Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26, 2024, has dramatically altered the Gulf of Mexico's waters, as revealed by recent satellite imagery from NASA. The storm, classified as a Category 4 hurricane, not only caused widespread power outages across several states but also churned up sediment and organic materials from the seafloor, changing the color of coastal waters.
Satellite images captured before and after the storm show a striking transformation in the Gulf, with previously clear waters turning light blue, brown, and green due to the disturbance. The hurricane's winds and waves stirred up sediments, while storm surges and heavy rainfall from the storm led to runoff that carried additional organic matter into the ocean.
These changes highlight the interconnectedness of weather events and marine environments, illustrating how hurricanes can significantly impact coastal ecosystems. The shift in water color is indicative of the high levels of dissolved organic materials, particularly from blackwater rivers rich in decaying vegetation, which can be flushed into the ocean during intense rainfall.
This event underscores the importance of monitoring oceanic changes in the wake of severe weather, as they can have lasting effects on marine life and coastal health.