Wasp and hornet nests abound in section of western NC after flooding knocks downs trees

A potentially dangerous twist has emerged in recovery efforts from last week’s catastrophic flooding in western North Carolina. Some of the large trees that fell across roads and hiking trails are hosting big wasp and hornet nests, the U.S. Forest Service has found. Both insects are known to swarm and sting when their nests are disturbed. The discovery resulted in a warning for hikers to stay off the heavily traveled Elk Falls Trail, also known as Elk River Falls Trail.