A week after Hurricane Helene overwhelmed the Southeastern U.S., homeowners hit the hardest are grappling with how they could possibly pay for the flood damage from one of the deadliest storms in recent history to hit the mainland.

As Hurricane Helene barreled across the Eastern Seaboard and inland this week, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, the storm has exposed a grim reality for thousands of homeowners: most are not covered by flood insurance. This crisis has raised concerns about the nation's preparedness for future climate-driven disasters.