Hurricane Helene ripped through the southeastern United States, leaving a trail of destruction in six states, including western North Carolina.

The storm caused widespread damage to infrastructure, isolated communities and disrupted power and communications services.

State data shows Helene is responsible for 89 deaths in North Carolina (57 in Buncombe County alone) and more than 175 deaths nationwide.

After the storm, residents and emergency services faced major challenges due to impassable roads and destroyed infrastructure.

Rural areas in particular are cut off from vital information and emergency services.

To meet this urgent need, Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by SpaceX and founded by Elon Musk, proved to be a critical tool for reconnecting communities.

A reliable, high-speed internet connection was critical to coordinating rescue operations, disseminating information and initiating recovery efforts.

Starlink’s ability to provide internet access in remote and disaster-affected areas proved invaluable in bridging the communications gap and supporting essential services.

The Starlink solution

Starlink stepped in to provide fast, reliable internet access in areas where traditional networks were down or non-existent. The White House reported that dozens of Starlink satellite systems are already deployed in North Carolina and over 100 more are on their way to regions devastated by Hurricane Helene.

According to FEMA, 40 Starlink systems have been deployed for emergency communications, with another 140 on the way to help restore communications infrastructure. Starlink was deployed in the county’s Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), enabling government and relief efforts to coordinate and sustain critical operations during disaster recovery.

How does that work?

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas.

Starlink’s constellation of low-Earth satellites provides fast, low-latency service, unlike traditional satellite internet, which suffers from high latency.

This enables real-time communications and high-bandwidth Internet, even in disaster-affected or remote regions.

• A network of satellites: Starlink consists of thousands of small satellites that orbit the Earth at relatively low altitudes. These satellites are designed to be lightweight and energy efficient.
• Ground stations: On Earth, ground stations communicate with the Starlink satellites. These stations help route internet traffic and ensure a stable connection.
• User Terminals: To access Starlink, you need a special user terminal that looks like a small bowl. This terminal is mounted outside and connected to your router.
• Connecting to the Internet: When you connect your device to your router, a signal is sent to the user terminal. The terminal then communicates with the nearest Starlink satellite, which in turn connects to the ground stations and the Internet.

With download speeds of up to 300 Mbps and low latency, Starlink became a lifeline for regions like western North Carolina, providing residents and emergency services with the internet access needed for coordination and communication.

The importance of satellite internet during disasters

The destruction of Helene demonstrated the vulnerability of traditional communications networks to natural disasters. The use of Starlink during the hurricane underscored the critical role that satellite internet can play in such situations.

By bypassing damaged terrestrial infrastructure, satellite-based services like Starlink can quickly restore communications so residents can stay connected, emergency responders can coordinate their efforts, and recovery processes can move forward efficiently.

Starlink’s contribution during Hurricane Helene showed the world that satellite technology can help keep people connected, informed and safe in times of crisis.