The Devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Hurricanes Helene and Milton have impacted the lives of many and millions of Floridians were urged to evacuate for their safety. Hurricane Helene has been classified as one of the worst hurricanes in the U.S., second only to Hurricane Katrina which hit in 2005. A hurricane watch was issued for twenty counties. Additionally, a tropical storm watch was issued for nineteen counties.
The Herald Tribune reported that “… Hurricane Helene made landfall on Florida’s Big Bend coastline Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm, with 140–mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Center. The eye of Helene hit in Taylor County just east of the mouth of the Aucilla
River, about 10 miles west–southwest of Perry.”
As the hurricane moved northward, other areas affected included Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama where homes, businesses, and roads were destroyed along with electricity and cell phone service affecting millions. NBC reported
that “223 people have died, and hundreds are unaccounted for in the destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene since it made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26.”
Not long after this catastrophe, Florida prepared as Hurricane Milton slowly made its way up the coast. With the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, residents evacuated in some of the largest numbers in history preparing for the potential impact of another powerful
storm. Hurricane Milton hit Florida as a Category 3 storm, with tornados proceeding the hurricane in several communities on October 9 and 10. The Gulf Coast was flooded by as much as 18 inches of rain, while St. Petersburg experienced winds of more than 100 miles per
hour.
The New York Times recorded “Throughout the state, around 1,200 people were rescued– mostly from flooded homes and vehicles – by state emergency workers in the Florida National Guard, which activated more than 6,500 troops, one of the largest responses to natural disaster
state history.” At least 14 deaths have been linked to the storm as of October 13.
Due to the devastating effects of the two hurricanes, widespread assistance was required. Additional authorities and relief organizations were called to action. Communities affected by the hurricanes received support from neighboring states, including Boston, to provide aid to
those in need. Cleanup and recovery efforts are just beginning for the thousands affected by these hurricanes.
