In 2018, Hurricane Florence devastated coastal North Carolina, leaving Yvonne Pittaway’s home in Carteret County torn apart, and her missing it. After Hurricane Helene tore through North Carolina, residents faced more than just physical devastation, too—they grappled with the emotional aftermath. In this episode of Storm Stories, Brandon Romstadt of WNC Health Network shares how…
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After Hurricane Helene, the damage wasn’t just physical—it left an invisible scar on the mental health of survivors. Environmental epidemiologist Dr. Jen Runkle joins Storm Stories to explore how disasters like Helene disrupt communities long after the floodwaters recede. She shares insights from her research on the psychological aftermath of hurricanes, particularly among young people…
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In this episode of Storm Stories, we explore the complexities of disaster giving, from the impact of misinformation to the critical need for long-term recovery efforts. Through expert insights Stephanie Watkins-Cruz and of the North Carolina Housing Coalition and Tanya Gulliver-Garcia the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and we uncover the systemic challenges of funding rural…
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In this Storm Stories episode, pulled from the Shoresides’ archive, we revisit the resilience of Pender County, North Carolina, in the wake of Hurricane Florence—a story that resonates now, as flooding again affects communities across North Carolina. Disaster counselor Jennifer Witkowski shares how long-term recovery goes beyond immediate cleanup, demanding sustained volunteer efforts and deep…
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Welcome to Storm Stories, a Shoresides original podcast, where we explore the human experiences and science behind hurricanes in North Carolina. Host Rend Smith speaks with Imhotep Dlanod, a musician displaced by Hurricane Katrina who is now facing the impacts of storms and flooding in Asheville. Alongside Imhotep's reflections on resilience and culture, meteorologist Joe…
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What can I do now to prepare for a future hurricane? This month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an updated forecast of above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic, predicting between 14 and 21 named storms. In the face of a hurricane, and other weather events, preparation is your best defense. Here’s how you…
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Illicit drug users face unique challenges during disasters like Hurricane Florence and COVID-19. What happens when dealers leave town or shelter-in-place? How do overdose rates change? Find out on this week’s episode of Storm Stories. Support the show (https://shoresides.org/support/). Want to Help: Donate – To The Good Shepherd Center to fund housing assistance programs….
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When people living with HIV in coastal North Carolina talk about how they prepared for Hurricane Florence, their considerations are about the same as the average person – with exceptions. HIV-positive community members have to think about their medications – how they’ll get them and where they’ll store them. They have to think about access…
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In this episode, we explore how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting people who are still in recovery from Hurricane Florence. We also talk about how our experience with hurricanes in coastal North Carolina has prepared us to deal with the impacts of COVID-19 – and how it hasn’t. Storm Stories is a collection of stories…
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For the second episode of Storm Stories, we’re diving deep into the transactional sex industry during and after hurricanes. How does the market for transactional sex change when natural disasters hit, and how do sex workers deal with these changes? We talk to Katie, who tells us about the days leading up to and following…
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