How to talk to children about Texas floods and other natural disasters

Grief brought on by tragic events is difficult enough for adults to process. The devastating flooding event that took place in Central Texas on July 4, 2025, had an added tragic dimension: more than 35 children lost their lives when camps and other structures along the Guadelupe River were washed away. 

How can parents and guardians help kids understand what happened? How can we recognize when children are grieving, scared, anxious and depressed? What kind of behaviors should parents watch out for? Will they be too scared to attend camp by themselves after this tragedy?

Karin Price, PhD, Texas Children’s Chief of Psychology, led a conversation on Facebook Live on July 10 with her Texas Children’s colleagues Kirti Saxena, MD, Chief of Psychiatry, and Ana Ugueto, PhD, Director of the Traumatic Stress and Resilience Program. The doctors discussed these and other emotional and behavioral aspects that the flooding might have on children and how to help them. 

“While some children will bounce back and resume their normal state of mind before too many weeks pass, many other children will deeply feel the grief as they imagine what the children in Central Texas went through. The emotional toll for them will last longer,” Dr. Price says. 

“Parents will need to be aware of signals children are sending and when to reach out for professional help.”

How can parents help children handle grief and difficult emotions?

Parents should first open lines of communication with their children. If your children have brought up the topic of flooding and related devastation, talk to them about what’s happened using simple, straightforward language and in a calm manner. If they have not yet brought it up, start a conversation with a statement such as, “Have you heard about the tragic events in Central Texas? I’d like to talk to you about any thoughts, concerns or worries you have.”

Young children, especially those who are preschool-aged, don’t need specific details because they won’t understand them yet. Elementary school-aged children would likely benefit most from following their lead on what topics to discuss and from sharing only information that you think will help with their understanding of events and coping with strong feelings. With middle schoolers and teenagers, be aware of where they are getting information and whether it is factual. Parents can watch news programs or social media with their older children to see what information is being presented and then provide answers to their questions based on facts.

Don’t let children of any age be exposed to too much information – it will overwhelm them. 

What if my child doesn’t want to talk about it?

This is okay in the short term. Tell your child, “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to listen.” However, keep checking back to see if they are ready to share their thoughts and feelings. Also pay attention to nonverbal cues that your child may be struggling (see below).

What are the signs that children might need additional mental health support? 

Be vigilant about changes in your child’s behavior that will signal whether your child is experiencing deeper grief, anxiety or depression. Initially, after a disaster, kids may feel more anxious or sad, and they may have behavioral changes such as:

• The above-mentioned lack of communication that continues
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Changes in activities, such as not wanting to see friends or leave the house
• Being on their phone all day when they didn’t previously do so
• Avoiding sleeping in their room
• Being afraid of the dark
• Being clingy
• Being very argumentative
• Becoming more physically aggressive

We can expect the child to return to his or her usual self within a few weeks. If it has been a month or six weeks or more, seek professional help for the child. 

How will the flooding disaster affect children with existing anxiety disorders?

Kids who are already struggling with grief, anxiety and depression can be expected to experience more of those emotions, making their symptoms worse and getting in the way of their day-to-day functioning.

It’s important that those children stick with their medication routines and keep going to therapy. Parents should continue to support their kids and understand what they’re going through.

Parents should talk to their child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist to see if any changes in medication are warranted.

What are some positive coping strategies that children can use to handle sadness or grief in these trying times? 

It’s okay in the short term to shift the routine in ways that provide comfort and reassurance if a child is struggling. For example, allowing a clingy child to sleep with their parent(s) or siblings temporarily may help with stress-related separation anxiety.  The younger a child is, the more likely they will want to stay close to their parent(s). 

However, it is also helpful for grieving and anxious children to continue to participate in their usual activities. These can involve socializing in clubs, groups or sports or through individual hobbies like drawing and listening to music. 

Maintain activities that you enjoy doing as a family. Work to engage with your child, such as sitting at the dinner table without cell phones so you can have an uninterrupted conversation. 

Children gain knowledge about how to act from adults. During trying times, we hope that they will model these types of positive behaviors: 

• Adults use their support systems such as leaning on our family, friends, communities of faith or neighbors.
• When necessary, we seek mental health support for ourselves.
• Taking note of, discussing or even engaging in helping behaviors. 

It is beneficial for children to see these behaviors. They may want to model them by somehow contributing to helping Central Texas flood victims by volunteering or donating to the many reputable organizations around Houston and Texas. See below for information on ways to help.

How can parents help their kids feel safe when terrifying things happen?

Reassure kids that they are safe where they are with their families at home and that their parents are doing everything they can to protect them. 

It can help people feel safe and secure when they are reminded of all the amazing efforts happening in Central Texas and the Hill Country. People from Texas, the US and Mexico are working to help everyone affected by the floods and to find those who are missing.

What about kids who are going to camp for the first time after this tragedy?

Even in normal times, children might be a little nervous about being away from home at a sleep away camp and meeting new people for the first time. 

Help kids remember why they wanted to go to camp in the first place. Making new friends and engaging in outdoor activities can be the best parts of summer for so many kids. Camp experiences will create wonderful memories.

Let them know that yes, what has happened is terrifying and even parents might be afraid. Please note that everyone is going to be looking out for their safety at camps. Additional measures are being taken right now and even more will be taken to make camps safe in the future.

How do I handle my child’s fear if we live near a river or have family in the area most affected?

Reassure them that they’re safe now – the flood waters are receding and people who are already safe are going to stay safe. If you have family in the area, have the child talk to them or visit them if possible. This process will tell the child, “Yes, this happened but we’re okay and we’re going to continue to be okay.”

We can expect kids to be a little more nervous when we have a heavy rainstorm. Remind them that thunderstorms are normal in Texas in the summer. But if your child still has a real fear of thunderstorms or avoids going outside even if it’s raining lightly, reach out for professional help. See below for resources.

How do I support my child if one of their friends was a victim of the floods?

That is such a tough question. Kids across Texas may have lost a friend, a classmate or a child at school that they didn’t know well. 

Give them the opportunity and a safe space to share whatever feelings they have. They may be sad and crying, and they may be angry and confused about what happened. Let them know that these are normal reactions after a tragedy.

Parents need to validate the child’s feelings and understand that those feelings may change within the day or over time. 

Social support is important but don’t pressure a child right away. It may be too painful at first to be with their friends who also knew a child who died or to attend a memorial service or a funeral. It’s okay if they are not yet ready to do these things. Do encourage them to share happy memories and pictures with their friends to make the grief a little bit easier.

Resources

Please visit Texas Children’s Central Texas information page for details on the resources available within our hospitals and also in the communities that families can access for help. 

Consider contributing to our Texas Children’s Central Texas Hope Fund that raises funds to directly support the flood victims and to support Texas Children’s programming launched to support these victims. 

Find out more about our professional pediatric therapy services:

Texas Children’s Pediatric Psychiatry Department 

Texas Children’s Pediatric Psychology Department