John Engel

I spent Tuesday outside of Bat Cave, located in the mountains of NC. It’s one of the hardest areas hit by Hurricane Helene 11 days earlier. I spoke to residents that don’t have electricity, internet & cell service. I asked each of them about the help they’ve received from FEMA, the state of NC & others. To a person, they said they’ve yet to see or hear from FEMA or any NC govt official. I spoke to a man that is helping distribute necessities to his neighbors in the area. Me: What are you seeing or hearing from FEMA or even from the state government level? Man: (3 seconds of silence) Do you hear that silence? (Another second of silence) That’s what we’ve heard. In another area just outside Bat Cave, there sits a sign asking where FEMA is located. At another location, a sign thanks @elonmusk and encourages people to vote. (Pics below) The responses are all the same, including from road repair workers. Me: How has it been interacting with the governments and local authorities. Worker: The local governments have been great. The state and federal governments suck. We haven’t even see FEMA. Of the seven people I spoke to that reside several miles apart, they all responded the same way and said only “civilians” and some road crews are helping.