Facing the Fury: The Impact of Hurricanes

PCHS Bulletin - Emma Harlow

On Wednesday, October 9, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, arriving just two weeks after Hurricane Helene. Prior to Wednesday, officials warned that this storm would be one of the worst of the century, and they evacuated zones A, B, and C.

The storm was predicted to have a direct hit on the Tampa Bay area with storm surges up to 15 feet in several parts of Florida. Seventeen schools in Manatee County opened as shelters for those who had nowhere to evacuate to. While Parrish Community High School is not a shelter due to its open campus, it did house first response personnel in the gym.  

When Hurricane Milton made landfall, it was a category three with winds reaching 110–120 miles per hour. It unleashed numerous tornadoes, hurling cars and trees into homes. Mobile home parks, like Colony Cove on 301, suffered severe damage, with several roofs ripped off and walls torn down. Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg had its roof destroyed, creating a mass of debris on the field. This reoccurring damage from hurricanes is largely due to our changing climate.  

In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that in 2024 the hurricane season would be 85% above-normal season, 10% normal season, and 5% below-normal season. NOAA says these conditions are due to near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Niña conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear.

La Niña conditions are when winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the South and cooler than normal in the North. NOAA states that “Human-caused climate change is warming our ocean globally and in the Atlantic basin, and melting ice on land, leading to sea level rise, which increases the risk of storm surge. Sea level rise represents a clear human influence on the damage potential from a given hurricane.”  

One positive consequence of the storm is how it brought our community together to help those in need. Neighbors have united to navigate through this devastating disaster. Local businesses are generously donating food to families in need, and clubs at PCHS are diligently collecting cans for local food shelters. 

Parrish Community High School wrestling coach, Tyler Small, lost his home in a fire during the storm. PCHS wrestling athletes, families, friends, and coworkers quickly jumped into action to help Small and his family recover. ABC7 recently wrote a feature about this terrible ordeal in which Small expressed his appreciation of the community's support.

The Parrish community remains resilient, striving toward a full recovery.  

To learn more about this hurricane season, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organization’s website at noaa.gov.