More footage has surfaced on social media showing a helicopter causing extensive damage to relief stations in North Carolina. Video captured of the latest incident appears to show a Chinook-style helicopter causing substantial damage to the aid site. Reportedly, the rotor wash from the helicopter flying too low sent three people to the hospital and caused six figures worth of damage.
As more incidents of rotor wash surface from government aircraft, users on social media are increasingly voicing critical opinions toward FEMA and the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Footage had resurfaced days prior, showing another helicopter attempting to land in a relief station in a parking lot, causing notable damage.
Another person wrote on X, “Here are 3 “rotor wash” incidents on western NC local relief stations I am aware of at this time. The first video is a military Chinook style helicopter that rotor washed another relief station blowing away aid, injuring 3 people, and causing 100k in damages to people’s cars and campers (see 4th upload for details). The 2nd and 3rd videos are similar incidents. This is absolutely disgusting behavior and the worst part is it’s being perpetuated by the very people in the govt who are supposed to be helping people in this devastating situation, FEMA and the military. Why is FEMA at war with us?”
Another person said, “A second helicopter, a North Carolina National Guard Chinook, has “rotor washed” another relief station blowing away aid, injuring 3 people, and causing $100k in damages to people’s cars and campers.” One user commented in frustration, “This is absolutely disgusting behavior and the worst part is it’s being perpetuated by the very people in the govt who are supposed to be helping people in this devastating situation, FEMA and the military. hate you enough already.”
A firsthand account from the disaster recovery team that was onsite has circulated across social media, describing the damage. The statement read ,”A National Guard chinook helicopter was landing next to our project, like the other 100 helicopters we’ve seen this week, and they decided to “buzz the tower”, if you will. Coming in way too low and destroying all of our tents, awnings, our lunch, and damaging multiple trucks, trailers, campers, and much more.”
The statement continued, “We ended up sending 3 employees to the hospital and have an estimated $100k+ in damages to our gear and campers. We were serving lunch at the time of the incident. Our first hot meal all week… almost. When confronting the Senior Officer in charge, we were basically told “oops, our bad, and see ya”. I asked for names and was told to kick rocks. All 1 had was a tail number from the aircraft.”
The account continued, “Thankfully, my father whom is retired military, knew who to call immediatelv. Within 30 minutes the National Guard and the FAA had contacted me. And a public affairs officer stopped by our site later to apologize and give me the information to file a complaint and claim.” Watch footage of the latest incident below:
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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