Rural-Urban Disparities in Helene’s Disaster Assistance in Western North Carolina

Hurricane Helene’s September 2024 flooding in Western North Carolina (WNC)—the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina—caused unprecedented damage in WNC. This study examines spatial inequities in the impact and distribution of aid following Hurricane Helene across Western North Carolina. Results revealed significant disparities between rural and urban communities, with rural areas receiving less FEMA assistance despite having a higher proportion of populations at risk (e.g., more elderly and young residents, higher unoccupied housing rates, and greater dependency on social security benefits). In addition, spatial analysis identified northern WNC counties with high application rates corresponding with higher rainfall amounts. Southwestern WNC counties received disproportionately low assistance despite higher at-risk populations. These findings highlight how disaster assistance frameworks may perpetuate existing inequities. We propose policy recommendations for more equitable disaster responses that address the unique challenges faced by geographically isolated, rural mountain communities.

Recommended citation: Sugg, M., Blackburn, C., Ryan, S., Cardwell, J., Gohlke, J., & Runkle, J. (2025). Rural-Urban Disparities in Helene’s Disaster Assistance in Western North Carolina. Journal of the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness. Retrieved from https://jihhs.pubpub.org/pub/t94hm77m