Mapping the Ecological Toll of Hurricane Helene and Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina

Abstract

When Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina in September 2024, the damage to homes, roads, and communities was devastating. Recovery will take years and is expected to cost more than $59 billion. But people weren’t the only ones affected—so were rare and sensitive species and habitats. North Carolina’s Natural Heritage Program partnered with Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability to identify where species and habitats were likely to have been damaged by the storm and found widespread damage, both geographically and across a wide range of species. It’s critical for North Carolina agencies to focus their limited resources where they can have the greatest impact. This analysis helps identify the species and locations most likely to have been severely affected, allowing agencies to prioritize on-the-ground assessments and recovery efforts where they are most needed.