RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal disaster response teams have resumed their door-to-door outreach in North Carolina to aid hurricane recovery, an initiative that had been paused due to safety concerns related to the spread of misleading information.
Reports surfaced over the weekend suggesting that personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could be targeted by militia groups as the government worked on recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. A local sheriff’s office confirmed on Monday that a suspect had been arrested in connection to ongoing investigations, though authorities stated that he acted independently.
FEMA has adjusted its operational procedures to bolster the safety of its staff, according to agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, who provided updates during a briefing. On Monday, personnel returned to the field, joined by Criswell herself, who assured the public that disaster assistance teams would persist in their mission to help survivors access FEMA support as well as state and local resources. “We’re not going anywhere,” Criswell affirmed, highlighting the dedication of the federal team to those in need.
“The federal family has been collaborating with state officials since the onset of this disaster,” Criswell remarked. “These individuals have temporarily put aside their personal lives to offer assistance to those who have lost everything.” She also underscored the seriousness of the threats being made against FEMA workers.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has enlisted the state’s Department of Public Safety to enhance law enforcement support for FEMA and other relief workers. He expressed concerns over the impact of internet rumors and false information, noting that it is impossible to quantify how many potential applicants might shy away from seeking aid due to these inaccuracies and damaging allegations.
“There is an ongoing and harmful stream of disinformation concerning recovery operations in western North Carolina that has the potential to incite threats and instill fear,” Cooper stated at the briefing. “Those who participate in spreading falsehoods must cease immediately. In doing so, you are primarily harming the very individuals in western North Carolina who are in need of assistance.”
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving a concerning call regarding an individual with an assault rifle who made threatening remarks toward FEMA staff in the heavily impacted regions of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. Although the suspect faced charges for creating public distress, he has since been released after posting bail.
Initial reports hinted at a larger group being involved in the threats, but subsequent investigations revealed that the individual acted alone.
FEMA has encountered a surge of misleading narratives about its response to Hurricane Helene, which initially impacted Florida on September 26 before causing extensive damage across six states.
When questioned about the rampant disinformation, Cooper pointed towards the extremist nature of social media narratives, while also referencing the political climate.
“This is occurring in the midst of an election cycle where candidates are exploiting the suffering of others to create turmoil for their political gain — it is simply unacceptable,” he stated. “It’s disheartening to witness candidates knowingly perpetuating falsehoods during such a critical time.”
In the aftermath of the storm, some public figures have spread false claims regarding the Biden administration’s disaster response, including misleading statements about the limited aid for victims, allegations of fund allocations to immigrants, and unverified claims that accepting federal relief could lead to land seizures.
The confusion concerning FEMA’s role during disasters has further compounded the situation.
Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in remote areas of the Appalachians, causing widespread power outages, disrupting cellular services, and resulting in at least 246 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.