Hurricane Helene, a devastating storm in the Southeast, has caused at least 52 fatalities and left 3.7 million customers without power. The hurricane resulted in severe inland and storm surge flooding, particularly in North and South Carolina, with record rainfall and subsequent landslide events. Helene, which intensified rapidly and made landfall as a Category 4 storm, serves as a stark illustration of increasing storm severity linked to climate change.

Hurricane Helene has made its mark as one of the most expansive and devastating hurricanes in Southeastern history, owing to its unusual size, rapid escalation in strength, and substantial rainfall totals. As reported by the Associated Press, the storm has resulted in at least 52 fatalities across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia. In addition, approximately 3.7 million customers are experiencing power outages across the aforementioned states. The storm’s repercussions have been felt widely, causing record-setting inland flooding throughout western North and South Carolina and unprecedented storm surge flooding in Tampa. Although Atlanta was spared from the most intense winds, the center of Hurricane Helene approached to within 100 miles of the city, resulting in significant damage to the east-southeast. Currently classified as a post-tropical storm, Helene has merged with another weather system, forming a broad mass of clouds over the central region of the United States. Hurricane-force wind gusts have been recorded in the southern Appalachians, causing power outages in various parts of the Midwest. Furthermore, the combination of heavy rainfall preceding the storm and the hurricane’s own rainfall has led to extraordinary flooding events in western North Carolina, South Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and eastern Tennessee. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has warned that interstates throughout western North Carolina “should be considered closed” due to flooding and landslides. The National Weather Service (NWS) previously cautioned that the storm would represent “one of the most significant weather events to happen in the western portions of the area in the modern era.” In Asheville, for instance, flooding of the Swannanoa River at Biltmore surpasses previous records by more than five feet, with peak rainfall amounts in elevated regions reaching as high as 30.78 inches. The city of Asheville, now largely cut off from communication and transportation, raises concerns that the death toll could escalate following the subsidence of floodwaters. Hurricane Helene, which intensified to a Category 4 hurricane by Thursday evening, made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, having initiated its trajectory as a Category 1 storm earlier that day. Notably, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, Helene stands as the strongest hurricane in history to make landfall in the Big Bend area, where Florida’s peninsula curves into the panhandle. The storm unleashed a storm surge reaching at least 15 feet above the ground in several small communities, including Cedar Key, Florida. Emergency flash flood warnings, the highest level of alert issued by the NWS, have been deployed for regions in the Carolinas, as rivers remain at heightened overflow levels. The frequency of flood emergency declarations was unprecedented, with 23 issued on a single day. This notable event consisted of a large set of flash flood emergencies affecting Asheville and its neighboring locations. Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the escalating patterns of storm intensification linked to climate change, with the current storm joining a group of nine other storms that underwent rapid intensification of at least 35 mph prior to making landfall. Historically, between 1982 and 2016, only six storms exhibited such rapid intensification. The influence of climate change continues to result in an uptick in storm intensity rates and increased precipitation amounts. The energy fueling Hurricane Helene originated from exceptionally warm waters within the Gulf of Mexico, particularly the Loop Current, which similarly aided Hurricane Katrina’s strength in 2005. The extent of damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene spans over ten states and is projected to persist in the coming days.

Hurricane Helene represents a significant meteorological event that encompasses various aspects of climate science and storm behavior. This hurricane exemplifies trends associated with climate change, particularly the increase in rapid storm intensification and heightened precipitation rates in hurricanes. The phenomenon is noteworthy given national and global climate patterns, which show a concerning rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Understanding the implications of Helene’s intensity reinforces the urgency to address climate change and its far-reaching effects on weather systems and the safety of communities.

In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has had a profound impact across multiple states, resulting in loss of life, widespread power outages, and historic flooding events. The storm’s rapid intensification and subsequent destructive forces underscore the growing challenges posed by climate change and the need for improved preparedness and response strategies. As the aftermath unfolds, authorities remain vigilant regarding the potential for further casualties and damages as the recovery process begins.

Original Source: www.axios.com