Hurricane Helene started hitting Florida and damaging many homes and lives. It has killed over 200 people so far.
Hurricane Helene, which formed in the middle of September, quickly became one of the most talked-about storms of the season. Classified as a Category 4 hurricane, Helene packed winds that reached over 140 mph. It started as a tropical depression off the coast of Africa and gained strength as it moved across the Atlantic. Coy Wire, host of CNN 10, said, “Helene would be the fourth hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. this year.” This storm made many landfalls in the smaller islands, causing widespread flooding, landslides, and power outages across Florida, and as Helene approached the Caribbean, it caused panic in many countries.
Just as Hurricane Helene had subsided, another storm, Hurricane Milton, formed and quickly grew stronger.
Milton has been a Category 4-5 hurricane, which means it is highly dangerous. Predictions suggested that it would hit parts of the southern United States, particularly areas that have already been impacted by other storms this year. The hurricane’s winds have been steady around 120 mph, and there is considerable worry about potential flooding and high winds. The local government is encouraging people to stock up on essentials, secure their homes, and stay informed about evacuation plans to move out of the hurricane’s path.
The storm’s projected path is still uncertain, but experts are advising residents in potential areas of impact to prepare for the worst, just in case Milton shifts direction.
For many, hurricanes like Helene and Milton are more than just news stories.
Take Aliya Taylor, a 14-year-old who has a family house near Tampa, Florida. Aliya’s dad was fortunate enough to escape the worst of the storm, but it was still a terrifying experience.
“I remember all the memories I had in the house,” freshman Aliya Taylor said. “My sister and I would always go to the beach and hang out, but now we can’t even visit until the repairs are done.”
Her house, fortunately, had minimal damage but did not flood. Sadly, all her neighbors’ houses flooded and were severely damaged. Some homes had their roofs torn off by the powerful gusts of wind. Additionally, they must buy all new flooding guards to protect their homes for the future.
Like many others affected by hurricanes, Aliya’s dad is now focusing on the recovery process, helping clean up the mess left behind by the storm and will fly back when everything is taken care of.
