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[WATCH] Pete Buttigieg stymies Hurricane Helene rescue efforts

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As federal officials are just now starting to assess the damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, the Pete Buttigieg-led Department of Transportation just shut down a seemingly helpful tool in the rescue efforts.

The U.S. Department of Transportation warned against the use of drones Wednesday amid ongoing post-Hurricane Helene rescue efforts.

“Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene,” a statement from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) begins.

Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), can interfere with emergency response operations and negatively affect on-the-ground search-and-rescue operations, the statement added.

“Our goal is to make sure that funding is no obstacle to very quickly getting people the relief and the need that they deserve,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg explained in an accompanying video statement. “There’s [sic] also some safety issues that come up. For example, temporary flight restrictions to make sure that the airspace is clear for any flights or drone activity that might be involved in helping to allow those emergency responders to do their job.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also shared maps of restricted zones and warned that flying drones into the zones could attract fines or criminal prosecution.

However, this news further illuminates the perception that rescue efforts in the ravaged area are being kept under wraps.

Earlier this week, Jonathan Howard, a member with Florida State Guard Special Missions Unit assisting with aerial recovery in North Carolina following the damage of Hurricane Helene, delivered a now-viral video message explaining what is really happening on the ground and what the government isn’t doing.

“I had my team up here working as well. Here’s the problem. I’m going to tell you everything that’s happening from the ground, what I’m actually seeing, because what they’re telling you is complete bullsh*t on the news and these politicians don’t have a f*cking clue and they’re lying,” Howard said.

“I don’t know why they’re doing it,” Howard said of the federal response. “I don’t know what kind of conspiracy I’ve heard so many things, whatever you want to come up with, but they are literally allowing these people to f*cking die in the mountains right now because we can’t get helicopters. They got money for everything else in the f*cking world right now.”

About the Author

Cory Templeman is an experienced writer and researcher who has worked with some of the biggest names in the publishing business. Cory lives in South Carolina with his wife and three kids.