The Lingering Impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina's Youth

Tue Oct 21 2025 01:31:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

One year after Hurricane Helene devastated homes in North Carolina, many children are still grappling with the aftermath. With thousands displaced, schools struggle to support students without stable housing.

Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina hard, leaving over 2,500 students homeless. A year later, children like 12-year-old Natalie Briggs still feel the storm's effects, struggling with anxiety and displacement. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by families in rural areas affected by natural disasters, as schools work to adapt to the needs of their students amidst housing instability.

SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) — A year after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in western North Carolina, many young lives remain disrupted. Twelve-year-old Natalie Briggs recently revisited the ruins of her home, where the memories of her old life collide with the harsh reality of loss.

As she walked through the remnants of her bedroom, she articulated her confusion and disbelief: This isn’t my house. During this time, Natalie stayed in her grandparents' basement, alongside thousands of other students who faced similar fates after the hurricane brought floods and landslides to the Appalachian region.

Many families in communities across the state have not returned home, with schools reopened but students struggling to learn and heal. Anxiety and isolation stem from the emotions connected to their displacement, evidenced by Natalie’s frequent panic attacks at school and her desire to avoid conversations about her lost home.

It is estimated that over 2,500 students are homeless due to the storm, with western North Carolina families grappling with a severe housing shortage. Teachers and staff work tirelessly to accommodate the needs of these students, but many families already faced challenges like food insecurity and low income before the disaster struck.

Bonnie Christine Goggins-Jones and her teenage grandchildren were forced out of their flooded rental home and experienced several unstable living situations before finally moving into a new apartment. Similarly, 11-year-old America Sanchez Chavez watched her family split apart in search of stable housing, sharing a hotel room with her mother while her brother stayed with friends.

Across the state, the housing crisis has been exacerbated by the storm's destruction, forcing many students into temporary arrangements that qualify them as homeless under federal definitions. For Natalie and her peers, the effects of Hurricane Helene serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by communities in the wake of increasingly frequent natural disasters.

As recovery continues in rural North Carolina, the emotional and educational needs of students remain a priority. Through collaboration with educators, community leaders, and organizations advocating for homeless students, there remains hope for restoration and resilience among affected families.