North Carolina’s Appalachian region is getting less federal aid in the wake of Helene. Here’s why

Despite the growing rainfall risks, FEMA does not consider the risk of rain-induced flooding when it draws up maps that show where people must buy flood insurance in order to qualify for a federally backed home loan.

As residents of western North Carolina piece together their lives following Hurricane Helene, few will be able to rely on federal flood insurance to help them rebuild.