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The History And Legacy Of Hurricane Helene

Aug 20, 2026 · 28m

Summary

Host Jen White discusses the two-year recovery from Hurricane Helene with reporter Corey Valancourt and author Andrew Aydin. They examine the massive infrastructure damage, federal aid delays, and the spread of misinformation that hindered relief efforts. Aydin highlights his graphic novel anthology, which preserves survivors' stories and emphasizes the community resilience and mutual aid that emerged during the crisis.

Topics discussed

Intro: Trump crime claims, Helene recovery preview, and NPR promos Guests introduce themselves and detail the massive scale of Helene's damage Andrew Aydin on isolation and listener stories about FEMA struggles Corey Valancourt explains federal aid delays and state budget limitations Andrew Aydin on combating misinformation with a people's history graphic novel Survivor stories, social media manipulation, and the danger of lost lessons Discussions on building resilience, infrastructure, and community unity post-storm Processing trauma through art, community events, and Appalachian culture Generational ties to the land, long-term recovery outlook, and closing
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