Hurricane Helene's Legacy: Evaluating Community Responses and Future Policy Directions in Western North Carolina

Flooding in downtown Marshall after Hurricane Helene disrupted local businesses and submerged streets, highlighting the urgent challenges residents face during recovery. Source: Old Marshall Jail Hotel

On October 1, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the southeastern United States, quickly becoming a formidable force that caused extensive destruction across Western North Carolina and other parts of the nation. Reports of significant flooding, power outages, and infrastructure damage have emerged from various counties, particularly Buncombe and Rutherford. The immediate aftermath has revealed both the challenges faced by residents, and the critical importance of emergency preparedness in the face of increasingly severe weather events.

In response to the destruction brought by Helene, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper activated over 400 National Guard personnel to assist in recovery efforts, illustrating the state's commitment to addressing the immediate needs of affected communities​. The federal government, led by President Biden, has declared a Major Disaster Declaration for 25 counties, unlocking essential federal resources to aid recovery. This includes more than 5,000 personnel from across the federal workforce who were deployed, including more than 1,500 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). So far, FEMA has delivered over 9.3 million meals, more than 11.2 million liters of water, 150 generators, and over 260,000 tarps to the affected region.

The human toll of Hurricane Helene has been staggering, with at least 115 confirmed fatalities in North Carolina and an estimated $220 billion in damages, ranking it as the fifth deadliest hurricane in U.S. history. Nationwide, at least 223 confirmed deaths have been reported, alongside approximately 7,000 injuries attributed to the storm. Additionally, indirect deaths have emerged as a serious concern, as communities face ongoing challenges such as water shortages and blocked roads due to debris and flooding. Local leaders emphasize the importance of community resilience, with neighbors banding together to provide mutual support. For instance, community groups have organized supply drives and outreach initiatives, demonstrating the collective effort to address the urgent needs of those most affected.

Local leaders have emphasized the importance of community resilience, highlighting how neighbors have banded together to assist one another during this time of crisis. For instance, community groups, including McDowell County Schools, McDowell Technical Community College, and Centro Unido Latino Americano, have organized distribution sites to provide essential supplies like food, water, and hygiene products. Volunteers have been instrumental in sorting and delivering these items, with plans underway to establish comfort centers for ongoing support, ensuring that those most affected receive the assistance they need.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, various platforms have emerged to support recovery efforts. The North Carolina Emergency Management website provides a government-sponsored donation portal  and volunteer opportunities, directing resources to verified organizations for efficient relief and recovery. It also offers structured volunteer roles like debris removal and shelter support. On a larger scale, the American Red Cross operates a national portal with extensive infrastructure, ideal for widespread relief efforts. While the government portal ensures funds go directly to local communities, the Red Cross’s broader network makes it suited for larger-scale response. Individuals can choose based on whether they want to focus on specific local aid or contribute to national disaster relief efforts.

The challenges faced by communities recovering from Hurricane Helene underscore significant gaps in North Carolina's emergency preparedness. Thousands of residents were left without power and access to clean water for days, with over 703,000 people experiencing power outages, including more than 50,000 in the western region. Major roads, such as I-40, were rendered impassable due to landslides and flooding, isolating entire communities and delaying rescue efforts. In McDowell County, floodwaters breached several dams, forcing emergency personnel to evacuate homes and divert resources from other critical areas. Additionally, infrastructure damage in areas like Buncombe County, where 50 fatalities were reported, further revealed the deadly consequences of inadequate disaster readiness. Local officials struggled to provide shelter to displaced families, with some residents having to wait days for relief. These conditions highlight the state's lack of investment in disaster readiness for inland areas, where mountainous terrain slows recovery. While it remains uncertain whether North Carolina will implement updated natural disaster policies, this crisis serves as an urgent reminder of the need for more robust infrastructure and preparedness strategies in the face of increasing climate risks.

The painful truth is that North Carolina was not ready for this disaster. 0.8% families in North Carolina have flood insurance. Additionally, North Carolina has devoted relatively little of its federal funding for disaster protection in its western region, as it has historically been considered less vulnerable to extreme weather compared to the coast. However, with the increasing frequency and severity of storms like Hurricane Helene, it is vital to reassess this perspective and allocate resources accordingly to improve preparedness throughout the state. Coastal Review previously highlighted that disasters like Tropical Storm Fred have exposed the vulnerability of western North Carolina, calling for increased investment in disaster preparedness for these communities before the impacts of Hurricane Helene further emphasized this need. The current director of the Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds project for the Environmental Defense Fund, Will McDow, further stated: “Eastern North Carolina has been the current focus, but Hurricane Fred shows us that western North Carolina is also in the bull’s-eye of these climate-induced floods.

Hurricane Helene’s impact on Western North Carolina also raises important questions about the political ramifications of climate change. As previously mentioned, the storm has prompted discussions about the allocation of federal funding for disaster preparedness, particularly in areas previously considered less vulnerable to extreme weather.  Political leaders may face pressure to justify funding decisions and prioritize resources for communities affected by the hurricane, as highlighted by experts noting that the western regions have received relatively little investment compared to coastal areas​. For example, while 80% of the state’s flood protection funding goes to the coast, experts argue that the growing frequency of extreme weather in the western region, coupled with underinvestment, underscores the need to shift more resources to inland areas where the marginal benefits of flood prevention could be higher. Additionally, the severity of flooding and damage caused by Helene could lead to calls for policy changes regarding climate resilience measures. Lawmakers might advocate for stronger building codes, improved infrastructure, and enhanced emergency response strategies to mitigate future disaster events like dam breaches, landslides, and long-term power outages."​. 

Hurricane Helene's impact on Western North Carolina has highlighted the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response strategies. The aftermath of the storm has exposed the inadequacies of current funding allocations, particularly in regions historically deemed less vulnerable to extreme weather. As the community comes together to recover, political leaders are likely to face mounting pressure to justify funding decisions and prioritize resources for affected areas, especially given the lessons learned from this disaster. Ongoing discussions surrounding climate resilience will be pivotal in shaping future policies, emphasizing the necessity for infrastructure improvements, stronger building codes, and comprehensive emergency response strategies. The experience of Hurricane Helene serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need to adapt our approaches to disaster management