Tue Oct 15 06:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Armed Threat Forces FEMA to Limit Door-to-Door Aid in Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

**RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NC** – As residents of hard-hit Rutherford County continue to grapple with the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, recovery efforts have been disrupted by a reported armed threat against FEMA workers.

According to The Washington Post, federal responders were alerted to the threat by the U.S. Forest Service, which warned of a potential standdown after National Guard troops encountered an armed militia claiming to be “hunting FEMA.”

One individual, William Parsons (44), has been arrested in connection with the threat, which involved comments about potentially harming FEMA employees working in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area. Parsons was armed with a handgun and a rifle at the time of his arrest and is currently facing charges of going armed to the terror of the public.

While the initial report suggested a truckload of militia was involved, further investigation revealed Parsons acted alone. The North Carolina National Guard has denied any encounters with armed militia or threats against their personnel.

FEMA, out of an abundance of caution, has shifted its disaster assistance teams to fixed locations, suspending the agency’s traditional door-to-door approach. However, they have emphasized that disaster recovery centers will remain open and residents can still register for assistance.

Meanwhile, false claims regarding FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene continue to spread online. These range from conspiracy theories about the government seizing property to misinformation regarding the amount of aid being offered to victims.

President Biden has addressed these false claims, condemning the spread of misinformation and highlighting the need for accurate information during the recovery process. He also announced $600 million in aid for areas impacted by both Helene and Hurricane Milton, which recently struck Florida.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office remains on high alert, though they are not aware of any additional credible threats.

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