The Numbers Are in: Hurricane Helene Deadliest in U.S. Since Katrina

A report published this week by the National Hurricane Center revealed the brutal impact of Hurricane Helene, which hit the American Southeast in late September 2024. The center reports that Hurricane Helene was the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The report found that Helene “is responsible for at least 249 fatalities in the United States (including at least 175 direct deaths),” making it the deadliest storm in 20 years. You can read the NHC’s comprehensive report here. Hurricane preparedness is critical in minimizing loss of property and life. Whether it’s boarding up windows, sandbagging homes, or simply up and leaving, getting early warnings of extreme weather is critical to mitigating damage from those storms. In Helene’s case, flash flooding (as the name suggests) happened quite suddenly, and far inland, catching many by surprise. Direct fatalities occur due to a storm’s immediate impacts—whether it be flooding, rip currents, landslides, or falling trees. Nine ... Read full article.