Helene

Monstrous hurricanes Helene and Milton caused so much complex havoc that damages are still being added up, but experts in economics, insurance and risk say they are likely to be in the pantheon of super-costly $50 billion disasters. That would put them in the company of storms like Katrina, Sandy and Harvey. Making those costs even more painful is that most of that damage, particularly in Helene's case, was not insured. Several experts say damages are skyrocketing because people are building in harm's way, reconstruction costs are soaring faster than inflation and human-caused climate change is making storms stronger and wetter.

The state government recommends private well owners and people who use septic systems get them both tested for structural integrity and potential contamination.

Officials say federal disaster workers have resumed door-to-door visits as part of hurricane recovery efforts in North Carolina. The visits were temporarily suspended after reports emerged over the weekend that FEMA employees could be targeted by militia members.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted more than $7 million to residents affected by Helene in Avery, Ashe and Watauga counties.

Banner Elk officials still want people to stay off the roads unless travel is essential, and they are asking those who planned to visit in October to reschedule.

Federal disaster workers paused and then changed some of their hurricane-recovery efforts in North Carolina, including abandoning door-to-door visits, after receiving threats that they could be targeted by a militia, officials said, as the government response to Helene is targeted by runaway disinformation.

Watauga County public schools remain closed for a third week following the devastation of Helene in western North Carolina. Officials say damaged infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to resuming classes.