Concerns over "armed militia" threatening federal emergency response workers in hard-hit Rutherford County, North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Saturday forced the employees to move to a different area, according to an urgent email sent to federal agencies, The Washington Post reported over the weekend.
"FEMA has advised all federal responders Rutherford County, NC, to stand down and evacuate the county immediately," according to the message, which stated that National Guard troops "had come across x2 trucks of armed militia saying there were out hunting FEMA."
The email added that incident management teams "have been notified and are coordinating the evacuation of all assigned personnel in that county."
Two federal officials confirmed the authenticity of the email, although it was unclear if the threat was actually credible. However, by Sunday afternoon, the workers were back in place, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The incident is the latest example of growing concerns about security in Rutherford County, which became one of the centers of tension and conflict after a rumor spread on social media that government officials planned to seize the devastated village and bulldoze bodies under the rubble.
Authorities and news outlets said the rumors were not true, but people on social media urged the militias to go after FEMA.
A person familiar with FEMA operations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the agency was working out of an abundance of caution and its crews were working at fixed locations and secure areas instead of the normal procedure of going door to door.
"FEMA continues to support communities impacted by Helene and help survivors apply for assistance," the person said. "For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, FEMA has made some operational adjustments."
Riva Duncan, a Forest Service official who lives in Asheville, told The Washington Post that residents have harassed federal employees due to the heightening tensions.
Duncan said, "It's terrible because a lot of these folks who need assistance are refusing it because they believe the stuff people are saying about FEMA and the government. And it's sad because they are probably the ones who need the help the most."
In a text message shared with The Washington Post, a woman said that her child, a Forest Service crew member, was one of those who temporarily left the county.
Earlier Saturday, a resident came to a supplies distribution center and threatened FEMA workers who were stationed there, according to two Cajun Navy volunteers in an incident confirmed by Lake Lure Police and Rutherford County Sheriff's offices.