"Look at the size of that thing!"
— Wedge Antilles, Star Wars
As I watched Hurricane Helene approach Florida through GOES satellite imagery, I couldn’t help but admire its sheer size and power. There’s something both awe-inspiring and terrifying about witnessing the formation of such a massive storm. Yet, as I marveled at the storm’s immense energy, a darker thought crept in: somewhere within the storm’s path, people were alive at that very moment who wouldn’t survive the day, or the days to follow. It’s a sobering reminder that Nature, in all its beauty, can also be cruelly indifferent to human life.
Now, Hurricane Milton—a monstrous Category 5 storm—is taking aim at Florida. Despite evacuation orders, many are staying behind, either unable to leave or underestimating the storm’s power. It’s a tragic pattern we see repeated with each major hurricane: the warnings come, but not everyone listens. Some people lack the means to evacuate, while others refuse to believe that their lives are in danger. Unfortunately, it’s often only after the storm has passed, when the floodwaters rise and the winds die down, that the human toll becomes painfully clear.
In a few days, the headlines will likely speak of the lives lost, families torn apart, and homes destroyed. Each of these storms leaves scars—not only on the landscape but also on the communities caught in their path. As we brace for Milton’s landfall, I can’t help but reflect on the fragile line between life and death during these events. Nature’s power, while mesmerizing, is also a reminder of how vulnerable we truly are.
Images: GOES-East & World Wind