North Carolina gears up for increase of bee stings in the wake of Hurricane Helene
By FOX Weather,
9 hours ago
ASHEVILLE, NC – In the wake of Hurricane Helene , North Carolina is preparing for an increase in bee stings, with thousands of EpiPens and other medications being distributed around the Tar Heel State.
The states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee were the hardest hit when Helene moved through the region more than a week ago, producing feet of rainfall and damaging winds.
The Category 4 cyclone uprooted trees and reshaped the landscape, affecting not only humans but also wildlife populations and insects.
North Carolina is home to a significant bee population, which is why health departments are warning about the potential for encounters, especially during the recovery phase.
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation says there are more than 500 bee species, with a large number used for honey production.
Unfortunately, nests and beehives may have been disturbed during the hurricane, leading to the insects becoming potentially more defensive.
According to medical professionals, at least 2 million Americans are allergic to bee stings.
In the most severe cases, a sting can trigger what is known as anaphylactic shock, requiring a dose of epinephrine and medical care.
Direct Relief , a humanitarian aid organization, says it has helped supply care centers in North Carolina with more than 2,000 EpiPen shots to help cope with the potential for bee stings.
Beekeepers warn that the insects are naturally more defensive during the fall as they protect their hives before hibernation during the winter.
It is recommended to take measures such as removing food from the outdoors, wearing protective clothing and using unscented or non-floral products to lessen the attraction of the bees.
More than 200 people were killed across seven states, and dozens remain unaccounted for following the Helene disaster.
So far, authorities have not connected any of the fatalities to stings, of which the country usually sees around 100 per year.
According to emergency managers, drownings and falling trees make up the majority of the storm’s fatalities.
For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.