On September 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, leading to more than 230 deaths and leaving nearly 2 million people without power.

In a report by World Weather Attribution, scientists including Feinstein Researcher Leah Poole and Feinstein Project Manager Carolyn Van Sant analyzed the influence of climate change on Helene’s impacts, revealing that climate change intensified both the storm’s rainfall and wind speeds.

The research shows that in today’s warmer climate, rainfall events as severe as those caused by Helene are now up to 70% more likely, and storms of similar intensity are more frequent.

High sea surface temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels, played a crucial role in the  development of Helene.

The study underscores the need for improved infrastructure and early warnings, particularly in inland regions that were ill-prepared for such extreme weather events.

These findings align with broader evidence that climate change is driving more intense and frequent tropical cyclones.

Read the World Weather Attribution report here.