Hurricane Helene, which made its mark across the southeastern United States, has been linked to climate change by scientists who indicate human-induced warming conditions played a significant role. Their latest findings reveal climate change contributed to about 10% more rainfall and intensified the storm's wind speeds by around 11%. These statistics were part of a quick analysis released concurrently with Hurricane Milton, which poses its own threats to Florida.
The research conducted by World Weather Attribution estimates the warming climate raised Helene's wind speeds by approximately 13 miles per hour, significantly affecting the storm’s intensity. Even more staggering, the study suggested the elevated sea temperatures, which fueled Helene, increased the likelihood of such heat conditions by as much as 500 times. When you think about it, ocean temperatures being about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) higher than the historical averages sets the stage for storms to gain power.
According to Ben Clarke, a climate researcher at Imperial College London and co-author of this enlightening study, the fundamentals of storm dynamics have changed with warmer air playing its part. “Hurricane Helene and the storms occurring simultaneously were intensified because warmer air can hold more moisture. This allows for rainfall amounts to be higher than they would be without climate change,” he explained.
One of the grave statistics surrounding Helene is the devastating inland flooding, which resulted in more deaths than high winds. The hurricane made landfall with record storm surge reaching heights of 15 feet (about 4.57 meters) and winds sustaining at 140 miles per hour (225.31 kilometers per hour), wreaking havoc through Florida, Georgia, Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Remote towns, now marked by destruction, faced overwhelming challenges following the storm, with over 230 lives lost. This disaster turned out to be the deadliest hurricane to hit the main U.S. land since Hurricane Katrina back in 2005.
Just days after Helene, attention turned to Hurricane Milton, which threatens the same coastal regions. Researchers warn one can expect similar precipitation and wind intensity from Milton as climate conditions continue to drive these storms to become overwhelmingly fierce.
This worrying trend finds its roots primarily in our continued reliance on fossil fuels, pushing the planet toward warmer temperatures and increasing the likelihood of hurricanes. Each future hurricane, like Helene, could lead to “unimaginable” floods well inland, illustrating the far-reaching consequences of increasingly extreme weather patterns. It’s not merely about the winds; the floods become deadly too
Turning to the immediate aftermath, relief efforts continue in North Carolina, where the impact of Hurricane Helene has been severe. Although many are still grappling with the damage, misinformation has surfaced surrounding the government's aid distribution. Some social media posts incorrectly claim the delivery of federal assistance was influenced by the 2020 presidential election results, painting the picture of political discrimination.
One notable claim made on social media by Isabella Maria DeLuca, who has previously made headlines for her involvement during the January 6th Capitol riots, highlighted the supposed inequities based on Trump’s support. While her assertions stirred public dissatisfaction, truth checks revealed federal aid was provided soon after the disaster declaration was made by North Carolina’s Democratic Governor Roy Cooper on September 27. President Biden issued the disaster declaration the very next day, allowing federal support to flow to affected areas without delay, countering claims of political bias.
According to FEMA, as of October 6, the Biden administration had already allocated about $137 million for Hurricane Helene survivors. This included significant help, such as 14.9 million meals, and millions of gallons of drinking water distributed to those still recovering. With the deployment of nearly 7,000 federal workers and various resources mobilized to assist, it’s clear there's been significant support aimed at recovery efforts.
Within North Carolina alone, FEMA reported providing over $26 million to more than 25,000 households affected by the storm. Additional services included sheltering arrangements for more than 800 individuals and later assessments indicating the need for more assistance as damages totals become clearer.
The impacts of hurricanes like Helene become more prominent as climate change continues to rear its challenging head. For residents of North Carolina and surrounding areas, it's not just about recovery from one storm; it's about fortifying against what seems to be the relentless onslaught of similar disasters fueled by the changing climate. Looking back, Helene stands as both a wake-up call and a tragic reminder of nature’s growing fury...
