Hurricane Helene: Essential Tips to Prepare Your Family for the Storm

The sky blackened like a heavy curtain being drawn across the day, and the winds outside screamed louder with each passing hour. It was June 1972, and Hurricane Agnes, the costliest storm in U.S. history at the time, was barreling toward the East Coast. I was ten years old, living in Northern Virginia with my single mother and three older siblings. I remember how the dread hung in the air—not just from the storm itself, but from the fear that everything we knew could be torn apart. Today, many of you may be feeling the same way as you wait for Hurricane Helene to make landfall here in Florida.

That fear is very real. I felt it then, and I know many of you are feeling it now. But what stayed with me, long after Agnes had passed, wasn’t the devastation—it was the way my family found strength and connection in the face of the storm. As you prepare for Hurricane Helene, I want to share the lessons I learned from that experience—lessons that helped us not only survive the storm but grow stronger as a family. These are lessons I believe can help you and your loved ones face Helene with resilience and togetherness.

1. Create a Safe and Comforting Haven

As Hurricane Helene draws near, you’re likely already securing your home and preparing a safe place to ride out the storm. I remember how, during Hurricane Agnes, my mother led us to the basement, but it wasn’t just about physical safety. She transformed that cold, dark space into a haven of comfort and warmth. We brought down blankets, snacks, and games, creating an environment that felt secure despite the chaos outside.

Exercise: The Family Sculpture

If you’re gathered in your safe space, take a moment to strengthen the emotional bonds within your family through the Family Sculpture exercise, inspired by Virginia Satir’s methods:

• Set the Scene: Explain to your family that this exercise is a way to visualize your relationships and how you see each other’s roles.
• Select the Sculptor: Choose one person to position family members in poses that represent how they see the family dynamic. For example, placing two people close together might signify a strong bond, while placing someone apart could suggest emotional distance.
• Reflect and Discuss: The sculptor explains their choices, and you discuss the feelings behind each position.

This exercise can help bring out unspoken emotions, turning your safe space into a place where not only your body but your hearts can feel secure.

2. Share Stories That Bind

I vividly recall sitting in the basement during Hurricane Agnes, listening to my mother share stories from her childhood—stories of times she had faced challenges and found the strength to overcome them. Her stories gave me comfort and made me feel connected to something bigger than just the storm. As you wait for Helene, use this time to share stories that remind your family of your own strength and resilience.

Exercise: The Self-Esteem Pot

In addition to storytelling, try the Self-Esteem Pot exercise to shift the focus from anxiety to appreciation:

• Have each family member write down a positive quality or cherished memory about another person.
• Place these notes into a pot, then take turns reading them aloud.

This simple act of sharing positivity can transform fear into warmth, strengthening your family’s bond during a time of uncertainty.

3. Play Games That Connect

Storms like Helene often mean long hours of waiting—time that can be filled with anxiety if left unchecked. During Hurricane Agnes, my siblings and I passed the time by playing card games by flashlight. The laughter and playful competition helped ease the tension and created a few bright moments in an otherwise dark time.

Exercise: The Family Mood Meter

Incorporate a Family Mood Meter to complement your game time. Draw a simple chart with different emotions (happy, anxious, hopeful) and place it somewhere visible. Family members can mark how they’re feeling as the games go on. This helps everyone acknowledge and share their emotions in a natural, lighthearted way, making it easier to support each other emotionally.

4. Reflect on What Truly Matters

In the pause before the storm, there’s a unique opportunity to reflect on your family’s core values—what matters most, beyond the immediate fear. I remember, during Agnes, how my family talked about our safety, our love for one another, and the importance of staying positive. These discussions not only calmed my young mind, but they also deepened my appreciation for what truly mattered.

Exercise: The Family Shield

Create a Family Shield to symbolize your shared values. Divide a large piece of paper into sections, each representing a value your family holds dear—whether it’s love, trust, resilience, or humor. As each member contributes, the shield becomes a powerful visual reminder of what unites you as you face the coming storm together.

5. Cultivate Gratitude

Gratitude might seem far from your mind as you wait for Hurricane Helene, but it’s one of the most powerful tools to counteract fear. I remember, during the height of Agnes, my mother asking us to share something we were grateful for. At first, it felt strange—why talk about gratitude when everything felt so threatening? But as each of us spoke, I felt a surprising sense of peace.

Exercise: The Gratitude Circle

Form a Gratitude Circle where each person shares something they’re grateful for in the moment. It could be as simple as the comfort of being together or the strength of your home. This exercise shifts the focus from fear to appreciation, helping your family feel grounded and united as the storm approaches.

6. Plan for Brighter Days

Even as the winds began to pick up and the rain lashed against the windows during Hurricane Agnes, my family talked about what we would do once the storm passed. Whether it was going out for ice cream or visiting friends, making plans gave us something to look forward to. As you wait for Helene, consider what your family will do once the storm is behind you.

Exercise: The Family Vision Board

Create a Family Vision Board by gathering magazines, paper, and markers. Cut out images, words, or draw pictures that represent your hopes and dreams for the future. As you plan for brighter days ahead, this board can serve as a reminder that the storm, while powerful, is temporary, and your family’s future holds many more joyful moments.

7. Share Responsibilities, Build Teamwork

Hurricane Helene may bring power outages, fallen trees, or other disruptions. Use this time to involve everyone in preparing for and responding to the storm. During Agnes, my mother made sure each of us had a role, whether it was gathering flashlights or passing out snacks. This kept us occupied and made me feel useful in a time of uncertainty.

Exercise: The Family Meeting

Hold a Family Meeting to discuss what needs to be done and assign roles based on each person’s abilities. Sharing responsibilities reinforces the importance of teamwork and ensures everyone feels valued during a time of crisis.

Conclusion

As Hurricane Helene approaches, many of you are filled with uncertainty, just as I was as a child during Hurricane Agnes. But what I learned then is that a storm, while terrifying, can also be an opportunity to strengthen your family’s bonds. Whether it’s creating a safe space, sharing stories, playing games, or reflecting on what truly matters, you can turn a time of fear into a moment of togetherness.

Even though the storm may feel overwhelming, remember that your family’s strength lies in its love, trust, and unity. I hope the exercises I’ve shared here will help you transform this challenging time into one that deepens your connections and creates lasting memories. After all, it’s not just about enduring the storm—it’s about weathering it together, knowing that brighter days will come.

As you wait for Hurricane Helene, what connections will you strengthen? How will you turn fear into unity? In moments like these, you’re not just facing a storm—you’re building the foundations of trust, love, and resilience that will carry your family through any challenge.