Hurricane Helene, Florida's deadliest storm since Katrina

Hurricane Helene hit Florida's Big Bend in late September 2024. It caused nearly 250 deaths, making it the deadliest storm in the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. According to a report from the National Hurricane Center, Helene was responsible for at least 249 fatalities, with 175 of those classified as direct deaths. The storm brought severe flash flooding, catching many people off guard as it affected areas far inland. The report indicates that flooding and landslides led to 94 deaths. Wind from the storm was also deadly, resulting in 65 direct fatalities. Hurricane preparedness is crucial to reduce loss of life and property during such storms. When Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, it knocked out power for millions across the Southeast. Flooding reached as far as Tennessee and western North Carolina. The storm's effects were also observed from space, as the International Space Station captured images of gravity waves caused by Helene. Hurricane Milton, another 2024 storm, rapidly intensified from a Category 1 to a Category 5 storm in just hours. Last year's hurricanes were particularly strong due to wet conditions in the Atlantic. Helene's death toll is much lower than Katrina's, which caused nearly 1,400 deaths. The hurricane season begins again on June 30 and runs through November 30. There are concerns about staffing at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration due to layoffs and budget cuts. Efforts are needed to address these issues before the next storm season.