The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) temporarily halted recovery efforts in parts of North Carolina over the weekend due to reported threats from an armed militia. The disruption comes as the region struggles to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which left 65,000 residents in the county grappling with extensive damage.
On Saturday, FEMA workers in Rutherford County were advised to evacuate after National Guard troops reportedly encountered a militia group claiming they were “hunting FEMA.” The incident was first reported in an email from a U.S. Forest Service official and prompted FEMA to make “operational adjustments” to ensure the safety of personnel.
A man identified as William Jacob Parsons, 44, was arrested in connection with the threats and charged with “going armed to the terror of the public.” Local authorities confirmed Parsons was armed when taken into custody, but further investigation determined he acted alone, dismissing initial reports of a larger militia group.
Despite the pause, FEMA stated it continuing to provide aid to affected communities. “For the safety of our dedicated staff and disaster survivors, we have made some operational adjustments,” FEMA said. Disaster Recovery Centers remain open, and survivors can still apply for assistance.
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