Hurricane Helene could cause lasting problems for young students
- Helene devastated parts of the southeastern United States
- Hardest-hit areas unlikely to return to schooling soon
- Research shows disasters impact a child's ability to learn
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(NewsNation) — Hurricane Helene‘s violent sweep across America’s Southeast killed hundreds, knocked out power and indefinitely paused schooling for affected children.
Washed-away homes, waterlogged schools and witnessed trauma across the region could have a long-lasting impact on the emotional and educational development of the youngest victims of Helene, according to youth development experts.
A 2020 research paper pointed out that “natural disaster(s) present a significant and growing threat to the well-being of children,” citing a kid’s increased vulnerability to the exposure of tragedies like Helene.
That same research found that children who have experienced a disaster are more likely to have physical health problems, mental health symptoms, trouble learning and high rates of absenteeism.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the deadliest in U.S. history, an estimated 50,000 students didn’t return to school for the entirety of the school year, The New York Times reported.
Something similar could happen in the hardest-hit areas of Helene’s path, like Asheville, North Carolina, a mountain city that found itself isolated from the world for days after floodwaters destroyed all paths in and out.
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 02: An aerial view of flood damage along the French Broad River in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 2, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. President Joe Biden will take an aerial tour of the devastated region today and has ordered the deployment of 1,000 active duty U.S. soldiers to assist with storm relief efforts and reinforce the North Carolina National Guard. At least 160 people were killed in six states in the wake of the powerful hurricane which made landfall as a Category 4 storm. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) 
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 28: Residents of Asheville view damage to the Arts District after heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday night with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images) 
Flood damage is strewn across a road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) 
FILE – Debris is visible in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File) 
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 28: Heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday night with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges that killed at least 42 people in several states. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images) 
ASHEVILLE, USA – SEPTEMBER 30: A view of the damaged areas after hurricane Helene hits the Asheville along with the western part of North-Carolina in Asheville, United States on September 30, 2024. The death toll in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene climbed to 130 Monday night as rescue crews in the southeast US frantically continued their search for survivors. (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The waterlogged western half of North Carolina could see massive disruptions in returns to the classrooms, Cassandra R. Davis, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the Times.
And, when school restarts, many students won’t show up — both mentally and physically.
“Even when things may appear to be back to normal, they’re really not,” Davis said. “Even if cars are on the road and the Waffle House is open, the storm is still heavily within that student.”
NewsNation local affiliate WNCN reports that the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management has outlined funding requests to the tune of a $250 million “Hurricane Helene Fund.”
Among its requests are some aimed at rebuilding the state’s education system:
- $150 million for school building, equipment and technology losses
- $21.1 million in additional child care stabilization grants
- $16 million for school nutrition staff so they continue to be paid despite schools being closed
OSBM said a damage and needs assessment is still underway. The earliest draft of that report is not expected until late October, while the earliest full draft is not expected until mid-November.
