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Community, Health, and Family

Community-Based Disaster Response and Recovery: Utopia or Reality? A Case Study of a Rural Community in North Carolina Siti Kusujiarti*, Siti Kusujiarti,

At the end of September 2024, Hurricane Helene struck, causing significant damage and fatalities across the southeastern US. The disaster resulted in a death toll of at least 250 and is among the costliest Atlantic hurricanes on record. On September 27, Helene moved into Western North Carolina, causing significant damage in the mountainous region. The steep terrain, combined with the storm’s massive rainfall and strong winds, led to catastrophic flooding, downed trees, and landslides. Swannanoa, a semi-rural community between Asheville and Black Mountain, was greatly affected by the storm. The destruction of lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods changed the previously known climate-haven into a ground zero of a climate disaster.

Although Helene was among the costliest hurricanes, by January 2026, federal funding had covered only 12% of the total damage, far less than for other major storms. Despite limited support and funding from the federal government and other formal sources, Swannanoa community members have established local grassroots movements to fill the gap left by formal institutions. Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance (SGA) is a community-based disaster response and recovery initiative that has been active since Helene and provides a democratic space without formal structure or hierarchy, where members work together to support one another and bridge the gap between formal bureaucratic organizations and local community members. This presentation presents findings from a multi-method research project on the Swannanoa community, focusing on the roles of SGA during the recovery process. Utilizing interviews, storytelling, and photovoice, this paper demonstrates the pivotal roles of SGA in filling the gap left by government agencies and the challenges it faces after over a year of performing multiple roles supporting the local community. The pressures and expectations of maintaining the cohesiveness of the semi-formal organization, the urgency of continually providing support for the community, and the emotional, economic, and political implications of the work are among the main themes addressed in the presentation. This case study illustrates the importance of community-based organizations in creating a sustainable, just, and equitable disaster recovery.