Homes and buildings destroyed after Hurricane Helene in Bat Cave, North Carolina.Sean Rayford/Getty ImagesRains from Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in western North Carolina, devastating communities.But less than 3% of properties in the state have flood insurance, leaving many unprotected.Part of the problem is that people falsely assume they're not at risk, experts said.Torrential rains from Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on western North Carolina last week, with flooding that has devastated local communities, killed dozens in the state, left many residents without running water or power, uprooted businesses, and destroyed homes.Rainfall collected by at least a dozen weather stations in the region, including near Asheville, reached their highest-ever 3-day totals during the event, ranging from nearly 13 inches to over 31 inches, according to a report from the North Carolina State Climate Office.Heavy rains from Hurricane Helene caused flooding across western North Carolina, like here in Asheville.Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty ImagesBut only about 2.6% of the 4.3 million properties across the state — or around 115,000 properties — had flood insurance as of June 2024, according to private provider Neptune Flood Insurance, which analyzed data from the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program.