Arrest made, hurricane relief efforts paused after threats against FEMA crews reported

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) has suspended Hurricane Helene relief operations in some North Carolina counties due to threats against responders in the region. According to CNN, FEMA officials in Rutherford County, North Carolina, ordered their employees to leave that jurisdiction on Saturday immediately following a threat from a militia group, according to local National Guard troops.

CBS News confirmed Monday that one person was arrested in connection with the threat. A FEMA spokesperson told the station: “FEMA continues to support communities affected by Helene and help survivors apply for assistance. To ensure the safety of our dedicated employees and the disaster survivors we serve, FEMA has made some operational adjustments. Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to operate as planned, survivors will continue to sign up for assistance, and we will continue to help North Carolinians recover.”

As first reported by The Washington PostDue to a reported armed threat against workers, FEMA crews were forced to relocate. A FEMA spokesperson told CNN: “To ensure the safety of our dedicated employees and the disaster survivors we serve, FEMA has made some operational adjustments. Disaster Recovery Centers will continue to operate as planned, survivors will continue to sign up for assistance, as we continue to help North Carolinians recover.”

Authorities in Ashe County, North Carolina also said there were threats against Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees responding to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Ashe County is about three hours northeast of Asheville, NC, which was hit hard by Helene. Ashe County Sheriff Phil Howell posted on Facebook about the alleged threats against FEMA workers: “Recently there were threats against them in the mountainous region. This has not happened in Ashe County or surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process while they assess the threats.”

Jordan Monaghan, deputy communications director for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, said the governor’s office “I am aware of the significant misinformation online and reports of threats to workers…The Governor has directed the Department of Public Safety to work with local law enforcement to identify the specific threats and rumors and coordinate with FEMA and other partners to “To ensure safety as these recovery efforts continue.”

In a statement to CBS News, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office said they received a call Saturday afternoon saying a man with an assault rifle made a comment about helping FEMA workers working on recovery operations working in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area, may have caused damage. The man suspected of making the threats was identified as William Parsons, 44, of Bostic, North Carolina; He was armed with a pistol and a rifle when he was arrested and charged with being armed to terrorize the public before being released on $10,000 bail.