Wind speeds reaching 130 mph, power outages in several states, and a death toll of over 230 people are just a few statistics from Hurricane Helene.
Statistics, although they seem to be just numbers, objectively reflect the state of the country after being hit by Helene. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee saw destruction in late September of this year (Florida Disaster.org). To put it into perspective, it is the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina. The 500 mile long path of the storm was powerful enough to pick houses up, moving them and often causing the buildings to crash into one another (Shapiro et al). The chaos of the storm leaves numerous families without homes, power, or everyday necessities. Various corporations and groups are at work to save people from losing everything. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, for example, is offering their services to find solutions to each case involved in the storm. The American Red Cross has over 850 team members trained to bring support to the areas destroyed by the winds and water. The Joe Biden Administration sent $137 million in relief funding alongside 1,000 active-duty service members (The White House). Even Dolly Parton is chipping in by providing financial aid. Flooding and tornadoes do not leave much room for slow decisions, but families find ways to either hunker down or escape the violent current of rain and wind.
They do not call it hurricane season for nothing. A new storm, Milton, was set to hit October 9th on the west coast of Florida, described as a category five hurricane. Barely catching their breath from the last flare-up, surrounding areas are scrimping for any supplies they can get their hands on. A majority of people are choosing to hurricane-proof their homes as gas is scarce and the roads are blocked, which is the safest option. People who are not evacuating are being asked to write their name and date of birth on their arms to prepare for the most severe scenario. Many tips on preserving homes are being shared online are rooted in the idea of unity shaped by trials. Such an all-encompassing monstrosity requires our attention to shift from our nit-picking tendencies to protecting and restoring the homes of affected people. The rise of the threat level for these hurricanes should be matched by our level of compassion so whether it is reaching out to affected loved ones or donating to reliable non-profits, let us exemplify our excellence bearcats!
References:
“Fact Sheet: UPDATE: Biden-Harris Administration Sparing No Resource to Support Communities Impacted by Hurricane Helene.” The White House, The United States Government, 6 Oct. 2024, www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/10/06/fact-sheet-update-biden-harris-administration-sparing-no-resource-to-support-communities-impacted-by-hurricane-helene/.
“Hurricane Helene.” FloridaDisaster.Org, www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Shapiro, Emily, et al. “Hurricane Helene Live Updates: Death Toll Surpasses 230 as Rescue Efforts Continue.” ABC News, ABC News Network, abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/hurricane-helene/?id=113931821. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.