Hurricane Helene’s flooding has receded, yet health risks are increasing in affected areas of North Carolina, where many lack power and clean water. Contaminated floodwater can cause infectious diseases, especially for those who are ill or have open wounds.
Mold growth from floodwater poses additional health risks, while standing water raises exposure to mosquitoes that carry diseases like West Nile virus. Some cities saw such heavy damage that they could not have access to running water for weeks, like Asheville, North Carolina.
