Why Helene Hit So Hard: Lessons for a Future of Bareknuckle Storms

ABSTRACT In September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the mountains of western North Carolina. The storm caused unprecedented physical, human, and economic damage. The aftermath of the storm was riddled with conspiracy theories, some perpetuated at the highest levels of the United States government, which continue to hinder disaster response and recovery efforts. To prepare for increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters, communities must invest in physical, social, and economic resilience. Networks of trust between different levels of government and local communities are key elements of resilience and must be strengthened to ensure rapid and effective disaster response in the future.