As one of the deadliest storms to hit the U.S. in years, Hurricane Helene left its destructive mark on dozens of communities. But as the Trump administration continues to roll back carbon standards and regulations, many fear that current climate issues could become even more costly.
What’s happening?
On June 18, the Union of Concerned Scientists co-hosted “People’s Hearing,” an extreme weather public forum in Asheville, North Carolina. This event allowed residents the opportunity to speak about their experience with Hurricane Helene, a storm that wreaked havoc on the Asheville area.
Asheville resident Sam Hartman attended the hearing to share her thoughts on the damage that Helene inflicted on the community. She revealed that in many cases, those most impacted by the hurricane were from communities that have faced economic struggles for years. “We’re here because silence is no longer survivable, and because survival should not depend on your zip code, your income, or whether your community was profitable enough to protect,” Hartman said.
Hurricane Helene resulted in at least 250 deaths and caused widespread catastrophic damage across the Southeastern United States, especially in North Carolina, where over 100 people were confirmed to have lost their lives from the storm. Many of these deaths were attributed to catastrophic flooding caused by torrential rainfall. Some regions of the state saw rainfall totals exceed 10 inches in just a few days.
Why is the repeal of fossil fuel standards important?
According to a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, much of Hurricane Helene’s strength was heavily influenced by our climate. “The rainfall associated with Helene was higher due to climate change than it would have been without it,” the report reads…