The 2024 hurricane season concludes Saturday, marking one of the deadliest in recent history. Christine B. Davis, who lived 110 years near the Gulf of Mexico, exemplifies the devastation hurricanes bring. Born just before the 1914 season, she endured numerous storms but succumbed to heat exposure after Hurricane Beryl struck Texas in June.
Her granddaughter Emma Odom revealed they had a generator during the week-long power outage, but Davis’s body couldn’t handle the extreme conditions. Davis was one of at least 335 people who died this season, which included five hurricanes that made U.S. landfall.
Hurricanes’ Far-Reaching Impact
Hurricane Helene, the deadliest storm since Katrina in 2005, claimed 241 lives across multiple states. Although it made landfall in Florida, most deaths occurred hundreds of miles inland due to flooding and landslides. National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan emphasized that hurricanes are not just coastal events.
This season highlights the increasing inland risks from storms. Helene brought up to 30 inches of rain, triggering landslides and floods in Appalachia, where rescue teams searched weeks for victims. Scientists linked its extreme rainfall to climate change, noting record Gulf of Mexico heat fueled the storm.
Despite advances in forecasting and evacuation, challenges remain. Experts stress that inland flooding and falling trees caused the most fatalities. Research continues to address why some residents delay evacuation and how to improve public response to warnings.
Hurricanes in 2024 brought record rainfall, winds, and heat, underscoring the growing dangers of climate-driven storms.