Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief efforts were temporarily disrupted in parts of North Carolina over the weekend due to threats against responders, including armed militias.
On Saturday, government officials evacuated Rutherford County after reports of armed civilians “hunting” for FEMA workers.
An email from a U.S. Forest Service official indicated that National Guard troops encountered two truckloads of armed militia making these threats. By Sunday, officials were cleared to return.
This incident follows a similar disruption in Ashe County, where in-person applications for aid were paused on Sunday due to regional threats. Sheriff B. Phil Howell confirmed this pause, stressing the need for calm and cooperation during recovery. Services are expected to resume on Monday.
These events underscore the challenges faced by relief workers following Hurricane Helene, which caused severe flooding and landslides in the mountainous areas of North Carolina.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell voiced concern last week about misinformation affecting emergency workers’ morale, urging residents in the hardest-hit areas to accept government assistance.
“We have thousands of people on the ground, not just federal, but also our volunteers in the private sector,” Criswell said at a news conference in Asheville. “And frankly, that type of rhetoric is demoralizing to our staff that have left their families to come here and help the people of North Carolina. And we will be here as long as they’re needed.”
