RALEIGH: Sheriffs in North Carolina did not arrest officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), despite online claims accusing FEMA of hindering rescue workers and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene. An official from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association confirmed to Reuters that this narrative is incorrect.
Since Hurricane Helene struck Florida on September 26, causing severe flooding in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, conspiracy theories regarding the storm and ongoing relief efforts have proliferated on social media.
One widely circulated Facebook post states: “North Carolina Sheriffs say they are prepared to arrest Kamala Harris’s FEMA agents if they continue blocking rescue workers and pilots from saving lives and delivering critical aid.” The post further encourages the public to urge sheriffs to deputize rescue workers in order to arrest FEMA personnel themselves. Originally posted on X on October 3, it has garnered over 3.9 million views as of October 9.
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Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, told Reuters in an email on October 9 that since the hurricane struck, they have maintained daily communication with sheriffs across western North Carolina and have not heard any reports of FEMA blocking aid or rescue efforts. Caldwell noted that there have been no mentions from sheriffs regarding the arrest of FEMA agents.
FEMA, on its official website, refuted claims that it was obstructing donation trucks, stating that voluntary agencies manage the storage and distribution of supplies. The agency clarified, “FEMA does not carry out vehicle stops or enforce road closures with armed guards; these measures are handled by local law enforcement.”
VERDICT: False. A representative from the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association confirmed that no FEMA workers have been arrested, and there are no claims of FEMA obstructing aid.
