The US Department of Transportation (DOT) clarified a message warning civilian drone pilots not to participate in Hurricane Helene recovery and rescue efforts – or risk penalties, fines or “criminal prosecution” – after facing intense backlash online. .
A DOT spokesperson reached by Fox News Digital said civilian drone pilots are permitted and are assisting in rescue and recovery efforts, and previous “temporary flight restrictions” have been lifted.
Some The messages and videos argued that the restrictions would prevent civilian volunteers from legally searching for victims or survivors or capturing their own footage of the disaster, when response time matters most.
“Yesterday’s USDOT tweet was referring to temporary flight restrictions that were in place but were lifted late last night,” a DOT spokesperson told Fox News Digital Thursday, citing the FAA.
Trump hits out at Biden, Harris over federal response to hurricane: ‘Incompetently managed’
The spokesperson explained that the FAA “is not banning drones from providing Hurricane Helene disaster relief and recovery assistance.”
“Occasionally, local officials and law enforcement request the Federal Aviation Administration to issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to ensure the safety of aircraft or drones operating in certain areas,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “These restrictions occur at the request of local officials or law enforcement. The FAA does not enforce them without request.”
The spokesperson said such restrictions apply to both manned and unmanned aircraft or drones.
“With appropriate authorization, drones (and other aircraft) are permitted to operate within the temporary flight restriction,” the statement added. “These are only for limited areas identified by law enforcement and local authorities.
“Relief operations, including civil aviation and volunteers, coordinated with emergency responders can access airspace even during these restrictions. Anyone using drones or other aircraft to assist in Hurricane Helene disaster relief and recovery efforts The person should coordinate with first responders and law enforcement at the scene to ensure they do not disrupt life-saving operations.”
President Biden speaks with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a briefing on Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on October 1, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
The clarification comes after the DOT posted a statement Wednesday, which reads: “Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or in the vicinity of Hurricane Helene rescue and recovery efforts. Interfering with emergency response operations will prevent ground search and Rescue operations are affected.”
In an accompanying video message, Buttigieg said, “Our goal is to make sure funding is not a barrier to quickly getting the relief people need and deserve.
“Some safety issues also come up. For example, temporary flight restrictions to ensure that the airspace is clear for any flying or drone activity that may be involved in helping those emergency responders do their jobs ”
The post pointed to the account on FAADroneZone, the Federal Aviation Administration’s site for drone activity.
“interfering with emergency response efforts This could result in fines or criminal prosecution,” FAADroneZone wrote in reposting Buttigieg’s comments. “Always check temporary flight restrictions before flying.”
Search and rescue team members walk along North Carolina Route 9 in Bat Cave, NC, after Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
The post immediately received heavy criticism on social media.
“Buttigieg’s statement comes as the federal government continues to take steps to help those in need,” Colin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, wrote to his 1.5 million followers on Twitter.
,kamala harris announced that survivors could potentially receive $750 in federal assistance,” Rugg said. “Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says FEMA has no money to recover from hurricane season after spending millions of dollars on illegal things. There’s not enough money to deal with.”
Podcaster Chad Prather wrote to his 496,800 followers, “US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has asked Americans to stop using drones to help victims of Hurricane Helen. They are using drones to find survivors “
Conservative journalist Ian Miles Cheong said, “Pete Buttigieg has announced that private drones are banned from flying over areas affected by Hurricane Helene. They are intentionally banned from assisting in search and rescue and documenting the extent of the disaster.” “Hindering the ability of volunteers to do so.” Has 1.1 million followers on X.
The remains of a home are seen in Lake Lure, N.C., on October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. (Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)
Death toll from Hurricane Helen crossed 200 people In the affected states till Thursday. Even after this, hundreds of people are missing.
Buttigieg visited FEMA headquarters and joined Cabinet members Tuesday for a briefing President Biden in the White House On the destruction of Hurricane Helen.
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Meanwhile, the FAA has “deployed teams to restore communications at affected towers and airports, including delivering satellite communications kits to Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and ongoing work at Valdosta Regional Airport in Georgia, ” DOT said on Tuesday.
“The FAA supported FEMA with two aircraft to conduct flyover assessments and transport emergency personnel and gear, such as satellite communications kits. The FAA also monitored fuel supplies at several airports in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. “, which has been experiencing shortfall in fuel supply, impacting fuel suppliers.”
