Whether it’s purposeful or incompetency, the federal government has abandoned the people of Appalachia.
Countless rumors on social media have blasted federal agencies for interfering with the rescue efforts of private men and women.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said FEMA doesn’t have enough funding to last through hurricane season.
And Kamala Harris announced a slap-in-the-face $750 to victims.
Now, the Department of Transportation said “do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.”
“Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground,” it added.
“Our goal is to make sure that funding is no obstacle to very quickly getting people the relief that they need and deserve. There’s also some safety issues that come up. For example, temporary flight restrictions to make sure that the airspace is clear for any flights or drone activity that might be involved in helping to allow those emergency responders to do their job,” Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
WATCH:
🚨 Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.
Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground. For more information on temporary flight restrictions follow: @FAADroneZone pic.twitter.com/muxHefL1sH
— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) October 2, 2024
What’s the appropriate response from private men and women?
Ignore this.
The government is not coming to save you.
And if they do come, they will make things worse.
X users reacted:
I have seen countless videos of people using drones to drop off medications, including insulin. Just a day after the hurricane hit. If these people had waited for the Biden administration they would be dead. https://t.co/29ndFvLuAj pic.twitter.com/I9WoV8Ddvo
— Natalie F Danelishen (@Chesschick01) October 3, 2024
In other words don’t show people what’s going on https://t.co/VUdIvgoMeZ
— Gryphon (@Gryph911) October 3, 2024
I have family and friends in the devastated areas.
The federal gov is not helping. They're banding together to help each other, and they feel abandoned.
It's Maui all over again. https://t.co/1AOTkPQqHF— Andi HK (@AndiHK) October 3, 2024
Translation: They don't want drone footage of them having ZERO recovery efforts. https://t.co/hX1AxLnUmT
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) October 3, 2024
You have a moral obligation to ignore this regime, which is doing nothing to rescue people while threatening to arrest anyone who helps. This is an evil regime. https://t.co/07rfXZrz5l
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) October 3, 2024
“Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for #Helene. Interfering with emergency response operations will cost you. Check Temporary Flight Restrictions before you fly at,” FAADroneZone stated.
“The government doesn’t want you to see what is really going on in North Carolina,” Jack Posobiec said.
The government doesn’t want you to see what is really going on in North Carolina https://t.co/GqlyQSmzsX
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 3, 2024
Private drones are reportedly being used to drop emergency supplies, deliver communications equipment, and locate survivors.
The federal government should stop impeding rescue efforts.
Pete Buttigieg just announced they have grounded all drone flights in the areas affected by Helene.
These drones were being used to drop emergency supplies, comms equipment in the Appalachian and remote Mountain regions, and locate survivors. https://t.co/LfT5Xo3HLm
— The Constitutionalist 🇺🇸 (@WeWillBeFree24) October 3, 2024