In brief
A year after Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding and destruction to North Carolina, many students are still struggling to overcome the challenges of homelessness and disrupted education. With over 2,500 students identified as homeless in the region, the impact of the storm is a poignant reminder of the long-term effects of natural disasters on communities, especially in rural areas facing socioeconomic hurdles.
SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) — When 12-year-old Natalie Briggs visited the ruins of her home after Hurricane Helene, she had to tightrope across a wooden beam to reach what was once her bedroom. Knots of electrical wires were draped inside the skeleton of the house. Months after the storm, light filtered through breaks in the tarps over the windows. All I could think of was, ‘This isn’t my house,’ said Natalie, who had been staying in her grandparents’ basement.At school, Natalie sometimes had panic attacks when she thought of her ruined home in Swannanoa. Thousands of students across western North Carolina lost their homes a year ago when Helene hit with some of the most vicious floods, landslides, and winds ever seen in the state’s Appalachian region. More than 2,500 students were identified as homeless as a direct result of Helene, according to state data.While storm debris has mostly cleared away, the impact of displacement lingers for the region’s children. Schools reopened well before many students returned to their homes, leading to ongoing challenges in their learning and well-being. The phenomenon of natural disasters disrupting communities is becoming increasingly common across the U.S.Recovery from Helene has been particularly acute in the North Carolina mountains. Many families in rural, low-income areas already face challenges such as food insecurity, making recovery from the storm seem like an impossible task. As Bonnie Christine Goggins-Jones shared, her family was forced to leave behind nearly all their belongings and faced significant struggles while finding a stable home.The long-term effects of Hurricane Helene reveal a stark reality: housing instability and displacement can severely impact students’ education and mental health. As many seek temporary arrangements, the number of homeless students in the region has surged, raising concerns about their academic and social development. Amid support from programs like the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, many school districts still face limitations and challenges. Displaced families like that of America Sanchez Chavez and others remain in precarious situations, forcing them to navigate the complexities of schooling while coping with their loss.Overall, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by many communities in the wake of natural disasters. Only with continued attention and resources can we hope to address the educational and emotional repercussions on the youth affected by such tragedies.
