With heavy rain and over 50 mph winds barreling through the Carolinas, Hurricane Florence was a hard hitting storm back in September that packed a heavy punch. The hurricane caused $40 million in damage and left hundreds of thousands without power. Now, in the aftermath of the storm, people along the East Coast are rebuilding their homes and their lives.

On September 14, Hurricane Florence made landfall in the Carolinas as a Category 1 storm and brought with it 100 mph winds in some areas and more than 30 inches of rain. States of emergency were declared in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and even Maryland. The Carolinas were impacted the most and will continue to rebuild the states over the next few months.

North Atlanta sophomore Earika Jones was worried ahead of the storm saying, “I was scared of what the outcome would be if it hit us.”

The storm battered the area for four days and caused statewide power outages. A total of 19 states offered help to rescue and evacuate citizens who were stuck in their homes. The Red Cross also accepted thousands of people and is currently accepting donations that would go towards people who were affected by this catastrophe.

Most North Atlanta students were not so worried about this storm. Saying they did not worry about it hitting Atlanta. Many were excited to enjoy Music Midtown the weekend that the storm hit the Carolinas. “I just had a hunch the storm wasn’t going to hit us,” said senior Savanna Smith.

Although Hurricane Florence made landfall as a Category 1 storm it made a sizable amount of damage to crops, farms, and homes that will take months – or even years – to rebuild. Hundreds of thousands were affected by this storm and millions of dollars will go towards rebuilding after such a powerful natural disaster. Luckily North Atlanta students stayed dry and missed no school days!