There are a lot of questions about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. The Department of Defense and FEMA are both on the ground in the hard impacted counties like Buncombe. WCCB Charlotte rode along with the agencies as they visited homes to knock on doors to help people apply for disaster assistance. Swannanoa looks like a war zone, but the soldiers you see on the ground didn’t come to fight. “We’re just trying to be value-added to where people need help,” Commander Idris Mansaray, from US Army 18th Airborne Corps said. “You know, these people are struggling.” The damage close to two weeks after the storm is everywhere. Mud coats what’s left of the roads and streets, homes are destroyed and people still don’t have power or running water. More than 1,000 Army soldiers are in Western North Carolina loading up food and water in their military vehicles. They are available to help people clear debris and perform other clean up tasks. “We’ve seen roads that no longer exist and tons of landslides and stuff,” Staff Sergeant Tucker Lovelace from the US Army 18th Airborne Corps said. “We’re in a lot of areas where our ISVs are the only things accessible. So tons of people still up there and no means of getting out.” The soldiers traveled to neighborhoods where people have been without power, internet and running water for nearly two weeks. They are greeted warmly by people in need. “[This is] the best thing that’s just about happened in the whole hurricane,” Doris King Swannanoa resident said. “I don’t think anyone’s gonna believe me. I’m so proud of these guys.” The soldiers are on the ground with FEMA representatives going door to door with iPads so people can apply for benefits on the spot. “Across western North Carolina, we’ve already approved $32 million for over 27,000 households,” Mike Cappannari, with FEMA External Affairs said. “Those are dollars that go directly to individuals to help with immediate serious needs.” Hurricane damage isn’t the only obstacle. FEMA officials say misinformation can stop people from applying for much needed help. “Some of this is just nonsensical garbage. We’ve heard rumors that the federal government, FEMA, is confiscating donations from voluntary organizations and the private sector, not allowing the private sector and faith based organizations to do their work and drop off supplies. It’s the exact opposite,” Cappannari said. FEMA has created a Rumor Response Page to help people separate fact from fiction. The army soldiers plan to be in Western North Carolina for as long as they are assigned. “If you see us, just reach out to us, ask us where we can be value added, where we can put some soldiers to help you with whether it’s debris clearing or giving you the aid from the FEMA guys,” Commander Mansaray said. “We come, just excited to be a part of the community.”