Submerged Cities: Helene’s Wake of Destruction

The artwork presents a vivid depiction of how floodwaters engulfed towns and cities in Helene’s path. The businesses shown in the lower part of the image—restaurants, gas stations, and various small buildings—are submerged, symbolizing the economic impact of the storm. Florida's Big Bend region, as well as inland areas like Perry and Madison counties, experienced extreme flooding due to the massive storm surges and heavy rainfall caused by the hurricane​. Many of these small businesses, which serve as the lifeblood of local economies, were washed out, unable to withstand the force of the floodwaters. This detail in the artwork conveys not just the loss of property, but also the long-lasting economic consequences for communities that will take years to recover.  

In the top half of the image, industrial buildings and warehouses are shown buckling under the weight of the floodwaters. These structures, which often house the machinery and goods vital to local industries, represent the larger economic devastation. The hurricane’s winds of up to 140 mph tore roofs off of structures, and combined with water damage, many facilities were left completely destroyed​. This scene aligns with real-world reports, where thousands of businesses were heavily damaged, costing billions of dollars in recovery​. The chaotic blend of man-made structures and natural disaster depicted here speaks to the overwhelming power of hurricanes, leaving behind landscapes that feel both familiar and foreign.  

The artist’s use of blurred lines and washed-out colors conveys a sense of disorientation and loss, reflecting the emotional impact of a natural disaster of this scale. For many, the floodwaters came quickly, leaving little time to evacuate or save their belongings. The juxtaposition of recognizable commercial landmarks now buried in water underscores the profound disruption to daily life, as well as the destruction of places that once felt secure and permanent.  

Through  "Submerged Cities," the artist delves into the emotional and societal consequences of Hurricane Helene. The visual imagery speaks to the overwhelming sense of helplessness experienced by those affected as they watched their homes and livelihoods wash away. At the same time, the choice to focus on urban and commercial spaces highlights the often-overlooked economic toll that such disasters have on communities, especially smaller towns that rely on these businesses for employment and economic activity.  

The message carried by this work is clear: natural disasters like Hurricane Helene not only dismantle physical structures, but also shatter the very foundations of the societies they touch. By blending soft colors and abstract forms with realistic depictions of devastation, the artist invites viewers to reflect on both the human and economic toll of these events—and the long, painful road to recovery.