Hurricane Helene Exposes Widespread Lack of Flood Insurance

Hurricane Helene has highlighted a significant lack of flood insurance among homeowners in the Southeastern U.S., with fewer than 2% of residences in the hardest-hit counties covered. In North Carolina, less than 1% of affected areas had flood insurance, and in South Carolina, the figure was as low as 0.3%. Many residents, like Kayla Ward, faced severe damage to their homes without coverage, leading to devastating financial losses and reliance on inadequate federal assistance programs. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, which provides the majority of flood insurance, has come under scrutiny for its outdated policies and rising costs, discouraging enrollment. With only about 4% of homeowners nationwide having flood insurance, experts warn that those affected by Helene may struggle to recover financially, exacerbating economic disparities. The situation has raised urgent questions about the need for better insurance education and accessible coverage options for vulnerable communities.