FEMA pauses some aid in North Carolina over alleged threats

The Federal Emergency Management Agency resumed its operations in Ashe County on Monday. Ashe County Sheriff Phil Howell on Sunday wrote on Facebook that FEMA had halted operations in some rural areas after receiving threats. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s office on Saturday charged William Jacob Parsons of Bostic with going armed to the terror of the people. He paid a $10,000 bond and was released.

What sparked the threats? Conspiracy theories and skepticism toward FEMA and the federal response to Hurricane Helene have gained traction online since the storm hit. Agency workers and public officials have received threats and hateful comments as a result, according to a study conducted by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell called the online rumors a distraction from the rescue and relief efforts, and the agency last week launched a fact-checking page regarding the storm response.

What else have media outlets reported about the incident? Agency workers on Saturday paused their work in parts of Ashe County and in Rutherford County, located southeast of Asheville, after National Guard troops alleged they saw armed militias threatening workers, according to the Washington Post. Parsons was arrested after a caller claimed a man with an assault rifle had commented about possibly harming FEMA employees, local deputies told Queen City News. Jordan Monaghn, deputy communications director for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, told CNN that the state was working with local law enforcement to identify specific threats and rumors.

Dig deeper: Read Addie Offeriens’ report about the criticism FEMA is facing.