On September 24th 2024, one of the most devastating tropical disasters took place, lasting until September 29th. During those five days fatalities of around 242 people, 93 missing, and damage costing around 87$ billion was left behind. This doesn’t even include all of the hardships of the people who were affected. 

Formed on September 24 with its Extratropical (occurring outside of the tropics) on September 27 and finally dissipating on September 29. Its highest winds being at 140 mph with Hurricane Helen’s lowest pressure being 938 mbar. Sadly, many places were affected by this harsh storm such as the Yucatán Peninsula, Honduras, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Southern Eastern United States, (especially Florida, Carolina’s, and Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia)Midwest United States (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio.) 

Providing relief to residents and businesses, over 670 roads have been reopened, however many more roads are still closed with damage assessments to inform ongoing recovery effects. 

Former President Biden tells the nation he has their back.Biden states the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be working with those in need across several states, and he will provide direct financial aid. Biden sends out more than $137 billion dollars in federal funding to aid in recovery efforts, and confirmed, “with more to come.” As of search and rescue, 92 teams have been deployed and Governor Roy Cooper stated, “We’re still trying to find people in the hardest-hits areas, but the good news is that many are now able to communicate with loved ones to confirm their safety.”

As of now, we can only hope the Search and Rescue team is able to find the rest of the people who went missing as well as the families who lost loved ones and are now suffering without a home. 

If you would like to help those families in need please consider donating to the American Red Cross. The funding goes towards Disaster Relief.