"NC State Police just sent a warning to FEMA that they will arrest any FEMA agent who tries to prevent aid or rescue," reads the post, which is a screenshot of a post on X, formerly Twitter. The Threads post was liked more than 1,000 times in a day. The X post was reposted 21,000 times.

It's a story that unfortunately thousands across western North Carolina have experienced as federal officials survey the damage.

The average FEMA disaster assistance grant was $3,000 between 2016 and 2022. People with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies were paid an average claim amount of more than $66,000 during the same period, the government agency said.

Sheriffs in North Carolina did not arrest officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), contrary to narratives shared online accusing FEMA of blocking rescue workers and relief aid to areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

Even with major hurricane Milton approaching Florida, FEMA says they will continue assisting North Carolina residents and taking claims for aid.