"Gov. Roy Cooper Reports 81 People Still Missing in North Carolina, Addresses Ongoing Threats"
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that 81 people are still missing in the state's western region following the impact of Hurricane Helene. Earlier in the day, Cooper had shared that a task force was established to locate 92 individuals unaccounted for in Western North Carolina, while cautioning that the figure might change. By the time of his 3:30 p.m. visit to Swannanoa, Cooper revised the number of missing persons to 81.
"The task force, law enforcement, and other partners are continuing their efforts to find those still missing, and I am grateful for their work," Cooper said. He also reported that 77,000 people have applied for aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with the agency disbursing $99 million and providing temporary housing to 1,900 residents.
Misinformation and Threats Undermine Recovery Efforts
Cooper addressed ongoing misinformation campaigns and threats aimed at disrupting recovery efforts. "If you're involved in spreading misinformation, stop it," Cooper said. "It harms the very people in Western North Carolina who need help."
He also criticized Lt. Governor Mark Robinson, the Republican gubernatorial candidate, for allegedly contributing to the spread of misinformation. "Candidates like Robinson are exploiting people's suffering for political gain, and it's wrong," Cooper stated. "It's disappointing that individuals knowingly spread lies for their own objectives."
In response to threats against FEMA workers, Cooper has directed the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to increase security measures for FEMA.
Arrest and Threats in the Wake of Misinformation
On Saturday, William Jacob Parsons was arrested on charges of public terror after threatening to harm FEMA personnel, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. Parsons, 44, was armed with an AR-style rifle and two handguns at the time of his arrest. He has been released on $10,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Additionally, FEMA received reports of militia members in the area who expressed intentions to target the agency. These threats led FEMA to halt in-person applications for assistance in some mountain communities. FEMA workers are now operating from Disaster Recovery Centers with enhanced security, rather than going door to door, according to a senior FEMA official.
Cooper expressed concern that misinformation was discouraging volunteers and preventing some residents from seeking the help they need.
Recovery Efforts and Power Outages
Despite the challenges, Cooper emphasized that parts of western North Carolina are ready to welcome back visitors, which he said is "critical for the region's recovery." However, more than 13,000 people in the state remain without power, and Cooper did not provide a timeline for full restoration. "The remaining areas without power are more challenging to reach," he explained.
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