Photo: Tim Pennington (Low Water Bridge in Fries, VA destroyed by Hurricane Helene)

Plus with NFIP Expired, Millions Face Uncertainty as Congress Debates the Future of Flood Insurance

Welcome back to This Week in Disasters! This newsletter combines expert perspectives with a weekly roundup of upcoming threats, recent natural disasters, and available survivor assistance. If you’re an HR, Risk, Employee Assistance, or Emergency Management professional (or you’re just really curious about disasters in the United States!) you’re in the right place.

Remembering Helene One Year Later

September 2025 marks one year since Hurricane Helene swept through the Appalachians, leaving deep scars on western North Carolina and surrounding regions. It was the most devastating hurricane to strike the mountains in modern history, with 250 lives lost and more than $78 billion in damage.

What Happened

• Record rainfall: Some areas saw up to 30 inches of rain in just days, triggering catastrophic flooding.

• Landslides: Over 2,000 landslides were recorded, cutting off communities, damaging homes, and wiping out roads.

• Critical infrastructure: Sections of I-40 washed out, a regional hospital was flooded, and nearly 200 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway remain under restoration today.

Where Recovery Stands

• Community rebuilding: Volunteers and mutual aid networks filled immediate gaps, providing supplies and manpower where access was impossible for emergency responders.

• Tourism returns: Asheville and other mountain towns are open for business, welcoming visitors back as a vital step toward economic recovery in the area.

• Infrastructure repairs: Major highways and utilities are restored, but some rural areas still face limited access for emergency vehicles.

Lessons and Next Steps

Helene underscored how disaster risks in mountain regions are often underestimated. Key takeaways:

• Mountain flooding rivals coastal surge: Flash floods and landslides in steep terrain can be just as deadly.

• Preparedness must adapt: Standard maps and plans often miss landslide risk, pushing communities to rethink evacuation and warning systems.

• Local networks matter most: Volunteers and neighbors were first responders; strengthening these ties is critical.

Recovery is uneven but moving forward. Survivors are rebuilding with greater awareness, and communities are pressing for more resilient infrastructure. The anniversary is both a marker of progress and a reminder that true recovery takes years—and that preparedness must keep evolving.

Major Disasters of the Last Week

Photo: San Bernardino County Fire (SBCoFD) Official Twitter/X Account

Forecasted Risks for Next Week

Tropical Storm Humberto and Hurricane Imelda to increase risk of heavy precipitation along the coastal Southeast and adjacent states.

Rapid Onset Drought (ROD) risk in parts of Texas and Louisiana.

Stricter FEMA Rules Stall Relief as Communities Rebuild Alone

In the aftermath of May’s powerful tornado in St. Louis, which caused ~$1.6 billion in damage and killed five, recovery has stalled under newly tightened FEMA approval rules. Staff shortages and stricter contract and grant processes have led to delays in federal support.

As a result, local leaders and residents are shouldering much of the recovery themselves. With winter approaching, many survivors remain in damaged homes while awaiting aid. A recent policy shift has at least granted survivors stronger rights to pause mortgage payments during rebuilding. Read full article here.

Disasters in the Headlines

Earthquake death toll rises to 72 in the Philippines as survivors recall moment when tragedy struck

AP

'Widespread' breach let hackers steal employee data from FEMA and CBP

Nextgov/FCW

Moody’s estimates $6tn in US GDP losses from climate and natural disaster risks by 2050

Reinsurance News

PRO PERSPECTIVE

When the National Flood Insurance Program Lapses

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expired at midnight on September 30, 2025, creating uncertainty for millions of households and businesses in flood-prone areas. While Congress often extends the program, each lapse underscores how fragile our disaster safety nets can be.

Why it matters:

• Disrupted Coverage: Without NFIP authority, new flood policies cannot be issued, leaving homebuyers and businesses exposed.

• Delayed Claims: Policy renewals may be held up, complicating recovery for survivors of recent floods.

• Financial Strain: Many private insurers rely on NFIP as a backstop. Gaps in the program shift more risk to families and local governments.

• Community Vulnerability: Roughly 40% of flood claims historically come from outside high-risk zones, meaning many who think they are safe are actually exposed.

  
  

The takeaway: Flood risk doesn’t pause when Washington does. Lapses in NFIP highlight the importance of both personal preparedness and private sector resilience planning.

Active Federal Major Disasters

There is usually a 60 day window to apply for help after a disaster is declared.  The following disasters are still actively taking applications from survivors for financial support.

The following disasters are actively taking applications from survivors for financial support. To apply, survivors can visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800‑621‑3362.

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