Teen’s Heartwarming Hurricane Program Saves Lives and Restores Hope in Her Community

Quick Smiles:

• 16-year-old creates kid-friendly hurricane prep program after surviving scary storm herself
• 500 students now confident and prepared thanks to peer-to-peer teaching approach
• Young hero turns childhood fear into powerful community service that’s spreading fast

Hurricanes can be terrifying for those living near the ocean, especially for children who don’t know what to expect. In 2015, Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on South Florida, leaving lasting impressions on everyone in its path.

Elise Raurell remembered exactly how the storm affected her community and how, as a child, she felt scared and unprepared. That memory stayed with her for years, quietly shaping a mission that would eventually help hundreds of her peers.

In 2025, at just 16 years old, Elise created Storm Smart as her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Storm Smart teaches about hurricane preparation in a way that’s easy for kids to understand, turning fear into confidence and confusion into action.

“Growing up in South Florida, going to public school, I realized that we weren’t really learning anything about hurricane preparation safety, even though it’s super important,” Elise told CBS News.

Elise knew that the best way to teach kids about preparing for a hurricane was to use kids as the teachers. Storm Smart makes learning about hurricane prep simple, relatable, and not scary at all.

The program breaks down into easy-to-follow modules that guide students through every stage of hurricane readiness.

“Module 3 covers the details of during and after the storm, which might be the most important part: how to stay safe when the hurricane is actually happening, and after it occurs,” Elise explained.

So far, Storm Smart has helped 500 students learn how to prepare for a hurricane properly. Each one of those students now has the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves and their families when the next storm approaches.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this program is seeing students learn the material and then go on to teach their peers about it, and through that learn leadership and teaching skills,” Elise said.

She explained that the idea came to her as she reflected on her own experience during Hurricane Irma. Those memories, once frightening, became the foundation for something beautiful and life-saving.

“I was scared about the destruction on my street, and the trees that had fallen down. I want to make sure that every student is prepared for that, and they know what to expect,” she said.

Her mother, Abbie Raurell, told CBS her daughter’s enthusiasm and dedication impressed her beyond words.

“So proud and just impressed with her ability to come up with a project and work on it in such a self-sufficient and independent way,” Abbie Raurell said.

Elise’s program proves that one young person with compassion and determination can make a real difference. Her work is protecting families, empowering kids, and spreading hope throughout South Florida—one prepared student at a time.

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