Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene (/hɛˈliːn/ heh-LEEN)[1] was a destructive and deadly tropical storm that caused widespread catastrophic damage and numerous fatalities across the Southeastern United States in late September 2024. It was the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Maria in 2017, and the deadliest to strike continental U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[2][3]}
The eighth storm of note, fifth hurricane, and second large hurricane for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Helene began to form on September 22, 2024 as a large area of low pressure over the western Caribbean Sea.[4] On September 24, the disturbance had grown enough to become a tropical storm as it was traveling toward the Yucatán Peninsula and was named Helene by the National Hurricane Center. Weather patterns intensified the cyclone, and it turned into a hurricane on the early morning of September 25. More intense and rapid intensification ensued as Helene crossed over the Gulf of Mexico on the following day, becoming Category 4 by evening of September 26. Helene made landfall late on September 26 at its peak intensity in Florida's Big Bend region near the city of Perry with its peak sustained winds totaling 140 mph (220 km/h). Helene dissipated as it moved quickly inland before degenerating into a post-tropical cyclone over Tennessee on September 27. The storm lingered over the state before dissipating on September 29.
Prior to Helene making landfall, Florida and Georgia declared states of emergency due to anticipated high impacts, which included extremely high storm surge along the shore and hurricane-force winds as far inland as Atlanta. Hurricane warnings were extended further inland due to the speed of Helene's movement. The storm caused record rainfall-induced flooding, particularly in western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia, and spawned numerous tornadoes. Helene also caused Tampa Bay to flood, breaking storm surge records across the area. The hurricane was highly lethal, with 252 deaths and a total loss estimated at $78.7 billion, making it the fifth-most-expensive Atlantic hurricane in recorded history after adjusting for inflation.[5]
In response, the United States Congress held four televised hearings regarding the federal response and total recovery processes following hurricanes Helene and Milton. The hearings exposed a number of shortcomings in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response to the aftermath of Helene, including political discrimination testimonies. Political instability following Helene was referred to as a "flashpoint" for the 2024 presidential election.[6][7][8]
