Everything You Need To Know About Hurricane Prep With Kids
If you were born and raised in Louisiana, you know that hurricanes are simply a part of life. But if you’re new to Louisiana — especially with children — the experience can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created the Ultimate Guide to Hurricane Preparedness to help you confidently navigate storm season. Hurricane season runs June 1st through November 30th and preparation is the key to navigating any storm. Everything from how to prep your home and what to pack to how to talk to your kids about hurricanes in age-appropriate ways. Preparations are vital, whether you evacuate or shelter in place. Many moms have even experienced heartache and loss, evaluating the damage done by a hurricane.
We understand that hurricanes affect every family differently. Some may head out of town and turn it into a mini vacation, while others will shelter in place. No matter your approach, our goal is to help you prepare with this guide as a resource. Starting the conversation early with ample time to prepare, with the right tools and mindset so you can be calm before the storm.
How to Prepare ::
Hurricane Prep – The Family Binder {What It is and Why You Need One} :: My best piece of advice as a Louisiana mom is to make your family a hurricane binder. Truthfully, I think a family binder is a great idea for many scenarios, but it is absolutely essential for hurricane prep in my mind.
What’s In Your Hurricane Box? :: I quickly realized just how ill-prepared I was to file for FEMA assistance, check in with my insurance companies, or even understand my coverages. Many years ago, I put together a Hurricane Box, so I’ve revisited that idea to be better prepared for next time and to have all of my important items in one place.
Why I Put A Hammer In My Attic :: We saw it with Katrina, Rita, Michael, and other storms that have held the same catastrophic destruction that Laura promises to bring. We talk about those poor people and our hearts break for them in those moments. What we don’t talk about are the people who died before the search and rescues got to them because they were trapped, because they couldn’t get out.
What You Need To Know and Do Right Now :: As we learned during Katrina, hurricanes can become serious very quickly, but the one benefit we have on our side is the time to prepare. Below is a list of items to consider and things you can do while we still have plenty of time.
How to Talk To Kids About Hurricanes :: The approach you take to talking with your kids about hurricanes depends on many factors including their age, personality and the severity of the impending storm. Regardless of whether you evacuate or hunker down, as a parent you may have to talk with your kids about your plan and what they can expect.
Emotional Preparedness :: The truth is, we live in South Louisiana. South Louisiana is prone to hurricanes, floods, and torrential downpours, but we can’t live in fear over the next big storm. So, how can we emotionally prepare ourselves for a potential disaster?
Tips for Managing Stress During Hurricane Prep :: The bottom line is we don’t know and not knowing is incredibly frustrating – especially for parents who need to plan. So do what you can do today to prepare for this weekend, either way. Here are my top five tips you can do to help yourself feel in control and prepare.
Preparing for a Hurricane When You’re the Mom :: Growing up (and even as a young adult in college), my parents handled any and all storm prep. My biggest concern was stocking up on food and wine for our “hurricane parties” when class or work would inevitably get canceled.
How To Prepare Your Pet for Hurricane Season :: Preparing your pets for hurricane season only takes a short conversation and a plan. Remember, pets thrive on routine, so providing a safe plan and practicing car travel now could save you hassle and stress later.
Not Your Normal Hurricane Prep :: We know to put our patio furniture in the garage and pull our potted plants inside. We have estimating how much gas to get for the generator down to a science. Even with all these preparations, one thing remains … what do we do with our bored children?
A Louisiana Women’s Hurricane Checklist :: Note, this is a satirical post. I’m talking about the official unofficial checklist every Louisiana woman processes before a hurricane.
The Insurance Crisis in Louisiana :: What You Need to Know :: Take photos and videos of your home exterior and interior. Always take receipts with you and your policy when you evacuate. This is helpful for when you make a claim to show exactly what you had prior to the loss.
From a Meteorologist ::
Practical Tips from a Local Dad and Meteorologist :: Anyone who has spent more than a few years in NOLA has experienced it. We should all be prepared, and yet it seems to stress everyone out.
Don’t Believe the Weather Memes :: But ever since the dawn of the internet, we have seen the dawn of the troll. Even some of the experts I follow get a certain thrill about potentially “historic” storms and the impacts they could have.
Stories from Moms Who Have Lived Through Hurricanes ::
What We’ve Learned About Post-Storm Clean Up :: here are a few things we Louisianians have learned since August 2016 so I thought I would put together a list compiled out of love from your Louisiana neighbors.
My Katrina Days :: We had just evacuated for the previous storm, spent hours in traffic, and came home to a few leaves on the ground. My dad worked (works) for Allstate insurance, often part of the CAT(astrophy) team. He said he wasn’t leaving again, my mom either.
How Hurricane Katrina Made Me Want To Plant Roots in New Orleans :: Katrina taught me that, whether you were born up the street or bought your house last week, you are a part of the Spirit. Living here makes you stronger, more open-minded, and just a bit fatter.
Every Louisiana Child Has Their Hurricane Story
:: Because, Camille and Betsy were part of my story about my family growing up. And, Katrina was part of my boys’ story about me growing up. And, now, they have their own Ida story.
Coping with the Aftermath of Hurricane Ida as a Mom :: This is not the time to feel guilty for being exhausted because others have it worse. We are exhausted both for our own situation as well as our community. Ask me to show you a city that cares about their neighbors and I will show you a picture of a family in Westwego, Luling, New Orleans, and Slidell.
The Lingering Effects of Hurricanes :: Disaster experts point out that communities reallocate resources toward recovery and away from school food programs and prenatal health clinics. Hospitals may put off upgrading their facilities. When people lose their jobs due a disaster, they may not be able to afford medical care or nutritious food.
