SWANNANOA, N.C. (RTWNews) — A year after Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina's Appalachian region, the scars of the tempest linger for many families. 12-year-old Natalie Briggs recently returned to the remains of her home, which was left in ruins by the storm’s floods and winds. To navigate the wreckage and revisit her bedroom, she had to balance precariously on a wooden beam, realizing, ‘This isn’t my house.’
The emotional toll has been profound. Natalie, who has been staying with her grandparents, experiences anxiety about the future, including panic attacks triggered by thoughts of her damaged home. Thousands of students across western North Carolina face similar challenges; more than 2,500 children remain officially homeless due to the storm, according to state data.
Although the storm's physical debris is mostly cleared away, the psychological effects remain, especially for school-aged children. Schools in the area reopened long before many families could return to their homes, leaving students struggling to adapt. The disruption caused by Helene underscores a broader trend of increasing natural disasters affecting communities across the United States.
As recovery efforts continue, families in northwestern North Carolina, many already facing financial hardships, find their situations exacerbated by the persistent challenges of finding stable housing. Bonnie Christine Goggins-Jones and her grandchildren, for instance, faced months of instability after losing their rental home, moving from motels to campers before finally securing an apartment. Meanwhile, America Sanchez Chavez, 11, had to separate from her family as they sought shelter in different places.
The impact on education is evident; students are often left without a stable environment to focus on their studies. In some regions, like Yancey County, homelessness among students skyrocketed, significantly increasing the number of children in temporary living situations due to Helene. Some students even enrolled in different schools, while others never returned home.
The ripple effects of Helene extend far beyond the immediate aftermath, disrupting the learning experiences of countless children. Districts have struggled to obtain federal funding under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to support these students, resulting in many missing the aid they desperately need.
For those like Gwendolyn Bode, a university student displaced by the storm, coping with housing instability while trying to balance academics and work has been overwhelming. The psychological toll is evident as some children like Natalie Richards express deeper affections toward their loved ones, highlighting how traumatic experiences can also foster resilience and emotional growth.
As North Carolina's communities continue to rebuild and adapt post-Hurricane Helene, the psychological impacts on children and youth emphasize the urgent need for increased support in recovery efforts and mental wellness resources.
