Additional footage has been revealed on social media showing a helicopter causing massive damage to hurricane relief centers located in the state of North Carolina, leading to heated speculation. Video recording this latest incident shows what is known as a Chinook-style chopper doing some serious damage to an aid site. Just the rotor wash from the aircraft flying into the area too low reportedly caused three individuals to be sent to the hospital and did over six figures worth of damage.
A report from The American Tribune explains, “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.”
An individual on X stated, “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?”
Someone else on the platform 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.”
Someone who was part of the disaster recovery team onsite at the time of the helicopter incident got on social media and wrote a statement detailing what happened, which 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 added, “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.”
“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.”
You can see the footage below: