(WDNews) – FEMA temporarily halted disaster recovery efforts in Rutherford County on Saturday after National Guard troops reported seeing an “armed militia” threatening federal workers.
The Washington Post confirmed the incident through an email sent to federal agencies, though it’s unclear whether the threat was credible. The area, southeast of Asheville, has been recovering from severe flooding and landslides caused by Hurricane Helene last month.
In nearby Ashe County, aid operations were paused Sunday due to similar concerns, but resumed Monday after safety assessments.
As of Saturday, over 1,200 FEMA staff were deployed across North Carolina, with more than 250 Urban Search and Rescue personnel still actively involved in rescue and recovery operations.
FEMA continues to work closely with local officials to ensure the safety of workers and may make further adjustments based on future threats.
