Hurricane Helene Leaves Schools Closed, Students Displaced

Weeks after Hurricane Helene, many Southeast schools remain shut with no clear reopening date, affecting thousands of students' education and well-being.

Hurricane Helene has caused severe damage to homes, schools, and infrastructure, leaving over 22,000 students in Buncombe County, North Carolina, without access to education.
The disruption has been exacerbated by unreliable internet and cellphone service, hindering virtual learning options for affected students.
Educators express concerns about the long-term impact on students' mental health and academic performance due to prolonged school closures and trauma from the disaster.
Efforts to reopen schools face challenges, including lack of running water in most Buncombe schools, forcing officials to consider alternative solutions like portable bathrooms and drilling wells.
Community support initiatives, such as volunteering and emotional outreach, are helping families cope, but uncertainty about the future persists.