According to reports, entire communities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee have been flooded, leaving residents stranded and over 1.3 million people without power. With an economic loss estimated to be around $150 billion, Hurricane Helene is said to be one of the most expensive hurricanes in the history of the United States.
How did it begin?
According to NASA, the hurricane started on September 24, 2024, along the Gulf of Mexico, intensified, and made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on the evening of September 26, 2024.
President Joe Biden has sent thousands of troops to assist with the recovery effort and will tour regions in Georgia and Florida on October 3, 2024, to assess the damage. In the meantime, affected areas will receive aid from FEMA and the American Red Cross in the form of shelter, food, and water.
Is this a global wake-up call?
The damage caused by Hurricane Helene is a reminder of how vulnerable our communities and ecosystems are to climate change. Scientists have already warned that the warming of oceans and the atmosphere will bring stronger and more frequent hurricanes. That is why, as global temperatures rise, hurricanes like Helene are becoming more intense, bringing heavier rains, higher winds, and more destruction. Consequently, with the increase in wetlands and forest damage, there will be related effects on our wildlife and ecosystems, which are important for human survival.
What are the plans moving forward?
The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), that will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024, has a plan to raise climate finance targets to $1 trillion to support global action against climate change.
The conference will address concerns such as reducing emissions, adapting to climate change, and addressing loss and damage. Participating countries will commit to national plans and be transparent to ensure progress towards the 1.5°C temperature target set, with a focus on the green energy transition.
Currently, Hurricane Helene is slowing down and is expected to stop altogether over the Tennessee Valley through the weekend according to reports.
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