Hurricane Ida invites help from Conn.

The autumn weather in Connecticut in recent days has been of the storybook variety. Bright sunshine illuminating the metamorphosis of foliage as mild warmth dips into cozy overnight chills. It’s pretty ideal, probably the best weather of a year that delivered too many servings of intolerable summer heat. And while Hurricane Ian is not expected to lob more than a few gusts and some showers at Connecticut, that doesn’t mean we won’t feel its impact.

Hurricane season has been terrifying for many, knocking the 11 million people of Cuba into complete darkness and further pounding Puerto Rico, which is still recovering from a prequel that killed 3,000 in 2017.

Fall storms can sometimes seem like a seasonal tradition. But Hurricane Ian isn’t just another weather event. It’s been recognized as one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the United States.

It also feels close to home for many Connecticut residents who split their time between residences here and in the South. And for many travelers, the names of the Florida communities that have already felt Ian’s wrath are familiar coastal vacation destinations: Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, etc.

Other states — Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina — joined Florida in declaring a state of emergency.

So we should expect many of the storms’ victims to seek sanctuary in our state. Some will be families taking in relatives. Others will surely be strangers.

It’s commonly overlooked that Connecticut has the highest percentage (8.5 percent) of Puerto Ricans of any of the 50 states. So communities, particularly school systems, should prepare for the arrival of more people from the U.S. territory.

“Last time Puerto Rico experienced this kind of natural disaster, our country failed to respond,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. “We need to remember, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico deserve the same kinds of all-in, all-handson-deck response.”

Experts say Connecticut is better prepared for the fallout than it was after Hurricane Maria. The Capitol Region Education Center in Hartford is bracing for evacuees, leveraging lessons learned from five years ago.

Connecticut has other connections to victims of these storms, both yesterday’s and tomorrow’s. Rescue agencies including Americares and Save the Children are based here, the former in Stamford and the latter in Fairfield. Americares is delivering aid to survivors in Puerto Rico, along with funding to restore health centers crippled by storm damage.

Save the Children, meanwhile, has dispatched emergency responders to assist children and families on the ground. It has also created a relief fund that will be dedicated to delivering essentials such as water, hygiene kits and diapers.

Americares, the Red Cross and other nonprofits are inviting donations as well. Many victims need help immediately. Some will need mental health support in the weeks and years to come, as storm damage claims their homes.

It’s an appropriate time to appreciate that we are nestled in the safety of Connecticut, and to consider reaching out to help those who are strangers, and potentially future neighbors.

Connecticut has other connections to victims of these storms, both yesterday’s and tomorrow’s. Rescue agencies including Americares and Save the Children are based here, the former in Stamford and the latter in Fairfield.