Viewpoints Explained: Public Spaces Provide Support After Hurricane Helene

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Last month, hurricane Helene hit the shores of Florida, wreaking widespread destruction on the southeastern united states. Millions of people lost power, running water, and access to many communication lines. For residents trying to get in touch with loved ones, gaining access to wi-fi was a lifeline. In Asheville, North Carolina, which saw destructive flooding, the pack memorial public library used its generators to transform into a community gathering spot and provide free access to wi-fi. Not long after, the town also worked with a phone provider to setup online access at the local courthouse. For people outside of the downtown area, firefighters led an effort to get portable cell towers connected to generators.

This is just one example out of the many in which public spaces became key fixtures after an extreme weather event. After all, most people don’t own a generator. Generac, a big seller of these machines, estimates that about seven percent of U.S. Hhmes have one on hand. A portable generator can cost anywhere between five hundred to two thousand dollars while a larger model that can power a whole home will set you back anywhere between five to eighteen thousand dollars.

These prices are out of reach for many Americans, and as climate change creates stronger, more frequent and less predictable storms, community resources and first responders will continue to be tested.