.
  • Discuss with adolescents good places to seek shelter if they are driving or in public.

What to do During a Tornado

Knowing what to do during a tornado can help families feel more in control and take steps to increase their safety. The following are things that families should do when a tornado warning is issued or if a tornado is spotted:

• Take shelter immediately.
• Take protective measures.
• Keep pets sheltered and under control.
• Stay informed about tornado alerts and current weather updates. 

In regards to address children during a tornado, families can do the following:

• Model calm behavior
• Provide simple but accurate information in a quiet 

How to Handle the Aftermath

Children's functioning and recovery will be influenced by how their parents and caregivers cope after tornadoes. Children often turn to adults for information, comfort, and help. To assist children try doing the following:

Immediately after a tornado has passed, families should:

• Evaluate for injuries.
• Evaluate the safety of their home.
• Evaluate the safety of their yard and surrounding area.
• Use protective clothing when evaluating safety.

Parents and caregivers should try to:

• Model how they handle stressful situations in front of their children.
• Provide accurate information to their children about what happened during the storm as well as what changes the family is facing. Answer questions honestly but with the amount of detail appropriate to their developmental level.
• Give themselves their own time to process what is happening.
• Keep family routines as regular as possible, even in the early recovery phase.
• Maintain expectations.
• Limit media exposure.
• Calm worries about friends' safety.
• Communicate about community recovery and encourage children to help.
  
• Reduce boredom.
• Be patient.
• Give support at bedtime.
• Monitor adult conversations.
• Keep things hopeful.
• Reassure that the children are safe