Get The Facts Straight: Hurricane Florence

How has this hurricane affected the citizens of North Carolina, and how can they recover?

by Marcus Realing, Staff Writer

Hurricane Season has arrived, and it’s already in full force. Over the course of September, over a million citizens have been affected by Hurricane Florence. There’s many people in need, and various ways to help.

What is Hurricane Florence?

Hurricane Florence formed in the Atlantic Ocean as a potential tropical cyclone on August 30th, 2018, and made landfall in North Carolina on September 14th as a category 1 storm. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Florence caused a life threatening storm surge, along with freshwater flooding and about 30 inches of rain.

How has Florence affected the area?

At the time of this writing, property damage is estimated to cost around $17 billion to $22 billion. Many parts of North Carolina are flooded. Power outages are rampant throughout the state, and the extremely strong winds have destroyed various properties, including houses, farms, and vehicles.

How has it affected people?

According to Independent, about 1.7 million people have been told to evacuate across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. As of the time of this writing, 42 people have been killed throughout the course of the hurricane and during its aftermath, with millions of others being displaced.

How can we help those in need?

People can donate to the Red Cross or various other organizations that are helping with Hurricane Florence relief. They are working hard to provide shelter, food, and supplies for those displaced by Hurricane Florence. Be sure to research any charity you’re considering before you donate to it.