Lori Hunter

Professor of Sociology, Director of the Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder

Flooding after Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans – here’s how families and neighbors can help

Hurricanes, tornadoes and other extreme weather do not distinguish between urban and rural boundaries. But when a disaster strikes, there are big differences in how well people are able to respond and recover – and older adults in rural areas are especially vulnerable.

July 9, 2025