Prescient Warnings About Helene Didn’t Reach People in Harm’s Way. Here Are 5 Lessons for the Next Hurricane.

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Last September, Hurricane Helene caused more inland deaths than any hurricane in history when it struck the Southeast. Yancey County in North Carolina’s Black Mountains suffered the highest per capita death toll due to flash flooding and landslides.

A recent article by ProPublica detailed the events in Yancey, revealing how accurate weather warnings failed to reach many at risk. The story shed light on the lack of preparedness for catastrophic storms in inland communities compared to coastal areas. Despite severe warnings, evacuation orders were not issued in Yancey, and residents did not evacuate due to a lack of urgency signals.

The investigation revealed disparities in response among counties in western North Carolina. While some took significant actions, others did not issue evacuation orders. The article also highlighted the lack of mandatory training for local emergency managers in North Carolina, unlike neighboring states.

The report uncovered the halt of a landslide mapping program in North Carolina due to pressure from real estate interests, leaving areas vulnerable. It also pointed out the absence of a comprehensive effort to learn from Hurricane Helene and prevent future inland storm deaths.

As North Carolina rebuilds after the disaster, there has been no state inquiry into local preparedness or ways to enhance it for future storms. While Yancey County plans to address these issues later, the focus currently remains on recovery efforts.