Destroyed home

Health care disrupted as Hurricane Helene strains rural North Carolina

Hurricane Helene has severely impacted western North Carolina, where storm damage has left vulnerable rural communities struggling to access essential health care amid widespread closures and infrastructure loss.

Emily Cochrane reports for The New York Times.


In short:

  • In storm-hit areas of North Carolina, damaged infrastructure has cut off access to hospitals, clean water, and regular medical services, leaving many residents with unmet health needs.
  • Volunteers, including doctors and nurses, have set up temporary clinics and are making home visits to provide essential care to those unable to travel.
  • Officials are concerned about long-term health impacts, as residents face injury risks during cleanup, mental health strains from loss, and challenges in accessing medications.

Key quote:

“True health care access moves at the speed of trust; it’s just going to be a long haul.”

— Kody H. Kinsley, North Carolina secretary of health and human services

Why this matters:

In rural, underserved regions like western North Carolina, natural disasters can devastate fragile health systems, compounding pre-existing disparities. As residents struggle to regain stable access to medical care, the region may face an extended health crisis driven by physical and psychological fallout from the storm.

Related EHN coverage:

COP29 climate

Global leaders confront financial aid, methane regulation and US climate stance at COP29

World leaders and climate advocates gather in Baku for COP29, focusing on setting climate finance goals, energy transitions and countering the effects of the U.S.'s shifting commitments under Trump.

Jake Bittle reports for Grist.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Break Free from Fossil Fuels sign

COP29 leader criticized for discussing fossil fuel deals in secret meeting

In a secret recording, the head of COP29’s Azerbaijani team, Elnur Soltanov, appears to promote fossil fuel deals in exchange for sponsorship, raising ethical concerns about the impartiality of climate negotiations.

Justin Rowlatt reports for BBC.

Keep reading...Show less
US EPA building

Trump's plans may shrink EPA workforce, curbing Biden-era growth

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for office, his administration is expected to pursue measures to significantly reduce the Environmental Protection Agency's workforce, reversing gains made under President Biden.

Kevin Bogardus reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
US White House

Trump administration plans rapid reversal of Biden climate policies

President-elect Donald Trump’s team intends to dismantle Biden-era environmental rules, easing restrictions on fossil fuel production and revisiting climate and pollution regulations, a shift that could take years to fully implement.

Alejandra Martinez and Carlos Nogueras Ramos report for The Texas Tribune.

Keep reading...Show less
Elon Musk

Musk may push Trump on climate issues amid their alliance

As Elon Musk grows closer to Donald Trump, questions arise about whether Musk’s pro-environment stance could sway Trump’s administration on climate policies.

Brad Plumer reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
electric lines

GOP gains in utility elections may slow state clean energy initiatives

GOP candidates lead key utility commission races in Arizona, Montana and Louisiana, potentially favoring fossil fuels over renewables as energy demand rises.

Gautama Mehta reports for Grist.

Keep reading...Show less
drilling rig with sunset behind it

Texas agency’s outdated name fuels confusion over its role in oil regulation

The Railroad Commission of Texas, which no longer manages railroads, oversees the state’s massive oil and gas industry, raising transparency concerns as the misleading name remains despite multiple reform attempts.

Elliott Woods reports for Capital & Main.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Donald Trump

Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment.

His first term and recent campaigns signal massive deregulation and a reshaping of agencies.

Donald Trump (left) and Kamala Harris (right) on a split screen

2024 election: Two radically different visions for environment, health

Americans’ choice will have immediate and lasting effects on our planet. Here’s how.

Residents from Pennsylvania's Mon Valley region listen to local and national candidates speak about environmental issues

Pennsylvania voters press local, national candidates on fracking just days before election

Environmental justice communities near fracking want more answers — less political football.

U.S. Steel Pennsylvania pollution

Coal-based steelmaking in Pennsylvania causes up to 92 premature deaths and $1.4 billion in health costs every year: Report

Just three facilities near Pittsburgh cost the state $16 million in lost economic activity annually, according to a new report.

COP16 UN biodiversity

Pollution is one of the top drivers of biodiversity loss. Why is no one talking about it at COP16?

“Chemicals are really at the center of this triple planetary crisis of pollution, biodiversity and climate change.”

COP16 UN biodiversity

La contaminación es una de las principales amenazas de la biodiversidad. ¿Por qué nadie habla de ella en la COP16?

“Las sustancias químicas están realmente en el centro de esta triple crisis planetaria de contaminación, biodiversidad y cambio climático”.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.