(WGHP) — Recovery efforts in western North Carolina are being disrupted by safety concerns following threats against federal responders, including FEMA workers. While local officials confirm that no threats originated in some counties, FEMA has made operational changes across the region out of caution.
FEMA teams continue to help residents register for disaster assistance, but some personnel have been moved to secure locations rather than conducting door-to-door outreach. This change follows the recent arrest of William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic, who was charged with making threats against FEMA employees in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas. Deputies found Parsons armed with a handgun and a rifle.
The threats came after Parsons posted a message on Facebook calling for people to “overtake” the FEMA site in Lake Lure based on what he says were social media reports that FEMA was withholding supplies from hurricane survivors.
“We the people are sick and tired of the BS. We the people are seeking volunteers to join us and overtake the FEMA site in Lake Lure and send the products up the mountains this Saturday. We the people are done playing games. It’s time to show who we are and what we believe. They want to screw our citizens. Now, we return the favor,” Parsons said.
When asked about his post, Parsons explained that he believed FEMA was failing to help residents in need.
“I viewed it as if our people are sitting here on American soil, and they’re refusing to aid our people,” he said. “So we were going to go up there and forcefully remove that fence.”
Upon arriving at Lake Lure, however, Parsons said he realized the situation was different than he had imagined.
“I went up and saw that there was absolutely nothing there, so I stayed, and I volunteered all day,” he said.
Law enforcement officials, already alerted to the threat, arrested Parsons at the scene. He insists he was simply exercising his Second Amendment rights.
“They want to sit here and lie and say I was carrying guns around. I had one gun on me, which was legally owned and sitting on the side of my hip, and I had a rifle and another pistol that were in my vehicle that were both lawful and legal to own,” Parsons said.
Parsons was charged with going armed to the terror of the public and released later that day on a $10,000 secured bond.
In response to the incident, FEMA has adjusted its operations across the region to protect both workers and residents. The agency emphasized that these changes are temporary and stressed that they continue to provide much-needed assistance to communities affected by recent storms.
Misinformation has been a major factor in heightening tensions across western North Carolina. Some residents, swayed by false reports online, have refused aid from FEMA and expressed distrust in government relief efforts.
Local authorities have addressed these concerns, urging the public to remain calm and focus on recovery efforts. The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office released a statement clarifying the situation.
“We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County. As a response, they have been here to help and assist those in need. Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them. This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats. Stay calm and steady during our recovery, help folks and please don’t stir the pot,” Sheriff Phil Howell said.
The Avery County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that FEMA operations had been affected by the incident.
“We have had no credible threats or received any information pertaining to threats toward FEMA in Avery County. We are aware of the threat that was made in Polk County and that the individual was arrested in Rutherford County. It did affect FEMA operations here as it did in several counties,” a spokesperson said.
Helping people after the fact is one thing, but it doesnt seem like there was any help at all during this event. I remember a time we would send in the national guard but since fema has taken on their new responsibilities after 911 it doesnt seem like they do that anymore. I am also curious, how does misinformation hamper people getting donations or insurance money? I am rather confused over this, sure its a annoyance, but how do people losing their shit on social media affect how quickly the government doles out relief efforts. lmao. They are appalachians, they were distrustful of government and their "promises for help" for a long time now.
Some of the stories coming out of this event are insane. This one stuck out to me.
A 75-year-old North Carolina man was swept away by Hurricane Helene floodwaters after clinging to a tree for hours as neighbors and family heard him crying for help, but were unable to reach him.
Family, friends and neighbors then looked from afar as Tipton clutched onto a nearby tree for about seven hours. Though it was hard for many to spot him, they could hear his calls for help.
This one too.
"He was able to get the rope to the tree and tie it around the tree, and he put them on his back," said Carrie. "He walked them back over here, which is when somebody came from the road with a jon boat and put them in the boat."
Carrie said she and her family's legs were beaten by the numerous things floating in the water, telling WLOS her boyfriend's legs were "completely scabbed up" after the cuts he sustained while saving the children.
Although Hurricane Helene left the family with nothing to salvage from their home, Carrie said she remains strong and chooses to reflect on "what truly matters."
"We lost all of our things, but we didn't lose us," said Carrie.
Can anyone even post one story where the government saved anyone during the hurricane? All the pr seems to be about now is the recovery efforts. They sure are bragging about their pittance of 20 million. A billion a year on the war machine and spying apparatus, nothing for the american taxpayer being fleeced of all their money.
WASHINGTON -- As search and rescue, power restoration and communication capabilities remain top priorities throughout the Southeast, FEMA has already helped thousands of Hurricane Helene survivors jumpstart their recoveries with more than $20 million in flexible, upfront funding.
Blows my mind that normies defend this. I guess they better pray they never find themselves in the middle of a natural disaster.
The message to me is clear, you cannot depend on daddy government to save you when shit hits the fan.
