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Hurricanes Helene and Milton: A Wake-Up Call for Cape Cod

By Chip Reilly, Barnstable County Emergency Preparedness Director

NOAA Satellite image of Hurricane Milton as it approaches the Florida coast early Wednesday morning.
NOAA Satellite image of Hurricane Milton as it approaches the Florida coast early Wednesday morning.

When Hurricane Helene tore through the southern United States a few weeks ago, its effects were nothing short of devastating. Initially a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall, Helene eventually subsided to a tropical storm, with heavy rains and flooding causing most of the most damage. As highlighted by the North Carolina State Climate Office, the storm brought torrential rainfall to Western North Carolina over several days, causing rivers to overflow, isolating communities, and leading to widespread flooding and rescue operations.

Floodwaters from Helene quickly made roads impassable leaving residents stranded, a situation that underscores how quickly circumstances can deteriorate during a severe weather event. The disaster serves as a powerful reminder of the need for preparedness—not just for wind damage—but for the devastating impacts of flooding that often follow in a hurricane’s aftermath. 

As a resident of Cape Cod and a long-time emergency preparedness professional, I see clear parallels between what happened in the South and what could very well happen here on Cape Cod. And as Hurricane Milton, in close succession to Helene, bears down on the western coast of Florida as a Category 4 (potentially Category 5) storm, the gravity of the situation becomes painfully obvious. People are facing mandatory evacuations on too-short notice; preparing their homes and families as best they can before the storm makes landfall on Wednesday. As we watch all of this unfold from the apparent safety of the cooler north, the reality is (and should be) jarring.

Our region is, without a doubt, at risk of being impacted by a major hurricane. Our unique geography, with limited escape routes and a population that swells significantly during tourist seasons, makes us particularly vulnerable. And yet, despite these known risks, our level of emergency preparedness remains lacking. 

A complacent “it won’t happen here” attitude is not just dangerous—it could be life-threatening. But we have the power to change that mindset, and it starts with the actions we take today. Some simple steps are as follows:

  • Develop a plan! Know your evacuation routes and where you would go if you needed to leave your home. Put a communication plan in place with your loved ones, especially in the event that cell service is disrupted.
  • Prepare an emergency kit! Stock it with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. During Hurricane Helene, many people found themselves without basic supplies because they waited until the last minute to prepare. Taking simple precautions ahead of time means you’ll be ready when the unexpected happens. 
  • Stay informed! Pay attention to local alerts and sign up for emergency notifications. On Cape Cod, understanding how to access reliable information—whether it’s via radio, official websites, or community alerts—can be crucial when storms are on the horizon. 
  • Help your neighbors! Check in with those who may need extra help, like the elderly or those without transportation. Building a network of support within our neighborhoods can help ensure that everyone has a safety plan and isn’t left to face a crisis alone. Hurricane Helene has exemplified the power of community, with countless stories of neighbors helping neighbors. We must foster that same spirit here, BEFORE a disaster strikes. 

For more detailed preparedness information, please read our recent blog post: The Peak of Atlantic Hurricane Season is Here! Tips to Help You, Your Family, and Neighbors Stay Safe in an Emergency on Cape Cod

While hurricanes are unpredictable, the lessons we take from past events can help us be better prepared for the future. Hurricane Helene was a wake-up call for the southern U.S., and it should serve as one for Cape Cod as well. Preparation doesn’t require enormous resources or complex plans; it’s about taking practical steps to protect ourselves and our community. 

Cape Cod is a beautiful place to call home, but with that beauty comes natural risks. If we take Hurricane Helene’s lessons seriously, we can ensure that our community is ready for whatever comes our way—one household, one plan, and one act of preparedness at a time. 


Related: WCVB5 interviews Chip Reilly, Barnstable County Emergency Preparedness Director, as Milton approaches. Mass. officials watching, learning from Milton evacuations in FL (wcvb.com)

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