Echoes of Appalachia

In the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene, misinformation spreads quickly and causes real damage. One false claim suggested that 1,000 people died in Burnsville, NC, with 900 bodies still without body bags. Another baseless rumor alleged that 1,100 people died in Asheville, and the government is hiding the bodies at Mission Hospital. Let’s be clear: there are no decomposing bodies, and no secret cover-up.

If you feel the need to say, “I HEARD,” stop and ask yourself, “Did I SEE IT?” If the answer is no, you’ve likely encountered misinformation.

These false claims are often spread by content creators chasing clicks and news outlets looking for ratings. Unfortunately, many people share these stories without verifying the facts, fueling unnecessary panic.

Another damaging rumor claims that FEMA or TEMA are confiscating donations—this is simply not true. In towns like Marshall, NC, there are official donation checkpoints, and access to places like Hot Springs and Marshall is restricted to volunteers helping with cleanup efforts, not because of a government conspiracy. There’s even a shuttle system in place to manage traffic, not hide any agenda.

A rumor with a grain of truth is that FEMA is only providing $750 per flood victim. While that’s accurate, remember that Congress controls FEMA’s budget. If you’re unhappy with the amount, reach out to your representatives. And you don’t need to spend that money on food—hot meals and supplies are readily available throughout the affected areas.

The federal and state response has been significant. Over 1,100 National Guardsmen, along with 400 specialized vehicles and aircraft, have been deployed in North Carolina alone, delivering more than 600,000 pounds of food, water, and supplies. On top of that, 10 other states have sent soldiers, airmen, and aircraft to assist.

Before you share any sensational story designed to provoke fear, take a moment to verify the facts. Ask yourself, “Did I see it?” If not, it’s likely misinformation. Let’s focus on supporting the people impacted by Hurricane Helene with real help, not spreading rumors that cause more harm.

With that being said, I’m continuing to make trips to Greeneville to drop off donations that are going to Greeneville, Marshall, Hot Springs, and Burnsville. If you’d like to donate to help these small communities, it would be greatly appreciated. You can Venmo me @Tim-Carmichael-7 or CashApp $tipcar1.

100% of these donations are going to CARE in Greeneville to support the smaller communities and my hometowns. Thank you for your generosity!

Tim

The picture above is my hometown of Marshall.