Storm Stories of North Carolina

North Carolina has a long history of sea narratives: chapbooks that chronicled brave captains, daring crews, and the adventures and mishaps that befell them on the open water. In this episode of Storm Stories, we continue that tradition by talking with Captain John Mallete about one of his most harrowing experiences: sailing through the 2003 storm where he was suddenly struck by lightning.

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Inclement weather exposes our transportation options—and where we most need to go. In the case of Wilmington, NC, as winter storm Gianna hit, data showed residents used the Lyft ride-share app to meet some of their most critical emergency needs.

In this episode, Shoresides talks with Sarah Conlisk of Lyft about the data and how snow in the Carolinas brought first-time riders, trips to grocery stores and healthcare destinations and higher driver tips, along with other moments of community connectivity.

Learn about this work and about the Coastal Journalism Hub at http://www.coastaljournalism.org

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After a massive earthquake off Russia triggered a Pacific tsunami, questions arose closer to home: could it happen here? In this episode, Shoresides speaks with Stephen Pfaff, meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service’s Wilmington office, about the science of tsunamis, the likelihood of one reaching Coastal North Carolina, and how preparedness efforts—from early warnings to public education—could make the difference when seconds count.

Links:

8.8 magnitude earthquake latest: Volcano erupts in Russia, tsunami waves reach California

https://abcnews.go.com/US/tsunami-watch-issued-hawaii-after-80-magnitude-earthquake/story?id=124190121

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According to research conducted by Shoresides, the National Weather Service Office  in Wilmington, North Carolina, which played a pivotal role in predicting and tracking Hurricane Florence in 2018, may now be understaffed. In this episode of Storm Stories, we hear from the meteorologist at Joe Zambon about the 2025 hurricane season and the challenges of forecasting the next  N.C. storm under new federal budget cuts. 

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This is the story of a beach storm no one saw coming—and the lessons we can’t afford to forget. In this episode of Storm Stories, Mayor Lynn Barbie of Carolina Beach helps us look back at the intense rainfall that hit Carolina Beach last year—a slow-motion disaster with no howling winds, no storm surge, just rising water and a community left to pick up the pieces. As the media focused on the devastating impacts of Helene and Milton, this storm and how it affected coastal North Carolina was easy to miss, as well as what happened after.

Three steps we can take to build resilience and foster community collaboration:

1. Advocate for Improved Stormwater Management

• Residents can attend town hall meetings and voice support for investments in stormwater infrastructure, including upgrading drainage systems, retention ponds, and permeable surfaces.

• Encourage local officials to apply for state and federal grants focused on flood mitigation.

2. Promote Community Flood Preparedness

• Form or join a local resilience task force to develop neighborhood-based flood preparedness plans.

• Organize workshops with local meteorologists and emergency managers to educate residents on flood insurance, evacuation procedures, and emergency supply kits.

3. Support Sustainable Land Use Policies

• Advocate for responsible zoning laws that limit development in low-lying, flood-prone areas.

• Encourage nature-based solutions like restoring wetlands, increasing green spaces, and maintaining coastal vegetation to absorb excess water.

• Partner with environmental organizations to monitor and maintain stormwater management systems.

Taking these steps would not only build resilience within the community but also foster collaboration between residents, policymakers, and environmental experts

Photographer: Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg via Getty Images

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After a hurricane upends everything, the void left behind—solastalgia—can be as destabilizing as the storm itself. In this episode of Storm Stories, we hear from Angie Bailey of North Carolina’s Broadband Infrastructure Office on efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring communities aren’t cut off when they need connectivity the most. And in Utica, Mississippi, Carlton Turner reflects on bringing internet access to his town while grappling with the social and political costs of digital expansion.

How to Evaluate Broadband Access in Your Community: A 10-Step Guide for Local Leaders

Access to reliable and affordable broadband is essential for education, work, healthcare, and economic growth. Yet, many communities still struggle with slow speeds, high costs, and service gaps. If you’re a community leader looking to assess broadband access in your area, here’s how you can take action.

1. Start with a Listening Tour

Talk to residents, schools, businesses, and healthcare providers about their internet experience. Are there dead zones? Is service too expensive? Does it support remote work and learning? Gather real stories to guide your efforts.

2. Run a Community Speed Test Campaign

Encourage residents to test their internet speeds using tools like the FCC’s Speed Test app or Measurement Lab. This will help you compare actual performance against what providers advertise.

3. Identify Areas Without Service

Map out which neighborhoods have little or no broadband access. This may include rural areas, low-income neighborhoods, or places where providers claim to offer service but don’t.

4. Survey Households and Businesses

Create a simple online and paper survey asking residents about their internet provider, cost, reliability, and whether they feel their needs are being met. Schools and libraries can help distribute surveys.

