In the wake of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina residents now face a different kind of threat: swarming yellow jackets, bees, and other stinging insects whose underground nests were disrupted by intense flooding.

As people work to rebuild, these insects are causing serious concern, especially for those with severe allergies. North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services has responded by ramping up the distribution of medications such as Benadryl and EpiPens to manage the rising number of sting-related incidents across the state, KVIA reports.

Hurricane-related flooding has forced these insects to abandon their nests, making them more aggressive and more likely to encounter humans. Floodwaters displaced countless insect colonies, leaving the yellow jackets and bees with no choice but to search for new shelter above ground.

Health officials say the situation has led to an unprecedented increase in demand for allergy medications, as more people are stung while carrying out recovery efforts, TribLIVE explains.

The state has even established protocols to allow pharmacists to dispense EpiPens without a prescription during emergencies, as PBS NewsHour notes.

Why the Yellow Jackets Are Out in Force

According to Matt Bertone, an entomologist at North Carolina State University, disruptions like these are typical after severe weather events. Hurricanes often destroy insect habitats, leading to increased insect activity. He told KVIA that yellow jackets, which usually build nests underground, have had their homes washed away by floodwaters. As a result, they are now roaming freely, searching for new places to nest and sometimes defending territory they perceive as theirs. This behavior is especially dangerous, as yellow jackets can sting multiple times and often emit a pheromone that attracts other yellow jackets to swarm.

Bertone further noted that, in addition to yellow jackets, other stinging insects are also displaced by the flooding, which could mean that residents will continue encountering these insects well into the rebuilding phase. State officials are taking measures to ensure that allergy medications are widely available, with clinics and pharmacies across the affected areas now stocked with EpiPens and other necessary medications North Carolina Health News reports.

Emergency Measures to Combat an Unexpected Health Threat

Due to the surge in sting-related incidents, North Carolina's health department has expanded access to emergency allergy medications. Health authorities have begun distributing these medications to hospitals, emergency medical personnel, and pharmacies throughout the region. The state has even initiated a program allowing pharmacists to provide EpiPens without a prescription. Humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief has also sent over 2,000 EpiPen injections to community health centers in the hardest-hit areas, according to PBS NewsHour.

This post-hurricane response highlights the unusual scale of the stinging insect problem. Alycia Clark, chief pharmacy officer at Direct Relief, described the event as unique, emphasizing the increased volume of requests for emergency allergy treatments this time around. Typically, such requests are uncommon even after significant disasters, but this year has been different KVIA shares.

Preparing for Future Insect Encounters

As residents continue to navigate recovery, public health officials recommend taking precautions against further stings. Long sleeves, light-colored clothing, and unscented personal care products can help reduce the risk of attracting these insects, TribLIVE reports. Experts also advise that, when encountering a single yellow jacket, individuals should remain calm and avoid swatting at the insect. However, if facing a swarm, it's best to move indoors or seek shelter, since yellow jackets are known to defend their territory aggressively.

North Carolina may need to brace for similar issues in the future, as experts predict that yellow jackets and other stinging insects will continue to be a problem following any major storm. To prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests, homeowners are encouraged to eliminate standing water around their properties, which can become habitats for insects that emerge after flooding, North Carolina Health News reports.

University of Florida researchers even advise residents to seal any storm-damaged areas around their homes to keep other insects and pests out, particularly in the months following a hurricane, according to Florida Today.

As North Carolina rebuilds, the enduring presence of these insects serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges hurricanes bring. The state's response—focusing on public safety, medication availability, and long-term pest control—illustrates the importance of planning for both immediate and long-term pest management strategies in disaster recovery efforts.

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