The tragedies of Hurricanes Helene and Milton have gravely affected many in the United States and have created a swarm of destruction on the East Coast. As of October 18th, Hurricane Helene has resulted in at least 232 deaths, whereas Hurricane Milton has caused 23 deaths. With a notable rise in the frequency of Category 3, 4, and 5 hurricanes, it is important to acknowledge that there isa factor contributing to this rise: climate change.
Both hurricanes have caused severe injuries and destruction, affecting millions. They have resulted in billions of dollars of damage, and the Biden-Harris Administration has needed to allocate $860 for the affected communities. These hurricanes have not just damaged homes and neighborhoods, but also the economy and the wellbeing of US citizens. The United States government must ensure that we do not face such developments in the future and must recognize climate change as a contributing factor in these disasters.
Hurricane Helene was a Category 4 hurricane that hit the Southeastern coast of the United States from September 24 to September 29. The majority of destruction occurred in North Carolina, making it the deadliest storm to hit the American mainland since Hurricane Katrina impacted the Eastern Coast in 2005.
Hurricane Milton was a Category 3 hurricane that attacked the coast of Florida from October 5 through October 10 after forming over the Gulf of Mexico.
It is hard to ignore the devastation caused by these tropical storms and the lack of time between them. Hurricanes are formed when the air surrounding a warm region of an ocean warms, starting a tropical wave that begins to circulate around a center area.
While we can not control natural disasters, many preventative measures can be taken. Due to the rise of climate change and sea levels, we are experiencing more and more emergency storms. NASA reported that average temperatures during August 2024 were 2.34 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than between 1951 and 1980, as well as that the year 2024 was 2.7 degrees warmer than in the late 19th century. These statistics seem to correlate with NASA’s abundance of data, which shows a steady increase in total, major, and named hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean.
As we see a terrifying increase in the devastations of major Category 3, 4, and 5 hurricanes on the Atlantic coast, our government needs to prioritize the prevention of these tropical storms. We also need to prioritize reducing the greenhouse gasses we release into our oceans and using renewable energy sources in the future.
To prevent these events from increasing tremendously in our future, either vote for candidates to help reduce climate change in the upcoming election or contact your local government. You can contact Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro at the linked form to see what he can do to help our overall nation respond.
