What everyone does wrong during a hurricane

Now that Isaias has delivered the 2026 Atlantic season’s first hurricane and Simon is churning up the Pacific, storms are back on everyone’s radar. Here’s what it’s actually like to ride one out, according to Miles Smith, a licensed architect and Senior Industry Growth & Strategy Manager at Graphisoft who lives in Asheville, NC—a city devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Q: What surprised you most going through Hurricane Helene? “My family lives deep in the Appalachian Mountains, hundreds of miles from any coastline. Never before had a hurricane been seen as a possibility. Thankfully, my home was only minorly impacted. We lost some shingles, the basement flooded, and the power and cell service went out. My wife and I didn’t fully realize what was going on until my cousin showed up at our door in tears. She told us that entire communities had been washed away.”

Q: What challenges did your community face in the storm’s wake? “Many areas were so remote with such fragile infrastructure, they could be accessed only by horses and mules, which slowed rebuilding efforts. One of the biggest long-term dangers we’re still facing is mold. When water makes its way into wood, drywall, and insulation, it is nearly impossible to remove. Even two years later, we have not fully recovered. Many are still living in campers since insurance won’t cover the costs to rebuild. And since so many trees have fallen and haven’t been removed yet, that’s a perfect recipe for a massive forest fire.”

Q: What lessons did you learn about hurricane prep? “In case power and cell service go out, we now keep walkie-talkies charged so we can reach family. And although most people know to have a generator, I saw homeowners bootlegging them into their electrical system in ways that were dangerous. Everyone also rushed out to get chainsaws to clean up fallen trees, which led to a lot of chainsaw accidents. As an architect, I also became aware of how many homes aren’t built to withstand hurricanes. Roofs with deep overhangs turn them into giant sails that peel right off in high wind. Large windows reduce the strength of wall systems and can cause an entire home to collapse.”

Q: What advice would you give others facing a hurricane? “In the current state of climate change, the rules have changed. Everyone should re-assess their risk.”