Storm Smart was founded by Elise Raurell, a dedicated Girl Scout with a passion for community service and safety education. The initiative was born from the recognition that while hurricane preparedness is a constant necessity, the information is often presented in ways that can be overwhelming or difficult for younger audiences to navigate, and it is not taught in schools. By combining leadership experience with a focus on local impact, Elise developed Storm Smart to bridge that gap, turning complex weather safety into an accessible, student-friendly mission.
The program specializes in reaching middle school students through interactive presentations and curated digital resources. Our goal is to empower the next generation to take a lead role in their family's emergency planning, transforming uncertainty into proactive action. From building comprehensive supply kits to understanding evacuation protocols, Storm Smart is committed to fostering a culture of hurricane resilience across our schools and neighborhoods.
Storm Smart is made possible by its amazing board, made up of two Outreach Directors and one Director of Media. Our Outreach Directors are Sofia Caputo and Jose Rojas. They contact new schools and increase Storm Smart's reach across South Florida. Our Director of Media is Nathaniel Woods. He produces Storm Smart's educational videos and ensures the program's online presence is informative, educational and effective.
The Storm Smart Board
Jose Rojas, Outreach Director
Sofia Caputo, Outreach Director
Nathaniel Woods, Director of Media
