Andy Murphy

Oct 238 min read

What Families Can Learn from Hurricane Helene

Family Prepairedness from Hurricane Helene

How Families Can Prepare for the Next Natural Disaster

Hurricane Helene will go down as one of the most devastating hurricanes in modern American history. While the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900 left between 8,000 and 12,000 people dead,technology and early warnings have become helpful in saving lives and property. This leads us to wonder why so many things went wrong, and communities were devastated on a massive scale in 2024. It’s important for us to understand this in order to be ready to safeguard our family in the event of the next major natural disaster.

Hurricane Helene: A Monster Storm

To best understand why Hurricane Helene was so devastating we must look at how unique this storm was. Helene was very large, unusually so. The storm was about 400 miles across, similar to Hurricane Katrina. Winds were felt up to 560 miles from the storm’s center. It was dangerous category 4 when it made landfall near Perry, Florida.

Helene brought a storm surge that peaked around 15 feet in the Big Bend area of Florida. The city of Tampa Bay, which was some 200 miles from Helene’s eye saw a storm surge of 6 feet, which brought devastating floodwaters to the metropolitan area.

But what made Helene so devastating was its impact on inland areas. The storm destroyed parts of 6 US states. If any residents of Western North Carolina and Tennessee went to bed the night before Helene unaware of the storm, no one would blame them.+

Catastrophic Pre-Event Indicators

Many people, myself included, wondered why Western North Carolina was so hard hit by Helene. Boone, NC saw horrific damage from Helene which is some 434 miles from where Helene made landfall.

In the days before Helene, Western North Carolina had experienced a lot of rain. This meant that lakes, rivers, and streams were high before the storm hit. It also meant that the ground was very saturated. When the ground is wet, some trees find it harder to stay up in high winds because of the earth being so soft beneath them. Falling trees can land on power lines, homes, and roads making the situation much worse.

Add to that the torrential rains to hit the area during the storm and you have a once in a lifetime weather event that leans to flooding, landslides, and lives being lost. The people of Western North Carolina were not fully prepared for the amount of damage that would come from a storm hundreds of miles away.

When looking to prepare for the next hurricane or large-scale natural disaster, it’s important to consider the state of your area before the storm. If rains have already impacted your rivers, then you can assume that flooding will be made worse by a hurricane. Knowing these indicators can help you protect your family and your property.

Hurricane Preparation

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo decimated South Carolina as a category 4 storm. I remember this event well. My family being life-ling residents of the Carolinas know how to prepare for a hurricane. While we were 100 miles inland from the storm, we were without power for 7 (maybe more) days. This tested us and our community. Since then, I’ve grown up with a better understanding of how to prepare for a natural disaster.

1) Be informed – Pay attention to your weather before, during, and after the storm. Download your local weather app and visit The National Hurricane Center

website for more details.

2) Secure Entry Points – Install storm shutters on all windows or use plywood to cover them securely. This will protect against flying debris and high winds.

3) Bring In Outdoor Furniture - Outdoor items such as furniture, garden tools, and decorations can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.

4) Trim Trees and Bushes Beforehand - Keep your trees and bushes well-trimmed. Overhanging branches can break off during the storm, causing damage to your home or power lines.

5) Make a Supply Kit - Prepare a supply kit that includes non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies. Also make sure you first aid kit is ready to go.

6) Store Water - Each person in your home needs two gallons of water per day, per person. If you can’t get to a store to buy water, fill pots for drinking water and fill a bathtub for bathing or for use flushing toilets.

7) Charge Devices - Charge communication devices like phones, laptops, and tablets. Without power comes a loss of internet, so you’ll be reliant on cellular service.

8) Back Up Power – I made great use of backup power using a mixture of portable battery power stations and power banks. I also used APC battery backup and surge protector.

Preparing Your Property for a Hurricane

In the weeks before Helene I was forced to remove two trees from my backyard. I didn’t want to do it, but with the consultation of an arborist we made the decision to bring them down. He told me that one tree’s branches were so heavy with rainwater and leaves that one could snap off and hit my fence or my neighbor’s home. There was also the possibility that one of the trees could have fallen onto my neighbor’s house.

After the storm, I saw the wisdom of my arborist. Hundreds of trees were toppled within a mile of our home. They are still on homes and the roadside today. With the rain we had before the storm the combination of the saturated ground and high winds made for a prolonged response time for emergency and power crews.

Communication During a Disaster: Family PACE Plan

For any type of disruption of your daily life your family needs to follow a PACE plan. PACE is an acronym for communication alternatives that means:

Primary

Alternate

Contingency

Emergency

For example, a family may want to use the following for a PACE plan in 2024:

Primary – Smartphones, tablets, and computers (Call, text, social media, etc.)

