The 2024 hurricane season concludes Saturday, marking one of the deadliest in recent memory. At least 335 people died in the five hurricanes that struck the U.S. mainland. This makes 2024 the deadliest season since 2005, according to Michael Brennan, National Hurricane Center director.

Survivors and Victims of a Harsh Season

Christine B. Davis, 111, lived her entire life near the Gulf of Mexico and endured countless hurricanes. However, the environmental heat following Hurricane Beryl’s June landfall in Matagorda County, Texas, proved too much for her. Davis, the last of 13 siblings, died after enduring a week-long power outage despite having a generator, said her granddaughter Emma Odom.

Hurricane Helene claimed the most lives, with at least 241 deaths across multiple states. It caused catastrophic flooding, landslides, and wind damage as it moved far inland after its Florida landfall. North Carolina, with its mountainous terrain, suffered the highest death toll. Brennan noted that most fatalities occurred hundreds of miles from Helene’s landfall site, reinforcing the dangers of hurricanes far beyond coastal areas.

The Growing Role of Climate Change

Scientists attribute some of Helene’s extreme rainfall and flooding to climate change, which fuels storms with warmer oceans and air. The Gulf of Mexico reached record heat levels this year, intensifying storms. Helene’s torrential rains caused deadly landslides and flash floods, with over 30 fatalities in North Carolina alone.

Despite improved forecasting and evacuation planning, water hazards like flooding remain the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. Researchers continue studying how to improve messaging and reduce fatalities, especially among inland communities unprepared for storm impacts.

Efforts to Reduce Future Losses

Federal officials are deploying new flood maps to identify areas at risk of rainfall flooding. These maps helped save lives in Eastern Tennessee during Helene. However, Brennan emphasized that challenges remain, especially in convincing people to evacuate. Social scientists are researching the complex factors influencing evacuation decisions to better protect vulnerable populations.

Hurricane Helene’s devastation underscores the need for ongoing efforts to mitigate storm impacts as climate change amplifies their intensity and reach.