Hurricane Helene Exposes Flaws in Federal Flood Insurance Program - Asheville's Climate Refuge Status at Risk
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, western North Carolina residents are left to rebuild without federal flood insurance assistance. Only 1 in 200 single-family homes in the region are covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), leaving many without financial protection.
The federal program is designed to cover flood risks from rising seas and swelling rivers, not extreme rainfall like that brought by Helene. The storm dumped over 14 inches of rain in three days, causing mudslides and floods that devastated mountain communities.
Asheville, a city known for being a climate refuge, was not spared by Helene. Private insurance companies view the area as safe, resulting in lower rate hikes for mountain counties compared to coastal areas. However, the storm highlighted the vulnerability of all regions to climate impacts.
With climate change leading to more intense rainfall events, areas like western North Carolina face increased risks of flooding. Despite this, FEMA's flood insurance maps do not consider rain-induced flooding, leading to a mismatch between coverage and exposure.
In Appalachia, where rainfall is the biggest flooding threat, many properties are at risk without flood insurance requirements. First Street risk consultancy data shows that a significant percentage of properties in the most affected North Carolina counties face high flooding probabilities.
Overall, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene underscores the importance of understanding flood risks and securing adequate insurance coverage. As extreme weather events become more common, homeowners and businesses must be prepared to protect their finances and properties from natural disasters.