By BellaRose Diamond and Cameron Juarez-Razo
Staff Writers
The category four disaster, known as “Hurricane Helene”, has greatly impacted those who reside in Cancun, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and several other Southern states. Since touching down in late September, Hurricane Helene has carved out 600 miles, causing ample damage to land, properties, and businesses. So far, the total number of casualties recorded is over 160, but there are many more injured and possibly some missing.
Hurricane Helene first formed in between eastern Mexico and western Cuba, and slowly intensified as it approached the coast of Florida, reaching the big bend area and moving onto other cities and leading into other states. Hitting the cities of Tampa FL, Tallahassee FL, Macon GA, Atlanta GA, Chattanooga TN, Nashville TN and Hendersonville NC. As the water seeped through the towns, whole properties, homes, and land were either damaged, washed away, or fully submerged by this unexpected natural disaster. Citizens who inhabit the impacted areas still use their days to search for pieces of their homes, hopeful to somehow piece together what was so violently taken from them.
Two Florida residents, Andrea Eli & Martha Boyer, relatives of SOAR students Callyn Isaman Swinson and Juliet Jefferson, are carefully monitoring the hurricane’s path to determine their next steps.
Boyer lives in the eastern part of Florida in West Palm Beach. So far, her home has escaped damage.
“For us, we did not have any damage to our home, as we live near the outskirts to where the storm hit. We have palm trees and some were damaged but besides that it wasn’t bad at all,” she said.
A little closer, coming from Jacksonville, Andrea’s experience was worse but thankfully not by much.
“It was decent, there was flooding around our neighborhood and we lost power for 14 hours from trees and powerlines coming down. It was a long, hot, and loud night but we are good,” Eli recalled.
As residents continue to assess potential evacuation possibilities a new threat poses further devastation - Hurricane Milton. This latest hurricane made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida and is expected to flood parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast with a storm surge as high as 9 to 13 feet.
As the effects of both hurricanes only seem to increase, so do the many ways to help out the affected residents through these tough times. If you would like to help those who are in need , the following sources are advised for donations; American Red Cross, Mercy Chefs, United Way, and many more.You can find specific information at tallahassee.com. Some items that are much needed right now include canned foods, blankets, flashlights, batteries, and medical supplies. Even if you can not donate, it is imperative that you continue to observe and support the damage that this disaster has done. Hurricanes Helene and Milton has impacted many, and studies say it may continue to do so for a very long time.
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