The beginning of August brings skyrocketing hurricane risk, a new potential system off the East Coast and a reminder that devastating storms can quickly intensify into disaster.

Historical trends show that August is often the pivot point for hurricane season, and forecasters say current conditions point toward an uptick in tropical activity. The beginning of the month also brought a new weather system that forecasters were watching off East Coast, but so far the danger appears low.

It's too soon to know what will happen as the 2025 hurricane season progresses, but last year's season serves as a reminder of why it's important to be informed and prepare.

2024 saw brutal storm activity, including Hurricane Helene that devastated the Southeast in late September killing 248 people and causing $78.7 billion in damage.

Throughout its path from northwest of Steinhatchee, Florida, on Sept. 26 and through Tennessee and North Carolina, the storm also injured 117 others and forced the high-water rescues of more than 2,700 people, a National Hurricane Center report published in March revealed.

The 2024 hurricane season also included devastating storms Beryl, Milton and John, whose names along with Helene, have been retired out of the World Meteorological Organization's rotating alphabetical basis of hurricane names due to their severity.

As forecasters and residents in hurricane-prone regions brace for more danger, here's a look back at the destructive power of Hurricane Helene.

See photos of Hurricane Helene's aftermath

The Arts District, along the French Broad River, begins clean up during the aftermath of flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene on Oct. 6, 2024 in Asheville, N.C.

Damage from Hurricane Helene as seen from a North Carolina National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter near Green Mountain, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024.

A motorist drives by a dead fish in the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.

A van is partially submerged in the Swannanoa River in the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed across the South due to the storm, and millions have been left without power. North Carolina has been approved for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration.

People walk near a storm damaged McDonalds in the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.

Storm damage in the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.

Noah Levinson looks at storm damage near the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, Dinah Voyles Pulver and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY