A post made on X claims that Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper did not active the National Guard in response to Hurricane Helene.
Fact Check:
Credible sources have reported that Hurricane Helene is the deadliest storm to hit the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The life-threatening hurricane was deemed a “worst-case scenario” for Western North Carolina.
A post made on X claims that Cooper did not activate the state’s National Guard in response to Hurricane Helene. The caption reads, “So, let me get this straight…FL just went through a natural disaster of their own, yet DeSantis is sending FL Guard to help NC, while the NC Governor hasn’t even activated the NC National Guard yet, and Biden, Kamala, and Trump are doing what exactly?”
The claim is false. A Sept. 26 press release confirms that Cooper deployed North Carolina National Guardsman in anticipation of Helene. The press release states, “The State Emergency Response Team has deployed equipment, personnel and resources to support impacted communities, including North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Teams and Urban Search and Rescue Teams, as well as more than 200 North Carolina National Guardsmen.”
A second press release from Sept. 30 reiterates the deployment of additional North Carolina National Guardsmen. (RELATED: Does This Post Accurately Depict Hurricane Helene Footage?)
During a press conference held ahead of Hurricane Helene, Cooper stated, “I’ve activated 175 soldiers and Airmen from the North Carolina National Guard.” North Carolina National Guard Major General Todd Hunt joined Cooper for this press conference.
No credible sources have reported that the governor failed to activate the North Carolina National Guard. Check Your Fact has reached out to the governor’s official communications team.