When Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, N.C., last fall, causing extensive damage and flooding, many residents were taken by surprise. Nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains, 300 miles west of the Atlantic coast, Asheville wasn’t thought of as an area prone to hurricanes and flooding, and fewer than 1% of homeowners in the area had flood insurance.
As severe weather becomes increasingly common in unexpected places, people across the country need to take different steps to protect their homes and finances from natural disasters.
