Hurricanes don’t stop at the coast – these mountain towns know how severe inland flood damage can be, and they’re preparing

Remnants of Hurricane Fred sent rivers out of their banks across western North Carolina in 2021 North Carolina DOT

The French Broad River winds through the mountains of western North Carolina, fed by dozens of mountain streams, and crosses the city of Asheville. At over 2,000 feet above sea level and more than 250 miles from the coast, it is an unlikely place to prepare for a hurricane.

Yet, the remnants of several hurricanes have swept through this region over the years, sending rivers in the region raging out of their banks.