Misinformation and resulting threats against aid workers have been disrupting hurricane recovery efforts in North Carolina, leading to a temporary withdrawal of workers from one county over the weekend.
To ensure the safety of its personnel, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has implemented changes to its operations in the state, as confirmed in a recent statement.
This past Saturday, police in Rutherford County apprehended a man who had allegedly threatened relief workers publicly. He was found in possession of a rifle and a handgun.
Similarly, in Ashe County, located approximately 100 miles (160 km) to the south, FEMA workers briefly halted their operations to evaluate the threats they were encountering, according to local authorities.
Federal workers assisting with North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene have been facing increasing distrust from local residents. Politically motivated false conspiracy theories about land confiscation, inadequate aid payments, and deliberate weather manipulation have been rapidly circulating.
Reports suggest that several extremist groups are active in the area, exploiting the disaster and the accompanying rumors.
According to state authorities, nearly 100 people have lost their lives due to the storm, with an unknown number still missing in the predominantly rural region that includes the city of Asheville.
Rutherford County sheriffs responded to reports of “credible threats” against relief workers, arresting suspect William Jacob Parsons during a traffic stop on Saturday. Lieutenant Joseph McComas of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, who led the investigation, stated that Parsons allegedly made the threats at a local store. Authorities confiscated firearms, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
Parsons faces charges of “going armed to the terror of the people,” a state crime with a maximum penalty of 120 days in jail, and bail set at $10,000.
Parsons’ Facebook profile featured numerous posts about COVID-19, vaccine, and voting conspiracies, along with several posts displaying the logo of the anti-government militia movement, the Three Percenters.
In an email to the BBC, Parsons denied militia affiliation and accused the US government of being a “terrorist organization” infringing on constitutional rights. He also denied making threats against federal officials, claiming he was assisting victims by handling supplies such as water, food, and clothing.
Lt. McComas confirmed to the BBC that the threats in the county were traced to a single individual.
FEMA officials in the area were advised to relocate to a secure location but resumed their duties on Sunday. Initial reports of a “truckload of militia” being involved in the threats were debunked by the sheriff’s office, which concluded that Parsons acted alone.
The North Carolina National Guard is investigating a report, first covered by the Washington Post, that its troops encountered armed militia groups in the county, based on an internal email.
FEMA workers in Ashe County also faced threats, prompting local Sheriff Phil Howell to announce on Facebook that operations had been paused as a precaution while the threats were assessed.
The village of Chimney Rock in Rutherford County, home to a lithium mine, has been a hotspot for viral conspiracy theories about land seizures and geo-engineering. The spread of these rumors led Chuck Edwards, the Republican congressman representing the area, to issue a statement denying government involvement in geo-engineering Hurricane Helene to access lithium deposits.
While FEMA did not comment on specific threats, the agency affirmed that disaster recovery centers would remain operational and that it would continue assisting North Carolina residents with their recovery efforts.
“For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments,” the agency stated.
The BBC has learned that, in some instances, FEMA teams are now stationed at fixed locations rather than conducting door-to-door visits to assist survivors.
