Natural disasters are unpredictable by design, but Hurricane Helene in September was especially devastating for the inland residents of North Carolina, where such severe weather is uncommon. As insurance professionals, it is crucial that we reflect on the implications of such disasters and strategize on how to better serve our clients in the wake of climate threats that work in seemingly mysterious and unexpected ways.
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Caught in the storm

Asheville, North Carolina, was formerly hailed as a climate haven with an ideal inland, mountain location that shielded residents from dangerous weather and coastal flooding. Prior to September, their perception of disaster risk was shaped by mild weather and infrequent storms, in contrast to their more disaster-prone neighbors along the coast. So, when North Carolinians found themselves faced with the remnants of a Category 4 hurricane for the first time in over 100 years, many were vulnerable to the severe wind and water that gripped the typically unaffected area. We need to move beyond past wisdom on natural disasters and incorporate the unpredictability and financial implications of such events into our recommendations as insurance professionals. Developing innovative strategies that consider both immediate aftermath and future risk will be essential in creating a wider safety net for our clients.