FEMA workers in Rutherford county, North Carolina have paused operations . In their effort to help victims of hurricane Helene they have faced opposition from armed militia threats William Jacob Parsons was arrested for allegedly threatening FEMA workers with an assault rifle. Some groups have claimed that FEMA has been working against many in the area trying to clean up and help .
FEMA Faces Unprecedented Challenges in Hurricane Helene Recovery
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, federal emergency response efforts in Rutherford County, North Carolina, have encountered an unexpected obstacle. Reports of armed militia groups allegedly targeting FEMA workers have forced the agency to temporarily adjust its operations, raising concerns about the safety of disaster relief personnel and the potential impact on recovery efforts.
The situation became public after National Guard troops allegedly encountered people claiming to be “hunting FEMA.” This resulted in a call for federal responders to evacuate the area, causing a brief pause in door-to-door outreach. FEMA has since made operational changes to ensure the safety of its employees while continuing to help affected communities.
“Federal emergency response personnel on Saturday had employees operating in hard-hit Rutherford County, N.C., stop working and move to a different area because of concerns over ‘armed militia’ threatening government workers in the region…” pic.twitter.com/20bwCnXsrx
— David Gura (@davidgura) October 14, 2024
Arrest Made, But Concerns Persist
Local law enforcement has taken action in response to the reported threats. William Jacob Parsons, 44, was arrested and charged with going armed to the terror of the public. While authorities have determined that Parsons acted alone and was not part of an organized militia, the incident has highlighted the challenges faced by disaster relief workers in an increasingly tense political climate.
“FEMA has advised all federal responders Rutherford County, NC, to stand down and evacuate the county immediately. The message stated that National Guard troops ‘had come across x2 trucks of armed militia saying there were out hunting FEMA.'”
Despite the disruption, FEMA has emphasized its commitment to supporting the affected communities. The agency has established Disaster Recovery Centers and continues to process assistance applications for hurricane survivors. However, the temporary pause in door-to-door assessments could potentially slow the delivery of aid in some areas.
🇺🇸 ARMED MILITIAS THREATEN FEMA WORKERS, FORCING EVACUATION
Federal emergency responders in Rutherford County, NC, paused recovery efforts after threats from an armed militia hunting FEMA workers.
Tensions have grown as misinformation surrounding Hurricane Helene recovery… https://t.co/4YaNzbTllB pic.twitter.com/jWXHMtfBI0
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 14, 2024
Some call it misinformation.
FEMA announced weeks after Hurricane Helene that they were short on funds. The Department of Homeland Security had requested that Congress approve funds for the rest of the hurricane season. Many North Carolina residents felt ignored by FEMA, and numerous private individuals and organizations attempted to assist. FEMA, on the other hand, rebuffed many of them and threatened arrest. Several government officials have considered this to be misinformation.
“We have individuals in need of assistance who are entitled to assistance who aren’t seeking it because of the false information,” Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Sunday.
Moving Forward with Recovery Efforts
Despite the obstacles, FEMA and other federal agencies remain committed to assisting those affected by Hurricane Helene. The agency has announced a $600 million aid package for areas hit by recent hurricanes Helene and Milton. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has emphasized the importance of helping people rather than engaging in political rhetoric.
“FEMA continues to support communities impacted by Helene and help survivors apply for assistance. For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments. Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to be open as scheduled, survivors continue to register for assistance, and we continue to help the people of North Carolina with their recovery,” FEMA said in a statement to CBS News.
As recovery efforts continue, the incident in Rutherford County serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges faced by disaster relief workers. It underscores the need for clear communication, community cooperation, and a commitment to facts in the face of natural disasters and their aftermath.
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