ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — When Hurricane Helene ripped through the mountains of western North Carolina last fall, its fatal floods, wind and landslides changed the landscape for both humans and wildlife.

BEARWISE BASICS: HOW TO COEXIST WITH THE GROWING BLACK BEAR POPULATION IN WNC

For Bear Week, News 13 looked into whether the storm that devastated many human lives also had an impact on the local black bear population.

We want to know: Have you noticed a difference in the presence of bears since Helene?

Tune in Friday, May 2, at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to hear from local wildlife experts about the health of the local bear population post-Helene.