Ugh.
I'm seeing people on FB share conspiracy-tinged posts about police/Feds not allowing private helicopters to fly in North Carolina. People want to help with the rescue efforts and they're being told they can't fly.
If this is actually happening, it seems sensible that they don't want random people flying helicopters in the area unmonitored. That seems potentially dangerous.
I don't think the Feds are blocking rescue/aid efforts.
there is ONE story of a fire chief getting uppity and threatening to arrest a helicopter pilot doing rescues that is going viral and a temporary NOTAM. But i think the "chain of command" smacked him around a bit
It takes a while to bring 100s together in ad hoc rescue efforts and coordinate them. Nothing worse then sending a helicopter out to a place where you already sent ground units.