FEMA administrator continues pushback against false claims as Helene death toll hits 230
The head of the U.S. disaster management agency continued to push back strongly on Monday false claims and conspiracy theories about her agency’s response to Hurricane Helene as the death toll from the storm continued to rise.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell noted the agency’s tremendous collective effort that continues to grow, and she strongly urged residents in hard-hit areas to accept the administration’s offer of assistance.
“We have thousands of people on the ground, not just federally, but also our volunteers in the private sector,” Criswell said at a news conference in Asheville, North Carolina. “And frankly, that kind of rhetoric is demoralizing to our employees who have left their families to come here and help the people of North Carolina. And we will be here as long as they are needed.”
Over the past week, misinformation has spread in communities hardest hit by Helene, including the federal government the intentional withholding of support for people in Republican areas. Former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have done so too questioned FEMA’s response And falsely claimed to finance it goes to migrants or foreign wars.
FEMA has a section of its website dedicated to providing information accurate answers to questions and dealing with rumors about his reaction to Helene.
The agency released a statement on Friday debunking rumors that it will provide only $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery. Criswell said the initial money will help residents with medical or food costs. She said additional funding will be available to reimburse them for the costs of home repairs, lost personal items, post-hurricane rental units and hotel stays.
“But I can’t give it to them if they don’t sign up,” Criswell said. “And if people are afraid to apply for a job, it hurts.”
When asked directly about a circulating claim that FEMA would seize people’s property if they don’t pay back the $750 within a year, Criswell said this was “absolutely untrue.”
Cleanup efforts and response to the storm that killed at least 230 people continued Monday, while Milton quickly strengthened into a path into a Category 5 hurricane towards Floridathe same area that was hit by Helene less than two weeks ago.
More than 130,000 customers in western North Carolina were still without electricity on Monday poweroutage.us.
Also in North Carolina, more than 1,600 local and state search and rescue team members have been joined by about 1,700 National Guard members, according to Gov. Roy Cooper’s office.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon said Monday that another 500 active-duty troops have been deployed to North Carolina. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said troops with advanced technological capabilities will arrive, bringing the total number of active-duty forces to about 1,500. The troops are bringing surveillance equipment so officials can get a better overview of the region.
Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said search and rescue aircraft conducted 10-hour flights and provided welfare checks, medical care and evacuations. He called the military operations the “most important and honorable mission for us, which is to help fellow citizens.”
Cooper said more than 50 water systems were destroyed or affected by the storm and the pace of recovery varies by community. He said he could not provide a specific timeline, but said the process in Asheville could take longer Buncombe Countywhere at least six dozen people died.
“It will take some time,” he said.
In South Carolina, officials estimate $250 million has been spent on clearing debris, infrastructure damage and emergency response. More than 300 homes were destroyed and 5,200 damaged, Kim Stenson, director of the state’s Emergency Management Division, said Monday.
The state’s largest school district, Greeneville County, plans to reopen Wednesday after being closed for seven days. The district said it has had to adjust bus routes because of blocked roads, closed bridges, sinkholes and traffic disruptions at major intersections.
In Tennessee, where at least 12 people died from Helene, Gov. Bill Lee on Monday visited the Bristol Motor Speedway, now a hub for collecting donations for victims and centralizing other operations in the aftermath of the floods. Lee met with coordinators and volunteers who were sorting through donations.
“These are Tennesseans and they are hurting,” Lee said. “Not only do they hurt, but they also help.”
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Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor, Gabriela Aoun, Jeffey Collins and George Walker contributed to this report.