Locals in Candler, North Carolina are reporting that a suspicious Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) camp has been set up -- urgently -- in the area.
They raised concern about how it just popped up when the agency's personnel have not been extending them assistance and appeared to have already left them while recovering from the disastrous aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Zelenko Freedom Foundation's Ann Vandersteel went to the area to check the massive installation camp that popped up in just a matter of days. She decided to check on the property because they had seen drone footage but their team was surveilled by the personnel of the camp.
Josh Worth, a FEMA spokesperson came after a few minutes to address Vandersteel's inquiries.
First, he clarified that FEMA is building the installation for their responders as well as other federal and volunteer agencies that need lodging to help survivors in the local area.
"We are building these to stay out of the local hotels so that the disaster survivors can stay at the local hotels," he explained to Vandersteel, who immediately followed up with: "Is money being provided to survivors to pay local hotels?"
Worth confirmed that yes, victims are allocated money for accommodation but he could not give further information as this is "not his area" and his area is the "backend support for the operations."
Going back to the camp details, he confirmed to Vandersteel that the facility can accommodate up to 700 people and as to how long it is still going to take to finish building it, "he has no idea at this point."
As the "Zelenko Report" host resides in Florida, she asked if there is a similar infrastructure being built in the Sunshine State. However, as per the FEMA representative, the agency deemed it was not yet needed at this point. That is currently their position on the situation in Wyoming as well. But there are two more of this kind of facility in North Carolina as they are making sure that "all areas impacted by the hurricanes are covered."
Finally, Vandersteel asked Worth if there are any misconceptions he wants to clear up about FEMA, especially since locals have been lamenting how the agency seemed to have left North Carolina, rather than helping, after the two devastating hurricanes.
Another account on X raised this issue, saying that FEMA was pulling their personnel out of Rutherford County due to "reports of militia hunting down FEMA personnel." That report has since been completely debunked, but it didn't stop the agency from running with the idea that they were at war with local citizens.
"We have not left," he said and even vouched that they have additional personnel coming. "It takes a while to build a camp. We have not brought responders yet because we don't want them to become a part of the problem. We want to make sure we have an infrastructure waiting for them."
While walking to the location before even talking to FEMA people, Vandersteel recorded a video that she shared on her X account as a live report for "Steel News." The post has more than 600,000 views as of press time.
Is this GIANT INSTALLATION a FEMA CAMP??? https://t.co/eJ5JjqPacQ
— Ann Vandersteel™? (@annvandersteel) October 17, 2024
She saw humongous climate-controlled trucks and trailers coming in and observed that the installation had just one entrance and exit. She also mentioned that locals have told her that the said FEMA property allegedly belonged to a trucking company that was leased to the federal government. Upon checking, her team found that the vast land was owned by Smoky Park LLC.
Vandersteel's followers on X lauded her efforts to go and clarify with the FEMA personnel herself. One handle even commented: "Why are they building a FEMA camp for 700 'rescue workers' and not helping the residents who lost everything and many dying or dead? Something evil is going on in those mountains."
FEMA claims to have resumed door-to-door visits in NC
FEMA has reportedly resumed door-to-door visits as part of their hurricane-recovery work in North Carolina. Reports said that this was temporarily suspended because of certain "threats" that prompted officials to condemn the spread of disinformation.
Earlier in October, reports came out that FEMA workers could be targeted by militia as the government responds to Hurricane Helene.
The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said it received a call about a man with an assault rifle who commented "about possibly harming" FEMA employees working in the hard-hit areas of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock in the North Carolina mountains. (Related: Fact or fiction? Media claims FEMA isn't in Helene-ravaged western N.C. because "armed militias" are hunting down federal aid workers.)
He was charged with "going armed to the terror of the public," a misdemeanor, and was released after posting bond. He did not operate with a group, just by himself.
FEMA made operational changes to keep personnel safe "out of an abundance of caution," agency Administrator Deanne Criswell said. But FEMA workers said they were back in the field last week and Criswell said disaster-assistance teams helping survivors apply for FEMA aid as well as state and local assistance will continue to go door-to-door.
"The federal family has been here working side by side with the state since Day One. These are people who put their lives on hold to help those who have lost everything," Criswell said.
Disaster.news has updates on whether FEMA really continues to help hurricane victims as it claims to lack funds to continue the efforts.
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