Rescuers Evacuate North Carolina After Threats from Armed Groups

Hurricane Helene caused massive destruction in North Carolina, affecting towns like Rutherfordton and Forest City. Emergency workers, including those from FEMA, were helping with recovery efforts. However, a sudden warning from the US Forest Service told them to evacuate Rutherford County immediately. The reason? Armed militia groups were roaming the area, posing a threat. These militia groups are sometimes linked to white supremacist groups, who use natural disasters to recruit members and spread their messages. The situation got so serious that FEMA had to change their operations.

Instead of going door-to-door, they started working from fixed locations. This wasn't the first time FEMA faced threats. Conspiracy theorists have long targeted them, especially those on the far right. Misinformation was also a big problem. Some people believed the hurricane was manipulated by the government. This made it hard for emergency workers to help those who needed it. Even the vice-president, Kamala Harris, spoke about the issue, saying that spreading false information makes it harder for people to get help.

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