The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a message warning commercial drone operators not to fly near Hurricane Helen recovery and rescue operations after facing intense online backlash. Failure to do so risks penalties, fines, or “criminal prosecution.”
A Pentagon spokesperson told Fox News Digital that civilian drone pilots are permitted and are assisting with rescue and recovery efforts, and that previous “temporary flight restrictions” have since been lifted. said.
Some X users, who collectively have millions of followers, reacted negatively to the message to drone operators and the accompanying video of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that the department shared earlier this week. The message and video claimed that this restriction would prohibit civilian volunteers from legally searching for victims and survivors or taking their own footage of the disaster when response time is most critical. .
“The USDOT's tweet yesterday referred to temporary flight restrictions that were in place but were lifted late last night,” a DOT spokesperson told FOX News Digital on Thursday, citing the FAA.
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The spokesperson explained that the FAA “does not prohibit drones from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance following Hurricane Helen.”
“Local authorities and law enforcement agencies may request the Federal Aviation Administration to issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) to ensure the safety of aircraft and drones operating in a particular area,” the spokesperson said in a statement. ” he said. “These restrictions are in response to requests from local governments and law enforcement. The FAA will not implement them without a request.”
A spokesperson said these restrictions apply to both manned and unmanned aircraft (drones).
“With the appropriate permits, drones (and other aircraft) will be permitted to fly within temporary flight restrictions,” the statement continued. “These only target limited areas identified by law enforcement and local authorities.
“Relief efforts, including civilian operations and volunteers working with emergency responders, can access airspace even during these restrictions. Consider the use of drones and other aircraft to support Hurricane Helen disaster relief and recovery efforts.” Those involved should coordinate with first responders and volunteers to prevent law enforcement from coming to the scene and interfering with life-saving efforts. ”
President Biden speaks alongside Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a briefing on Hurricane Helen 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 on Wednesday's , impacting search and rescue operations on the ground.”
“Our goal is to ensure that funding is not a barrier to people quickly getting the relief they need and deserve,” Buttigieg said in an attached video message.
“There are also some safety issues that have come up, including temporary flight restrictions to keep the airspace clear of flights and drone activity so emergency responders can carry out their missions.”
The post pointed to an account on FAADroneZone, the Federal Aviation Administration's site about drone activity.
FAADroneZone reposted Buttigieg's remarks and wrote, “Obstructing emergency response efforts may result in fines and criminal prosecution.” “Please be sure to check the temporary flight restrictions before departure.”
Members of a search and rescue team hike along North Carolina Route 9 in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen in Batcave, North Carolina, October 1, 2024. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
These posts quickly received heavy criticism on social media.
“Mr. Buttigieg's statement comes as the federal government continues to drag its feet to help those in need,” said Colin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics. I wrote this to my followers.
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“Kamala Harris announced that survivors could receive $750 in federal aid,” Rugg added. “Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas says FEMA doesn't have enough money to get through hurricane season after spending hundreds of millions of dollars on illegal aliens.”
“U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg tells Americans to stop using drones to help victims of Hurricane Helen. They are using drones to find survivors.” podcaster Chad Prather wrote to his 496,800 followers.
Conservative journalist Ian Miles Chong wrote, “Pete Buttigieg has declared that civilian drones are prohibited from flying over Hurricane Helen affected areas. “We are intentionally hindering the ability of volunteers to assist with documentation.” He added that he has 1.1 million followers on X.
The remains of a house are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helen passes on October 2, 2024. (Alison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)
Death toll from Hurricane Helen Over 200 people across the state affected as of Thursday. Hundreds of people remain missing in the aftermath.
Buttigieg visited FEMA headquarters on Tuesday and briefed President Biden on the damage caused by Hurricane Helen at the White House with Cabinet members.
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Meanwhile, the FAA said it was “sending teams to restore communications at affected towers and airports, including delivering satellite communications kits to Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and continuing work at Valdosta Regional Airport in Georgia.” “The Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday.
“The FAA assisted FEMA with two aircraft to conduct high-altitude assessments and transport emergency personnel and equipment such as satellite communications kits. It will have a major impact on fuel suppliers, which oversee fuel supplies at several airports in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. ”
