Biden admin explains Buttigieg video on civilian drones after Hurricane Helene

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) clarified a message warning civilian drone pilots not to fly near recovery and rescue efforts following Hurricane Helene – or risk a penalty, fine or “criminal prosecution” – after it was subjected to strong backlash online.

When contacted by Fox News Digital, a DOT spokesperson said civilian drone pilots were licensed and assisting in rescue and recovery efforts. Previous “temporary flight restrictions” have now been lifted.

Some X users — along with millions of followers — reacted negatively to a message aimed at drone pilots and an accompanying video from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg that the department shared earlier this week. The message and video argued that the restrictions would prohibit civilian volunteers from legally searching for victims or survivors when response time is most important, or from taking their own footage of the disaster.

“Yesterday's USDOT tweet referenced temporary flight restrictions that were in effect but were lifted late last night,” a DOT spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Thursday, citing the FAA.

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The spokesperson stated that the FAA “does not prohibit drones from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance following Hurricane Helene.”

“On occasion, local authorities and law enforcement agencies request 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 in a statement. “These restrictions occur at the request of local authorities or law enforcement agencies. The FAA will not introduce them without request.”

The spokesman said such restrictions apply to both manned and unmanned aircraft or drones.

“With appropriate authorization, drones (and other aircraft) may be operated within a temporary flight restriction,” the statement continued. “These only apply to limited areas identified by law enforcement and local authorities.

“Relief operations, including civilian operations and volunteers coordinated with emergency responders, can continue to access airspace during these restrictions. Anyone wishing to use a drone or other aircraft to assist with disaster relief and recovery from Hurricane Helene should coordinate with first responders. Police are on scene to ensure life-saving efforts are not disrupted.”

President Biden speaks alongside Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a briefing on the Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on October 1, 2024 in Washington, DC (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

The clarification comes after the DOT on Wednesday

In an accompanying 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 issues emerging. For example, temporary flight restrictions to ensure that the airspace is clear for any flights or drone activity that may be involved so that these emergency responders can do their work.”

The post referenced the account of FAADroneZone, the Federal Aviation Administration's website for drone activities.

“Impairing emergency response may result in fines or criminal prosecution,” FAADroneZone wrote, reposting Buttigieg’s remarks. “Always check temporary flight restrictions before flying.”

Search and rescue team members hike along North Carolina Route 9 following Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 in Bat Cave, North Carolina (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

The posts quickly met with heavy criticism on social media.

“Buttigieg’s statement comes at a time when the federal government continues to strive 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 has announced that survivors could potentially receive $750 in federal aid,” 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 calling on Americans to stop using drones to support victims of Hurricane Helene. They use drones to FIND SURVIVORS,” podcaster Chad Prather wrote to his 496,800 followers.

“Pete Buttigieg has stated that private drones will be 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,” said conservative journalist Ian Miles Cheong, who has 1.1 million followers on X, added.

The remains of a house are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, on October 2, 2024, after Hurricane Helene. (Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images)

The death toll from Hurricane Helene exceeded 200 in all affected states on Thursday. Hundreds remain missing in the aftermath.

Buttigieg visited FEMA headquarters on Tuesday and met with Cabinet members to brief President Biden on the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene at the White House.

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

“The FAA assisted FEMA with two aircraft to conduct flyover assessments and transport emergency personnel and equipment, such as: B. Satellite communication equipment. The FAA is also monitoring fuel supplies at several airports in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, where reduced fuel deliveries are expected to have a disruptive impact on fuel suppliers.”