The small Western North Carolina village of Chimney Rock has unfortunately become known nationwide due to the destruction of Hurricane Helene. An official from Chimney Rock joined News/Talk 98.9 WORD programming to clear the air regarding social media rumors.
Mayor Pro Tem April Schick joined Straight Talk with Bill Frady, Monday afternoon. A viral video circulated claiming there was a meeting between local, state and federal officials which is where the speculation started.
Schick says the video was not real and was manipulated by the use of technology.
She said "Do you have any idea what can be contrived with technology today? Anything can be made to look like anything. I'm telling you it is false. Someone on TikTok started it. It's just a sensational thing and it's crazy how quickly it spread".
Schick was also asked by the claims that "bodies are being stacked up" in that area. She made a joke about those claims saying "There's one laying right by me, right? No, there's been one fatality in this area."
Now residents, officials and business owners will look to rebuild the small mountain village.
