Federal disaster workers paused and then changed some of their hurricane-recovery efforts in North Carolina, including abandoning door-to-door visits, after receiving threats that they could be targeted by a militia, officials said, as the government response to Helene is targeted by runaway disinformation.
The threats emerged over the weekend. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday that it received a call Saturday about a man with an assault rifle who made a comment “about possibly harming” employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency working in the hard-hit areas of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, in the North Carolina mountains.
Authorities got a description of a suspect’s vehicle and license plate and later identified him as William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic. Sheriff’s officials said in a statement that Parsons — who was armed with a handgun and a rifle — was charged with “going armed to the terror of the public,” a misdemeanor. He was released after posting bond.
The sheriff’s office said initial reports indicated that a “truckload of militia” was involved in making the threat, but further investigation determined that Parsons acted alone.
Messages left seeking comment at phone listings for Parsons and a possible relative were not immediately returned.
In a Facebook post, Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell said the Federal Emergency Management Agency put some work on hold as it assessed the threats.
“Stay calm and steady during our recovery, help folks and please don’t stir the pot,” Howell wrote Sunday.
FEMA confirmed in a statement Monday that it had adjusted operations. It emphasized that disaster-recovery centers remain open and that FEMA continues “to help the people of North Carolina with their recovery.”
Workers from the agency’s disaster-assistance teams — who help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state and local resources — have stopped going door to door and instead are working from fixed locations while the potential threats are assessed, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they could not publicly discuss details of the operations.
The person stressed that FEMA was making the adjustments “out of an abundance of caution.”
FEMA did not immediately provide details on the threats.
Gov. Roy Cooper’s staff said in a statement Monday that his office was aware of “reports of threats to response workers on the ground,” as well as “significant misinformation online.” Cooper directed state law enforcement officials to work with local authorities to identify “the specific threats and rumors.”
The Washington Post reported Sunday that the U.S. Forest Service, which is supporting hurricane recovery work, sent a message to multiple federal agencies, warning that FEMA had advised all federal responders in Rutherford County to leave the county immediately.
The message stated that National Guard troops had encountered “armed militia” saying they were “out hunting FEMA.”
FEMA has faced rampant disinformation about its response to Helene, which hit Florida on Sept. 26 before heading north and leaving a trail of destruction across six states.
Critics allege the agency is not doing enough to help survivors, while false rumors circulating ahead of the presidential election include claims that people taking federal relief money could see their land seized or that FEMA is halting trucks full of supplies.
Meanwhile, confusion has arisen about what the agency does and doesn’t do when disaster strikes.
State or tribal governments can reach out to ask for federal assistance. But the disaster has to exceed their ability to respond, meaning that not all disasters end up getting federal help. The president approves disaster declarations.
Once an emergency is declared, that can unleash various types of aid from FEMA. Much of what the agency does is give out money in the immediate aftermath of a disaster and for years to come.
That can include assistance to individuals affected by disasters, such as payments of $750 for immediate needs such as medicine or diapers. It can also mean additional money to rent an apartment because their home is destroyed or to pay for a storage unit.
Helene decimated remote towns throughout the Appalachians, left millions without power, knocked out cellular service and killed at least 243 people. It was the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005.
Robertson and Brumfield write for the Associated Press. Brumfield reported from Baltimore.