Federal disaster personnel have resumed door-to-door visits in North Carolina as part of their hurricane-recovery efforts, after a temporary suspension due to threats and disinformation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers were back in the field on Monday, accompanied by agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, and they will continue to go door-to-door to assist survivors in applying for FEMA aid as well as state and local assistance.
Over the weekend, reports emerged that FEMA workers could be targeted by militia groups as they responded to Hurricane Helene. This led to operational changes by FEMA to ensure the safety of their personnel. However, Criswell emphasized that the agency is committed to helping those in need and will not be deterred by threats.
At a briefing on Tuesday, Criswell said, “The federal family has been here working side by side with the state since Day One. These are people who put their lives on hold to help those who have lost everything. So let me be clear: I take these threats seriously.”
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper also addressed the issue, stating that he has directed the state’s Department of Public Safety to coordinate law enforcement assistance for FEMA and other responders. He stressed the damaging effects of internet rumors and falsehoods, and urged people to stop spreading misinformation. Cooper also acknowledged the impact of these rumors on those affected by the hurricane, saying that officials may never know how many people have been discouraged from applying for assistance because of false information.
“There’s still a persistent and dangerous flow of misinformation about recovery efforts in western North Carolina that can lead to threats and intimidation, breeds confusion and demoralizes storm survivors and response workers alike,” Cooper said. “If you’re participating in spreading this stuff, stop it. Whatever your aim is, the people you are really hurting are those in western North Carolina who need help.”
The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office reported that they received a call on Saturday about a man with an assault rifle who made a comment about possibly harming FEMA employees. The man was later arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. Initial reports suggested that a “truckload of militia” was involved, but further investigation revealed that the man acted alone.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, FEMA has faced a barrage of disinformation about their response efforts. This includes false claims about the amount of aid available to victims, diversion of emergency response funds to immigrants, and even accusations of FEMA halting trucks full of supplies. These claims have been debunked, but they continue to spread on social media.
Governor Cooper pointed to the extreme nature of social media and the current political climate as possible factors contributing to the spread of disinformation. He stated, “This is happening in the middle of an election where candidates are using people’s misery to sow chaos for their own political objectives — and it’s wrong.” Former President Donald Trump and his allies have used the hurricane’s aftermath to spread false information about the Biden administration’s response in the final weeks before the election.
Hurricane Helene devastated remote towns throughout Appalachia, leaving millions without power and killing at least 246 people. It was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The impact of this disaster has been felt across six states, with widespread damage and destruction.
Despite the challenges and misinformation, there have been moments of resilience and unity. Terrie Daughtry, a volunteer with Therapy Dogs International, has been using her therapy dogs to provide comfort and support to those waiting in line at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. She and another volunteer have been handing out candy, allowing people to pet the dogs, and talking to them about their experiences.
Daughtry has volunteered in the aftermath of various disasters, including the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, and floods and tornadoes in other states. However, she expressed feeling unsafe for the first time due to the threats and misinformation surrounding Hurricane Helene. She said, “I’m not coming to risk my life with it all, to be shot or hurt or trampled because of lunacy.”
Despite the challenges, Daughtry has also witnessed moments of hope and resilience. She shared that on Monday, someone in line started playing a guitar and singing about the lack of water. Eventually, the whole line joined in, creating a sense of unity and strength in the face of adversity.
“These are special people. They’re singing in horrible adversity,” Daughtry said. “It made me tear up being
