On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall at 11:10 p.m. near Perry, Florida. Hurricane Helene is a category 4 storm with winds reaching up to 140 mph. This makes it the most powerful storm to strike the United States mainland since Hurricane Katrina.
The death toll has risen to 200 deaths since the hurricane struck, making this the deadliest hurricane in US history. Tens of thousands of residents across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida remain without running water and 1 million homes and businesses remain without power, according to USAtoday.com.
“My second cousin goes to medical school in Florida,” freshman Anika Agarwal said, “He is not in the eye of the hurricane, however he is still in the impact zone,”
The community of Micaville, North Carolina and its surrounding communities have faced many landslides and cresting rivers that have swept away homes, collapsed bridges and washed away hundreds of roads. Many people, including a Ukrainian family of four, have gone missing and unaccounted for leaving their families and loved ones worried for their safety and eagerly awaiting the news of their loved ones according to usatoday.com.
“I was very shocked when I heard about the hurricane hitting Florida,” sophomore Charlotte McGinty said. “I feel very bad for the people that have to completely start from scratch, because of the hurricane,”
A couple in South Carolina has passed away due to the hurricane, adding to the growing death toll this disaster has accumulated. They were in their home when a tree branch snapped and fell, destroying their home as well according to usatoday.com.
“My second cousin and his roommate had to stock up on the essentials and had to prepare to stay in their dorm for a few days,” Agarwal said. “I have heard about how much damage the storm is causing and am very concerned for those who were severely impacted.”
