It is Not Business As Usual - A Look into Nature's Fury and Blueprint for Action

Let us talk about two deeply troubling episodes of nature-induced fury in U.S. in recent past. We need to take a look at the gut-wrenching havoc wreaked upon the societies to understand the real reasons behind this fury and make amends to prevent a future one. I do hope this extremely sensitive subject is to dig deep, lessen the pain and strengthen the bonds of humanity in the face of crisis. When incidents like this happens, it signals these are not ordinary times to let it go and carry on as usual. It is definitely not business as usual and we need to make a halt and change the way we approach the problem behind these episodes of nature’s brutality. Until we make amends and adjustments in the face of these upheavals, we will bear the brunt of nature’s fury time and again. We will examine two such episodes of brutality in U.S. we faced in recent months to prevent a needless one in future. 

Hurricane Helene in North Carolina 

Hurricane Helene made landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday, September 26 as an extremely strong category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour. Helene reached North Carolina on Friday, at which point the state’s western region had already received substantial rain. Hurricane Helene reached North Carolina on Friday, September 27, bringing historic rainfall, strong winds, and tornadoes generated by the storm. Helene brought significantly more precipitation, driving three-day rainfall totals that exceeded 8 inches across North Carolina’s mountain region and 12 inches in many areas. The rain swelled streams and rivers – many of which were already in flood stage – to record highs, producing 1,000-year flood events in several counties. Helene’s impacts – particularly flooding and landslides – have made it one of the deadliest US storms of the 21st century as we bear witness to once in a 1000-year event unfolding before our eyes. 

Can we imagine the power it takes to damage one of our homes. It is not one or two but as many as 73 thousand homes in NC are damaged due to the force of Helene with many thousands having experienced severe or catastrophic impacts. We run in fear when one of our homes is uninhabitable. Consider imagining a picture when a part or full 73 thousand houses are reduced to rubble. We need to really look at the pictures of devastation to understand why a civilized society need to go through this and endure this trauma. The President declared a Major Disaster and FEMA has designated 39 counties for federal disaster assistance. An estimated 4.6 million people – more than 40% of the state’s population – live in one of the designated counties. The region accounts for 45% of the state’s GDP. When half of a state is affected by a severe hurricane, we are staring at a calamity of giant proportion. 

Western North Carolina is forever changed in the wake of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, significantly impacting the area’s economy. Thousands of businesses in the region suffered damage from rushing flood waters, landslides, wind, and falling trees. To tell a few examples the fury unleashed - The western North Carolina city of Asheville was especially hard-hit. Many residents took refuge on roofs, though some collapsed into the floodwaters. Houses floated away, while roads and bridges crumbled. Helene turned the beloved city into a mess of sludge, floating debris and toppled vehicles. Officials described it as “biblical devastation.”  

 

The stone tower that gave this place its name was nearly a half billion years in the making — heated and thrust upward from deep in the Earth, then carved and eroded by wind and water. But in just a few minutes, nature undid most of what it has taken humans a century and a quarter to build in the North Carolina mountain village of Chimney Rock. Floods from Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on this village and the region surrounding Lake Lure. Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari, who filmed the destruction, likened the storm to a “blender that was just taking out anything in its path.” He noted it will take years to rebuild the area. Nearly 400 miles (644 kilometers) from where Hurricane Helene made landfall Sept. 26 along Florida’s Big Bend, this tiny hamlet of about 140 people on the banks of the Broad River has been all but wiped from the map. The storm brought historic rainfall, causing the Broad River to surge and flood the village. Roads, bridges, and buildings were washed away, and the once-thriving riverside tourist community now lies under a thick layer of mud and debris. This is just a small representation of the damage caused due to the hurricane over the places in its path. 

 

Deadly Wild Fires in Los Angeles 

 

To understand the devastating impact of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, it is crucial to view them within the context of the region's history with fire. The recent blazes, marked by a deadly toll, massive displacement, and staggering financial losses, are not the first of their kind to devastate communities in Los Angeles. Though the region is a witness to many fires at different times, the scale of the last week’s blaze was unprecedented in modern day history. It simply unsettled and devastated many communities altogether, reducing them to ashes in a never-seen-before unfolding of events. Just process this - the fires of the past week have burned over 62 square miles and destroyed more than 12,000 structures, surpassing all previous fires in terms of destruction. With damage estimates exceeding $135 billion, these fires are poised to become the costliest in U.S. history. Can you imagine we are living in the contemporary times to these mega events of history unfolding in unfortunate places of the most developed nation. It simply brought the second largest city in U.S. to its knees, as we are praying for safety and wellbeing of everyone. 

  

Without taking stock, it simply cannot be business as usual for every one of us. Without course correction and carrying out mitigating steps to identify and eliminate the root cause we cannot forget it as just another incident. Modern societies should be fool-proof and accident-proof with no place for these events in our vicinity and residential areas. It simply makes us numb to look at these take shape within our societies and we can only feel for what the people at the affected zones are going through in these horrible times. After coming to U.S. there was a time when our house was burnt two years back and the fallout from that event was gruesome to an extent. We all escaped unhurt and retrieved some of our belongings. It was contained before spreading but the blazes still haunt me at times. If we feel bad looking at one home burnt, it is unimaginable to feel when 12 thousand structures are taken out by these massive fires. 