5. Check Internet Affordability

Investigate broadband prices in your area and whether residents can afford them. See if people qualify for federal programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) but aren’t using them.

6. Meet with Internet Providers

Set up meetings with local broadband providers to discuss coverage gaps, speed concerns, and future expansion plans. Ask about any upcoming infrastructure upgrades or partnerships they might be open to.

7. Look for Funding Opportunities

Many state and federal grants exist to expand broadband access, such as the BEAD Program (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment). Work with local government or nonprofits to explore funding options.

8. Build a Coalition for Change

Bring together schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, and local government to advocate for better broadband. Strong partnerships can drive real improvements.

9. Push for Policy Changes

If outdated regulations or monopoly control are blocking better service, work with elected officials to explore policy solutions, such as municipal broadband or open-access networks.

10. Keep the Pressure On

Broadband expansion takes time. Keep tracking progress, sharing updates with your community, and holding providers and policymakers accountable until real improvements happen.

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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 and pregnant women.

10 Essential Tips for Children Coping with Storm Trauma

1. Share Your Feelings: Speak with a trusted adult about what you’re experiencing.
2. Maintain a Routine: A regular schedule can bring a sense of normalcy.
3. Express Yourself Creatively: Use drawing, writing, or music to show your emotions.
4. Practice Relaxation: Simple deep-breathing exercises can help ease stress.
5. Stay Active: Gentle physical activity can improve your mood.
6. Connect with Loved Ones: Spend time with family and friends who care for you.
7. Create a Safe Space: Arrange a small area at home where you feel secure.
8. Play as a Way to Heal: Enjoy playtime as it naturally helps process feelings.
9. Ask for Support: Reach out to teachers, counselors, or trusted adults when needed.
10. Be Patient: Understand that healing takes time and it’s okay to feel upset.

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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 public health communicators crafted trauma-informed messaging to support storm survivors, while environmental epidemiologist Jen Runkle starts to talk about the intersection of disaster, sadness and fear that emerged after Hurricane Florence.

Trauma-Informed Communication: 10 Essential Tips for Nonprofits

Educate Your Team: Ensure all staff understand trauma and its effects.

Empathic Language: Use language that validates feelings and experiences.

Clarity is Key: Provide clear, consistent, and accessible information.

Engage Community Voices: Involve survivors in shaping messaging.

Prioritize Safety: Create messaging that avoids triggering traumatic memories.

Focus on Strengths: Emphasize resilience and available support.

Tailor Communication: Adapt messages for diverse audiences and needs.

Use Multiple Channels: Distribute information via trusted platforms.

Foster Trust: Maintain transparency about recovery efforts.

Review and Adapt: Regularly assess and update communication strategies.

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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 and invisible disasters, the power of media-driven donations, and the importance of rethinking how we respond to extreme weather events like Hurricane Helene.  To create this story we read and listened to quite a bit of the work done by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.  Below is a summary of our notes.

10 Lessons Inspired by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Disaster recovery demands more than immediate relief. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) has shown how intentional funding and planning can strengthen communities. Here are ten takeaways inspired by their work:

1. Invest in Long-Term Recovery
   Emergency response is just the start. True recovery happens in the years that follow when rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and trust.
2. Support Underserved Communities
   Disasters often hit marginalized populations hardest. Prioritizing equity ensures no one is left behind.
3. Empower Local Leadership
   Local leaders know their communities best. Trust them to identify and implement solutions.
4. Fund Holistically
   From mental health services to economic development, effective disaster philanthropy addresses the full spectrum of needs.
5. Prepare for Future Risks
   Proactive investments in preparedness and mitigation save lives and resources when disaster strikes.
6. Focus on Resilience
   Help communities become stronger and more adaptable, reducing vulnerabilities to future crises.
7. Partner Across Sectors
   Collaboration among nonprofits, governments, and businesses ensures a coordinated response and recovery.
8. Center Lived Experience
   The voices of those directly impacted by disasters should inform every stage of the recovery process.
9. Adapt Funding Models
   Flexible, multi-year funding allows organizations to respond effectively to evolving needs.
10. Learn and Share
    Every disaster provides lessons. Sharing knowledge strengthens the global response to future challenges.

By applying these principles, inspired by the CDP, we can create a more compassionate and effective approach to disaster philanthropy—one that not only responds but rebuilds stronger communities. https://disasterphilanthropy.org/

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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 emotional resilience. Jennifer discusses the vital, yet daunting, work of demucking and rebuilding—efforts that continue years after the storm has passed. Hosted and produced by Laura Bratton, this episode captures the reality of ongoing recovery in a rural place.

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