Threats made against Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers in western North Carolina have hindered the agency's ability to assist those impacted by Helene.
Governor Roy Cooper will be addressing the threats against FEMA workers at a news conference Tuesday morning. You can watch it live on WRAL.com at 10:30 a.m.
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"For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments," the agency said Monday morning.
Door-to-door visits were halted. Press releases from the Buncombe County government said FEMA workers switched from "going out into the community to help survivors" to working from "fixed locations."
This was all because of a 911 call that was made Saturday in Rutherford County about an armed man threatening FEMA workers in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas and "truck loads full of militia going to Lake Lure."
According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, the 911 call and a tip led them to 44-year-old William Parsons, of Bostic.
Parsons was arrested outside a grocery store that was being used as a relief site, according to Capt. Keever with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.
He was charged with "going armed to the terror of the public," a class 1 misdemeanor. Two guns, a rifle and a pistol, were confiscated from Parsons. He was released from jail on a $10,000 bond late Saturday evening.
Within hours of the initial 911 call about Parsons, FEMA inspectors were canceling appointments and pausing operations across the mountains – an area that was devastated by Helene, leaving many residents without homes and basic necessities. These appointments were made by residents who needed help applying for assistance in the wake of this tragedy.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that it investigated initial reports about the alleged truck loads full of militia.
In a press release late Monday, FEMA said the threat "was more limited than initially reported."
"However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone and there were no truck loads of militia going to Lake Lure," the release said.
FEMA said the agency will resume normal operations in western North Carolina. Housing inspectors will reschedule canceled or missed appointments.
"Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will resume normal operations in the field and housing inspectors will resume scheduling inspections to ensure survivors get the assistance they need and deserve," FEMA said.
The return to normal comes after two days of disruptions, stemming from these threats.
"You get a little scared, because you’re, like, what’s the situation out here that we’re not hearing about?" said Hamish Horton, whose FEMA inspector canceled on him, citing threats of violence.
Horton's Black Mountain home was flooded during Helene.
"We haven’t heard anything via email, or mail, or phone call from FEMA, so we have no idea when this is going to be resolved," he said.
In the Monday evening press release from FEMA, Governor Cooper put the blame for the threat squarely on misinformation.
"We know that significant misinformation online contributes to threats against response workers on the ground, and the safety of responders must be a priority," Cooper said in the release. "At my direction, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety is helping partners like FEMA to coordinate with law enforcement to ensure their safety and security as they continue their important work."
On Tuesday, we'll hear from Governor Cooper, along with FEMA and National Guard officials. It's the first time we're hearing from Cooper since the FEMA threats. You can watch it live on WRAL.com at 10:30 a.m.
WRAL News attempted to reach out to Parsons for comment but has not heard back.
Apply for FEMA assistance
FEMA can help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Homeowners and renters in most western North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can apply.
There are several ways to apply:
- Go to DisasterAssistance.gov
- Use the FEMA App
- Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST daily. The telephone line is open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Service (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.
Here's a list of what you'll need to apply:
- A current phone number where you can be contacted
- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying
- Your Social Security number
- A general list of damage and losses
- Banking information if you choose direct deposit
- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name