Officials address social media rumors after Helene [Video]

Rumors and conspiracy theories have been floating around on social media days after Helene brought widespread damage and devastation to Western North Carolina and the Upstate. Local and federal officials debunked various social media claims Monday, saying they can have an effect on first responders looking to help the area recover.Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell called rumors that claimed the agency was hindering supplies from reaching Western North Carolina “absolutely false.”FEMA has created a rumor control web page on its site following Helene.”Frankly, that type of rhetoric is demoralizing to our staff that have left their families to come here and help the people of North Carolina,” she said. “We will be here as long as they are needed.”Meanwhile, at the Greenville Downtown Airport, rumors claim that FEMA helicopter contractors were impeding Helene relief supplies from taking off last week.”The airport made a place for them to land …