Elon Musk slams 'belligerent government incompetence' over delayed deployment of Starlink systems in NC: report

Elon Musk has responded to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene across the southeast by providing Starlink equipment to enable people to get into contact with the outside world. On Friday afternoon, he posted a text message exchange between himself and the engineers who are attempting to deliver Starlink and supplies. The mission is not going according to plan and that has everything to do, Musk said, with "belligerent government incompetence."

"Just received this note from a SpaceX engineer helping on the ground in North Carolina," Musk said in a post. "@FEMA
is not merely failing to adequately help people in trouble, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help! “Hey Elon, update here on site of Asheville, NC. We have powered up two large operating bases for choppers to deliver goods into hands. We’ve deployed 300+ starlinks and outpour is it has saved many lives. The big issue is FEMA is actively blocking shipments and seizing goods and services locally and locking them away to state they are their own. It’s very real and scary how much they have taken control to stop people helping. We are blocked now on the shipments of new starlinks coming in until we get an escort from the fire dept. but that may not be enough."
 

"Just received this text 20 minutes ago. The level of belligerent government incompetence is staggering!!"

The text shows an exchange between Elon and the team on the ground in Asheville, NC that is delivering Starlink and supplies to the area to aid hurricane victims. Musk had forwarded concerns about the process to get confirmation on what was happening. In response, his colleague said, "It's true." Musk has made Starlink free across the area for those affected.

"They are now about to shut down the Air space to 'regulate' the private choppers we are riding in to deliver Starlink and supplies. We are pushing back with [T]rump team as well to help us, but not looking good."

"We need help to get word out about FEMA," Musk's contact said, "we spoke with Ivanka [Trump] and handed out starlinks with her yesterday but FEMA then showed up and started blocking us." Musk has previously said that "serious reforms" are needed amid reports that FEMA has been blocking aid from citizens.

"The largest concern for us here is the FAA throttling flights for our choppers where they are requiring To/from information and mission now to deliver a discrete code. Doing this take[s] a long time and very cumbersome to the ops. This is the largest concern and most help we could use."

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to the post, saying "No one is shutting down the airspace and FAA doesn’t block legitimate rescue and recovery flights. If you’re encountering a problem give me a call."

Musk responded to Buttigieg, saying "There are hundreds of reports of FEMA/FAA blocking flights. This literally just happened. I will follow you. Please DM me the number to call." Fifteen minutes later, he said "Still waiting … the helicopter is trying to land to deliver critical supplies. What’s the number to call?" Earlier this week, it was reported that Buttigieg shut down aerial drone flights over the affected areas. 

Musk followed up in another post, saying "SpaceX engineers are trying to deliver Starlink terminals & supplies to devastated areas in North Carolina right now and @FEMA  is both failing to help AND won’t let others help. This is unconscionable!! They just took this video a few hours ago, where you can see the level of devastation: roads, houses, electricity, water supply and ground Internet connections completely destroyed. @FEMA  wouldn’t let them land to deliver critical supplies … my blood is boiling …"

This comes as multiple reports have emerged on social media from those in the flood ravaged areas of North Carolina and surrounding areas, who have said that the government agencies that are looking to control the relief effort are not willing to work with citizen volunteers, even those who have their own helicopters and have training, such as volunteer fire fighters.

The White House on Monday said that dozens of Starlink systems were in use in North Carolina and that 100 more were heading to that state to aid efforts and help people. Donald Trump also announced the availability of the service after speaking with Musk about the about setting it up. At the time, Trump said the systems had not been deployed.

FEMA said in a statement that 40 Starlink systems were already online in North Carolina to aid first responders and that another 140 were heading to the state.