(WGHP) — Recovery efforts in western North Carolina are being disrupted by safety concerns following threats against federal responders, including FEMA workers. While local officials confirm that no threats originated in some counties, FEMA has made operational changes across the region out of caution.
FEMA teams continue to help residents register for disaster assistance, but some personnel have been moved to secure locations rather than conducting door-to-door outreach. This change follows the recent arrest of William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic, who was charged with making threats against FEMA employees in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas. Deputies found Parsons armed with a handgun and a rifle.
The threats came after Parsons posted a message on Facebook calling for people to “overtake” the FEMA site in Lake Lure based on what he says were social media reports that FEMA was withholding supplies from hurricane survivors.
“We the people are sick and tired of the BS. We the people are seeking volunteers to join us and overtake the FEMA site in Lake Lure and send the products up the mountains this Saturday. We the people are done playing games. It’s time to show who we are and what we believe. They want to screw our citizens. Now, we return the favor,” Parsons said.
When asked about his post, Parsons explained that he believed FEMA was failing to help residents in need.
“I viewed it as if our people are sitting here on American soil, and they’re refusing to aid our people,” he said. “So we were going to go up there and forcefully remove that fence.”
Upon arriving at Lake Lure, however, Parsons said he realized the situation was different than he had imagined.
“I went up and saw that there was absolutely nothing there, so I stayed, and I volunteered all day,” he said.
Law enforcement officials, already alerted to the threat, arrested Parsons at the scene. He insists he was simply exercising his Second Amendment rights.
“They want to sit here and lie and say I was carrying guns around. I had one gun on me, which was legally owned and sitting on the side of my hip, and I had a rifle and another pistol that were in my vehicle that were both lawful and legal to own,” Parsons said.
Parsons was charged with going armed to the terror of the public and released later that day on a $10,000 secured bond.
In response to the incident, FEMA has adjusted its operations across the region to protect both workers and residents. The agency emphasized that these changes are temporary and stressed that they continue to provide much-needed assistance to communities affected by recent storms.
Misinformation has been a major factor in heightening tensions across western North Carolina. Some residents, swayed by false reports online, have refused aid from FEMA and expressed distrust in government relief efforts.
Local authorities have addressed these concerns, urging the public to remain calm and focus on recovery efforts. The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office released a statement clarifying the situation.
“We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County. As a response, they have been here to help and assist those in need. Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them. This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats. Stay calm and steady during our recovery, help folks and please don’t stir the pot,” Sheriff Phil Howell said.
The Avery County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that FEMA operations had been affected by the incident.
“We have had no credible threats or received any information pertaining to threats toward FEMA in Avery County. We are aware of the threat that was made in Polk County and that the individual was arrested in Rutherford County. It did affect FEMA operations here as it did in several counties,” a spokesperson said.
Helping people after the fact is one thing, but it doesnt seem like there was any help at all during this event. I remember a time we would send in the national guard but since fema has taken on their new responsibilities after 911 it doesnt seem like they do that anymore. I am also curious, how does misinformation hamper people getting donations or insurance money? I am rather confused over this, sure its a annoyance, but how do people losing their shit on social media affect how quickly the government doles out relief efforts. lmao. They are appalachians, they were distrustful of government and their "promises for help" for a long time now.
Some of the stories coming out of this event are insane. This one stuck out to me.
A 75-year-old North Carolina man was swept away by Hurricane Helene floodwaters after clinging to a tree for hours as neighbors and family heard him crying for help, but were unable to reach him.
Family, friends and neighbors then looked from afar as Tipton clutched onto a nearby tree for about seven hours. Though it was hard for many to spot him, they could hear his calls for help.
This one too.
"He was able to get the rope to the tree and tie it around the tree, and he put them on his back," said Carrie. "He walked them back over here, which is when somebody came from the road with a jon boat and put them in the boat."
Carrie said she and her family's legs were beaten by the numerous things floating in the water, telling WLOS her boyfriend's legs were "completely scabbed up" after the cuts he sustained while saving the children.
Although Hurricane Helene left the family with nothing to salvage from their home, Carrie said she remains strong and chooses to reflect on "what truly matters."
"We lost all of our things, but we didn't lose us," said Carrie.
Can anyone even post one story where the government saved anyone during the hurricane? All the pr seems to be about now is the recovery efforts. They sure are bragging about their pittance of 20 million. A billion a year on the war machine and spying apparatus, nothing for the american taxpayer being fleeced of all their money.
WASHINGTON -- As search and rescue, power restoration and communication capabilities remain top priorities throughout the Southeast, FEMA has already helped thousands of Hurricane Helene survivors jumpstart their recoveries with more than $20 million in flexible, upfront funding.
Blows my mind that normies defend this. I guess they better pray they every find themselves in the middle of a natural disaster.
The message to me is clear, you cannot depend on daddy government to save you when shit hits the fan.