NOAA Releases Interactive Story Map of Hurricane Helene's Devastation
Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene struck the Southern Appalachians, NOAA has unveiled an interactive story map that allows us to look back on the disaster and its lasting impacts. Titled “Helene in Southern Appalachia,” the story map offers a detailed overview of the hurricane, from the events that preceded it to the destruction it left behind, while also highlighting the ongoing recovery efforts in the region. It’s designed to bring the events to life in a way that words or numbers alone can’t capture.
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Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, in Florida after a heavy rain event had already affected the region. From there, it moved north, pounding Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas with relentless rain and high winds. Catastrophic flooding and landslides were triggered across the region, causing widespread damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure. Tragically, over 200 people lost their lives, while thousands more were displaced as their homes were damaged or destroyed. Many residents were left without electricity or running water for weeks. The economic toll was staggering, with damages estimated at $78.7 billion, ranking Helene as the seventh-costliest U.S. tropical cyclone since 1980. Scientists have described it as a 1-in-1000-year event, underlining just how rare and severe the storm was.
Interestingly, Helene hit very close to home for NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Their headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina, was directly in the storm’s path. As a result, normal operations were disrupted. Even the Asheville fire department had to assist by providing water to cool the servers at NCEI’s facility. Many employees were personally affected, with some losing their homes entirely and others suffering significant damage. The story map emphasizes these local impacts, serving as a reminder that no area is completely immune from natural disasters, even organizations that study them for a living.
As we approach the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, NOAA’s story map not only preserves the history of the event but also highlights ongoing efforts to minimize the effects of future disasters. It stands as a testament to the resilience of the affected communities and a valuable educational tool for understanding the power and consequences of extreme weather events.
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