North Carolina Forest Service Releases Hurricane Helene Damage Estimates

North Carolina Forest Service personnel posted on social media on November 1st that they have completed an aerial forestland damage assessment following Hurricane Helene, and the damage is extensive, ABC News 4 reported (11-4-24).

The Forest Service reports that an estimated 822,000 acres of timberland were damaged during the storm, which resulted in an estimated loss of $214 million.

Damage distribution between land ownership was estimated to be as follows:

• 78% private (private individuals, corporations, and other ownerships)
• 21% public (US Forest Service and other public ownerships)
• 1% reserved lands (reserved areas such as park lands)

The heaviest damage was confined to six counties, with Buncombe and McDowell counties being at the center of this area, the Forest Service said.