Why mountain towns and inland regions need to prepare more for hurricanes

The French Broad River winds through the mountains of western North Carolina, fed by dozens of mountain streams, and crosses the city of Asheville. At over 2,000 feet above sea level and more than 250 miles from the coast, it is an unlikely place to prepare for a hurricane. Yet, the remnants of several hurricanes have swept through this region over the years, sending rivers in the region raging out of their banks. Hurricane Helene could add to that history. With the huge storm on track to bring heavy rain to parts of North Carolina starting Sept. 26, 2024, Gov. Roy Cooper issued a state of emergency, warning of flash flooding, high winds and landslides, particularly in the western mountains. Storms like these can be extremely destructive. In September 2004, the remnants of Hurricanes Frances, Ivan and Jeanne all brought excessive rain to western North Carolina in the span of a few weeks, overwhelming the French Broad and other rivers in the Asheville area. A U.S. map of hurricane storm tracks since 1851 shows that the storms and their remnants often travel far inland. Yellows to reds reflect increasing hurricane strength. Green is tropical storm strength, and blue and gray are weaker but can still be damaging. [Chart: NOAA Climate.gov] Western North Carolina’s history is just one example of the inland risks from tropical cyclones. Vermont was caught off guard by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, which swept away hundreds of homes. The remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021 caused nearly US$84 billion in damage as its heavy rains caused flooding in states from Louisiana to New York. In 1998, Tropical Storm Charley traveled nearly 200 miles up the Rio Grande Valley, quickly flooding the dry Texas landscape, with devastating consequences. I am a historical geographer who researches flood hazards and how communities both exacerbate the risk and respond. Storms like these are a reminder to mountain communities and other inland regions across the U.S. that they also need to be ready for hurricane season. Tough lessons from North Carolina’s mountains Western North Carolina provides an important case study of a hurricane season risk that might seem rare but can be catastrophic. It also shows how some communities are starting to respond. In July 1916, the Asheville area was deluged by back-to-back tropical storms that tore apart river bridges and roads, washed away businesses and left large parts of the city under water. The first tropical storm made landfall in Mississippi and meandered into the Southern Appalachians. As it lingered over western North Carolina, 6 to 10 inches of rain fell in the mountains, running off into creeks and then into rivers, including the French Broad. Back-to-back tropical cyclones in 1916 left businesses in Asheville, N.C., surrounded by floodwater. [Photo: Steve Nicklas via NOAA] A week later, a second tropical storm moved ashore, this time in South Carolina and headed for the already saturated ground of the French Broad River basin. It dropped 12 to 15 inches near Brevard. Weather Bureau forecasters wrote that saturated soils allowed 80% to 90% of the new precipitation to run off the mountains into French Broad River tributaries. At Asheville, the river rose to 23.1 feet—a record more than five feet higher than any crest before or since. The water washed out bridges and damaged most businesses and industries on the floodplain. Dozens of people died in the flooding, and commerce was disrupted for weeks. The Santee River, which flows seaward from the Blue Ridge Mountains, destroyed some 700,000 acres of crops in South Carolina. The French Broad River in Asheville, North Carolina during the southeast floods of 1916. Remaining railroad span went out shortly after photo. [Photo: Steve Nicklas/NOAA] Responses to the 1916 storms weren’t enough After the storms, there was talk of replacing some devastated structures with flood-proof buildings. However, the importance of rail transport and the limited amount of land for commercial and industrial uses compelled reconstruction near the river. Congress approved a flood control study in 1930, but no structural protections were built. Revised building codes and land use restrictions to reduce flood impacts came much later. Then, in September 2004, the region was hit with back-to-back tropical storm disasters again. Hurricane Frances made landfall on Florida and eventually climbed the Blue Ridge Mountains into Western North Carolina. Remnants of the hurricane dumped 8 to 12 inches of rain near Asheville. Black Mountain received 14.6 inches, which flowed into a French Broad River tributary, triggering widespread flooding where the rivers meet. The torrent severed a water main and cut off drinking water to Asheville residents. Remnants from Hurricanes Frances and Ivan crossed the same region of North Carolina. [Chart: North Carolina Climate Office] Shortly after Frances hit, Hurricane Ivan roared a