After the preparation and harsh weather in the Roanoke Valley on September 26, 2024, the effects of Hurricane Helene on southwest Virginia created many injuries and loss of personal property.
On September 26th, 2024, Roanoke, Virginia started preparing for the violent remnants of Hurricane Helene. Helene started near the Gulf of Mexico and made its way up through Tampa (FL), Tallahassee (FL), Macon (GA), Atlanta (GA), Chattanooga (TN), and finally ended in Nashville (TN). The Roanoke Valley prepared for the end of this hurricane by focusing on flood prevention, damage control, and barricades.
Roanoke County nearly suffered a tragic loss after a tree fell on Craig “Tony” Musil’s mail truck during his shift. Tony Musil, a middle-aged man in Roanoke County, was doing his rounds when a tree fell on his truck out of nowhere. Despite his injuries, Musil managed to make it to the hospital. Surgeons examined Musil, and determined surgery was needed after diagnosing him with head and spinal cord trauma, hoping he would gain back function in his legs and arms. Sadly, his lower body remains paralyzed. Tony has a 5-year-old daughter and a wife who is currently 20 weeks pregnant. Tony had multiple jobs to support his family, and you would often see him working 12 to 15 hour shifts each day. Tony’s wife knew he would be coming home in a wheelchair and is trying to plan for their uncertain future, incredibly grateful her husband is still by her side. This shows how even indirect affects of the hurricane can impact the lives and safety of citizens.
Madlyn Hurd (9), was in her home when she started noticing the effects of Hurricane Helene. “We noticed flooding about an hour after it started, we lost power for a few days, and our backyard and basement were both flooded by the end of it,” says Hurd.
Some of the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene include, damage to houses, personal property ruined, neighborhoods flooded, power and cable internet outages, and school closings. Power and cable outages were widespread across Virginia. Ms. Pressley (English) says, “Our power went out at around 8:00am on Friday, it was out for three days but we painted, we took our dog to her grandmas house, and pretty much hopped from family to family to pass the time.”
Despite preparation and precautions put in place to help keep damage control and citizens safe, only so much can control a storm like Helene. Hopefully, Roanoke wont have another storm like Helene for many years.
