Infant Twin Boys, Who Died Along With Their Mother, Thought to be Youngest Hurricane Helene Victims

Most people have been closely following news of Hurricane Helene, deemed one of the deadliest storms to hit the U.S. The storm left hundreds unaccounted for and was quickly followed by Milton. In a devastating update, experts believe they’ve identified the youngest fatalities, twin babies who died in their mother’s arms. 

Youngest Recorded Hurricane Fatalities

Purportedly, the five-week-old twins,  Khyzier and Khazmir died in the arms of their mother, Kobe Williams after a tree fell onto their mobile home in Thomson, Georgia.

Making Matters Worse

The boys’ grandmother, Mary Jones, discovered the three as if the story isn’t heartbreaking enough. “Nobody was taking the storm seriously,” she said. “Then it started, and the wind was so loud. When the lights went off, Kobe got really scared. She was worried about the babies.”

“Strange” Noises

Jones and the babies’ mother stayed up through the night. Although neither slept, Jones eventually drifted off to sleep sometime after feeding Khyzier around 5:15 am. She described hearing “strange shushing” and then an “eerie silence.” 

The Hurricane Wiped out the Power

“I started screaming, ‘Kobe! Answer me! Please answer me!” Jones said, explaining that she saw the tree had fallen through the roof. “It was so dark and I couldn’t see anything except branches.” In the following moments, nearby neighbors came to help remove debris but it was “too dark.” Shortly after, the police arrived on the scene to find the horrific results of the deadly hurricane. 

Still hopeful, Jones asked about the status of her beloved daughter and grandsons. “I asked, are they alive? And (one officer) said, ‘It’s bad, don’t go in there,” she added. “And I just lost it. I lost it.” 

Millions are without Power

More than 230 people have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of the deadliest hurricane since Katrina in 2005, which claimed the lives of over 1,000 people. Over 2 million Florida residents have been without power, access to clean water, and other necessities. However, another report estimates the total number of people affected is closer to 3 million. 

The Governor’s Comments on the Impact of the Hurricane

Governor Ron DeSantis commented on the impacts of the deadly storms to hit the East Coast earlier this month. “The storm was significant, but thankfully this was not the worst-case scenario,” he said at a briefing Thursday. Fortunately, he noted, the storm had weakened before hitting land, a stroke of luck contrasting original expectations. He also noted the damage was less than Hurricane Helene, “initial reports have not been as significant overall as what was observed for Hurricane Helene,” the governor shared.

According to DeSantis: “Tampa experienced a reverse storm surge that drove water away from the shoreline rather than overwhelming the city.” 

FDEM Issues a Statement

Meanwhile, the Florida Division of Emergency Management issued a statement warning residents to stay away from the water because “the water WILL return through storm surge and poses a life-threatening risk.”

Preparing for a Second Storm

Residents and city workers alike worked round the clock in rescue efforts and to remove debris in preparation for Hurricane Milton, which hit land only weeks after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. 

Hurricane Milton touched down near Siesta Key, Florida as a Category 3 storm with winds at 120mph. The storm made landfall at 8:30 pm on Wednesday, October 9th. So far, at least 16 people have been pronounced dead but rescuers are still searching for hundreds more, including those missing from Hurricane Helene. 

Hurricane Rescue Efforts

Rescue efforts continue around the clock to bring people to safety and get them necessary resources like food, water, clothing, and housing. Organizations like the Red Cross have pages set up for donations, and information about where to drop off clothing, household goods, and necessities like water, food, or hygiene supplies. Meanwhile,  the current President and VP have assured the public they’re doing everything they can. Moreover, Harris notes this isn’t “a time for politics.” Rather it’s a time for the nation to come together, setting their differences aside, to help the East Coast begin the path of healing and recovery. 

Climate Change’s Role

The 2024 hurricane season has devastated the East Coast, and experts believe climate change has played a role. While experts note that climate change hasn’t increased the number of hurricanes, it has worsened the storms, bringing more intense rains and storm surges with higher winds. Interestingly, this year has had fewer hurricanes despite seeing more damage. Moreover, the reason for the increased severity of these storms is attributed to the warmer ocean temperatures, which “fuel more powerful storms.”

The deaths of these babies and the disappearance of several hundred others are a grim reminder of the toll that humanity has taken on the planet and its ecosystem. Meanwhile, it’s also an opportunity for the nation to come together and support those who are lost, hurting, and going without because of the devastation from the 2024 hurricane season.

Read More: Desperate Searches for Loved Ones Still Continue After Hurricane Helene