Asheville, N.C. – Governor Roy Cooper held a press conference on Tuesday morning alongside FEMA and other state officials to provide an update on the ongoing recovery efforts in North Carolina following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. The briefing comes after a concerning incident over the weekend, where a man identified as William Parson, 44, allegedly threatened FEMA officials outside a grocery store functioning as a storm relief site in Rutherford County. Parson now faces a criminal charge of “going armed to the terror of the public,” as reported by the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
Misinformation has become a significant challenge in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, prompting Governor Cooper to address the issue during the press conference. He urged individuals to cease spreading false information, emphasizing the detrimental impact it has on the people of western North Carolina who are in dire need of assistance. Cooper highlighted the safety of government and volunteer response workers, including FEMA, as a top priority. In response, he directed the Department of Public Safety to coordinate law enforcement assistance to ensure the security and well-being of these responders.
During the briefing, Governor Cooper revealed that 92 individuals remain unaccounted for in the state. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell also expressed her concern over the spread of misinformation, emphasizing the seriousness with which she and her team take threats made against responders. Criswell assured the public that operational changes were made over the weekend to safeguard FEMA personnel, but these adjustments did not impact ongoing search and rescue or other life-saving operations. She further stated that FEMA continues to provide assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene, with all normal operations now resumed.
Governor Cooper also provided updates on the progress made in western North Carolina, highlighting the reopening of some communities and their readiness to welcome visitors. This development is crucial in revitalizing the local economy, which has suffered greatly due to the hurricane’s impact.
