Helene misinformation | Western NC deputy fire chief begs the public to stop sharing misleading, sensationalized information [Video]

SWANNANOA, N.C. (WTVD) — Misinformation about recovery efforts in western North Carolina continues to be a problem as the area tries to recover from the devastation and aftermath of Hurricane Helene. For weeks, Gov. Roy Cooper, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), WNC first responders and NC state and federal lawmakers from all parties have asked and pleaded with people to stop spreading misinformation.

Many of these lawmakers used their social media reach and television appearances to make public pleas for people to stop sharing and repeating misinformation. These were lawmakers who were boots on the ground assessing and helping with relief efforts in western North Carolina after Helene.

FEMA has been one of the biggest targets of misinformation in WNC, including threads that led them to pause operations briefly.

Last week, A North Carolina man was arrested for allegedly threatening the lives of FEMA workers who were helping Hurricane Helene victims.

This past weekend, a deputy fire chief …