One Year After the Enderlin Tornado: How Can North Dakota Child Care Programs Be Better Prepared? - post

One year after the tornado that hit Enderlin, many of us are thinking about how to keep children safe when severe weather comes. This article is for child care providers and directors in North Dakota. It gives simple, practical steps you can use today. Use the checklists, practice often, and remember: state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency.

What happened in Enderlin and why should providers pay attention?

1. The Enderlin tornado reminded us that severe weather can hit quickly. North Dakota sees strong storms, tornadoes, and sudden wind events. The University of North Dakota's severe weather page explains common risks and shelter locations in our region.

2. Why it matters:

1. Children are vulnerable: they rely on adults to protect them during fast-moving storms.
2. Child care programs are community hubs: parents expect quick, calm action and clear reunification steps.
3. Plans must match local risk: what works in another state may miss North Dakota hazards.

3. Learn from trusted guides: Use local and national resources as you review your plan. Start with ChildCareEd guides on emergency planning, like Prepare Your Childcare Center for the Unexpected and the Emergency Preparedness in Childcare page. Also read the CDC tornado guidance at CDC Tornado Safety.

4. Quick action tip: Post your shelter locations and a one-line grab list near exits so staff can move fast.

Inline hashtags: Keep these in mind for planning: #Enderlin #NorthDakota #tornado #children #preparedness

How can my program update its emergency plan right now?

Use a short, clear plan that everyone can follow. Here are easy steps you can take this week.

1. 🔎 Conduct a quick hazard check:
1. List risks (tornado, wind, flash flood, power outage).
2. Mark safe interior rooms away from windows.
2. 📝 Update your written plan:
1. Include evacuation, shelter-in-place, and lockdown steps.
2. Assign staff roles (who checks attendance, who brings meds).
3. 🎒 Pack or refresh Go-Bags (one per classroom + one at main exit):
   1. Attendance sheet, emergency contacts, medications, first aid, water, flashlight, NOAA radio.
   2. See ChildCareEd's Emergency Supply List and Sample Childcare Emergency Action Plan for templates: Emergency checklist.
4. 📣 Strengthen communication:
   1. Set up a call/text tree and an out-of-area contact.
   2. Decide on a single staff person to speak with the media or parents; keep messages short.
5. 🤝 Coordinate with responders and neighbors:
   1. Share your plan with local fire or emergency management and invite feedback.

For a full guided course and a form to complete your Emergency Operations Plan, consider ChildCareEd's Emergency and Disaster Preparedness - Online, which walks you step-by-step through creating and submitting a plan.

Remember: state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency before finalizing documents.

How do we train staff, run drills, and avoid common mistakes?

Practice and training make plans real. Use short, frequent drills and clear staff roles so everyone acts quickly when seconds count.

1. 📚 Train all staff on the plan at hire and at least yearly.
2. 🚨 Run drills regularly:
   1. Fire drills: monthly (or as state requires).
   2. Tornado/shelter drills: seasonally during storm months.
   3. Lockdown drills if your plan includes them.
3. 📝 Document every drill: date, who participated, time to shelter, lessons learned.
4. 👩‍🏫 Use tabletop exercises: talk through "what if" scenarios with staff to practice decisions without stress.
5. ⚠️ Common mistakes and how to avoid them:
   1. ❌ Mistake: outdated family contacts — ✅ Fix: check contacts monthly and at sign-in.
   2. ❌ Mistake: unreachable Go-Bags — ✅ Fix: store them by the main exit and label clearly.
   3. ❌ Mistake: assuming staff know their roles — ✅ Fix: post roles and review them before each shift.

ChildCareEd offers both online and in-person training options (Zoom/in-person) and guides drills in their articles. The FEMA IS-36 course for child care providers is another solid resource to help you build skills and plans: FEMA IS-36.

How do we support children and families after a tornado or severe storm?

After the immediate danger passes, children and families may feel scared, confused, or upset. Your care helps them heal.

1. Return to routine quickly:
   1. Keep meals, naps, and story time as normal as possible to help children feel safe.
2. Listen and validate feelings:
   1. Use simple words: "That was scary. I am here with you."
   2. Let children draw or play about the event to express feelings.
3. Provide staff support:
   1. Check in with staff mental health; staff can be affected too.
   2. Offer time to debrief and access to professional support if needed.
4. Share clear reunification steps with families:
   1. Post and send the reunification location and ID rules; practice them in drills.
5. Know when to get expert help:
   1. If a child keeps being very fearful or shows new behaviors for weeks, refer families to pediatric or mental health resources. See CDC guidance on helping children cope after disasters: CDC - Helping Children Cope.

Use trauma-informed practices from ChildCareEd to support children and staff: Implementing Trauma-Informed Care. Simple, kind actions make a big difference in healing.

Summary — Quick next steps (do these today):

1. Post shelter locations and a 1-line grab list by every exit.
2. Check and restock Go-Bags.
3. Run a short shelter drill and document it.
4. Confirm family contact info and share the reunification plan.
5. Sign up for a ChildCareEd emergency course if you want guided help: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness - Online.

You are not alone. Use local partners, state resources, and the ChildCareEd guides to strengthen your plan. Your calm, practiced response keeps kids safe and helps families trust your program.