Federal, state and local officials decry Helene conspiracy theories
Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers (left) and Haywood Rep. Mark Pless (back right) look on as Gov. Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell address reporters at Pisgah High School's Memorial Stadium.
Cory Vaillancourt photo
The head of FEMA, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, Republican Haywood County Sheriff Bill Wilke and Republican Haywood County Commission Chair Kevin Ensley flatly denied rumors and conspiracy theories circulating on social media alleging a lack of government response to the catastrophe left in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene.
The comments came during a Friday afternoon press conference at the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. Cooper began by praising emergency response professionals who are on the ground and in the water rescuing people, but he also thanked volunteers aiding in the recovery.
“[They] are pulling together like people in Western North Carolina do,” he said, adding that while this is an “unprecedented storm,” people are working together to provide an “unprecedented response.”
After Cooper’s statement, members of the media in the room were able to ask some questions. The first couple of questions were for FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who had been on the ground in Haywood County that day. One asked about a rumor that people had already been denied requests for aid. As of now, there are over 50,000 applications for aid and over $5 million has already been allocated, Cooper said ahead of Criswell’s response.
Criswell said no one has been denied at this point, and that typically if those in need aren’t getting assistance “immediately,” more information is needed. She added that the problem is often that people have that necessary information on electronic devices that have been destroyed or are otherwise inaccessible. There are already teams in the field working to obtain that information.
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Next, she was asked about the deluge of disinformation regarding the government response to this massive disaster. She said teams have responded in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia since “before the storm made landfall.”
Another rumor is that funding for FEMA has been diverted to “other things,” as she put it. These rumors typically revolve around allocations of resources to the war in Ukraine or illegal immigrants.
“I can tell you that is false. Completely false,” Criswell said.
“Our funding is here for them, and we’re not going to leave until everyone has everything they need for this recovery,” she added.
Sheriff Wilke stepped up to the microphone and made a characteristically candid statement, almost becoming emotional at one point. He said he’s seen plenty of people working 18-hour days doing “muckouts” who are dedicated to the mission, dedicated to this community. While he said those spreading conspiracy theories are “of no concern” to him, he recommended Haywood County residents “turn that garbage off,” and he had a challenge for those spending time spreading that disinformation.
“Get off Facebook, and get out there and put on a pair of boots and pair of gloves and get to work,” he said.
Commissioner Ensley, typically quiet and stoic, was visibly upset as he spoke.
“I met people on Saturday one day after flood in community doing their job from FEMA and HIS,” he said.
These comments mirrored ones made to The Smoky Mountain News at a brief press gaggle earlier at Pisgah High School’s football stadium, which has been severely damaged by floodwaters. Cooper said disinformation is particularly damaging because it can hurt legitimate relief efforts, including those from the National Guard soldiers he mobilized. He noted that it’s frustrating for these hardworking first responders, as humble as they may be, to feel unappreciated for the work they’re putting in.
Criswell added to that thought.
“I want to say we have resources for individuals,” she said. “We want them to apply for assistance. This level of misinformation creates this scenario where they won't even come to us. They won't even register, and I need people to register so they can get what they're eligible for through our programs.”
Politics Editor Cory Vaillancourt contributed reporting.
