Hurricane Helene's Destructive Impact Unveiled in Satellite Footage
Hurricane Helene's devastating impacts on the American southeast are evident in recent satellite imagery.
Those images, captured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reveal a stark contrast between areas with and without power in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and other states. The NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite, equipped with a low-light sensor, played a crucial role in this visualization, illuminating darker areas devoid of power.
NOAA-20 satellite mission. The nighttime images were created by the Black Marble Science team—a nod to the work they do, concentrating on visualizing the Earth’s surface when it’s not lit up by the Sun.
Nighttime images of the affected regions were also captured by the NOAA-20 satellite mission, and these were meticulously compiled by the Black Marble Science team. Their work focuses on visualizing the Earth's surface in the absence of sunlight, and their contribution to this disaster analysis has proven invaluable.
release. “These images not only reveal the immediate impact of disasters at the neighborhood scale but also provide insights into recovery trends over time, aiding in response, resource allocation, and damage assessment.”
According to NASA scientist Ranjay Shrestha, these satellite-derived nighttime light products provide invaluable insights into widespread power outages in distributed energy systems. They offer a detailed view of the impact at a neighborhood scale, and they prove useful in monitoring recovery trends over time.
stated on its website that as of Wednesday afternoon, 200,000 customers remained without power; based on a company outage map, those outages were concentrated in Augusta and the state’s southeast. The company is still in the process of repairing or replacing over 8,000 power poles damaged by the storm, as well as replacing over 1,500 transformers, 1,000 miles of wire, and removing more than 3,200 trees which remain on power lines.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida's Big Bend, with wind speeds exceeding 140 miles per hour. As a result, millions of people across the southeast U.S. lost power, and devastating flooding occurred, particularly in Tennessee and western North Carolina.
release, some of the color change is due to suspended sediment in the water, but much of it is also due to the light’s reflection off beds of seagrass and coral reefs, which is why the waters off the Bahamas is the same color.
While specific power outage numbers and satellite images for these states are not readily available, Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction. For the most up-to-date and detailed information, consult recent reports from utility companies or government agencies in the affected regions.
according to CNBC, the recovery efforts could cost $34 billion. The current death toll from the storm is 213 people,
As the recovery process begins, it's important to note that the storm also caused tornadoes, with six reported in southeast North Carolina and northeast South Carolina. Additionally, Hurricane Helene's impact extended to the Gulf of Mexico, changing the water's color from a dark blue to a lighter, bluish-green. This change was due to both suspended sediment in the water and the reflection of light off beds of seagrass and coral reefs.
according to The Washington Post, though hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Although the full extent of Hurricane Helene's damage and the costs associated with its recovery are not yet known, estimates suggest it could reach $34 billion. The current death toll from the storm is 213, with hundreds still unaccounted for.
In North Carolina, utility late fees and disconnections have resumed in some affected areas following a temporary pause due to the storm. It's crucial to stay informed about these developments and receive any necessary assistance in the recovery process.
- The Earth-science community is utilizing technology to analyze the impact of Hurricane Helene, with radiometers like the one on the NOAA-20 satellite providing crucial data. (5c5dd728, technology, earth-science)
- Under the cover of nighttime, the Black Marble Science team from GeorgiaPower's website (href) continues its work, visualizing areas affected by the storm with their unique radiometer-based imagery. (nighttime, Black Marble Science team, href)
- The future of disaster response and recovery may depend on more advanced technology in Earth-science, ensuring we can accurately track outages like those inflicted by Hurricane Helene, in both daytime and nighttime conditions. (future, technology, Earth-science, Hurricane Helene)
- Georgia Power's radiometer data has shown that as of Wednesday evening, over 200,000 customers in Augusta and the southeast region were still without power, resulting in extensive repairs and replacements. (Georgiapower, radiometer, power outages, repair, replacement)