On Wednesday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg issued new flight restrictions in the airspace “near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene,” as private citizens have taken measures into their own hands to assist with relief efforts.

According to The Blaze, Buttigieg attempted to justify his order by saying that “there’s some safety issues that come up” when private drones and private aircraft are used to assist in rescue missions.

“For example, temporary flight restrictions to make sure that the airspace is clear for any flights or drone activity that might be involved in helping to allow those emergency responders to do their job,” he continued.

A video statement was issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) with the warning: “Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground.”

However, private operations have become necessary due to the lackluster, and at times nonexistent, response to the disaster by the federal government. Residents in states that were hit by the storm, including Georgia and North Carolina, have said that they have not seen any response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross, or any other organizations or agencies that are supposed to help. Good Samaritans have resorted to using private helicopters and drones to locate or evacuate stranded residents.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees FEMA, was forced to admit in recent remarks that “we do not have the funds” to provide relief or evacuation efforts.

This revelation has led to widespread criticism, including from governors in the impacted states.