Ground Truth - The Facts of the Helene Response
There are many false reports and misinformation being shared on social media about the response to Hurricane Helene. Additional reliable information regarding Helene can be found at www.ncdps.gov/helene.
The public should get information about storm response and impacts from trusted sources like the State Emergency Response Team, National Weather Service, and other federal, state, county and local government sites. Be aware that Artificial Intelligence or AI-generated images are being circulated on social media that do not depict conditions on the ground.
Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things:
- Find trusted sources of information.
- Share information from trusted sources.
- Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources and question where information is coming from.
Hurricane Helene FAQs
Emergency Management isn’t a disaster response entity. It is a coordination entity. Emergency managers are not first responders. They typically work from emergency operations centers and command posts to coordinate resources and personnel as they respond to an emergency. When you see National Guard, firefighters, search and rescue groups from other states, volunteer organizations and others responding directly to an emergency, that is the State Emergency Response Team at work. A coordinated effort that focuses on a whole-of-community approach to disaster response and recovery. Everyone has a part, not one single entity.
Yes! The NC Department of Transportation has worked tirelessly alongside others to reopen more than 1,100 roadways. You can find updated roadway conditions at www.drivenc.gov.
There are many resources available. You can call 1-800-621-3362 to start your FEMA assistance application. It is recommended that you visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your community if you are able. Find the nearest center using FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center Locator.
This is not true. There are many different recovery benefits and programs available to disaster survivors. It is recommended that you visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your community for the best service. You can locate the closest center by visiting FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center Locator.
The initial $750 distributed is an upfront, flexible payment that you may receive while FEMA assesses your eligibility for additional benefits. There are additional funding programs that provide housing, rental assistance, home repairs and personal property reimbursement.
It is true that some applications for FEMA disaster benefits and programs are denied. It is important to read the FEMA response letter thoroughly. In some cases FEMA may need more information or additional documentation to process the application. For more information on common reasons that applicants are denied, visit FEMA’s Understanding FEMA’s Eligibility Decision website.
You can appeal FEMA’s decision within 60 days of the date of the decision letter. You can submit your appeal documents online, in person or by mail. Find more information on appealing by visiting the FEMA website. You can also seek free assistance, visit the Legal Aid of NC website for more information.
This is untrue. The Amish did arrive in Mitchell County after Hurricane Helene to help muck out damaged homes. The state and local governments have not shut down any “tiny house” operation and have not evicted disaster survivors from this type of housing. The Office of the State Fire Marshal issued a press release regarding misinformation related to temporary housing.
Those living in tents and campers along the Swannanoa River have been contacted and offered resources. Buncombe County officials announced during a Dec. 2, 2024, press conference that Buncombe County Emergency Services and FEMA representatives have canvassed all the areas where people are living in tents and provided them with resource information and ensured they have connections to obtain assistance. Local communities, with assistance from FEMA, are contacting anyone that needs assistance to ensure they can access it.
The state and local governments are not taking land from property owners. If a property owner wishes to explore the possibility of a buyout or property acquisition as part of the Hazard Mitigation program, they must apply for the program. Once the application is received, the property is evaluated and an offer is given to the property owner. The property owner must then approve of the sale, just like any real estate transaction.
This is untrue. While lithium mines are in North Carolina, they are not state owned or managed. The mines are private entities. State or local governments are not seizing private land for these mining operations. For information on lithium, visit the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s fact sheet. Here is an investigative report on this claim.
No technology exists that can create, destroy, modify, strengthen or steer hurricanes in any way, shape or form. NOAA published a webpage on this claim. Here is another story from Yahoo News on this topic.
This is not true. As of Dec. 4, 2024, there have been 103 confirmed storm-related fatalities. This number has been corroborated by local governments and reviewed by the NC Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Updated fatality information can be found on the NC Department of Health and Human Services website.
You can read more about this topic by checking out this investigative reports:
There are seven individuals unaccounted for as of Dec. 4, 2024. The state, in close collaboration with local law enforcement, has been managing missing and unaccounted for cases since Hurricane Helene impacted Western North Carolina.
Per Haywood County, this is not true. Emergency responders in Haywood County have canvassed the area and continue to check on multiple locations and addresses as they are reported and have found no individuals currently living in tents.
Helene Fact Vs. Rumor
FACT: False information is being widely shared on social media channels, including AI-generated content and images. Nefarious actors and those with ill intent may be taking advantage of this situation by spreading false information. The public is encouraged to find trusted sources of information; share information from those trusted sources; and to discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.
QUESTION: I saw a rumor shared on social media about Hurricane Helene response. Should I share it?
FACT: The NC State Emergency Response Team, which includes local, state, federal and military partners, along with power and cell phone agencies, private businesses and volunteer organizations, is working around the clock to save lives and provide humanitarian relief to Western North Carolina residents. This is a coordinated effort aimed at saving lives and to speed recovery for residents, businesses and municipalities in the impacted areas.
RUMOR: The state and federal government are doing nothing to respond to the ongoing disaster in Western North Carolina.
FACT: Roadways in Western North Carolina are still dangerous and impassible in many places. A recent landslide shows the potential for more serious incidents. In some areas, traffic is being rerouted to maintain availability of roadways for emergency response, coordinated disaster relief efforts and local traffic.
RUMOR: Checkpoints are being established and donations and volunteers are being turned away from Western North Carolina.
FACT: The state is encouraging financial donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at www.nc.gov/donate, or to a NC Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster. A list of these organizations can be found at www.ncvoad.org/members. The state is working with these organizations to stand up logistical operations to coordinate the collection and distribution of countless physical donations from across the state and country. Donations are not being confiscated by state and federal officials.
RUMOR: The state is discouraging donations in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Physical donations are being confiscated by state and federal officials.
FACT: Coordinated volunteer disaster relief efforts are needed in Western North Carolina. We strongly encourage neighbors to continue helping neighbors in impacted areas. Those wishing to volunteer should register at www.nc.gov/volunteer in order to be connected with a NC Volunteer Organization Active in Helene response. Please do not self-deploy to Western North Carolina unless you are working with an organization already providing services on the ground.
RUMOR: The state and federal government are discouraging volunteerism in Western North Carolina.
FACT: The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace. Learn more.
RUMOR: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.
FACT: FEMA is not controlling any airports in western North Carolina. Airport Managers and Airport Sponsors are the legal entities in charge of operating airports, even in Helene response. FEMA staff may be present at airports as they deploy supplies and stage for Helene response. Airports are critical for accessing impacted NC communities for response and recovery efforts for partners including FEMA.
RUMOR: FEMA is operating and controlling airports in western North Carolina.