After A Disaster A catastrophe such as a fire, tornado, flood, earthquake or hurricane is frightening to children and adults. It is important to acknowledge the frightening aspects of such disasters when talking with a child about them. Falsely minimizing the danger will not end a child's concerns.
Several factors affect a child's response to a disaster.
The way children see and understand their parents' response is very important. Children are aware of their parent's worries most of the time, but they are particularly sensitive during a crisis. Parents should admit their concerns to their children, and also stress their abilities to cope with the situation. A child's reaction also depends on how much destruction he or she sees during and after the disaster. If a friend or family member has been killed or seriously injured, or if the child's school or home has been severely damaged, there is a greater chance that the child will experience difficulties.