If your child care program has any risk of being impacted by a hurricane, be sure you are prepared. All hurricanes, not only major ones, can cause considerable damage. If there is a chance you might be impacted by a hurricane, it should be included in your emergency plan, and you need to practice evacuation drills regularly. Sign up for emergency alerts, including alerts from your city/county, so you are aware of emergencies in advance.
It is important to be familiar with terms associated with hurricanes:
- Hurricane Watch – No hurricane yet, but weather conditions could cause one. Experts will announce a hurricane watch 48 hours before they think dangerous winds will start.
- Hurricane Warning – A hurricane has already started or is just about to start.
Hurricane seasons vary by area.
- Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season: May 15-November 30
- Atlantic Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
- Central Pacific Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
Consider the steps you need to take to prepare your child care business for a hurricane, including:
- Review your insurance policy with your insurance agent
- Secure your home or business by making necessary repairs or improvements.
- Make a home or business inventory.
- Stock emergency supplies, based on the needs of the enrolled children and staff who work with them.
- Develop an evacuation plan.
Make sure you have a plan in place to make families and staff aware of your plan in case of a hurricane.
Next Steps
If you need additional guidance on hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery, contact your local CCR&R. You can also reach the Child Care Aware of America Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery team at preparedness@usa.childcareaware.org
Related CCAoA Resources
- Hurricane Season Preparation
- Child Care Emergency Preparedness
- Business Continuity
- Emergency Supply Kits
- Power Outages and Food Safety
- Helping Children Cope
- How Insurance Protects You in an Emergency
- Reducing the Financial Toll of Emergencies
Other Resources
- A Hurricane Comes to Sesame Street (Sesame Street in Communities)
- Hurricanes (Ready.gov)
- Hurricanes and Other Tropical Storms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Hurricane Resources (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
- 10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe in a Hurricane (Save the Children)
- Hurricane Preparedness (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Ready Wrigley (CDC)
- Sample Damage Assessment Tool (California Childcare Health Program)
