Biden, Harris flight restrictions didn't block hurricane recovery efforts | Fact check
The claim: Biden and Harris blocked rescue efforts to North Carolina so they could tour hurricane damage
An Oct. 3 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows a map with a pair of large red circles.
"Good job @joebiden @kamalaharris for putting up a temporary flight restriction hindering air operation," says part of the text overlaid across the map.
Text within the post, which was originally shared on X, formerly Twitter, reads, "Joe Biden and Kamala Harris shutting down airspace over North Carolina so they can 'tour' the area. This stops all rescue missions going on right now."
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, shared a similar version of the claim on X.
Fact check roundup: Hurricane paths, FEMA response spur dangerous misinformation
More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page
Our rating: False
The Federal Aviation Administration said the temporary flight restrictions implemented because of Biden and Harris' visits don't apply to hurricane recovery efforts or aircraft delivering aid.
Aircraft restrictions exclude aid, rescue missions
President Joe Biden took an aerial tour of Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 2 to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Vice President Kamala Harris visited the state three days later to speak to local officials about the storm that caused widespread flooding and killed more than 200 people as of Oct. 9.
The FAA announced temporary air restrictions for the airspace above these areas in Oct. 1 and Oct. 5 Notices to Air Missions, saying the reason for the restrictions was "VIP movement." Jillian Angeline, an FAA spokesperson, and Matthew Young, a Secret Service spokesperson, confirmed these notices were issued in preparation for Biden and Harris' visits to North Carolina.
The regulation parameters described in the Oct. 1 release match the map included in the Facebook post.
But the FAA clarified in both notices that aircraft delivering hurricane relief aid would still be permitted in the area.
"No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered by this NOTAM – except as described," the Oct. 1 note says before listing various exceptions.
These exceptions include, "approved air ambulance flights. ... All emergency/life-saving FLT – medical/law enforcement/firefighting and aircraft providing aid/assistance for Hurricane Helene emergency response."
Similarly, the administration noted in the Oct. 5 notice that "law enforcement, firefighting and medevac/air ambulance flights on act missions" were excluded from the restrictions.
Angeline told USA TODAY, "Pilots providing hurricane aid and assistance could fly in the restricted airspace provided they coordinate beforehand with air traffic control. VIP aircraft restrictions did not shut down rescue missions in the area."
Fact check: No, Biden didn't say he's done sending aid to Hurricane Helene victims
The administration said something similar in an Oct. 4 informational release titled, "Operating Near Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts." The page describes the high level of activity in the airspace above North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee due to recovery efforts related to the hurricane.
"At the request of local authorities or law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration can issue temporary flight restrictions to ensure safety for aircraft conducting Hurricane Helene rescue and recovery activities," the release reads. "These (restrictions) do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance. ... Relief operations, including civilian and volunteer operations, may access the restricted airspace if they are coordinated with emergency responders."
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to Musk's iteration of the claim in an Oct. 4 X post.
"No one is shutting down the airspace and FAA doesn’t block legitimate rescue and recovery flights," the post reads. "If you’re encountering a problem give me a call."
Hours later, Musk shared a follow-up post that said, "Thanks for helping simplify the FAA NOTAM. Support flights are now underway. Much appreciated."
USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The X user couldn't be contacted.
Lead Stories also debunked the claim.
Our fact-check sources:
Jillian Angeline, Oct. 7, Email exchange with USA TODAY
Matthew Young, Oct. 8, Phone call with USA TODAY
Federal Aviation Administration, Oct. 1, NOTAM Number: FDC 4/3472
Federal Aviation Administration, Oct. 5, NOTAM Number: FDC 4/5114
Federal Aviation Administration, Oct. 4, Operating Near Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
Pete Buttigieg, Oct. 4, X post
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.
USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden, Harris didn't block hurricane rescue missions | Fact check