Elon Musk criticizes FEMA for North Carolina’s Helene response as SpaceX looks to deploy new Starlinks

Elon Musk on Friday criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), saying that it is blocking the deployment of the Starlink satellite in North Carolina that was destroyed by the hurricane.

“FEMA is not only failing to adequately help people in need, but it is blocking citizens who are trying to help!” the millionaire was sued in X.

Musk said he recently received a note from an engineer at SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, in Asheville, North Carolina, who said the company has “powered two large operational bases of choppers to deliver supplies. We’ve installed 300+ starlinks and the release of water has saved many lives.”

But Musk said the engineer said FEMA is “actively blocking shipments and taking supplies and resources from the area and locking them away to claim their own. It’s very true and it’s scary how much they’ve managed to stop people from helping. We’re blocked now from shipping new starlinks arriving until we get escorted to the fire station but that may not be enough.

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He later had a text exchange with the engineer in which he said FEMA was about to close the airspace to “‘manage’ the private choppers we’re flying in to deliver Starlink and supplies. We’re pulling back with the Trump team to help, but it’s not looking good.”

FEMA denied the claims in an apparent response to FOX Business.

“Claims that FEMA has seized or seized assets, supplies or services in North Carolina, Tennessee, or any state affected by Helene are false,” FEMA Director of Public Affairs Jaclyn Rothenberg told FOX Business. “FEMA continues to work with our federal family and state and local partners in affected areas to successfully deliver life-saving services to the people and communities that need them most. As of Oct. 3. FEMA has distributed more than 11.5 million Meals Ready to Eat (MREs ), more than 12.6 million gallons of water, more than 400,000 tarps and 150 generators in areas affected by Helene.”

As of late Friday, the death toll from Helene stood at 230, most of them concentrated in North and South Carolina in the most devastated area since Katrina in 2005.

Elon Musk says FEMA is blocking Starlink’s internet deployment. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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Rothernberg added that Starlink units were established in North Carolina and other states after Helene.

“Communication is critical in disaster response,” he told FOX Business. “FEMA has successfully deployed Starlink to multiple disasters to support disaster operations including disasters in Guam, Hawaii and Alaska. FEMA has helped provide Starlink terminals in the state of North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation and critical livelihood areas as determined These units support state municipalities, Urban Search and Rescue and Starlink coordination in multiple states to support Hurricane Helene response efforts.

A member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force investigates a flooded business with a dog after Hurricane Helene near the Swannanoa River in Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday. (Photos by Mario Tama/Getty/Getty Images)

FEMA also directed FOX Business to its rumor response page, saying rumors about the agency turning around and stopping vehicles for donations and confiscation are “all false” and “often spread after a disaster.”

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“FEMA does not accept donations and/or food from survivors or volunteer organizations. Donations of food, water, or other goods are handled by volunteer agencies that specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning and distributing donated items,” it said. “FEMA doesn’t stop cars or manage road closures with armed guards – that’s done by local law enforcement.”

Starlink and Elon Musk did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.