We Went to Western North Carolina: The Devastation Will Shock You

We went to North Carolina to get residents’ side of the story after Hurricane Helene.
People told us that the systems designed to help people rebuild and recover are failing.
It’s a much bigger problem than we imagined — and it’s only going to get worse. One solution? Making fossil fuel companies cover some of these costs. NY Governor Kathy Hochul has until the end of the year to make it happen.

To donate to the people we met:

Other organizations doing recovery work:
-----
More Perfect Union’s mission is to build power for working people. Here’s what that means:

We report on the real struggles and challenges of the working class from a working-class perspective, and we attempt to connect those problems to potential solutions.

We report on the abuses and wrongdoing of corporate power, and we seek to hold accountable the ultra-rich who have too much power over America’s political and economic systems.

We're an independent, nonprofit newsroom. To support our work:

[jameshumphries]

Always plenty of money for war but never enough to help our own citizens. Disgraceful and pathetic.

[myhandlewastakenandIgaveup]

Private equity is just rubbing it's fingers together in anticipation of the windfall it will have.

[neshachristian-hendrickson]

I got two words Puerto Rico. 5 years out people still have tents for roofs. In the USVI and PR we were without water and power for over a year. 3000 people died. Their experience doesn’t surprise me in the least.

This has been our life experience.

I hope this helps all of us.

[GarethMonteiro-ulmj]

It's wild that people trust insurance companies more than government. Insurance companies in this country are built to make giant profits off of us, yet we do nothing to really regulate them. And whose names are on all the huge new stadiums and buildings as sponsors? Those insurance companies.

[oSupahMarioo]

Sadly, nothing will be done because human suffering is profitable.

[kradwonders]

The problem is we are a “me” country not a “we” country. The attitude is why should I pay taxes for somebody else’s problems, I’ll take care of myself. Therefore, governments are not willing to set aside enough money to really help when help is needed. May be it’s time for that to change? If we can spend billions on a bomber how about similar amounts on helping each other?

[Atimatimukti]

No surprise. The USA is a poor country. No money fot healthcare, education, etc.. your taxes have to help the poor billionaires

[antonleimbach]

This is America. We do not help each other we are here to keep the wealthy happy. Welfare is only for corporations, not people.

[RiiDii]

As a hypothetical thought experiment, I did the following analysis:

As of Q2 2024, the top 1% of wealth holders in the U.S. control about $46.7 trillion in assets. If 25% of their wealth were redistributed, this would amount to roughly $11.7 trillion.

The U.S. working-age population (ages 18 to retirement) is approximately 200 million. Dividing the $11.7 trillion evenly among them would provide each person with about $58, 500 over two years, or $29, 250 per year.

The remaining ~35 trillion would barely be a noticeable difference in wealth other than change "who is winning" the wealth game.

It seems killing people for profit, I mean, "letting people die, " is acceptable and legal capitalism.

We don't need conspiracy theories. Raw, unrestricted greed is a clear threat to society. There are no "dots to connect" or "educated guesses." Greed kills, period.

[momcatskyle]

After Katrina, you're really shocked as to how government and private insurance falls so far short than what is needed?

[DieselDucy]

you guys are some of the best journalists I have ever seen.

[MakaykayLAMB]

I’m sorry, hearing a BILLIONAIRE say he’s giving $750 in relief to homeowners who lost their houses is immoral. It’s so wrong on so many levels.

[gingerredshoes]

Many areas of Appalachia have been like "third world countries" for decades due to economic reasons. How can people recover when they had almost nothing already?

[TheCjbowman]

I remember researching the funding for Katrina recovery. It was like ten cents on thr dollar left after all the rapacious contractors got through with it. This is just capitalism, folks. It's what we want apparently. We vote like we love billionaires more than our neighbors. Especially in the South.

[dmi]

Did anyone ever really think insurance was a solution for global climate change?

[sarahelko]

The 1% will never pay their fair share unless we force them to this is why we need to get billionaires out of our politics

[angelsflight]

And what happens when billionaires stop bills that fund the government that included money for FEMA

[YvetteCarmen]

I hope we all know that it doesn't matter who is in the 'top job' because this is a systemic problem -- greed. We have allowed many of our economic sectors, to take advantage of the American people. It's disgusting and frightening for the future of our country. My husband and I will be retiring in the next two years in another country. We are absolutely worried that SSI will no longer be funded. we'll have to rely on his pension, a 403 (b) and a very prolific lnvestment account with Tracy Britt Cool Consulting my FA. Our national debt is bloating and expanding every month. Our government needs to get spending under control and cut the federal budget.

[robinlaszlo]

Why just the oil companies? Straight up we need to tax billionaires of all types.

[Akanisen]

Hi, North Carolinian here! FEMA is helping people far more than just the $750, that's just the minimum if you've been effected in any way. BUT FEMA is SUPER underfunded!!! Their total budget for the entire YEAR is $20bil, helene alone caused (you stated) $54bil in damages!!! They want to help, but literally don't have the funds! And Trump wants to defund FEMA more!!! 😡