Witnesses in a remote Tennessee community reported a group of armed individuals harassing hurricane relief workers last weekend, according to Carter County Sheriff Mike Farley. The incident occurred in Elk Mills, near the North Carolina border, where armed individuals sought to cause trouble but did not draw their weapons. As a result, a 24-hour command post was established in Elk Mills due to safety concerns. The region remains isolated from the rest of the state following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
Reports of threats against FEMA workers aiding in Hurricane Helene relief efforts surfaced over the weekend, prompting a temporary operational shift in western North Carolina. While initial concerns suggested a militia might target aid workers, authorities later clarified that a single individual was responsible for making threats. Operational changes were implemented by FEMA as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of personnel.
Hurricane Helene, which struck the Southeast three weeks ago, devastated remote towns in Appalachia and resulted in at least 246 fatalities, with over half of the storm-related deaths occurring in North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina disclosed that approximately 90 individuals remain unaccounted for, as confirmed by a task force handling inquiries from concerned relatives.
In a separate incident, a man named William Parsons was arrested in North Carolina for allegedly threatening FEMA workers. Parsons claimed he was motivated by social media reports suggesting FEMA was withholding aid supplies. However, upon arriving in Lake Lure, Parsons realized the situation was different from what he had anticipated. Law enforcement officials detained Parsons after he made threatening remarks about targeting FEMA and displayed firearms at a grocery store serving as a FEMA bus and donation site for relief efforts.
Parsons, who possessed an AR-style rifle and two handguns, was charged with 'going armed to the terror of the public' and subsequently released on bond. Despite his assertion of intending to volunteer in relief efforts, law enforcement cast doubt on his claim. A public defender was appointed for Parsons during his court appearance.
