Gov. Cooper gives updates on Helene after reported armed threat to FEMA in western NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Gov. Roy Cooper joined officials from FEMA, the state Emergency Operations Center, the Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, and National Guard at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh Tuesday to release the latest updates on the Helene Recovery Efforts.

“There are a lot of heroes on the ground and a lot of resources that have been surged into western North Carolina,” Cooper said. “There is significant progress being made.”

The response leaders also called on people, including Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, to stop allegedly spreading misinformation about the missions in western North Carolina on social media. Robinson accused Cooper on X of “hobnobbing with rich donors in New York instead of preparing North Carolina for the worst storm in a century”.

“He needs to stop it,” Cooper said. “There are other people who need to stop this disinformation, which is hurting people who’ve lost everything. The people who are actually on the ground helping feel demoralized when those accusations are made because they are working very hard to deliver help to people.”

Rutherford County deputies arrested William Jacob Parsons over the weekend and charged him with allegedly threatening FEMA staff, who as a precaution, temporarily scaled back door to door survivor checks.

“I need everyone listening to hear this from me,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said. “The ongoing spread about misinformation about operations is not okay. It has got to stop.”

Said Cooper, “We don’t know how many people are not going to apply for FEMA because they have heard misinformation about FEMA taking their property or other wild accusations that are out there.”

Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe said, “In times like these, it is critical that the public receives accurate and reliable information. We are working closely with local law enforcement to maintain a safe and secure environment for both our first responders and the storm survivors.”

The threats have not stopped the overall recovery missions. The latest numbers show:

• 12,000 customers without power
• 90% telecommunications restored
• 150 wastewater treatment plants operational
• 5,000 tons of goods and supplies distributed
• 11,000 daily hot meals provided by FEMA
• 13 active shelters serving 500 survivors with 80 pets
• Death toll at 95, with 92 still missing
• 33,000 National Guard and active duty personnel present
• 200 swift water rescue missions continue to the rescue and recovery
• 670 road reopened, with 580 still closed and 650 bridges damaged

Cooper invited tourists to start traveling again to western North Carolina to support businesses reopening in areas where roads have been cleared. Essential travel is only allowed in other places where the roads remain unsafe.

“I urge all North Carolinians to remain focused on the mission of supporting western North Carolina,” EOC Director William Ray said. “Our shared goal is to help western North Carolina communities rebuild stronger and more resilient.”

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