Two years after Hurricane Helene ripped through much of the Southeast, many of the communities affected by the storm are still in the process of recovery. A new project has documented that journey in an unexpected format: a graphic novel.
“Islands in the Sky: A People’s History of Hurricane Helene” follows the lives of survivors and the long‑term impacts of the storm. The book combines narrative text with illustrations to bring the experiences of those who endured the hurricane to life.
William Brangham, the project’s creator, explained the concept to Andrew Aydin in an interview for PBS NewsHour’s arts and culture series, CANVAS. Brangham said the graphic novel format allows readers to see the emotional and physical landscapes of the affected areas in a way that traditional reporting often cannot.
While the storm’s immediate devastation was widely reported, the novel focuses on the ongoing recovery, showing how communities are rebuilding and how memories of the event shape their present.
“Islands in the Sky” is part of a broader effort to preserve the stories of those who lived through Hurricane Helene, ensuring that the lessons and resilience of the region are not forgotten.
<small>Source: PBS NewsHour — read the original story there.</small>