Fact Check:
Reputable sources have reported that Hurricane Helene is the deadliest storm to hit the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The massive hurricane caused at least 231 deaths and was deemed a “worst-case scenario” for Western North Carolina.
A post made on TikTok claims that over 2,000 people were found stranded in a North Carolina church following Helene. The post has no caption, but a screenshot included with the post reads, “5:40 p.m. They just radio’d and said they found 2000 more people who are stranded at a church in Candler NC, who haven’t eaten in 6 days. 😞 We literally ran back and forth and filled the chopper as fast as we could! Lord, please don’t let the sun go down on Will Adkins before he delivers this load of groceries! 🙏 Keep the donations coming if you are able! This is far from over, friends. #hurricanehelene.”
The claim is false. The Buncombe County communications and public engagement director told Lead Stories that the claim is “unequivocally untrue.” Check Your Fact has also reached out to Buncombe County for comment. (RELATED: Did The North Carolina State Police Issue a Statement Threatening The Arrest Of FEMA Employees?)
In a Buncombe County Hurricane Helene Community Briefing, the communications and public engagement director addressed the claim and stated, “Our 911 call center did not receive any call to that effect. We have no information to substantiate that. That is not an accurate rumor.”
The screenshot included with the post appears to have originated from an unsearchable Facebook page. Text overlay placed in front of the screenshot reads, “God is in this story! No man could ever outdo what our God can do!!”