Buncombe County Struggles for Recovery Amid Hurricane Helene’s Aftermath

Buncombe County Residents Face Tough Road to Recovery After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

As Buncombe County grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, residents are feeling the weight of a disaster that many never thought would hit their homes. From Asheville to Swannanoa, entire neighborhoods were submerged under unprecedented flooding, leaving families and business owners facing daunting decisions about how to rebuild their lives.

Limited Coverage for Flood Damage

One of the biggest surprises for many impacted residents is the lack of flood insurance. Before the storm hit, less than one percent of structures in Buncombe, including both homes and businesses, had flood insurance, according to an analysis. Most homeowners are under the assumption that their regular insurance policies would cover flooding, but that’s a common misconception. Law experts clarify that typical homeowners’ insurance won’t cover damage from water that seeps in from the ground or mud flows descending from hills. Flood-related losses have been excluded from homeowners’ policies for decades.

“People thought it wouldn’t happen to them,” says Donald T. Hornstein, a professor of law at the University of North Carolina. His observation cuts deep, especially as communities come to terms with the extensive damage the storm has wrought. That’s a staggering reality for many homeowners who are now left with very few options for financial recovery.

The Financial Fallout

After Hurricane Helene’s assault, rebuilding costs are expected to soar, especially given that the maximum assistance offered by FEMA for uninsured losses is just $45,000. For those like Connie Sandford, who have lost almost everything, this amount pales in comparison to what is needed to rebuild.

“I just got a push broom and opened the back door and kept pushing water out,” Connie shares, recalling the night when the floodwaters invaded her home. “Within one night, nearly all of it was gone. It’s like you’re in shock.” With over 23 years spent in her home, the emotional impact is devastating. Living without flood insurance, Connie is now left wondering how to move forward. “What am I going to do with this property? It’s going to cost me a lot of money,” she muses.

Unfortunately, many homeowners like Connie didn’t think they needed flood insurance, especially if they weren’t in an officially designated high-risk flood zone. Yet Hornstein warns that FEMA’s flood zone maps are often inaccurate and do not adequately reflect the true risk. Even Asheville, which is nestled in the mountains rather than a coastal area, has seen significant flood damage.

The Broader Issue

This isn’t just a localized issue either. The lack of flood insurance coverage is something seen nationally. FEMA is urging all homeowners to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, even if they don’t live in high-risk areas. “We recommend that everybody take the necessary steps to protect themselves from these types of unexpected disasters,” says FEMA spokesman Darrell Habisch.

Next Steps for Residents

Despite the grim financial outlook for many residents, not all hope is lost. Citizens can apply for FEMA’s Individual Disaster Assistance program, which aims to help individuals cover immediate needs. Yet, upcoming repairs or rebuilds may still weigh heavily on their already strained finances. The typical assistance won’t match the full losses incurred from flooding.

For homeowners, Hornstein emphasizes, “You can get thousands of dollars from that [FEMA assistance], but that’s not going to cover… the full losses that people face.” Every homeowner needs to think about their options carefully, and many are still in shock from this sudden event.

Moving Forward

Residents like Connie Sandford and many others now find themselves at a crossroads. The road to recovery will involve a lot of tough choices, from whether to rebuild in the same area to how to finance those efforts. As the community continues to heal from the flooding, it becomes increasingly clear that conversations surrounding flood insurance need to be had openly to better prepare homeowners for any future disasters.

If you’re a resident affected by Hurricane Helene, remember you can seek assistance through FEMA by visiting their website or calling their hotline. Let’s all band together as a community, share knowledge, and support one another during this challenging time.