For ads-free news, click here.
Footage of the devastation left behind from Hurricane Helene has horrified the nation, and locals on the ground have repeatedly said the footage shown doesn’t even do it justice.
However, Joe Biden’s Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, ordered people not to fly drones over the area.
“Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground. For more information on temporary flight restrictions follow: @FAADroneZone,” Buttigieg announced in a social media post on Wednesday.
🚨 Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene.
Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground. For more information on temporary flight restrictions follow: @FAADroneZone pic.twitter.com/muxHefL1sH
— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) October 2, 2024
Buttigieg then appeared to walk it back on Thursday, after being lambasted on social media.
“Many temporary restrictions ended yesterday evening. All pilots should continue to coordinate with local officials on emergency relief operations, check local flight restrictions, and exercise caution during flights,” an update reads.
Many temporary restrictions ended yesterday evening. All pilots should continue to coordinate with local officials on emergency relief operations, check local flight restrictions, and exercise caution during flights. https://t.co/y5BisXiACd
— U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) October 3, 2024
Buttigieg was blasted on social media over his initial order to ban the drones. Below is just a sample of the furious reactions pouring in:
Pete doesn’t want you to help fellow Americans.
Fuck you, Pete.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) October 3, 2024
Fuck you Pete 🖕
We are done listening to you
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) October 3, 2024
You’re hiding something.
— JD Sharp (@imjdsharp) October 3, 2024
Hey loser, too late, real Americans started the rescue effort days ago, so pathetic
— Flossy (@ImmaGoodGirlIAm) October 3, 2024
Yep, better not use your own low level drones to find survivors…
Instead WAIT THREE WEEKS for FEMA to MAYBE come along and look for the bodies.
I want to remind everybody that actual FAA regulations are that flying your small drone under 400 feet from the ground level for…
— Nick Albertini (@njalbertini) October 3, 2024
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL DML NEWS APP READERS ABOUT COMMENTS ON ARTICLES: The feature on our website that automatically approves comments is currently down. We are hoping it will be fixed this week, but it is out of our control. We are making every effort to come in every few minutes and manually push all pending comments out. We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your patience and understanding until this matter is resolved. Please DO continue posting your comments. Your interaction and feedback is still very important to us. As usual, comments calling for violence or death toward any individual are not permitted.
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
