As fall approaches in sunny South Florida, many residents are relieved to know that hurricane season is coming to a close. This year, only a few small storms hit the coastal United States. That was until mid-September, when Hurricane Helene began to form in the Gulf of Mexico. What started as a tropical storm soon evolved into a category 4 hurricane, bringing heavy winds and flooding to thousands of homes across the southeastern United States.
The storm started brewing in the humid waters of the Caribbean early last week, and formed into a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico. It made landfall in Tallahassee, Florida on Thursday September 26, 2024 with 120 mph winds. Shortly after it hit, the hurricane weakened to a tropical storm. However, communities were barrelled with extreme flooding. As the storm approached Tennessee and Kentucky, the Appalachian mountain range was hit hard. Saluda, North Carolina resident Jennifer Dickinson was staying in her home when the storm hit.
“My basement flooded and 2 trees uprooted in the backyard and knocked down power lines and fences,” Dickinson said. “Many have died…people are stranded with no way to get out. Major interstates are closed. Small towns have been wiped out.”
The flooding caused so much damage because the smaller towns sit at the base of the mountains. This means that when heavy rains pour, the water collects at this basin, causing mudslides and collapsed roads. Almost 100 deaths have been reported, 30 from the Asheville area alone, and there are still many missing.
“It might be weeks before we get power back,” Dickinson said. “There have been issues with cell service and other communications, but we do at least have a gas stove and water right now.”
After the outer bands of the storm hit Florida and the Carolinas, Helene separated and carried precipitation up towards the northeastern United States. But the rain is nothing compared to the 12”+ that struck North and South Carolina. 2 million people have been left without power, their houses surrounded by water. Interstate highways and local roads have been completely wiped away. South Carolina’s death toll of 35 comes as a surprise; Hurricane Hugo was the last hurricane that caused this many deaths in the state, and that was back in 1989. Now, it is estimated to take months for these areas to recover.
Thankfully, organizations like the Red Cross have already gathered like-minded individuals that are willing to help areas affected by the storm. So far, 68 Red Cross vehicles have distributed over 25,000 meals to communities in need and are currently working to help provide shelter and power. Those who can’t physically volunteer are urged to send online donations to RedCross.org to further provide for the suffering. Any amount can make a difference.
