CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With thousands still needing help in western North Carolina after Helene, we are seeing a lot of claims on social media that the government is not helping and that FEMA is blocking donations.
THE CLAIM:
There have been several posts circulating on social media claiming FEMA is confiscating supplies.
THE ANSWER:
False
OUR SOURCES:
WHAT WE FOUND
We spoke with FEMA over the phone, and they told us no donations will be blocked or are blocked for western North Carolina or any disaster site.
Over the phone, they told us all supplies are welcome.
People in Tennessee have also been posting similar content on social media. State officials said on social media that TEMA and FEMA personnel are not confiscating supplies. Any report to the contrary is false.
According to a press release from the North Carolina governor’s office, FEMA has delivered more than 1.8 million meals and 2.5 million liters of water, and more than 21,000. people have been registered for assistance.
There are also more than 1,000 North Carolina National Guard soldiers deployed who are surging food, water, and supplies and conducting search and rescue operations.
There are points of distribution for commodities that have been set up around each county.
Contact Meghan Bragg at mbragg@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.