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EdNC’s Hurricane Helene Playbook: Lessons learned from liaisons for homeless students

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Courtesy of Yancey County Schools

Editor’s note: This article is part of EdNC’s playbook on Hurricane Helene. Other articles in the playbook are available here.

School districts faced unprecedented challenges when Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024.

Four western North Carolina school district leaders who serve as liaisons for homeless students shared their experiences responding to the devastating impacts of the storm at the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Conference in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 2, 2025, according to this press release.

The panel, titled “Picking Up the Pieces: Homeless Liaisons’ Response in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” featured:

Courtesy of Yancey County Schools

“Hurricane Helene left behind mass destruction washing away roads, crippling infrastructure, and disrupting power, water, and communication systems. In some communities, the storm claimed the lives of students, family members, and staff. For local homeless liaisons, the task of supporting displaced and vulnerable students became both urgent and deeply personal,” says the press release.

“Our biggest challenge in those first days was simply finding our students and families,” said Buchanan. “With no phones, no internet, and roads impassable, we had to get creative just to make contact and make sure everyone was safe.”

Courtesy of Yancey County Schools

Buchanan said it was an honor to bring her experiences to a national stage and to use what she learned to help others prepare.

“It was amazing to have the opportunity to share our stories and to help others across the country understand what recovery really looks like for students and families after a disaster,” she said. “Being able to represent our region and highlight the resilience of our schools and communities was incredibly meaningful.”

The panelists also shared how the experience of Hurricane Helene has reshaped their approach to emergency planning, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, flexibility, and trauma-informed support.

The session provided attendees with practical strategies for incorporating the needs of students experiencing homelessness into district emergency operations plans, ensuring that when disaster strikes, every student remains supported, connected, and cared for.

With the support of Beth Branagan, program administrator for the North Carolina Homeless Education Program, EdNC produced this rerecording of the panel so that the lessons learned will be available to inform future disaster recovery.