Hurricanes are among the most powerful and destructive natural disasters on Earth. These massive storms can wreak havoc on coastal communities, leading to catastrophic flooding, wind damage, and loss of life. That is exactly what Hurricane Milton and Helene did over the past few weeks. The death tolls have been over 300 to date, and are identified as the deadliest peaks in this year's Atlantic hurricane season.

These hurricanes caused so much complex havoc that the damages are still being added up, but the government predicts it to be close to $50 billion. In Helene’s case, 95% of the damage was uninsured which makes the news even more difficult to hear.  Hurricane Milton underwent a remarkable period of rapid intensification with its central pressure falling. Milton became the fastest Atlantic storm to intensify from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds increasing from 35 mph to 160 mph in just over 48 hours. 

Alongside the immense destruction, Floridians struggle with despair and frayed nerves as the result of two major hurricanes over such a short period. Experts worry about the risks of depression and PTSD from locals. Floodwaters from the Alafia River were six feet deep in some areas, lapping against the walls of homes. With some people facing the hardship ahead, with nothing left, people wonder what will happen. 

There have been countless outreach groups that have made their way to the sites affected by the tragedy. Some included are Eight Days of Hope, Convoy of Hope,  Samaritan's Purse, and Red Cross. Eight Days of Hope has deployed to several locations across the South to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton through their Rapid Response and Mass Feeding Ministries, while Convoy of Hope is distributing food, water, and relief supplies to the areas hardest hit by the hurricanes. Samaritan's Purse has been hard at work rebuilding and restoring communities while also providing support to homeowners and families suffering. 

These powerful hurricanes are a stark reminder of nature's true power and unpredictability. The devastating effects that the people of the South are facing on communities, infrastructure, and in their everyday lives underscore the urgent need for improved resilience strategies. By learning from past events, the government should be able to adapt and better protect lives in the face of future catastrophic hurricanes.