Armed Militia Threatens FEMA Workers in Rutherford County, NC, Forcing Evacuation on Saturday

Oct 14, 2024, 01:17 PM

Federal emergency response personnel in Rutherford County, North Carolina, were forced to relocate and pause hurricane recovery efforts on Saturday due to threats from armed militia groups. The National Guard reported encountering trucks of armed individuals claiming to be 'hunting FEMA' workers. This prompted FEMA to advise all federal responders in the county to evacuate immediately, according to a USFS email. The threats have caused significant disruptions to the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, with FEMA making operational adjustments to ensure the safety of its workers.