The Destruction of Helene

Journalist Ava Ling talks about Hurricane Helene and its deadly consequences

Photo Cred: CNN

The trail of destruction Hurricane Helene has left behind leaves many people distressed and hopeful for a good reset. Those in Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina began to face the Hurricane over the week of September 22, specifically around Thursday, September 26. Helene was so damaging as it fit the requirements to be a very harmful storm - forming quickly at the small eye and then only growing bigger from there. Just as we thought this crazy storm was finally passing over, another hurricane, even more disastrous approaches. Hurricane Milton, on the evening of October 9, makes way through the central west coast of Florida. The hurricane initially began as a Category 3 storm, but was thankfully able to settle down to be classified as a Category 1 storm.

Hurricane Helene has taken at least 95 lives within the six days it lasted. These deaths have been reported over multiple states, North Carolina reporting the most and Florida reporting the least. Officials in North Carolina have claimed that at least 600 people have gone missing. With fear amongst multiple families, plans to restore power are in the works and are giving hope to their families. In the midst of all of these damages this hurricane brought, it also blocked off many roads. About a total of 450 roads have been closed, 150 in South Carolina and 300 in North Carolina. The communities have been working together to assist each other and deliver water to those who are in need of it.

Joanna is one who lives in Florida and experienced both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton damages. She says, “During both hurricanes, it was of course scary. You never know exactly what you might end up losing or how much intensity the storm will bring. After the hurricanes, it was like a breath of fresh air because it truly sent me into a spiral. I was stressed over that period of time which felt like forever.” Joanna wasn’t the only one who felt like this - it was a common feeling amongst the community.

“I plan to take it step by step after these two hurricanes. Knowing how much destruction was done here, I know I’m going to come across broken and lost things. I also want to help out my neighbors with their devastation too. They went through the same thing and need all the help they can get.” she adds.

Milton leftover 3 million people without power. It additionally flooded barrier islands and tore multiple homes apart. Water continued to rise a couple days after the storm as the community worked to clean up the mess the hurricane left behind. There have been at least 340 people and 49 pets saved after Hurricane Milton hit. The hurricane was said to be the quickest Atlantic hurricane to develop into a Category 5 storm in just over 2 days. The fastest winds that were recorded was at 180 mph, and then later decreased to 120 mph.

It can be concluded that climate change’s effects on the sea’s temperatures have an impact on the intensity of hurricanes. These hurricane’s formations happened when the tropical wave from Africa traveled. Warmer sea waters contribute to moistures and heat that help to get a hurricane going. Low wind shear also assists in the development of a storm.