Executive Summary
Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina in fall 2024, becoming the deadliest and most destructive
natural disaster in state history.
With $53 billion in damage, catastrophic flooding, loss of life, and prolonged devastation across mountain
communities, the storm knocked out broadband and cellular networks over wide areas of the
mountainous region. Residents were stranded without basic communication – not to mention access to
critical services – and first responders were unable to efficiently coordinate urgent, life-saving work.
Helene revealed the state’s most critical vulnerability: a communications infrastructure too dependent on
terrain, geography, and physical assets that can be disrupted or destroyed.
In response, the N.C. Department of Information Technology launched a statewide strategy to help
agencies ensure they are never again left disconnected during a crisis. The approach integrates:
- High speed, infrastructure independent low earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity into the state’s
enterprise network services - Mobile command units (MCUs) equipped with satellite, cellular, mesh networking, land-mobile
radio integration, and off-grid power systems that can quickly be deployed anywhere in the state,
regardless of terrain
State agencies have already put the satellite service and MCUs to work in routine operations, daily
emergency missions, and preparedness activities.
Although North Carolina has not experienced a storm of Helene’s magnitude since, the state is better
prepared. When the next disaster strikes, these tools will help ensure that operational continuity and
coordinated response remain possible even in the most infrastructure-challenged areas.
