Kelly Wu '27
Staff Editor
In the last week of September, from the 24th through the 27th, Hurricane Helene raged through the Southeastern regions of the United States, causing devastating destruction throughout the country. Being the deadliest hurricane in the mainlands of the United States since 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the Category 4 hurricane ran through several states and spawned multiple tornadoes. The resulting major rainfall and high winds ripped their way through cities, farmlands, and more, causing property destruction and losses that government entities and nonprofits are still fielding aid for.
Although Helene weakened to a post-tropical cyclone by the time it approached the East Coast, it still had significant effects on Virginia through the aforementioned tornadoes, copious rainfall, and heavy winds. Rainfall totals varied across the state, with some areas receiving between three to five inches. Regions such as Tidewater, which includes cities like Norfolk and Virginia Beach, experienced significant downpours, leading to flash flooding. Wind gusts reached forty to fifty mph in several locations, particularly in coastal areas, causing large swaths of property damage throughout the state. Coastal flooding was also a major concern, especially during high tide. Areas along the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean experienced inundation, exacerbated by storm surges. Low-lying neighborhoods faced severe flooding, with many residents forced to evacuate.
As a result of the storm, many communities experienced power outages, transportation disruptions, and severe water damage with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Virginia Department of Transportation closely monitoring conditions and coordinating response efforts. With the state’s large number of hills and trails, meteorologists warned of increased chances of mudslides in the upcoming weeks, and the effects of the storm are expected to be felt for months, if not years. According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, agricultural and farm operational damages are estimated to be well over $125 million currently. With so much devastation reigned across the states, it is pertinent to look into various relief efforts that have been employed and organizations that are currently available to those affected.
In the wake of the storm, state and local agencies have launched campaigns aimed at educating residents about emergency preparedness. These initiatives include information on creating emergency kits, developing evacuation plans, and understanding flood risks. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has noted that 2,048 applications for individual assistance aid have been approved as of October 1. These applications amount to more than $6 million worth of aid.[1] The Disaster Aid Program is still ongoing and those affected are encouraged to apply using the FEMA website for household and individual aid. Furthermore, the Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster provides a long list of local resources, organizations, and volunteer opportunities both for those seeking aid and those wishing to provide aid to victims of the hurricane.[2] Although the news cycle has largely moved past this story, many are still awaiting recovery for their loved ones, homes, businesses, and more.
In the aftermath of both Hurricane Helene and Milton, which made landfall in Florida earlier this month, climate scientists warn this is nowhere near the end of rising rates of natural disasters and climate change within the country. The burning of fossil fuels has caused the globe to warm significantly within the past decade compared to rates before the turn of the millennium. With globally rising temperatures causing warmer ocean waters and increased rainfall, storms are likely to become more violent, and recent hurricanes are merely small examples of what is expected to come. Scientists at the World Weather Attribution argue that Hurricane Helene in particular experienced 10 percent heavier rainfall due to warming global temperatures.[3] Furthermore, the study also found that the rainfall totals over the two-day and three-day maxima were made about 40 percent and 70 percent more likely by climate change, respectively. Thus, while it is important to provide immediate relief to those affected by the current hurricane retrospectively, it is just as important to consider preventative measures before the break of yet another natural disaster.
Hurricane Helene had a notable impact on the regions it affected, specifically affecting us in Virginia. The combination of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure and public health systems. The storm served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and community response in mitigating the effects of such natural disasters. As climate change continues to influence storm patterns and intensities, understanding the impacts of hurricanes like Helene will be critical for future resilience planning.
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gcu2vn@virginia.edu
[1] Federal Emergency Management Agency. (n.d.). Hurricane Helene (DR-4831). Retrieved October 20, 2024.
[2] Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. (n.d.). Hurricane Helene resources. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
[3] World Weather Attribution. (2018). Climate change key driver of catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene that devastated both coastal and inland communities. Retrieved October 20, 2024.