After Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, FEMA took its sweet time in attempting to pull off a plan to help Americans left battered – but unbowed – by the historic damage in the mountain communities of Asheville, Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Foscoe, and Hendersonville. As calls for help rose and fingers pointed at the government, rumors flourished on social media and alternative news sites. The point-and-blame game reached a fevered pitch early.

Is FEMA really there to help in North Carolina? The short answer is yes. The bigger question would be just how much the agency can contribute. Leesa K. Donner, executive editor of Liberty Nation News, points out that FEMA is on the ropes:

“Thus far, FEMA has been in the eye of the poor response storm, and those affected by the first hurricane are hopping mad about it. Residents of the two states have been begging for government assistance. However, it appears that those stepping up are private organizations and community relief efforts. Meanwhile, hurricane survivors continue to hang on for the broke and illusive organization that could easily be dubbed the Federal Emergency Migrant Assistance program – the all-new FEMA.”

Unfortunately, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said some of the quiet parts out loud: The $1 Billion spent on migrant assistance has left their coffers bone dry.

FEMA on in the Way

Before agents from the federal government left whatever meeting they were in to hand-wring over the next steps, Nash County Deputy Jack Thorpe and K9 Fiji were on the ground searching for the missing. In the first ten days, Jack and Fiji found more than 20 adults and children reported missing. Man and dog worked 12 hours a day in the most grueling of tasks to give families and friends peace of mind by bringing the lost souls home for a proper burial. “We are done,” Thorpe said. “We are tired and sore, but we did our best. God bless the people of Western NC and surrounding states who lost so much.”

 (Photo credit: K9s of Valor)

When FEMA finally arrived, it was woefully unprepared and instituted a bureaucratic red tape situation that kept help from advancing to desperate communities. Granted, not understanding the hills and hollows and how the Cajun Navy can accomplish things impeded the progress. FEMA doesn’t have a team of sure-footed pack mules, but Mountain Mule Packer Ranch does. And they traversed what the FEMA folks couldn’t and wouldn’t. The agency simply tried to block roads believed to be too dangerous to cross and set up stations to accept applicants for emergency assistance. And that’s where Diamondback Wranglers, a group of retired special operations forces soldiers, joined the pack. One officer has led a horse unit in Afghanistan, and his experience offered him an opportunity to be ground support for the mules, leading the way on foot to clear the trail that no trucks could traverse.

After being turned away by government agents twice, the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch team decided to move on, posting on Facebook: “Update 10/5: Due to FEMA’s arrival at the location they were supposed to stage and go out of this morning, they had to leave the planned homes and locations to go to a new area.”

After being told to turn around, the mules retreated. But the lead guy, Mike, went back again, explained how they were getting things done. After some discussion, the team was back on its way with an escort from a local mounted police officer.

Mules are stubborn. So are their handlers.

Sheep Dogs Get It Done

Rumors of FEMA abuse abound after every disaster – The agency confiscates goods and funds, or it’s just waiting for people in the affected areas to die. While some of the civilian aid workers like the Diamondback Wranglers and the Mountain Mule Packer Ranch folks have butted heads with FEMA some over procedure, those darker rumors seem to be just that: rumors. After nearly a week on the ground in the Asheville area, Sheep Dog Impact Assistance (SDIA) has been unimpeded by any sort of government agency. They’ve cleared thousands of trees and debris working from dawn to dusk. Gary Blakesley set the record straight: “I have not witnessed any of the abuse seen on the internet. We have only been on the outskirts of the major damage, though. We’ve seen thankful people who need help. But there are lots of folks helping.”

John Parker, an SDIA spokesperson, agreed that rumors on social media include little to no truth: “We have not encountered anyone at this point that doesn’t want us here. The local first responders have been coming to our camp and going out with us on days off. Our organization is like a family.”

FEMA Is Unclear on How They Help

One of the media misconceptions that has elevated to hysteria is the FEMA financial assistance that is earmarked for disaster victims. Is the money a loan? Not really. According to the government’s Common  Disaster Rumors page (yeah, weird, huh?) updated Oct 9. 2024:

“This is not true. In most cases, FEMA grants do not have to be paid back. If you have insurance that covers your temporary housing costs, but you ask FEMA to advance you some money to help you pay for those costs while your insurance is delayed, you will need to pay that money back to FEMA after you receive your insurance settlement.”

FEMA also tells applicants that all requests are “Manually reviewed. For example, in larger scale disasters with many applicants, reimbursement of receipts may take longer.” For homeowners in disaster areas, having insurance will be a saving grace. In the interim, if one must turn to the government, be prepared for more than enough red tape. Some folks don’t have the luxury of time or savings accounts to muddle through, and waiting on the government is getting them nowhere fast.

Red, White, Blue

It has been evident that rumors have overtaken critical thinking for some, and that doesn’t move the people’s progress further; it only adds additional rancor. Undeniably, Americans will stick together when the going gets tough – even if that means negotiating a way in to help – and these rescue and aid groups run towards the danger. They’re making the nation safer with or without FEMA’s help or hindrance. That’s the common ground that unites a nation.

As our Mule friends said on their way home after a ten-day deployment: “We keep hearing about these Appalachian people being some of the strongest, kindest people – believe it! We are witnessing it in these hollers daily. No one wants to take too much of the supplies brought to them or hoard resources. They want to make sure their neighbors have plenty as well. Amongst the devastation, there is beauty that shines brightly, and it is the People of this country. This is America, and we are so proud!”