As the Redhawks wrap up September, Hurricane Helene has unleashed chaos, disrupting the seasonal transition with devastating impacts on the Westwood and Blythewood communities. Since forming on September 21, this powerful storm has caused widespread power outages, forced school closures, and tragically claimed lives. Westwood High School, and various other communities, are now reflecting on and rebuilding their communities after Hurricane Helen struck.
Fox Weather described the impact of Hurricane Helene in southeastern areas by stating, “Helene is now the fourth deadliest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. mainland since 1950…” (Bacon, 2024)
While the impacts were spread all over the southeastern parts of the US, Westwood was also affected. The damages included power outages, destruction caused by heavy winds and rains, and flooding in various areas.
Specifically, many Redhawks express their concerns and experiences with Helene that they were faced with for numerous amount of days. Although the Blythewood/Columbia areas were not hit the worst among the southeastern areas the damages were still felt.
Westwood senior and member of SOAR Honors Academy, Nadya Richardson articulates the damages her area faced by stating, “…roads were flooded and damaged where I live. While I did not receive the worst of it, it was pretty bad.”
The Blythewood area is home to an extensive amount of trees that surround a lot of houses within the community. With winds catapulting up to 104 miles per hour trees in these Blythewood and tree-heavy areas have faced destruction due to trees collapsing.
Westwood sophomore house Secretary, Emani White states, “…most of the damage was the trees collapsing in my neighborhood”.
Extensively, many Westwood students and staff faced power outages subsequent to the collapse of trees. However, these outages have changed Redhawk’s perspectives on the small pleasures of life. Power is often taken for granted, however, Redhawks voiced that this experience of losing power for days increased their gratitude for power.
White, confesses her gratitude towards her phone a luxury that suffered during the outages by stating, “…when the power went off and my phone died I regretted not enjoying my phone in the past.”
Concerning safety and community both Richardson and Westwood senior, Taylor Blevines, express the giving mood and character of our Blythewood community during this time of destruction.
Blevines explains the acts of kindness she has witnessed throughout these times of trouble within our community she recalls, “Many individuals are donating supplies… [for] those who have been left with nothing after the hurricane.”
Additionally, Richardson states, “…many people…were giving people who were affected a place to stay.”
Redhawks conveys emotions of gratitude and appreciation for the things we often take for granted. Although there are looming reports of a second wave of storms Westwood is now back in school ready to continue the academic school year with a new perspective and outlook.
