You probably know a hurricane is a large, powerful storm that can cause a lot of rain and wind. Everyone pays attention to hurricanes because they can be dangerous, but you might remember that Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita were unusually strong. They caused many more problems than most hurricanes.

Some hurricanes come and go and really don't cause much more trouble than a bad thunderstorm. Others may damage homes and cause some flooding that goes away on its own. But Katrina was so strong that the damage was very bad and it caused the deep flooding you probably saw on TV. Hurricanes Rita and Wilma also caused a lot of damage from flooding and wind. With all three of these storms, some people were evacuated and returned home soon after. But others, especially those affected by Hurricane Katrina, had to move away and start a new life in another place.

Hurricane Katrina seriously affected the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Rita hit Louisiana and Texas. Hurricane Wilma affected Florida. All these states are along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the southern United States. Though hurricanes can cause problems away from the coastline, usually the most serious damage happens along bodies of water, such as oceans or rivers.

Could It Happen to Me?

Especially with Hurricane Katrina, you probably saw some scary images on TV. You may have seen kids like you evacuating in cars with their families, being rescued, or sleeping and playing at shelters. 

Many kids won't be directly affected by hurricanes, but it's normal to have questions or worries. You might wonder if a big hurricane could happen where you live.

Hurricanes are always a concern, especially for people who live near a coast, but most hurricanes are not as dangerous as these three. Also, when a hurricane is on the way, weather forecasters can predict which areas will be affected. Based on that, cities and states can tell people to evacuate — to move out of the storm's way until it's over. Many people were able to leave the areas most affected by recent hurricanes. That meant they were safe with friends or family, or at hotels.

You may have heard some people call a hurricane a "natural disaster," but what does that mean? A natural disaster is anytime weather or nature causes big problems, like a hurricane, a tornado, an earthquake, or a tsunami. Depending on where a person lives, there's more risk of certain kinds of natural disasters.

But wherever you live, it's important to remember that there are lots of people looking out for you. In a bad storm or other crisis, this would include not only moms and dads, but also police officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and other people who are trained to handle emergencies. You've probably seen these people on the news, too, handing out meals and bottles of water, and tending to people who needed help after the hurricanes were over. 

What You Can Do

Seeing these people being taken care of can make us feel a little better. But what else should you do if you're feeling worried, upset, or just curious about what happened with the recent hurricanes?

Here are some suggestions:

Talk about your feelings

It's good to be able to share what you're feeling with a parent or another trusted adult. It's OK to ask questions and wonder about why this happened. It's also OK to feel sad, even though you don't live in one of the damaged areas. Attending a fundraiser for the hurricane victims can help you feel better. Get a few extra hugs from your mom or dad, too. 

Be creative

It may sound funny, but drawing a picture or writing a poem can be helpful in sad times. Why? Because you get to express how you're feeling. You even might use your creative ability to make cards to send to rescue workers or people affected by the hurricane. Your kind thoughts just might cheer them up a little.

Turn off the TV

It can be hard to avoid TV reports or newspaper photos of all that's going on in the hurricane-damaged areas. But too much of it isn't good for kids or grown-ups. Remind your mom and dad about this, too. What can you do instead? Anything — go outside, read a book, make a craft. You also might just count your blessings. What's that? It's when you take a look around and notice all the good stuff — the sunshine in the blue sky, your family, your favorite song on the radio, your best friend, and your lovable pet.

Help others

Only a few days after Hurricane Katrina, some kids near Philadelphia opened a lemonade stand to raise money for the victims. Other kids collected teddy bears at school. In Maryland, three sisters (ages 14, 11, and 8) came up with an idea to send backpacks stuffed with coloring books and other treats for kids who were evacuated.

It's a great idea to find a way to help. Not only does it help people who need food, clothes, and shelter, it helps you feel better because you're lending a hand. You might raise money or gather supplies through your church, school, or local fire department. If your school doesn't have plans for a fundraiser yet, maybe you can be the one to get it started.

Know that healing will happen

Now, you know it's normal to feel sad about big hurricanes, even if you're fine and live somewhere far away. You should also know that these sad feelings you have will get better over time. And hard as it is to believe, even the people who lost the most in the hurricanes will feel better someday. It will take a long time, but they will slowly heal thanks to the people who care for them during this sad time.

In most cases, people can go back to their houses, clean up, and restart their lives. But with Hurricane Katrina, the damage was so bad that a lot of people had to go to new towns. Some will eventually go back to their hometowns, but others might stay in their new cities and states. Maybe you will even meet someone who had to move because of a hurricane. If so, be kind and make friends. It will take a lot of good people to help the hurricane victims find the strength and courage they need. Maybe you can be one of them!

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: May 2008