Roy Cooper lays out military response in western North Carolina, dispels rumors

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Governor Roy Cooper provided an update Monday afternoon on the situation in western North Carolina 10 days after Helene swept through the mountains. He was joined by FEMA and Department of Defense representatives who also gave updates on their agencies’ work in western North Carolina.

“We know there is much more to do but we know the people here are determined and resilient,” Gov. Cooper said during the update.

The governor said $100 million has been made available by the Department of Transportation to pay for road repairs. As those repairs are made, Cooper urged tourists to stay away from western North Carolina. Those roads are for emergency commodities, utility workers, and medical staff.

As welfare checks and reunifications have occurred, Cooper said the number of unaccounted people has rapidly dwindled. The governor said he would be able to share an up-to-date number on how many people remain unaccounted for as early as Monday evening.

In the meantime, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell reported there were more than 3,400 federal responders on the ground in western North Carlina, representing 20 different departments and agencies. That number is in addition to the 1,500 D.O.D. personnel also present.

Military response

There are currently 3,300 National Guard and military forces working together

Dual Status Commander Brig Gen. Wes Morrison reported the D.O.D has deployed 918 vehicles and 41 aircraft to the western portion of the state. He called the Active Army integration into the response efforts ‘seamless’.

According to Morrison, a task force out of Fort Liberty was on their third day of missions doing route clearance and delivering commodities to areas previously cut off. General Gregory Guillot, Commander of NORTHCOM, said Fort Liberty also played a major role as the first wave of response sending helicopters and an engineering battalion to WNC.

Infantry soldiers from Fort Campbell are also on the ground with all-terrain style vehicles assisting with wide-area searches. They have teamed up with the North Carolina Agriculture Department to navigate areas not yet searched.

In addition to those units, Navy helicopters are working with FEMA. Airman from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Tennessee are also doing 10-hour flights. Guillot said they are involved with search and rescue and are landing in some areas to provide medical care and conduct wellness checks.

Dispelling rumors

Gov. Cooper and Criswell took time to dispel rumors they say are hindering relief efforts.

When asked about rumors circulating social media that FEMA was not helping people in WNC, Cooper said, “People who are saying that are misinformed or intentionally providing false information. We have thousands of local, state, federal officials working. There are some very isolated communities where air drops are happening.”

FEMA reports 104,000 people have registered for immediate assistance with the agency helping 17,000 displaced people in hotel rooms.

Criswell said the rumors affect the morale of people trying to help the impact and deter those in need from seeking federal help.

“That type of rhetoric is demoralizing to our staff that have left heir families to come here and help the people of North Carolina,” Criswell said.

False information has spread online insinuating that those who do not pay back the $750 in immediate need supplied by FEMA are at risk of legal action. Criswell said those statements were untrue and encouraged people to apply for immediate help that could be used to pay for food and housing. Additional assistance is also available to pay for housing, hotels and home repairs.

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