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NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment Detects Gravity Waves Triggered by Hurricane Helene Over Florida

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On September 26, 2024, as Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury on Florida’s Gulf Coast, NASA’s Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured a remarkable atmospheric phenomenon. The storm, which produced intense storm surges and affected communities along the coast, created gravity waves high above the Earth’s surface, approximately 55 miles in altitude. These waves, a rare sight from space, were detected as part of NASA’s ongoing research into space weather and its interactions with Earth-bound systems such as satellites, communication networks, and other technological infrastructure.

The AWE instrument, which was launched in November 2023, is designed to observe the impact of terrestrial weather events on the upper atmosphere. As the ISS passed over the southeastern United States during the height of Hurricane Helene, the AWE detected large, concentric gravity waves caused by the extreme conditions below. The waves, which are visually represented in red, yellow, and blue hues, illustrate changes in radiance within Earth’s mesosphere, offering a striking depiction of how violent weather events can send shockwaves into the higher layers of the atmosphere. The color enhancements in the imagery highlight variations in infrared brightness, helping to track the waves as they stretched westward from northern Florida.

Gravity waves, which are essentially ripples in the atmosphere caused by disturbances such as strong winds or storms, have a significant role in both weather and space weather dynamics. According to Ludger Scherliess, the Principal Investigator for NASA’s AWE at Utah State University, these waves are similar to the ripples that form when a pebble is dropped into a pond. By studying these atmospheric disturbances, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of how terrestrial weather phenomena, like hurricanes, influence the broader atmospheric system, including conditions that can affect satellite operations and communication systems in space.

This discovery underscores the critical role of atmospheric studies in understanding the intricate relationship between weather on Earth and space weather. The data collected by NASA’s AWE could potentially provide valuable information for improving the resilience of space-based technology during extreme weather events, highlighting the interconnectedness of our planet’s weather systems and the technology that relies on them. As scientists continue to monitor these gravity waves, it could open new pathways for protecting both terrestrial and space-based infrastructure from the effects of powerful storms like Hurricane Helene.

Florida Prepares for Massive Evacuation as Hurricane Milton Approaches, Still Recovering from Helene

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Florida is bracing for its largest evacuation since 2017 as Hurricane Milton gathers strength in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening to make landfall on Wednesday along the state’s western coast. This comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread devastation in northern Florida just days earlier.

Hurricane Milton intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday and is projected to strike near the heavily populated Tampa Bay area as a major hurricane. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton could escalate into a Category 4 storm, potentially causing widespread flooding and destruction.

As of Sunday evening, the hurricane was located about 780 miles west-southwest of Tampa, moving toward Florida at 7 mph (11 kph), with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). A hurricane watch has also been issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Largest Evacuation Since Hurricane Irma

Kevin Guthrie, the director of Florida’s emergency management division, urged residents to prepare for what could be the largest evacuation since Hurricane Irma in 2017. “I highly encourage you to evacuate,” he said during a press conference, as officials stressed the severity of the impending storm.

Governor Ron DeSantis warned of potential storm surges, widespread power outages, and the likelihood that Milton could compound damage left by Helene. “There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what’s going to happen to that debris? It’s going to increase the damage dramatically,” DeSantis said.

In Pinellas County, which includes St. Petersburg, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned of mandatory evacuations likely to affect more than 500,000 people in low-lying areas. Emergency officials have already ordered the evacuation of six hospitals, 25 nursing homes, and 44 assisted living facilities, impacting 6,600 patients. Schools in the area will remain closed from Monday to Wednesday in anticipation of the storm.

Devastation from Hurricane Helene

The state is still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26, killing more than 200 people across six states and causing massive damage, particularly in North Carolina. Helene is now the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which claimed nearly 1,400 lives. Helene’s economic damage is expected to reach billions of dollars.

Florida officials, still dealing with recovery from Helene, are facing additional challenges as Hurricane Milton approaches. “We already will be rebuilding for years because of Hurricane Helene, and that will be exacerbated by the impacts of this storm,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch. “Milton is a powerful Cat 2 or Cat 3 hurricane headed directly for us.”

Federal Response and Aid

U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered another 500 active-duty troops to assist with recovery efforts in western North Carolina following Helene’s devastation, bringing the total number of active-duty troops to 1,500. The federal workforce of 7,000 people and 6,100 National Guard personnel are already deployed across impacted states.

The Biden administration has approved $137 million in federal aid for recovery from Helene, and more assistance is expected as Florida and other southern states prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Milton.

Florida’s emergency services are on high alert, and residents in the storm’s projected path are urged to take evacuation orders seriously. With two major hurricanes in quick succession, the state faces a critical test of its disaster preparedness and recovery capabilities.

 

Thousands in North Carolina Still Without Water Days After Hurricane Helene’s Destruction

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Six days after Hurricane Helene hit the U.S. Southeast, tens of thousands of North Carolina residents are still without running water, with more than 180 fatalities reported across multiple states. The hurricane caused widespread flooding, severely damaging water plants and infrastructure, leaving many residents with no access to clean water. Over a million people remain without electricity, and water distribution sites have been set up to provide essentials to those in need.

The hardest-hit region, Asheville, is experiencing one of the most significant water crises. The city’s water supply system, serving over 150,000 people, has been severely damaged, with residents warned that running water may not return for weeks. Some neighborhoods have no water at all, while others face low pressure and have been advised to boil water before using it. The impact is widespread, affecting homes, businesses, hospitals, and schools, with authorities working around the clock to restore services.

At a food and water distribution hub set up in Pack Square Park, volunteers distributed drinking water and ready-to-eat meals. David Shoham, a resident who has been without power and water since Friday, expressed a common sentiment: “There’s nothing we can do about it individually. We just have to trust that our institutions are going to step up.”

Local businesses are also struggling. Jordan Lance, owner of Buxton Chicken Palace, has been collecting water to prepare meals for residents, though the uncertainty about how long the water shortage will last has left many business owners concerned about their future. Harrison Fahrer, co-founder of Cellarest Beer Project, echoed these concerns, stating, “If we can’t brew, we can’t pay our bills.”

The storm, which first made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, brought catastrophic flooding and destruction across the Southeast, affecting multiple states. In Asheville, the storm washed out key water pipes, severely damaging water plants, including North Fork and DeBruhl, making it difficult to restore services. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the National Guard have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts, but the timeline for full restoration remains uncertain.

At least 61 people have died in Buncombe County alone, bringing the storm’s overall death toll to 189 across six states. In addition to the water crisis, search-and-rescue teams are still working to locate the missing and provide aid to survivors.

President Joe Biden visited North Carolina to assess the damage, while Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Georgia, emphasizing the need for continued federal support in the recovery process. The water crisis in Asheville has also led to the closure of schools, with local officials emphasizing that they cannot reopen without a reliable water supply.

As residents face weeks of uncertainty, the community is banding together to support one another, but the road to recovery will be long.