Alternate – A home phone

Contingency – FRS radios or “Walkie-Talkies” (I have these)

Emergency – Ham Radio (I have this one) or meet in person

It’s also wise to have a TV antenna that can work in the event your cable or satellite provider goes out. This way you can watch the local news to keep on top of what is happening in your area. This requires your TV to have power, which will be discussed next.

Powering Through a Hurricane: Backup Power Supplies

Having a long career in radio, sports production, and television I know the importance of having backup power in the event of an outage. Places I’ve worked have long relied on battery back up units. The leader in this field is APC.

I have two APC 600va backup battery units in my home. Not only do they provide power in an outage, they also are surge protectors. I was able to operate my home wi-fi for 6 hours after my power went out during Helene. What many people don’t realize is that their internet (fiber, cable) can still run in a power outage as long as your modem and router have power at home.

For bigger items, I used a Bluetti EB3A. This until can power things like fans, lights, TVs, routers, computers, and of course charge phones. It has USB-A, USB-C, DC Marine (car/boat port), and two 120v power outlets. I saw how useful this was and upgraded the Anker 535 Portable Power Station after Helene. Having two power stations will allow more devices in more locations to run simultaneously or when one runs out.

Along with smaller power banks like the Anker Prime Power Bank we were able to manage devices through most of our power outage. Just remember to keep these power banks charged so they can be put to use when the electrical fails.

Eating During a Disaster

I think the most overlooked damage from Hurricane Helene is that so many people lost the contents of their refrigerator during the power outages. With the sky-high cost of food and shortages due to the devastation, stocking up is difficult. Our refrigerator is still not fully stocked weeks after the storm.

When the power goes out, do not open your refrigerator or freezer. The clock is ticking for how long it can hold the cold temperature to keep your food from expiring. There are power stations that will power your big appliances that you may want to consider. Plus, you can always have a gas-powered generator installed at your home, too.

But the loss of refrigerated food also hit grocery stores. Many had to purge all their frozen and chilled products after being without power for more than 24 hours. This meant it took days for them to restock. Keep in mind that just because a store is open after a storm does not mean they’ll be fully restocked. This is important to know when making your emergency food plan for your family.

Stocking Up on Non-Perishable Food

When preparing for a hurricane, it’s important to stock up on nonperishable foods that provide balanced nutrition and have a long shelf life. Canned goods are a staple, including vegetables, fruits, beans, soups, and meats like tuna or chicken. These items require little to no cooking and can be eaten straight from the can.

Dried foods like rice, pasta, oats, and lentils are also valuable for longer-term sustenance, though they may need water and minimal cooking if power like a gas stove if one is available. Granola bars, trail mix, and nut butters are great for energy, offering protein and healthy fats (like me) with no refrigeration required.

Snacks and easy-to-eat items are also vital, especially if you need quick meals or if stress impacts your appetite. (Like me.) Crackers, cereals, and ready-to-eat meals like MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are good options. Canned or vacuum-sealed juices can offer hydration along with essential vitamins.

Stocking comfort foods, such as chocolate or packaged treats, can help maintain morale during a stressful storm situation. Don’t forget pet food for furry companions and essentials like instant coffee or tea bags, which can make the experience more manageable. Planning a diverse food supply will help keep you nourished and mentally stimulated throughout the storm and its aftermath.

I teamed up with Morgan of Rogue Preparedness to bring you a free PDF guide on how to stock your pantry during a shortage. This can also help you be ready for the next natural disaster.

Preparedness Does Not Stop

I had the great opportunity to interview Patrick McNamara after an attack that left parts of Eastern North Carolina without power for days. One of his closing thoughts was that once the blackout had ended, he began to replace his supplies and prepare for the next one. I remembered this as Helene ended and Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf. Don’t get complacent after a disaster, get ready for the next one.

Lessons Learned from Helene

Hurricane Helene has taught us valuable lessons about the unpredictability of natural disasters and the importance of preparation. From understanding pre-event indicators to stocking nonperishable foods and establishing communication plans, families must be proactive in safeguarding their well-being. Helene’s devastation across six states shows that even areas far from landfall are vulnerable, highlighting the need for every household to have a well-rounded disaster plan.

The key takeaway is that preparation doesn’t end when a storm passes—it’s an ongoing effort. Restocking supplies, evaluating what worked, and improving upon what didn’t are essential steps to staying ready. It’s about building resilience, learning from the past, and being vigilant for what’s ahead. By doing so, families can better protect themselves and navigate the challenges that come with the next natural disaster.