(WGHP) — Recovery efforts in western North Carolina are being disrupted by safety concerns following threats against federal responders, including FEMA workers. While local officials confirm that no threats originated in some counties, FEMA has made operational changes across the region out of caution.
FEMA teams continue to help residents register for disaster assistance, but some personnel have been moved to secure locations rather than conducting door-to-door outreach. This change follows the recent arrest of William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic, who was charged with making threats against FEMA employees in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock areas. Deputies found Parsons armed with a handgun and a rifle.
The threats came after Parsons posted a message on Facebook calling for people to “overtake” the FEMA site in Lake Lure based on what he says were social media reports that FEMA was withholding supplies from hurricane survivors.
“We the people are sick and tired of the BS. We the people are seeking volunteers to join us and overtake the FEMA site in Lake Lure and send the products up the mountains this Saturday. We the people are done playing games. It’s time to show who we are and what we believe. They want to screw our citizens. Now, we return the favor,” Parsons said.
When asked about his post, Parsons explained that he believed FEMA was failing to help residents in need.
“I viewed it as if our people are sitting here on American soil, and they’re refusing to aid our people,” he said. “So we were going to go up there and forcefully remove that fence.”
Upon arriving at Lake Lure, however, Parsons said he realized the situation was different than he had imagined.
“I went up and saw that there was absolutely nothing there, so I stayed, and I volunteered all day,” he said.
Law enforcement officials, already alerted to the threat, arrested Parsons at the scene. He insists he was simply exercising his Second Amendment rights.
“They want to sit here and lie and say I was carrying guns around. I had one gun on me, which was legally owned and sitting on the side of my hip, and I had a rifle and another pistol that were in my vehicle that were both lawful and legal to own,” Parsons said.
Parsons was charged with going armed to the terror of the public and released later that day on a $10,000 secured bond.
In response to the incident, FEMA has adjusted its operations across the region to protect both workers and residents. The agency emphasized that these changes are temporary and stressed that they continue to provide much-needed assistance to communities affected by recent storms.
Misinformation has been a major factor in heightening tensions across western North Carolina. Some residents, swayed by false reports online, have refused aid from FEMA and expressed distrust in government relief efforts.
Local authorities have addressed these concerns, urging the public to remain calm and focus on recovery efforts. The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office released a statement clarifying the situation.
“We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County. As a response, they have been here to help and assist those in need. Recently in the mountain region, there have been threats made against them. This has not happened in Ashe County or the surrounding counties. Out of an abundance of caution, they have paused their process as they are assessing the threats. Stay calm and steady during our recovery, help folks and please don’t stir the pot,” Sheriff Phil Howell said.
The Avery County Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that FEMA operations had been affected by the incident.
“We have had no credible threats or received any information pertaining to threats toward FEMA in Avery County. We are aware of the threat that was made in Polk County and that the individual was arrested in Rutherford County. It did affect FEMA operations here as it did in several counties,” a spokesperson said.
Governor Roy Cooper’s office addressed both the threats and the widespread misinformation fueling them.
“We are aware of significant misinformation online and reports of threats to response workers on the ground, and the safety of responders must be taken seriously. The governor has directed the Department of Public Safety to identify with local law enforcement the specific threats and rumors and coordinate with FEMA and other partners to ensure safety and security as this recovery effort continues,” Cooper’s office said in a statement.
Despite these challenges, FEMA has approved disaster assistance for more than 75,000 households. Four disaster recovery centers are currently open in Buncombe, McDowell, Caldwell and Jackson Counties with more centers expected to open in the coming days.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel
