As nearly 65,000 residents of hard-hit Rutherford County, North Carolina, struggle to clear mud and debris left behind by Hurricane Helenehelp faces an obstacle.
Federal Emergency Management Agency crews in North Carolina were forced to relocate due to an armed threat against workers, first reported by The Washington Post. Out of an abundance of caution, FEMA said its disaster assistance teams would be stationed in fixed locations instead of going door to door, which was a common agency practice in the past.
FEMA said search and rescue efforts are still underway and disaster recovery centers remain open.
The move comes after an email sent by the U.S. Forest Service to federal responders in Rutherford County alerted them of an apparent withdrawal after National Guard troops reportedly encountered armed militias claiming they were “hunting FEMA.”
Helene made landfall on September 26 as a powerful Category 4 storm near Perry, Florida. He tore apart six states, leaving more than 225 dead, most in North Carolina.
“FEMA continues to support communities impacted by Helene and help survivors seek assistance. For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we help, FEMA has made some operational adjustments. Disaster recovery centers will continue to be open as scheduled, survivors “We continue to sign up for assistance and we continue to help North Carolinians recover,” FEMA said in a communicated to CBS News.
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The North Carolina National Guard sent CBS News the following statement, saying: “The NCNG has no reports of our Soldiers or Airmen encountering armed militias, threats, or combatants of any type. We continue to serve all counties that need our assistance. assistance.”
False allegations surfaced online, including that the federal government planned to shut down search and rescue efforts in order to seize and bulldoze Chimney Roc and that victims were only receiving $750 in aid. Numerous conspiracy theories prompted FEMA to create a page on its site discrediting rumors and misinformation about its response to Hurricane Helene.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly spread disinformationsuggesting that FEMA money intended for hurricane victims was diverted and given to migrants. Although FEMA sometimes provides assistance to immigrants, the funding source is separate from disaster relief.
“We have people who need help and are entitled to help, but who are not asking for it because of false information,” said Interior Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” Sunday.
Last week, President Biden addressed false allegationsincluding one claiming that the government can control the weather, promoted by some Republican politicians.
“Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is now saying the federal government literally controls the weather, we control the weather. It’s beyond ridiculous. It’s so stupid it has to stop.” Mr. Biden said in his remarks from the White House.
Over the weekend, Mr. Biden visited Florida for the second time in just over a week to view the damage caused by the storm. Hurricane Milton called the Sunshine State’s Gulf Coast a Category 3 storm. the president announced $600 million in aid for the areas affected by Hélène and Milton.
