The fourth-graders in Girl Scout Troop 2059 visited a TV station’s weather center to learn more about hurricanes. 

Shutterstock.com (background); Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads (Girl Scout Troop 2059)

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Hurricane Helpers

These Girl Scouts from Florida are helping other kids prepare for hurricanes—and feel less scared.

As You Read: Identify the problem that the hurricane kits helped solve. 

Lily Rhoads has already lived through two hurricanes. The 10-year-old’s home is in Central Florida. Lily knows it’s important to be prepared for big storms. She wanted to make sure that more families knew how to get ready. 

So Lily teamed up with the other Girl Scouts in Troop 2059 to make a real difference. Together the girls came up with an idea that could help people survive hurricanes. 

Lily Rhoads has lived through two hurricanes. The 10-year-old lives in Central Florida. Lily knows it’s important to be prepared for big storms. She wanted to make sure that more families knew how to get ready.

Lily is a Girl Scout in Troop 2059. She teamed up with the other Girl Scouts in her troop. They all wanted to make a real difference. Together the girls came up with an idea that could help people survive hurricanes.

Warren Faidley/Getty Images

A recent hurricane slams into the Florida coast.  

What Are Hurricanes?

Hurricanes are powerful storms that usually strike from June through November. They bring heavy rains and winds that can blow more than 150 miles per hour. They can knock over trees, flood towns, and destroy buildings.

Florida citizens aren’t strangers to these storms. In fact, Florida is hit by more hurricanes than any other state. 

The girls noticed that classmates who had recently moved to Florida were especially anxious about hurricanes. Many had never been through one, and they and their familes didn’t know what to expect. That’s why the girls decided to make hurricane kits.

“We wanted to give supplies to help,” Lily says. “We also wanted to educate families on preparing for a hurricane.”

Hurricanes are powerful storms. They usually strike from June through November. They bring heavy rains and winds. The winds can blow more than 150 miles per hour. They can knock over trees and flood towns. They can even destroy buildings.

Florida citizens aren’t strangers to these storms. In fact, Florida is hit by more hurricanes than any other state. 

The girls have classmates who recently moved to Florida. They noticed that these new classmates were especially anxious about hurricanes. Many had never been through one. These students and their families didn’t know what to expect. That’s why the girls decided to make hurricane kits.

“We wanted to give supplies to help,” Lily says. “We also wanted to educate families on preparing for a hurricane.”

Pause and Think

Why might kids new to Florida be especially nervous about hurricanes?

Pause and Think

Why might kids new to Florida be especially nervous about hurricanes?

Lifesaving Storm Kits

The first step was to gather items for the kits. Last January, the girls thought about what would be most helpful. Then Lily and her friends asked businesses to donate, or give, those items.

The kits included supplies like a water bottle and canned food. Those could come in handy if people can’t get to a store to buy food after a storm. The kits also included telephone numbers to call in an emergency. There was a list of tips about how to prepare for storms. One important tip is to bring patio furniture inside. That way it won’t blow around and hurt someone. 

“The flashlight helps if the power goes out,” Lily says. “The activity sheets will help keep kids busy and less anxious until the storm passes.”

The first step was to gather items for the kits. Last January, the girls thought about what would be most helpful. Then Lily and her friends asked businesses to donate, or give, those items.

The kits included supplies like a water bottle and canned food. They could come in handy if people can’t get to a store to buy food after a storm. The kits also included telephone numbers. These numbers can be called in an emergency. There was also a list of tips about how to prepare for storms. One important tip is to bring patio furniture inside. That way it won’t blow around and hurt someone. 

“The flashlight helps if the power goes out,” Lily says. “The activity sheets will help keep kids busy and less anxious until the storm passes.”

What’s Next?

Last April, the girls had received enough donations to fill 50 kits. They handed them out to local families. Two months later, Troop 2059 received the Girl Scout Bronze Award for the project. 

Other troops have contacted Troop 2059. They want to learn about making the kits—and to keep the project going!

Last April, the girls had received enough donations to fill 50 kits. They handed them out to local families. Two months later, Troop 2059 received the Girl Scout Bronze Award for the project. 

Other troops have contacted Troop 2059. They want to learn about making the kits—and to keep the project going!

Inside a Hurricane

Hurricanes form when warm air from the ocean’s surface rises and meets cool air above it. This causes storm clouds, rain, and strong winds. If winds reach 74 miles per hour, the storm is called a hurricane. 

Shutterstock.com (background, Earth); QA International (diagram)

(clockwise from top left)

  • Winds blowing on the ocean’s surface push the hurricane across the water and toward land.
  • The eye is the calm center of the hurricane.
  • Clouds roll in a swirling pattern around the eye.
  • An eyewall is the ring of clouds around the eye. The strongest winds are here.


Inside a Hurricane

Hurricanes form when warm air from the ocean’s surface rises and meets cool air above it. This causes storm clouds, rain, and strong winds. If winds reach 74 miles per hour, the storm is called a hurricane. 

Shutterstock.com (background, Earth); QA International (diagram)


(clockwise from top left)

  • Winds blowing on the ocean’s surface push the hurricane across the water and toward land.
  • The eye is the calm center of the hurricane.
  • Clouds roll in a swirling pattern around the eye.
  • An eyewall is the ring of clouds around the eye. The strongest winds are here.

How the Girls Put the Kits Together

Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads

1. After gathering donations, the troop put the items into bags.


Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads

2. Each kit had items to help in a storm, such as canned food. It won’t spoil and can stay in the kit until needed.


Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads

Lily Rhoads

3. The girls handed out 50 hurricane kits to local families.


How the Girls Put the Kits Together

Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads


1. After gathering donations, the troop put the items into bags.

Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads


2. Each kit had items to help in a storm, such as canned food. It won’t spoil and can stay in the kit until needed.

Courtesy of Jaclyn Rhoads

Lily Rhoads


3. The girls handed out 50 hurricane kits to local families.

  1. The article explains that the girls live in Florida. Why is that detail important?
  2. Based on the article, what steps did the girls take to complete their project?
  3. Choose two items the girls put in their hurricane kits. Explain why each was included.
  1. The article explains that the girls live in Florida. Why is that detail important?
  2. Based on the article, what steps did the girls take to complete their project?
  3. Choose two items the girls put in their hurricane kits. Explain why each was included.
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