Hurricane Helene was intensified by climate change, resulting in increased rainfall and wind speeds. The American Red Cross mobilized extensive resources for disaster response while preparing for Hurricane Milton. Climate research indicates that such events are becoming more frequent due to global warming, emphasizing the need for improved community preparedness.
Recent analyses have confirmed that climate change significantly exacerbated the impacts of Hurricane Helene, enhancing both rainfall and wind speeds of the storm. After the hurricane devastated communities along the southeastern United States, the American Red Cross mobilized over 2,000 volunteers to provide immediate aid and preparations for Hurricane Milton, anticipated to strike Florida soon after. In Florida, the Red Cross established over 100 evacuation shelters, ensuring ready access to food, water, and safe refuge for those affected by the storm. The Central Florida and US Virgin Islands Red Cross chapter informed the public of their proactive measures by pre-positioning relief supplies to expedite response efforts following Hurricane Helene’s devastating strikes. To date, almost 34,000 overnight stays have been accommodated in more than 200 emergency shelters, along with the distribution of at least 435,000 meals and snacks to displaced individuals. According to research from World Weather Attribution, the intensification of Hurricane Helene was partly attributed to unusually warm sea temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, some 2°C above average, a situation exacerbated by climate change. This condition contributed to the storm quickly escalating to a Category 4 hurricane upon its approach to Florida’s west coast. Their analysis also revealed that wind speeds in Helene were about 13 percent higher due to climate change-related factors, while rainfall intensity inland increased by 10 percent, resulting in severe flooding in states such as Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. Rapid rainfall led to unprecedented flash flooding, particularly in hilly regions where terrain funneled excess water into waterways, complicating evacuation efforts. Reports noted communication barriers, such as poor cell service and limited experience with hurricanes, left many communities ill-prepared to respond to the disaster. Julie Arrighi, Director of Programmes at the Climate Centre, emphasized that the increasing frequency and severity of weather events driven by climate change demand greater adaptation and preparedness strategies for vulnerable communities. The World Weather Attribution team concluded that such disasters, once expected to recur every 130 years, may now occur 2.5 times more frequently due to climate change.
Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the amplified risks posed by climate change, particularly in the context of natural disasters. The hurricane’s impacts were intensified due to climate science indicating that warmer oceans due to human activity contribute to stronger and wetter storms. An emphasis is placed on infrastructure preparedness and community resilience as essential measures against future climate-related disasters.
The analysis surrounding Hurricane Helene highlights the critical need for immediate action in disaster preparedness and response as climate change continues to escalate the severity and frequency of such events. Establishing supportive measures and reinforcing infrastructure will be vital in safeguarding communities from future hurricanes and extreme weather occurrences.
Original Source: www.climatecentre.org