 

California has a long history of wildfires, driven by a combination of its Mediterranean climate, dense vegetation, and periodic Santa Ana winds. The city of LA and its surrounding areas are naturally fire-prone. However, the impact of human settlement and climate change has amplified the scale and consequences of these fires. As early as the 20th century, wildfires began to make headlines for their devastating effects. Fires such as the Griffith Park Fire of 1933, which killed 29 people, and the Bel Air Fire of 1961, which destroyed nearly 500 homes, serve as grim reminders of the region's vulnerability. These early fires were significant but were limited in scope compared to the megafires of the 21st century, which have been fueled by worsening environmental conditions and human expansion into fire-prone areas. 

 

The past two decades have witnessed a dramatic surge in the scale of wildfires. 

The 2007 Malibu Fires, 2018 Woolsey Fire, 2019 Saddleridge Fire, 2020 Bobcat Fire are all devastating but nothing comes close to the impact of the past weeks' horror in Pacific Palisades, Eaton and other areas. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ashes, displacing approximately 150,000 residents who were forced to evacuate with little notice. The human cost is immeasurable. Families have been torn apart, with loved ones lost or missing. The emotional trauma of losing homes and cherished memories has left an indelible mark on the community. Survivors recount harrowing escapes, with flames encroaching upon their properties, leaving them with mere minutes to flee. The sense of security that once pervaded these communities has been shattered, replaced by uncertainty and grief. 

 

Amidst the chaos, stories of resilience and solidarity have emerged. Community members have rallied together, offering shelter, food, and support to those affected. Local businesses have opened their doors to evacuees, and volunteers have organized relief efforts, exemplifying the strength and unity of the human spirit in times of adversity. The scars left by these wildfires will remain for years to come, serving as a somber reminder of the fragility of human settlements amidst the forces of nature. The resilience and determination of the Los Angeles community will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the recovery and rebuilding process, as they work together to heal and restore what has been lost. 

 

Identifying the reason behind Nature's Fury 

 

Though we can disregard these events as natural, the fingers point at climate change and remotely man-made disasters. The recent fires in Los Angeles and floods in North Carolina are stark reminders of the profound impact of climate change on our planet. As temperatures continue to rise and weather patterns become more extreme, the frequency and severity of natural disasters are likely to increase. For instance, why does the last ten years witnessed so many fires which the region never saw in previous many centuries altogether. It is imperative that we take urgent action to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to the new realities it brings. By doing so, we can protect our communities, economies, and environment from the devastating impacts of these events. As a nation which is breeding climate change, we cannot isolate from experiencing its harmful consequences. 

 

Climate change has been a key factor in intensifying these wildfires. The southwestern U.S. is experiencing its driest 22-year period in the last 1,200 years. Rising temperatures have increased the aridity of vegetation, making it more susceptible to ignition and rapid spread when coupled with the gusty Santa Ana winds. One of the contributing factors to the severity of these fires is the phenomenon known as "hydroclimate whiplash," where extreme precipitation regimes are replaced by prolonged dry periods. This pattern leads to the growth of vegetation during wet periods, which then dries out and becomes highly flammable during dry spells. The strong Santa Ana winds act as an "atmospheric blow dryer," further drying out the landscape and ensuring that any fire that starts spreads rapidly. 

 

California's fire seasons have become longer and more intense over the past few decades. Fifteen of the state's 20 most destructive fires on record have occurred in the past 10 years. The combination of prolonged heat, severe drought, and strong winds has created conditions that are ripe for large, destructive wildfires. The 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles are a stark reminder of how climate change is reshaping the landscape and increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters. 

 

North Carolina has also been significantly impacted by climate change, particularly in terms of flooding. The state has experienced record heat, deadly storms, and extreme weather events, including the devastating floods caused by Tropical Storm Helene. One of the major consequences of climate change is rising sea levels, which exacerbate coastal flooding. In NC, sea levels have been rising by about one inch every decade. 

 

After looking at all this, we can say it is not business as usual going ahead. What do you mean by it. We need to stop doing what we are doing, tackle climate change head-on and become extremely climate conscious citizens. That is the way we need to repurpose our destiny for the next decade or century. On a war footing, we need to drive ourselves towards these 10 voluntary actions to keep us and our future safe. The 10 points of action are: 1. Building and maintaining levees, dams, and flood barriers can protect communities from flooding. 2. Implementing building codes that require fire-resistant materials and designs can reduce the risk of fire damage. 3. Participating in international agreements like the Paris Agreement can reinforce global cooperation in reducing emissions and combating climate change. 4. Developing and implementing comprehensive climate action plans at local, state, and national levels can guide efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. 5. Providing incentives for businesses and individuals to adopt green practices can accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. 6. Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power 7. Implementing energy-efficient practices in industries, homes, and transportation can lower energy consumption and emissions. 8. Planting trees and restoring forests can absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and provide natural barriers against floods and fires. 9. Adopting sustainable farming practices, such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and organic farming, can reduce emissions and enhance soil health. 10. Integrating climate change education into school curricula can empower the present and next generation to make it a movement and take action. 

 

In the face of challenges and adversity, be proactive by anticipating and preparing; be reactive by adapting and responding; and be active by taking decisive and impactful actions. The best way to predict the future is to create it by taking proactive action and not leave it to destiny. We have stopped becoming proactive regarding climate science and averting its dreaded consequences. The time has come to be at least reactive in the wake of these horrific events. The time has come to avert next NC flooding or LA fire of our times. The time has come to make it our business and take decisive action driven by our leadership for the history will yield the present and the future depends on the present. If we don’t make amends, the future will be a witness and ill judge our planet-harmful actions and consequences arising from it. Our business should be to believe in climate change as half of nation still don’t think they are harming the planet. The next step is to adopt the action plan on a priority basis to march towards a secure future. Else, time will pass giving ample reasons for nature to unleash its fury time and again.