(WGHP) — Recovery efforts in western North Carolina have been significantly disrupted due to safety concerns following threats made against federal responders, including FEMA workers. Although local officials confirm that no threats originated in certain counties, FEMA has implemented operational changes throughout the region as a precaution.
FEMA teams continue to assist residents in registering for disaster relief, but some personnel have been relocated to secure areas instead of conducting door-to-door outreach. This adjustment follows the arrest of William Jacob Parsons, 44, of Bostic, who was charged with making threats against FEMA employees in the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock regions. Deputies apprehended Parsons while he was armed with a handgun and a rifle.
North Carolina Governor Addresses Threats to FEMA Workers
The threats arose after Parsons posted a message on Facebook urging individuals to “overtake” the FEMA site in Lake Lure, alleging that FEMA was withholding supplies from hurricane survivors. In his post, he expressed frustration: “We the people are sick and tired of the BS. We the people are seeking volunteers to join us and overtake the FEMA site… They want to screw our citizens. Now, we return the favor.”
When questioned about his post, Parsons claimed he believed FEMA was neglecting local residents. “I viewed it as if our people are sitting here on American soil, and they’re refusing to aid our people,” he stated, explaining his intention to forcibly remove barriers at the FEMA site.
Upon arriving in Lake Lure, Parsons later acknowledged that the situation was different from his expectations. “I went up and saw that there was absolutely nothing there, so I stayed, and I volunteered all day,” he said.
Despite his claims, law enforcement, alerted to the potential threat, arrested Parsons at the scene. He maintains that he was merely 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…,” he asserted.
Parsons faces charges for going armed to the terror of the public and was released later that day on a $10,000 secured bond.
In light of the incident, FEMA has adjusted its operations region-wide to ensure the safety of both workers and residents. The agency emphasized that these changes are temporary and reiterated its commitment to providing essential assistance to storm-affected communities.
Misinformation has played a significant role in escalating tensions across western North Carolina, leading some residents to refuse aid from FEMA and express distrust in government relief efforts. Local authorities have addressed these issues, urging the public to remain calm and concentrate on recovery.
The Ashe County Sheriff’s Office released a statement clarifying the situation, emphasizing FEMA’s supportive role: “We wanted to address the current issues being spread about FEMA in Ashe County… 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.”
The Avery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that FEMA operations were also affected by the threats made in Polk County, where Parsons was arrested.
Governor Roy Cooper’s office has acknowledged the significant misinformation circulating online and the reports of threats against response workers. The governor has instructed the Department of Public Safety to work with local law enforcement to identify specific threats and ensure safety as recovery efforts proceed.
Despite these challenges, FEMA has approved disaster assistance for over 75,000 households, with four disaster recovery centers currently open in Buncombe, McDowell, Caldwell, and Jackson Counties, and additional centers expected to open soon.