Climate and Health in Western NC
74% of adults in WNC believe that climate is “Very/Somewhat Connected” to health risks (WNCHN, 2024).
Climate change is bringing increased temperatures, wildfires, drought, poor air quality, extreme precipitation events, and flooding to Western North Carolina (Kunkel et. al., 2020).
These hazards will prompt negative impacts on health outcomes, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health outcomes. People with social and structural vulnerabilities, as well as people with existing medical conditions, are more susceptible to these negative health impacts (EPA, 2025).
Extreme Precipitation and Flooding
Source: First Street Foundation
Flooding is a leading cause of death amongst weather-related hazards, and negative health effects can persist long after floodwaters recede (CDC 2025). The figure above shows the flood risk in North Carolina at the ZCTA level using data from FIRMs, USGS DEMs, NOAA, and NHD.
Landslide Susceptibility
Source: NC Resilience Exchange, 2024
Landslide susceptibility is moderate or high across the WNC region. 2,217 landslides occurred in WNC in the September 2024 aftermath of Hurricane Helene (Allstadt et. al., 2025).
Hurricane Helene Precipitation Summary and Total Rainfall
Source: NOAA
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene brought extreme precipitation and historic flooding to WNC, with 4 day rainfall accumulation (in inches) shown above. 87 storm-related fatalities occurred in WNC counties (NCDHHS, 2024 ).
Wildfire Frequency
Source: NC Resilience Exchange, 2024
Wildfire poses a substantial risk across the WNC region. Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke can cause negative health outcomes, especially for people with existing cardiovascular or respiratory conditions (CDC, 2025).
Yearly Number of Wildfire Events and Acres Burned
Source: National Interagency Fire Center
Between January and May of 2025, 41 wildfires occurred in North Carolina. Wildfire smoke can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions and can cause premature death (NIDIS, 2024).
Wildfire Risk
Damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused extreme wildfire risk across WNC (Southern Fire Exchange, 2025).
Number of Heatwaves and Extreme Heat Days
Source: NOAA
Heatwave events across WNC have increased in recent decades. During heat waves, morbidity and mortality rates rise, especially on days with poor air quality (Xu et. al., 2023).
Extreme Heat
Source: NC Resilience Exchange, 2024
Urban heat islands exist across WNC. High temperatures can especially negatively impact the health of vulnerable populations, including elderly people, outdoor workers, and people with existing health conditions (CDC, 2025).
What’s the Regional Story Behind the Numbers?
What is Helping
Awareness of emergency response processes
Emergency response and emergency medicine personnel
Strong interpersonal networks of support
Access to affordable and safe housing
What is Hurting
Limited affordability of heating and cooling systems
Vulnerability to flooding and transportation blockages
Limited availability and affordability of safe housing
Gaps in knowledge about emergency readiness and response
Low incomes and poverty
Political resistance to policies that protect the environment
Who is Most Impacted
People living in low wealth communities which have been marginalized
People living on low incomes
People experiencing housing insecurity
Children
Specific neighborhoods with elevated environmental vulnerability
Want to take action?
WNCHN created a resource list of evidence-based strategies that may be used by WNC communities to mitigate climate and health risks.
The North Carolina Resilience Exchange maintains an “Actions Database” detailing climate resilience actions that communities may enact, categorized by hazard, asset, and action type.
