HURRICANE RECOVERY
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Federal disaster workers paused and then changed some of their hurricane-recovery efforts in North Carolina, including abandoning door-to-door visits, after receiving threats that they could be targeted by a militia, officials said, as the government response to Helene is targeted by runaway disinformation.
The threats emerged over the weekend. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Monday that it received a call Saturday about a man with an assault rifle who made a comment "about possibly harming" employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency working in the hardhit areas of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, in the North Carolina mountains.
Authorities got a description of a suspect's vehicle and license plate and later identified him as William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic. Sheriff's officials said in a statement that Parsons -- who was armed with a handgun and a rifle -- was charged with "going armed to the terror of the public," a misdemeanor. He was released after posting bond.
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The sheriff's office said initial reports indicated that a "truckload of militia" was involved in making the threat, but further investigation determined that Parsons acted alone.
Messages left seeking comment at phone listings for Parsons and a possible relative were not immediately returned.
FEMA confirmed in a statement Monday that it adjusted operations.
Workers from the agency's disaster-assistance teams -- who help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state and local resources -- stopped going door to door and instead are working from fixed locations while the potential threats are assessed, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The person stressed that FEMA was making the adjustments "out of an abundance of caution."
FEMA did not immediately provide details on the threats.
Gov. Roy Cooper's staff said in a statement Monday that his office was aware of "reports of threats to response workers on the ground," as well as "significant misinformation online." Cooper directed state law enforcement officials to work with local authorities to identify "the specific threats and rumors."
FEMA has faced rampant disinformation about its response to Helene, which hit Florida on Sept. 26 before heading north and leaving a trail of destruction across six states.
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