Weather Geeks

Guest: Jenny Dissen, NCICSWhen a hurricane strikes, the immediate damage is only part of the story. The real test comes in the days, weeks, and even years after the storm—when communities must rebuild, adapt, and prepare for what’s next. Hurricane Helene left its mark on North Carolina, exposing vulnerabilities but also sparking efforts to create a more resilient future. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Jenny Dissen of the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies (NCICS). She leads Engagement for the Institute, and has been instrumental in some efforts to assess Helene’s impact and help communities recover, using data-driven strategies to strengthen preparedness for future storms. How do we learn from past disasters to build a more resilient tomorrow? That’s what we’re diving into today.Chapters00:00 The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene11:12 Personal Experiences During the Storm19:18 Infrastructure Vulnerability and Resilience34:20 Community and Partner Collaboration for Recovery39:04 Preparing f