Rumors spreading false information that help spur threats against aid workers continued to mar hurricane recovery efforts in North Carolina, where workers temporarily withdrew from one county over the weekend. To keep staff safe, some changes have been made about how the US Federal Emergency Management Agency conducts its operations in the state, the agency said in a statement.
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Hurricane Recovery Disrupted
On Saturday, police in Rutherford County arrested a man who allegedly spoke publicly about harming relief workers and was found with a rifle and a handgun. Meanwhile, a sheriff in Ashe County, about 100 miles (160km) to the south, said Fema workers briefly paused their work to assess threats they were facing. Hurricane Helene-ravaged North Carolina may have to deal with a rising distrust of federal workers in its push for recovery. False conspiracy theories – most of which had political motivations themselves – about land confiscation, cursory aid payments and weather manipulation sprouted like dandelions.
Reports say several radical groups are operating in the region, trying to take advantage of the disaster and the rumors. The storm killed nearly 100 people, according to state officials, and countless others remain missing in the mostly rural area, which includes the city of Asheville.
Sheriffs in Rutherford County responded to reports of what they described as “credible threats” against relief workers and arrested a suspect, William Jacob Parsons, during a traffic stop on Saturday.
Mr Parsons made the threats at a local store, said Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Joseph McComas, who led the investigation. Authorities confiscated guns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, Lt McComas said. Mr Parsons was charged with “going armed to the terror of the people,” a crime under state law punishable by a maximum of 120 days in jail, with bail set at $10,000, authorities said.
Dozens of posts about Covid, vaccine and voting conspiracies appeared alongside several that included the logo of the anti-government militia movement the Three Percenters on Mr Parsons’ Facebook profile. In an email to the BBC, Mr Parsons denied being a member of any militia but said: “The US Government is officially a ‘terrorist organization’ who has ‘been Violating our Constitutional Rights for way (too) long'”.
He refused to threaten federal officials and stated that he was “supporting the victims and helping with loading and unloading of Water, Food, clothing and other necessities for the victims of the horrendous storm.” Lt McComas told the BBC that a single person was behind the threats leveled against aid workers in the county. Fema officials working locally were advised to move to a secure location, but returned to their usual assignments on Sunday.
There were initial reports that a “truck load of militia” were involved with the threats, but the sheriff’s office said it determined Mr Parsons acted alone. The North Carolina National Guard said Monday that it is reviewing a report that its troops encountered armed militia groups in the county, a story first reported by The Washington Post, citing an internal email.
Escalating Tensions Amid Chaos
Rising tensions Meanwhile, the desperation for help is higher than ever. Hurricane Iris has left behind massive destruction as it struck the shore. It is a Category 4 storm, displacing tens of thousands of residents from their homes and under water for entire neighborhoods. Several regions still see power shutdowns. Most of the basic amenities are still in short supply.
Local officials believe the threats are a mix of: stress, frustration, and misinformation. In the aftermath of disasters emotions tend to run hot, and as residents struggle to recover and rebuild their homes and livelihoods, these tensions with outsiders sometimes boil over.
“People are scared and angry,” said Sheriff Dennis Harper of Jefferson Parish, one of the hardest-hit areas. “They’ve lost everything, and in some cases, they’re taking it out on the very people who are trying to help.”
Harper pointed out that most of the residents are thankful for the relief efforts; however, the misconduct of a few bad actors has made the environment hostile for aid workers. High-risk areas have seen a slight increase in law enforcement patrols, but the lack of resources and the broad extent of the destruction mean that it is impossible to guarantee security for all the relief teams.
The Impact on Aid Delivery
The Impact on Aid Delivery
Some report that their work has been disrupted by safety concerns. An incident reported involved a group of volunteers of charity from Texas who were distributing bottled water when they were approached by armed individuals seeking supplies. Though no one was harmed, the charity suspended its efforts in that area, leaving hundreds of the residents without immediate access to clean drinking water.
“It is a bit of a delicate situation,” said Greg Rowland, charity director. “We want to continue helping, but we also have a responsibility to protect our staff and volunteers. We’re working with local officials to figure out how we can safely resume operations.”
Other groups, including medical teams providing emergency care, have reported similar encounters. Some hospitals and mobile clinics have had to limit their hours of operation or even temporarily close due to threats of violence.
Misinformation Fuels Distrust
Misinformation has spread massively in this aftermath of the hurricane, according to experts. Rumors of aid being unequally divided or withheld continue to spark heated arguments between residents and relief workers on social media.
“In disaster times, rumors spread quickly as fire,” says Dr. Amelia Curtis, a disaster response expert at the University of Florida. “They are desperate, and if they see rumors that aid is being diverted or misused, then they might attack those who come to rescue them. It is a dangerous situation for all parties involved.”
Relief agencies have been trying to fight these rumors by increasing transparency and improving communication with local communities, but in some areas, the damage has already been done as far as trust is concerned.
A Call for Unity
Local leaders called for calm and cooperation during ongoing recovery efforts. Baton Rouge Mayor Lisa Carver urged residents to work together with the relief teams as the only way to rebuild is through unity.
“We understand the frustration and the pain,” Mayor Carver said in a press conference. “But threatening those who are here to help us will only slow down the recovery. We need to come together as a community and support each other in this time of need.”
Despite the challenges, many relief workers remain committed to their mission. Some have received additional security and others relocated to less volatile areas. However, aid organizations stress that without widespread support and improved safety, the road to recovery could become even longer.
For those affected by Hurricane Iris, every delay is crucial. As the region faces a mounting hum
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