Whether caused by strong rains, hurricanes, or rapid snowmelt, flood events can devastate a community and can create significant health hazards and traumatic events in children. Flooding is a threat in many parts of the U.S., both in rural and urban settings — and even in typically dry areas, especially on recently burned land.
The resources found here provide guidance on how to develop flood-specific disaster plans and how to support children in the aftermath of floods.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
This is a collection of resources for families and first responders on creating a flood plan, and staying safe during and after a flood. Other CDC resources:
Flooding and Mold (PDF activity book for kids)
Mold Cleanup and Remediation (fact sheets and resources or families)
Floodwater After a Disaster or Emergency (general safety tips).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Children’s Health in the Aftermath of Floods
Guidance on protecting children from post-flood hazards, including mold, carbon monoxide, and contaminated water, with links to regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs), environmental health experts who can advise on local concerns related to floods and other hazards.
Healthy Children
Hurricanes & Floods: Taking Care of Your Children and Yourself and Disasters and Your Family: Be Prepared
General disaster and flood-specific guidance for families and caregivers on talking to children about disasters before and after they occur, building a basic disaster plan and kit, and more.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Includes tips for families and communities on preparing for floods, what to do during an active flood, and supporting children after a flood.
The NCTSN Learning Center also offers free online courses on Psychological First Aid (based on a post-disaster scenario, for individuals new to disaster response) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (for helping survivors cope with stress after a disaster) — registration required.
Guidance for families and communities to prepare for and cope with the effects of hurricanes on children. It emphasizes the importance of early preparedness, such as understanding hurricane risks, assembling emergency kits, and creating communication plans, while also offering guidance on how to support children during and after the disaster.
Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU)
Flooding Aftermath & Children’s Health
Guidance for families on cleaning up after floods, with specific tips for protecting children and adolescents from potentially hazardous sites.
Western Regional Alliance for Pediatric Emergency Management (WRAP-EM)
Flooding Aftermath & Children’s Health
Visit the WRAP-EM Mental Health Page for resources related to supporting children, families, and providers. Includes information about Listen, Protect and Connect (LPC), a psychological first aid system, including versions of LPC designed for parents, schools, and providers. Additionally, you can find resources such as mobile apps, fact sheets, and information for mental health hotlines.
Pediatric Pandemic Network
For more resources about floods and hurricanes, check out PPN Resource Central, an expertly curated database of thousands of resources related to giving care to children — every day and in crises.
No matter your role in taking care of children and adolescents — as a parent or caregiver, a first responder, a hospital-based clinician, an educator, or otherwise — these resources can help you and your community be more prepared for floods and other natural disasters.