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FEMA director fears “lies” about its response to Helene undermine government’s ability to assist victims • Asheville Watchdog

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avlwatchdog.org – TOM FIEDLER – 2024-10-22 11:12:00

The head of the Federal Emergency Management Administration is expressing concern that “lies” spread by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and others about the federal response to Tropical Storm Helene will discourage victims in western North Carolina from seeking assistance.

In an interview Monday aired on Blue Ridge Public Radio, FEMA Director Deanne Criswell was asked if the recovery effort was being affected by “misinformation” circulated by critics of the agency, a reference to former President Trump although he wasn’t named.  

“I think the thing I was the most concerned about is, I want people who have been impacted to register for assistance,” Criswell said. “And what I don’t want is somebody who is listening to lies to then not get into our system and get the type of assistance that they’re eligible for and they deserve.”

Her remarks overlapped closely with Trump’s campaign appearance Monday afternoon in Swannanoa, where he persisted in making debunked claims about FEMA’s response. He visited a small section of the flood-devastated town east of Asheville and met with local Republican politicians and supporters whose businesses were damaged.   

The event was held on a site still strewn with wrecked buildings and vehicles and was attended only by invited supporters, Republican office holders, and a small group of reporters. In his remarks and under questioning by the press, he repeated the false charge that FEMA was “broke” because it had diverted disaster-relief funding from the region to assist “illegal migrants” crossing the southern border.  

He also claimed that local victims “felt helpless and abandoned and left behind by their government” and were dependent upon the efforts by private citizens and first responders for help. “Certainly you have all heard the same stories that we hear that FEMA has done a very poor job,” Trump said.

These and other claims have been repeatedly challenged and disproven by local government officials, among them Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards, whose 11th District encompasses the hardest hit counties in western North Carolina. Edwards, in a news release a week after the storm, called such claims “hoaxes.”

Edwards also posted a new report Monday beginning with the statement that  FEMA “is showing up for the people of western North Carolina” and provided details that undermine Trump’s criticism. 

Although Edwards said FEMA’s response had “a rocky start” with “hiccups here and there,” he reported that it has assigned 1,500 responders to the region; registered 6,900 people for individual assistance; set up 14 Disaster Recovery Centers across six counties, and accepted more than 206,000 applications for assistance. 

“FEMA’s response has been far from perfect,” he concluded, “but the Disaster Survivor Assistance teams and Disaster Recovery Centers are showing up for the people of Western North Carolina. They are staffed by folk who want to help and are providing much-needed assistance to our mountains.”     

Although the report had been circulated by his office before the Trump appearance, Edwards stood silently behind Trump as he attacked FEMA and repeated some of the false claims. He praised Trump for the visit and getting “dust on your shoes,” a dig at President Biden and Vice President Harris who toured the area by helicopter to avoid disrupting relief and rescue operations.

Also attending the gathering was state House Speaker Tim Moore, who is seeking a congressional seat with Trump’s support. Moore joined the criticism of the Biden administration’s response by saying he “had not gotten a single call from the White House, but this man [Trump] and his team have been in touch with us from day one.”
The Washington Post reported in a story Monday that White House telephone logs show several calls between Biden administration staff and Moore’s office relating to the response. 


Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Tom Fiedler is a Pulitzer Prize-winning political reporter and dean emeritus from Boston University who lives in Asheville. Email him at tfiedler@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Dry, windy conditions remain troublesome in Carolinas wildfires | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-28 12:56:00

(The Center Square) – Persistent dry and windy conditions, along with downed trees from Hurricane Helene six months ago, remain troublesome for wildfires in the Carolinas.

The Table Rock Fire, largest of several, has crossed from Pickens County in South Carolina to Transylvania County in North Carolina.

In an update from the South Carolina Forestry Commission on Thursday evening, the Tabe Rock fire grew significantly during the day and the Persimmon Ridge fire only modestly. The Table Rock fire is estimated 8,679 acres and the Persimmon Ridge fire 1,992 acres.

Three counties are home to four other significant size fires in the Tarheel State: Deep Woods and Black Cove in Polk County, Alarka in Swain County, and Rattlesnake Branch in Haywood County.

“Excessive storm debris and timber damage from Hurricane Helene has created many challenges for firefighting efforts,” a release from the North Carolina Forest Service said Friday morning. “One factor is the loss of tree canopy. More ground cover is receiving direct sunlight, accelerating the rate in which fuels dry out.”

The Black Cove fire that originated March 19 is 3,288 acres in size and 17% contained, the Forest Service says. It is approximately 2 miles northeast of Saluda in the Green River Gorge.

The Deep Woods fire, also a March 19 start, is 3,373 acres in size and 30% contained, the Forest Service says. It is about 5 miles northwest of Columbus in the Green River Gorge and the adjacent Holbert Cove community.

The Fish Hook fire that began March 20 is 199 acres in size and 95% contained, the Forest Service says. This fire is about 5 miles northwest of Mill Spring near Lake Adger.

Other fires of size are burning near Sylva and Leicester.

Burning bans are in effect throughout North and South Carolina.

The post Dry, windy conditions remain troublesome in Carolinas wildfires | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

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Western NC fire is now highest priority in the country

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www.youtube.com – WRAL – 2025-03-28 08:07:43


SUMMARY: A wildfire in Western North Carolina has become the highest priority in the U.S. The Black Cove Complex fire near Saluda has burned over 6,500 acres, with over 500 firefighters working to contain it. Authorities warn residents in mountain communities, like Buncombe County, to prepare evacuation bags in case orders are issued. The fire has triggered statewide concerns, with varying levels of fire danger across the state. A statewide burn ban is in effect, and officials are hopeful that rain expected this weekend will help control the blaze. Aircraft are being used to drop water and fire retardant to assist firefighting efforts.

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More firefighters are arriving in Western North Carolina now that the Fire Service says a fire burning there is now the highest priority in the U.S.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

Tar Heel Traveler: Elm City Birds

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www.youtube.com – WRAL – 2025-03-27 20:33:11


SUMMARY: In late March 1963, Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller *The Birds* premiered, and in honor of its anniversary, Scott Mason revisits Elm City’s own bird phenomenon. Every afternoon, flocks of hundreds of thousands of starlings and blackbirds gather, creating a stunning, synchronized spectacle. The birds swarm the same fields at the same time, a behavior observed for over 20 years. Local residents are captivated by the sight, though some remain curious about the birds’ nature. Experts believe the birds flock for food and protection. This “bird ballet” continues to awe those lucky enough to witness it each day.

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It was around this time in March 1963 when the movie “The Birds” premiered. The Tar Heel Traveler revisits Elm City’s very own thrilling version of the birds.

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