ASHEVILLE — Extreme weather anxiety continues to affect residents in Asheville, North Carolina, two years after the remnants of Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in the region. Mental health experts and local business owners say the psychological impacts of such disasters can linger long after floodwaters recede.
Kevin Westmoreland, co-owner of The Corner Kitchen in Asheville, recalled the storm’s devastation: "Everything was tossed around inside the building as if it was in a blender." The restaurant, originally built around 1895 by George Vanderbilt in Biltmore Village, has since reopened following major renovations and repairs. Westmoreland emphasized safety over property: "We try to look at it like it's just a business and equipment — as long as our employees are safe, those are the important things."
Health economists and psychologists say preparedness can mitigate both physical and mental health risks. "Preparation is always one of the most powerful tools that I can imagine — not just for safety, but also for mental health," said Ruben Juarez, a health economist at the University of Hawaii who directed the Maui Wildfires Exposure Study. That study found mental health effects spread throughout the community, even among people not directly in the burned areas.
Mental health experts recommend creating an evacuation plan, assembling an emergency kit, and gathering updates from trusted weather sources to foster a sense of control. Melissa Brymer, a psychologist and director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress, advises using the step-by-step family preparedness guide at ready.gov/plan. She also stresses including accommodations for people with disabilities, new or expectant mothers, and pets.
"Kids kind of register our panic, and then they’re going to panic if we’re starting to panic," Brymer said. "We don’t want them to start worrying for us." She recommended limiting disaster-related conversations to adult-only settings. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests sharing concerns with supportive individuals, engaging in positive activities like volunteering, and seeking professional help if anxiety persists for several weeks.