Witnesses in a remote Tennessee community reported a group of armed individuals harassing hurricane relief workers last weekend, according to Carter County Sheriff Mike Farley. The incident occurred in Elk Mills, near the North Carolina border, where armed individuals sought to cause trouble but did not draw their weapons. As a result, a 24-hour command post was established in Elk Mills due to safety concerns. The region remains isolated from the rest of the state following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.
Reports of threats against FEMA workers aiding in Hurricane Helene relief efforts surfaced over the weekend, prompting a temporary operational shift in western North Carolina. While initial concerns suggested a militia might target aid workers, authorities later clarified that a single individual was responsible for making threats. Operational changes were implemented by FEMA as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of personnel.
