It was one of those cozy mornings in early fall. I was sitting at my kitchen table, enjoying a hot cup of coffee while I watched the news. Hurricane Helene was making headlines, its swirling winds and relentless rain hammering down across the southeastern coast. As the reporter on TV rattled off the expected path of destruction, the camera zoomed in on a satellite map that showed the storm’s eye right over my cousin’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. I froze. Her house was directly in its path.

I immediately reached for my phone, dialing her number. No answer. I tried again and again. The storm raged on for days, and my worry grew.

Four days later, I finally heard from her. She and her boys were safe, thank God, though their house had been battered and was now without power. The two older boys were at university on the Eastern side of the state, and her youngest—my cousin’s high school junior—had taken refuge with them at home. Their house, perched high on a hill, had been their saving grace. They were among the lucky few.

Still, feeling utterly helpless as I sat in my comfortable home, a thought kept nagging at me: How could I help them? I offered the only thing I could think of: to bring them up to Pennsylvania. I’d register the youngest at my local high school, and at least for a time, he could have a semblance of normalcy, away from the chaos. Naturally, my cousin declined.

But just a week later, the phone rang again. Her voice was full of uncertainty but also a hint of desperation. “Are you serious about helping?” my cousin asked. “Could you really take him in? Get him in school?”

Three days later, he was enrolling in the high school where I teach. And just like that, my nephew was living with us, seamlessly transitioning and adjusting to a life away from the wreckage of the storm. It hasn’t escaped me… this was one kid, among thousands.

This personal experience, however dramatic and emotional, mirrors the larger story of how natural disasters continue to affect education on a global scale. In 2024, several catastrophic events, including Hurricane Helene and the wildfires in California, had profound consequences on schools, students, and the communities they serve. The events of this year highlight the urgency of addressing the intersection of natural disasters and education—especially for the most vulnerable populations.

Hurricane Helene: A Storm That Altered Education

Hurricane Helene, which tore through the southeastern United States in September 2024, left behind a trail of destruction, not only physically but also academically. Thousands of schools in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia were either damaged or completely destroyed. Some remained closed for weeks as local authorities assessed damage and began recovery efforts.

For students like my cousin’s son, the disruption was overwhelming. Power outages affected not only homes but schools, meaning that classes were halted, homework assignments piled up, and tests were postponed indefinitely. In areas like the Florida Panhandle, many students were left without any form of academic continuity for weeks, with school buildings rendered unsafe or inaccessible.

The lingering effects of these storms reach beyond just lost instructional time. Students were displaced, like my nephew, and many found themselves moving between temporary shelters and family homes, struggling to adapt to a completely new environment. For some, the mental toll was as devastating as the physical damage. The trauma of living through a storm, the loss of homes, and the uncertainty about the future continues to weigh heavily on the mental health of both students and teachers.

California Wildfires: An Ongoing Crisis

California’s wildfires in 2024 were another reminder of the fragility of educational systems in disaster-prone regions. The state’s wildfires forced the closure of hundreds of schools in affected areas, displacing students and their families once again. In places like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and surrounding counties, entire neighborhoods were wiped out. For many families, education was pushed to the back burner as they scrambled to find housing, food, and basic necessities.

But even as the fires were eventually contained, the aftermath is far from over. Schools, particularly those close to the wildfire zones, faced severe challenges. Many school buildings were damaged by smoke or fire, and the air quality in the region remains hazardous. We now know the health risks associated with poor air quality caused significant disruptions to both students and teachers. In some cases, students had to continue their lessons online, but access to reliable internet and technology was a significant hurdle for those whose homes had been destroyed.

In addition to the physical challenges, the psychological toll on students, educators, and their families was substantial. The trauma of witnessing or experiencing a wildfire, losing homes and possessions, and then trying to reorient themselves in the aftermath of such a disaster left many struggling to focus on their education. The emotional resilience required in these times is beyond what anyone could expect, yet it’s what so many students and teachers found themselves forced to develop.

Other Natural Disasters Impacting Education in 2024

While Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires dominated the headlines, other natural disasters also wreaked havoc on educational systems in 2024. In the Philippines, Typhoon Agaton caused massive destruction to schools and infrastructure, leaving thousands of students without access to learning materials for weeks. In countries like India, monsoon floods displaced entire communities, making it difficult for students to continue their education. The impact of these disasters reverberated long after the immediate damage was done, as families struggled to rebuild their lives and students faced the daunting task of catching up on lost learning.

In the face of these disasters, it’s clear that educational systems worldwide are ill-prepared to handle such widespread disruptions. While emergency response teams scramble to provide immediate relief, the long-term solution requires an overhaul of how we approach education in disaster-prone areas. Schools need to be more resilient, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in how they support the mental and emotional well-being of their students.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

As I reflect on my own experience of helping my cousin’s son find a new life away from the wreckage of the hurricane, I am reminded of the incredible resilience that individuals, families, and entire communities show in the face of disaster. But resilience is not enough. In 2024, the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness in education systems is more urgent than ever.

It’s time for policymakers, educators, and communities to work together to create disaster-resilient schools that not only protect physical infrastructure but also ensure continuity of learning for every student—regardless of the circumstances. And perhaps more importantly, we need to be ready to offer support to the mental and emotional needs of students, families, and educators as they navigate the aftermath of these catastrophic events.

As the world faces increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, let’s hope that the lessons learned from 2024 will lead to stronger, more prepared educational systems for the future.

If you are reading this blog, you are likely a teacher or someone who has been affected by these natural disasters. As a working teacher and co-founder of The Teacher’s Academy, I wanted to use this platform to bring awareness and provide a way for teachers to continue to help in the effort to rebuild and restore these education systems.

• Click here to donate to disaster relief from Hurricane Helene.
• Click here to donate to disaster relief from the LA WIldfires.
• Click here to donate to Unicef which contributes to disaster relief worldwide.

Please leave a comment to share how you have helped our education communities rebuild and prosper. Teachers are good at this sort of thing!

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