A common phenomenon following hurricanes is massive fish die-offs, also known as fish kills. And the widespread fish kills that were likely caused by Hurricane Florence in North Carolina are expected to continue for weeks.
Fish kills have been reported in 15 coastal rivers and lakes around the state since the storm's arrival.
The Charlotte Observer reports such fish kills often naturally occur following a major hurricane. The cause is not pollution from floodwaters but a lack of oxygen in the water.
The newspaper reviewed a report from North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission. Similar fish kills occurred after Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Isabel in 2003.
An investigation is continuing into Florence's impact. But biologists say they believe the recent deaths are due to flooding produced by the hurricane.
One incident following Florence involved thousands of fish spread across Interstate 40. Firefighters used hoses to spray the fish off the road.