Hurricane season is ending after an intense few months filled with storms and destruction. There have been 11 hurricanes so far, five of which were considered major hurricanes as they were category three, four, or five. This year, hurricanes extended past their typical domain, affecting people in the US as far north as Virginia.
One of the most notable hurricanes this year was Hurricane Helene, a category four hurricane that affected people across much of the southeast. Over 230 people died due to Hurricane Helene, and thousands evacuated. The damages totaled to almost 50 billion dollars. The effects were felt in Georgia, resulting in a state of emergency being declared on every county.
Many Pace students were also affected by the hurricane, beyond school being canceled for a day. Junior Campbell Thomas’ neighborhood flooded due to the hurricane.“A news reporter had to save a woman from her car at the end of my street. I was alarmed at the amount of people who lost their belongings in the flood. It was shocking,” said Thomas. Many other students also witnessed the effects of the hurricane. “The hurricane caused a lot of flooding in my neighborhood and some of my neighbor’s houses lost power,” said Junior Addison Davis. Others were more directly affected. “It was scary driving through all the rushing floods,” said Junior Emma Fleming.
In addition to Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton hit America and crossed Florida from its origin point in the Gulf of Mexico. The category 3 hurricane resulted in at least 24 deaths. Hurricane Milton’s losses totaled approximately 50 billion dollars according to CNN. Additionally, around three million people lost power in Florida, due to Hurricane Milton.
There are many possible reasons for the high number of devastating hurricanes in recent years, however, it is likely that it is due to climate change. Although scientists find it unlikely that the hurricanes themselves are being exacerbated by climate change and warmer conditions, they find that climate change is contributing to conditions that are favorable for the forming of severe tropical storms and hurricanes. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, climate change is causing warmer conditions, which has resulted in the ratio of major hurricanes that have formed doubling from what it was in 1980. Additionally, researchers believe that because of these conditions, damaging hurricanes in the US are three times more common.
As damaging hurricanes become more common, scientists are continuing to investigate the causes; however, many point to climate change as a leading cause, further encouraging efforts to mitigate it.
Junior Campbell Thomas’ street flooded due to Hurricane Helene. (Photo: Campbell Thomas)