Hurricane Helene Spurs Yellowjacket Swarms in North Carolina

Severe flooding from the storm has disturbed nests, leading to increased stings and a surge in demand for allergy medications.

Hurricane Helene's flooding in North Carolina has disrupted underground nests of yellowjackets, causing swarms and increased stings.
State health officials are distributing Benadryl and EpiPens to manage the rise in insect sting incidents.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is ensuring that allergy medications are available without prescriptions.
Direct Relief and other aid organizations have sent over 2,000 EpiPens to affected areas to support recovery efforts.
Yellowjackets and other bees are more defensive in the fall, and the hurricane has exacerbated their aggressive behavior.