Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation across several states, leading to significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure. Since the hurricane made landfall, authorities have confirmed at least 232 fatalities, with reports still coming in. Helene has now become the second-deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in the last fifty years, just behind Hurricane Katrina, which resulted in 1,833 casualties back in 2005.
Most of these deaths have been attributed not just to the immediate threats of drowning or debris but to the longer-term consequences of such natural disasters. "Most of the deaths from hurricanes aren't caused by drowning or flying debris. They're caused by the disruptions hurricanes inflict upon people's lives, displacing them from their homes and communities, and disrupting their access to healthcare," noted Paul M. Sherer, editor for Direct Relief. A recent study highlights this issue, finding long-term mortality rates as much as 300 times higher than immediate casualties after hurricanes.
Helene caused catastrophic damage particularly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. North Carolina has suffered the brunt of this tragedy with 117 reported dead. It threw the state’s emergency response systems and infrastructure under immense strain, preventing access to healthcare, food, and clean water.
Meanwhile, relief efforts have ramped up, with emergency responders pouring from across the nation to assist affected areas. Nearly 1,300 responders are currently on the ground in Buncombe County alone, providing assistance including search and rescue operations. "You’ll see their trucks outside, but we have crews from across the country who are here," commented local spokesperson Lillian Govus. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also deploying over 3,000 federal responders across the state to mitigate the disaster's impact.
The situation remains dire as power outages persist, leaving over 450,000 customers without electricity more than a week after the storm made landfall, disproportionally affecting South Carolina and North Carolina.
The death toll continues to rise as officials search for missing individuals, particularly the elderly, who may have been trapped. Shalana Jordan, whose parents were reported missing during the storm, said, "I still have a small glimmer of hope because every single other person in their neighborhood was saved or found alive." Meanwhile, infrastructure damage looms large with bridges and roads washed away, compounding logistical challenges for recovery efforts.
Helene's arrival was closely followed by Hurricane Milton, which initially threatened Florida, stressing recovery operations. Music icon Taylor Swift made headlines by generously contributing $5 million toward relief efforts, as volunteers and organizations began to coordinate donations to help the flooded areas. Major food and water drives gained momentum, aimed at addressing immediate needs.
Communities are also banding together, particularly tribes impacted by the hurricane. Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, for example, organized their annual Cherokee Indian Fair as a platform not merely for cultural celebration but also as a lifeline for hurricane victims. Donations were solicited as part of the festivities, showcasing community resilience and solidarity during devastating times.
The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has sprung to action as well by coordinating relief efforts alongside organizations like the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association. They have initiated hygiene kit distributions and assessment of damage through their Boys & Girls Club, aiming to mobilize quickly based on their experiences from previous storms.
Research following similar hurricanes reveals hidden mortality trends, including increased rates of cardiovascular disease and mental health issues stemming from the chaos inflicted by these disasters. Hurricane Maria, for example, drastically highlighted this uncomfortable reality, with questions over the actual death toll stemming from such inequities becoming pressing ethical dilemmas.
Hurricane Helene has plunged many regions back to the drawing board in their emergency preparedness strategies. With climate change making such hurricanes more frequent and intense, steps are needed to build sustainable resilience within vulnerable communities. While recovery continues, the stories of grief and determination to rebuild forge the narrative of communities striving beyond the immediate devastation.
