In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which left almost 230 people dead and others stranded, government and private helicopters have been flying over the affected states to bring aid and rescue survivors.
But now, unmarked helicopters hovering over donation and aid sites in North Carolina yesterday are frightening people and stoking conspiracies from an already inflamed population.
Videos posted on TikTok yesterday and Monday show the unmarked helicopters nearly landing at donation sites in North Carolina. The wind created by one of the helicopters damaged a donation site and sent supplies and a tent flying in the air, according to one of the videos.
"An unmarked helicopter flew in and attempted to destroy the distrubution [sic] area that was set up by locals for locals," TikToker Josh Thomas wrote in his video's caption, posted yesterady. "Local PD didn’t know about [the helicopter] after they responded to the scene shortly after."
Thomas said the incident occurred in Burnsville.
A woman named Jaylynn posted a similar video, which she said shows an unmarked helicopter circling a donation site, nearly landing, and then flying away. She also said no one was injured.
Another aid distribution site was affected, as seen in a TikTok posted by user @ezenuff007. In the TikTok, a helicopter flies low to a distribution site in a parking lot and supplies and items start swirling in the air. Then, the helicopter flies away.
"That helicopter just came around here and kicked up everything," @enenuff007 says in his TikTok. "That was crazy."
The videos came as distrust in the federal government's response to the hurricane percolates online: Since Helene tore through the Southeast, conspiracy theories have exploded, from the assertion that President Joe Biden is denying the six affected states the aid they need to recover to the claim that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is more focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion rather than helping Americans who need assistance.
Social media sites have filled also up with tales of FEMA confiscating and refusing to distribute aid.
Now, these helicopters have prompted further fears that the government—for unknown reasons—is trying to sabotage any effort to aid victims.
"I cannot fathom as to why this is happening," wrote one commenter, summing up the fear and confusion the events have caused.
"This is fucked. like we need any more proof our government is against us," wrote another.
Others, though, pushed back, saying the videos were doing more harm than good.
"Yall are not in the helo. You’re not the pilot. You have no idea what’s going on. Stop this foolishness," wrote one.
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