Candler residents dismiss rumors of 200 people stranded in church during Hurricane Helene

Rumors have been circulating on social media about Hurricane Helene causing massive destruction in Candler, North Carolina, and stranding hundreds of people in a local church.

Social media users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Reddit claimed that 200 to 2000 people were found alive in a church six days after the hurricane hit, being without communication or aid.

However, local residents have taken to social media to refute these claims.

Candler community member Sarah Reams posted on the Hurricane Helene Safety Check-In Facebook page, calling the rumor "misinformation." Reams emphasized that Candler is not a densely populated or large town and does not have a church capable of holding such a large number of people.

Reams also noted that she had cell service for most of the time and monitored the news, which did not report any such incident. Reams further added that her friend, who was involved in search and rescue operations with local authorities, had no knowledge of anyone stranded in a church.