Elon Musk slams FEMA over Helene response in North Carolina as SpaceX tries to set up new Starlinks

Elon Musk criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday, claiming it was blocking Starlink satellite internet deliveries to hurricane-ravaged North Carolina.

“FEMA is not only failing to adequately help people in difficulty, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help!” the billionaire claimed on X.

Musk said he had just received a message from a SpaceX engineer, Starlink’s parent company, in Asheville, North Carolina, who said the company had “commissioned two major helicopter operating bases to deliver goods into hands.” We have deployed over 300 Starlinks and the upside is that it has saved many lives.

But Musk said the engineer claimed that FEMA was “actively blocking shipments and confiscating goods and services on site and locking them away to claim they are their own.” It’s very real and scary how much control she has taken to prevent people from helping. We are now blocked on deliveries of new Starlinks until we get an escort from the fire department, but that may not be enough.

Hurricane Helene washes away business in North Carolina

Elon Musk criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday, claiming it was blocking shipments of Starlink satellite internet deliveries to hurricane-ravaged North Carolina. (Marc Piasecki/Getty Images | AP Photo/Jeff Amy / Getty Images)

He later shared a text exchange with the engineer in which he claimed that FEMA was about to close the airspace to “regulate” the private helicopters we use to deliver Starlink and supplies. We’re also fighting back with the Trump team. Help us, but it’s not looking good.

FEMA categorically denied the claims in a response to FOX Business.

“The allegations that FEMA seized or confiscated goods, supplies or resources in North Carolina, Tennessee or any other state affected by Helene are false,” FEMA Public Affairs Director Jaclyn Rothenberg told FOX Business. “FEMA continues to work with our federal, state and local partners in affected areas to effectively deliver life-saving resources to the people and communities who need them most. As of October 3rd. FEMA has deployed more than 11.5 million Ready-to-Eat Meals (MREs), over 12.6 million gallons of water, more than 400,000 tarps and 150 generators to areas affected by Helene.”

As of late Friday, the death toll in Helene’s wake stood at 230, with most concentrated in North and South Carolina, which saw the worst hurricane devastation since Katrina in 2005.

Elon Musk claims FEMA is blocking Starlink internet supplies. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)

MUSK slams FCC for “ILLEGAL” revocation of STARLINK AWARD, saying it would have helped victims of Hurricane Helene

Rothernberg added that Starlink units were established in North Carolina and other states as a result of Helene.

“Connectivity is critical to disaster relief,” he told FOX Business. “FEMA has successfully used Starlink to support disaster operations in multiple disasters, including disasters in Guam, Hawaii and Alaska. FEMA has helped provide Starlink terminals to the state of North Carolina, including to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation and critical lifeline locations as determined by The state supports state and local municipalities, Urban Search and Rescue, and Starlink units have been divided into several States deployed to support response efforts after Hurricane Helene.

A member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force uses a dog to search a flood-damaged business in the wake of Hurricane Helene on the Swannanoa River in Asheville, North Carolina on Friday. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

FEMA also directed FOX Business to its rumor response page, which said rumors about the agency turning away and stopping vehicles carrying donations and seizing supplies were “all false” and “often spread after a disaster.” would.

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“FEMA is not accepting donations and/or food from survivors or volunteer organizations. Donations of food, water or other goods are handled by voluntary organizations that specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning and distributing donated items,” it said. “FEMA does not conduct vehicle stops or manage road closures with armed guards – these are administered by local law enforcement.”

Starlink and Elon Musk did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.