North Carolina
A buzzing threat? Yellow jackets swarm in North Carolina after Helene destroys their homes
Officials in the state have taken steps to help by ordering medications for people who are stung by the insects.
Watch: Container crushed like soda can in Helene floodwaters
Onlookers in Swannanoa, North Carolina watched as the floodwaters carried a container and slammed it into a pylon, completely crushing it.
The devastation from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and the Southeast has left more than 200 dead, swallowed entire towns and left thousands without power or drinking water. Now, another problem has arisen from the storm: yellow jackets.
Severe flooding in the state stirred up colonies of the insects as their habitats were likely destroyed by floodwaters, a phenomenon that, according to an emailed statement from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, is fairly normal.
“It is normal for bees, yellow jackets, and other stinging insects to be temporarily disrupted after a Hurricane,” the statement said.
“Basically, if their nest is destroyed, then they have nowhere to go back to,” Matt Bertone, director of the NC State Entomology Department, explained to the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. “If they’ve escaped, if they haven’t drowned, they’re gonna be out and about, not knowing what to do.”
However, officials are taking the threat of these insects seriously, as they have taken measures to make sure medications like Benadryl and epinephrine will be readily available in the affected areas.
“We are actively working to ensure Benadryl and epinephrine are readily available in western NC for those who may be allergic or have been stung,” the statement said.
Why these medicines?
Medications like Benadryl help deal with symptoms associated with wasp or bee stings. Although the majority of people are not allergic to stings, medications like Benadryl help reduce symptoms like pain, itching or swelling that could develop after a sting.
On the other hand, epinephrine injections, more commonly known as EpiPens are used for people who do have severe allergic reactions to stings from bees, wasps or in this case yellow jackets.
“We have made a large purchase of epi-pens and Benadryl and are filling requests and distributing through EMS, hospitals, providers, etc,” the department said.
Yellow jackets can be particularly dangerous
Yellow jackets are typically more aggressive than bees, as they can both sting a person multiple times but can signal other yellow jackets to attack the same person, swarming them, according to insect repellent company Raid.
Officials in North Carolina are also taking steps to allow people to refill allergy prescriptions to avoid any complications.
“The NC Board of Pharmacy has flexibility so that people can get emergency refills on their prescribed allergy medicines. We are working to issue a standing order for Epi-pens for people to get medicines if they do not have a prescription from a provider,” the email said.
Contributing: Iris Seaton, Asheville Citizen Times
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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