Christine B. Davis, a woman who lived within 50 miles of the Gulf of Mexico for 110 years, passed away due to heat exposure after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Matagorda County in June. She was one of at least 335 people who died in the five hurricanes that made landfall in the United States in 2024. This marked the deadliest hurricane season since 2005 and was fueled by Hurricane Helene, which caused at least 241 deaths. The average age of the victims was 58, with many being older individuals like Davis. More than 40% of the deaths occurred in North Carolina, emphasizing that hurricanes are not just coastal events and can have far-reaching impacts.
Helene’s extreme rainfall, which led to flooding and landslides, showcased the dangers of freshwater flooding associated with hurricanes, with nearly 60% of hurricane victims dying as a result of this type of flooding. Scientists attributed some of the extreme rainfall to climate change, with warming oceans and increased atmospheric heating contributing to more intense storms.
Efforts have been made to reduce storm-related deaths, including new flood inundation maps to highlight areas at risk from rainfall flooding. While there were challenges surrounding evacuation decisions, progress has been made in reducing storm surge deaths through better mapping and evacuation plans.
Overall, the 2024 hurricane season underscored the need for continued research and efforts to mitigate the risks associated with hurricanes, which can be deadly not only due to wind but also due to factors like flooding and landslides.
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