Buttigieg’s message on restricting civilian drones near Hurricane Helen damage sparks outcry, clarification

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has clarified a message warning civilian drone pilots not to fly near Hurricane Helene recovery and rescue efforts – or face penalties, fines or “criminal prosecution”. » – after facing intense backlash online.

Reached by Fox News Digital, a DOT spokesperson said civilian drone pilots are permitted and assisting in rescue and recovery efforts, and that previous “temporary flight restrictions” have since been lifted.

Some X users – collectively boasting millions of followers – reacted negatively to a message to drone pilots accompanied by a video of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared by the department earlier this week. The post and video claimed the restrictions would prohibit civilian volunteers from legally searching for victims or survivors when response time matters most or capturing their own footage of the disaster.

“USDOT’s tweet yesterday referenced 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 relief and recovery assistance following Hurricane Helene.”

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“Sometimes local authorities and law enforcement ask the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) to ensure the safety of aircraft or drones operating in certain areas,” the spokesperson said. -speech in a press release. “These restrictions occur at the request of local authorities or law enforcement. The FAA does not put them in place without a request.”

The spokesperson said such restrictions apply to manned or unmanned aircraft or drones.

“With appropriate authorization, drones (and other aircraft) are permitted to operate under a temporary flight restriction,” the statement continued. “These are only limited areas identified by law enforcement and local authorities.

“Rescue operations, including civilian operations and volunteers, who are coordinated with emergency responders can still access the airspace during these restrictions. Anyone wishing to use a drone or other aircraft to assist in relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene should coordinate with on-site first responders and law enforcement to ensure they do not disrupt not rescue operations. »

The clarification comes after the DOT posted on Interfering with emergency response operations impacts ground search and rescue operations. »

In an attached video message, Buttigieg said: “Our goal is to ensure that funding is not a barrier to getting people the help they need and deserve very quickly.

“There are also some safety concerns that arise. For example, temporary flight restrictions to ensure the airspace is clear for any drone flights or activities that may allow emergency responders to do their jobs.”

The message referred to the account for FAADroneZone, the Federal Aviation Administration’s site for drone activity.

“Interfering with emergency response efforts may result in fines or criminal prosecution,” FAADroneZone wrote, republishing Buttigieg’s remarks. “Always check for temporary flight restrictions before flying.”

These publications quickly sparked strong criticism on social networks.

“Buttigieg’s statement comes as the federal government continues to move its feet to help people in need,” Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, wrote to his 1.5 million followers on X.

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“Kamala Harris announced that survivors could potentially receive $750 in federal assistance,” Rugg added. “Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says FEMA doesn’t have enough money to get through hurricane season after spending hundreds of millions of dollars on illegals.”

“US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is telling 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 subscribers.

“Pete Buttigieg said private drones are BANNED from flying over areas affected by Hurricane Helene. They are deliberately hindering the ability of volunteers to assist in search and rescue and document the extent of the disaster,” he said. said conservative journalist Ian Miles Cheong, who has 1.1 million followers on X, added.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene exceeded 200 people in the affected states on Thursday. Hundreds of people are still missing.

Buttigieg visited FEMA headquarters and joined Cabinet members Tuesday to brief President Biden at the White House on the destruction from Hurricane Helene.

The FAA, meanwhile, deployed teams “to restore communications with affected towers and airports, including delivering satellite communications kits to Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and continuing work at the Valdosta Regional Airport in Georgia,” the DOT said Tuesday.

“The FAA supported FEMA with two aircraft to conduct overflight assessments and transport emergency personnel and equipment, such as satellite communications kits. The FAA also monitors fuel supplies at several Florida airports, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina are experiencing reduced fuel delivery due to impacts on fuel suppliers.

Original article source: Buttigieg’s message on restricting civilian drones near Hurricane Helen damage sparks outcry, clarification