FEMA chief insists criticism of federal response to Helene is 'dangerous' [What response?] | 6 Oct 2024 | The administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) argued Sunday that criticizing the agency's response to Hurricane Helene is "dangerous." In an interview on ABC's This Week, Deanne Criswell addressed public outcry over the federal government's response to Hurricane Helene, warning that the "false" narratives spread online about the agency's handling of the hurricane could hinder FEMA's recovery efforts. "It has a tremendous impact on the comfort level of our own employees to be able to go out there, but it's also demoralizing to all of the first responders...FEMA staff, volunteers," she said. "I need to make sure I can get the resources to where they are needed, and when you have this dangerous rhetoric like you're hearing, it creates fear in our own employees." ...Elon Musk accused FEMA of blocking shipments of Starlink satellite internet deliveries in hurricane-ravaged North Carolina, writing on X, "FEMA is not merely failing to adequately help people in trouble, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help!"

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