Weather & Science

Helene's Fatal Floods Show Hurricane Risks Are Moving Far Inland

Climate change is contributing to torrential rains from storms.

A damaged house and dock after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Keaton Beach, Florida, on Sept. 27.Photographer: Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/AFP/Getty Images
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Hurricane Helene has killed more than 100 people in six states across the US South — and most of the victims lived hundreds of miles away from where the storm made landfall.

After striking Florida’s western coast last week, Helene unleashed catastrophic flooding across Appalachia. Its devastation came down to two primary factors: its massive size and the significant amount of moisture it absorbed over open water.