Hurricane Helene was one of the more significant tropical storms that formed in the Atlantic Ocean in 2024. Characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall, Hurricane Helene impacted several coastal areas, causing flooding, power outages, and prompting evacuations. The storm was closely monitored by meteorological agencies as it evolved, with updates provided on its trajectory and potential impacts on affected regions. “It’s just an incredible, incredible hurricane,” John Morales, a meteorologist for Miami’s local NBC affiliate, NBC 6 South Florida, warned viewers on Monday. “It has dropped 50 millibars in 10 hours,” Morales said haltingly, describing the storm’s massive drop in air pressure, “Um … I apologize. This is just horrific.”

Aftermath 

According to NBC News, Hurricane Helene destroyed whole communities across six states in the Southeastern U.S. and claimed at least 194 lives. Helene, which had been a Category 4 storm, made landfall on Sept. 26 and remained a hurricane for six hours after it came ashore, according to FEMA. 

It was the most powerful storm on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend and the 14th most powerful to hit the U.S. since records began. While the storm weakened as it moved north into Georgia and the Carolinas, flooding, storm surges, high winds, and landslides wrought havoc across communities—both inside and outside of flood zones—many of which were unprepared for the flooding that ensued. Within the 100 counties most affected by power outages related to Hurricane Helene, more than 230 people have been killed from Hurricane Helene, which unleashed devastation spreading across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

 Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a massive Category 4 hurricane, according to Yale Climate Connections, has become the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005. More than half of the deaths were in North Carolina, where several feet of fast-moving water destroyed entire communities. Hundreds remained missing, and officials have reported difficulties in identifying some of the dead. President Joe Biden visited North Carolina yesterday and announced that up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers will join the North Carolina National Guard in delivering supplies, food, and water to isolated communities.

How to prepare

So what should Harrison High School students do if they ever face a hurricane? Hurricane expert, Micheal Estime compiled this guide after creating a video on hurricane safety using sources like the National Hurricane Center (NHC). This helped them build a clear list of how to stay safe before, during, and after a hurricane.  

Stay Informed: 

• Monitor updates from reliable sources like the National Hurricane Center(NHC) and local weather channels.

Create an Emergency Kit: 

• Include essentials like water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, medications, and important documents in a waterproof bag.

Prepare Your Home: 

• Secure doors, windows, and roofs. Consider storm shutters or plywood. Clear gutters, drains, and any outdoor items that could become projectiles. Trim trees and shrubs around your home.

Plan Evacuation: 

• Know your local evacuation routes and shelters, keep your car fueled and ready, and have a plan for pets.

Backup Electronics:

• Charge all devices, and store backup batteries for essentials.

Stay indoors during the storm:

• Avoid going outside, even if the eye of the storm passes over, as conditions can worsen rapidly.

After the Storm:

• Avoid flooded areas, and downed power lines, and report damage. 

Sources  

• https://abcnews.go.com/US/photos/photos-hurricane-helene-makes-landfall-florida-114219361 
• https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/hurricane-milton-john-morales-meteorologist-horrific-rcna174364 

• https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/hurricane-milton-john-morales-meteorologist-horrific-rcna174364 
• https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/10/helene-is-now-the-deadliest-mainland-u-s-hurricane-since-katrina/ 
• https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/communities-buried-in-mud-in-hard-hit-north-carolina-220722245656