FEMA Halts Operations in North Carolina After Armed Militia Threatens National Guard Troops

The Federal Emergency Management Agency temporarily halted aid to some communities affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina this weekend, due to threats made against its responders. This was amidst a misinformation campaign about recent storms.

 

A FEMA spokesperson confirmed on Monday that some FEMA teams are helping disaster survivors in rural North Carolina apply for aid at disaster recovery centers located in counties where federal employees are being threatened.

 

FEMA made operational adjustments to ensure the safety of its dedicated staff as well as the survivors it is helping. This was stated by a spokesperson in a press release. The Disaster Recovery Centers in North Carolina will remain open, as planned. Survivors can continue to register to receive assistance and we’ll continue to assist the people of North Carolina.

 

According to The Washington Post, FEMA workers were forced to stop their work on Saturday in Rutherford County after National Guard troops reported seeing “armed militias” threatening workers. This email was sent to federal agencies that helped with the response and confirmed by unnamed officials. The threat is not credible.

 

Rutherford County lies southeast of Asheville, and is part of a mountainous area that was devastated by deadly floods and landslides after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida. In North Carolina, more than 100 people died and thousands were left with devastating damage.

 

Jordan Monaghan is the deputy director of communications for North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Roy Cooper. “The Governor has instructed the Department of Public Safety that it will identify threats and rumors with local law-enforcement and coordinate with FEMA, other partners and the state to ensure safety and protection as the recovery effort continues.”

 

 

Out of caution, some FEMA operations in Ashe County were also paused on Sunday, according to Sheriff B. Phil Howell. According to the emergency management office of Ashe County, this included applications for aid made in person in at least 2 locations due to “threats occurring in certain counties.” The sheriff’s office and emergency management announced that the locations were reopened on Monday.

 

Howell asked residents to stay calm, steady and help others during the recovery process.

 

FEMA delays aid to victims

 

Former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate stated that the delays in FEMA’s in-person work will only delay aid reaching those in need, especially on the difficult terrain in western North Carolina.

 

FEMA officials must see the disaster damage to complete the application and to get the money to the survivors quicker.

 

Fugate stated that inspectors would eventually be needed to verify the location of people’s homes and to validate damage caused by disasters. “Getting into the areas to verify that this is where the people live, their home and validate the damage caused by the disaster.”

 

FEMA is continuing to assess the potential threats facing its employees in the affected areas. The agency is working with local officials to ensure the safety of their staff and will adjust as necessary, according to the spokesperson.

 

According to an agency update, there were over 1,200 FEMA personnel providing support in North Carolina on Saturday. The update stated that more than 250 Urban Search and Rescue staff were still in the field and had helped or rescued over 3,200 survivors.

 

 

Misinformation is ‘unlike any we’ve ever seen’

 

The spread of misinformation about the federal response in the wake of Hurricanes Helene, Milton and Irma has hindered the response efforts. An administration official revealed that President Joe Biden asked for information on the digital response of the federal government last week, and how officials were addressing misinformation.

 

A senior Biden administration official said, “The contours and nature of this misinformation is unlike anything else we’ve ever seen.”

 

Fugate said that individual FEMA staff have received threats before, but they were on a smaller scale.

 

Fugate stated, “This is rare in the field.” This is unprecedented. “This is unprecedented. I’m sure we’ve seen individuals, but never an area or group that threatens FEMA.”

 

US officials in charge of public affairs have told federal agencies to increase social media postings from their accounts, with photos showing how federal workers are clearing up debris and distributing aid.

 

Kerry Giles, public information officer of Rutherford County said earlier this month that debunking the false rumors “did use resources which could have been better utilized for the recovery efforts”. Rutherford County and the surrounding counties are posting photos and info about aid efforts in order to combat misinformation.