FEMA abandons devastated NC town residents because they can’t drive around ‘road closed’ sign: ‘Nobody’s been bringing in supplies except civilians’
SUMMARY
Residents of Bat Cave, NC, are outraged after FEMA refused to provide aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, using a "road closed" sign as an excuse. Chelsea Atkins, a health researcher, recounted how FEMA contacted her to inspect her storm-damaged home but later canceled, claiming they couldn’t bypass the sign. Despite Atkins explaining that the road was still passable by car, FEMA officials insisted they couldn’t proceed. "Nobody’s been bringing in supplies except civilians," Atkins said, highlighting how the government has left them to fend for themselves. The residents of Bat Cave—population 180—took recovery into their own hands. Apple orchard workers and a local grading contractor cleared roads before the Department of Transportation even arrived. The hurricane widened the Broad River from 10 yards to 100, washing away homes and flooding the area. Meanwhile, another local said; "At this point, I don’t care if FEMA comes by. I’m worried they’ll stop us from rebuilding."
