No water, power or formula: moms struggle to feed babies after Hurricane Helene

The storm has created a crisis within a crisis for families in North Carolina who need safe infant food - but some areas may not properly recover for months

In the days leading up to Hurricane Helene's arrival in North Carolina, Ziska Maria tried to stock up on her five-month-old son's formula in nearby stores, but none had it. We were like, okay, we'll just get it after [the storm],'" says Maria, who lives in Black Mountain with her partner, three-year-old and infant.

But after the morning of 27 September, the family quickly realized they wouldn't be making grocery runs anytime soon. We didn't have water, we didn't have power, we didn't have cell reception, we didn't have internet, all the roads were blocked and we couldn't leave," says Maria.