Hurricane Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm, subsequently impacting multiple states in the Southeast U.S. and leading to catastrophic flooding, widespread power outages, and destruction. As a result of the storm, more than 60 lives were lost, with millions affected by power cuts. Significant damage was reported in Tampa Bay, deemed the worst storm in a century, while Asheville, North Carolina, faced historic floods. Florida's Big Bend region and other areas continue to assess damage as clean-up efforts commence. As Helene's remnants move through Appalachia, concerns grow over the increasing intensity of such storms and whether communities can withstand these disasters in the long run.