A person may feel angry, then depressed, then angry again. How feelings are expressed will vary with the age of the child. A very young child may express denial by refusing to talk about the situation or clowning when others are talking about the disaster. Older children may go to their rooms or insist on going to the mall. Anger in a young child may involve a tantrum and in older child may be manifested as yelling at a parent.
Symptoms tend to vary with the age and developmental maturity of the child.
If symptoms persist for a long time or seem extreme, parents should seek professional help through the school or community healthcare provider. Try to recognize the feeling underlying your child's actions and put it into words. Sometimes children may have an overwhelming fear that they are unable to put into words , and you may need to voice for them. We are safe, and the flood waters are leaving, so we aren't going to die from this flood. Be honest with your child about what has happened and what is happening.