Disinformation isn’t new, from the Great Moon Hoax of 1835 to the Barack Obama birther conspiracy to COVID-19 and the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Now, such ideologically driven false claims sow confusion and doubt in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the impending landfall of Hurricane Milton, which is forecast to be one of the most destructive hurricanes on record when it hits west-central Florida late Wednesday night.
Hurricane Helene dumped over 40 trillion gallons of rain as it made landfall, causing catastrophic flooding in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and an already rain-soaked North Carolina recovering from record-breaking floods just a week prior. Over 220 people died, while hundreds remain unaccounted for.
As FEMA began assisting people in the region, disinformation spread quickly. You may have heard about how FEMA was confiscating flooded and vacated land to gain access to lithium mines in North Carolina. Or what about that it no longer accepts housing assistance applications and is running out of money because it went to “illegal immigrants.”
This kind of disinformation, amplified for political gain by the likes of former President Donald Trump and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, can distort public faith in the government’s ability to help and deter some from evacuating deadly conditions or seeking much-needed government help, according to the leader of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“It is absolutely the worst I have ever seen,” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters on a Tuesday morning call, noting that FEMA has a page dedicated to debunking claims made about the agency. “It’s just really unfortunate that [people] continue to try to create this level of fear in these communities that is impeding our ability to do our job at the level that we need to do it, but we’re not going to let it deter us.”
While attempts to undermine Biden’s abilities as president during disasters may have political clout as we near the election, false rumors that the government geoengineered Hurricane Milton to target Republican voters also undermine the role climate change plays in more frequent and destructive hurricanes.
“Yes they can control the weather,” wrote U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on social media platform X Saturday night, without naming who she was referring to. “Anyone who says they don’t, or makes fun of this, is lying to you. By the way, the people know it and hate all of you who try to cover it up.”
Here are some of the most common rumors about FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and as Hurricane Milton edges closer to Florida.
1. FEMA seizing property
Claim: FEMA is confiscating property in areas deemed uninhabitable after Hurricane Helene.
Fact: FEMA does not have the authority to seize private property. Its inspections are solely for assessing damages and determining what assistance might be provided to make homes safe, sanitary, and functional.
2. FEMA only provides loans, not grants
Claim: Loans are the only relief aid FEMA makes available to disaster victims
Fact: FEMA provides grants that do not have to be repaid, though low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) are also available for homeowners and businesses. Grants are given for immediate needs like housing, while loans may cover additional costs.
3. FEMA funding has been diverted and used to help noncitizens
Claim: Some rumors suggested that FEMA’s disaster relief funds were being diverted to other causes, such as border security, the war in Ukraine international efforts, or given to “illegal immigrants,” meaning no money was left for hurricane recovery.
Fact: FEMA’s disaster response efforts are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which has not been diverted to non-disaster-related efforts. FEMA continues to have sufficient funds for ongoing recovery operations.
4. Only certain demographic groups receive FEMA aid
Claim: FEMA distributes aid based on demographic factors, such as race, income, or immigration status, with some groups receiving more or less assistance than others.
Fact: FEMA provides disaster relief to all eligible applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or economic status. The only criteria are need and the extent of damage.
5. $750 assistance cap
Claim: Claims that Hurricane Helene survivors would only receive a maximum of $750 from FEMA for their recovery needs.
Fact: The $750 figure refers to an initial “Serious Needs Assistance” payment for emergency items, such as food, water, and medication. Additional forms of assistance, including housing support and home repairs, are available based on further assessments.
6. Airspace restrictions for recovery operations
Claim: Some people falsely believed that the FAA had restricted airspace access in hurricane-hit areas, slowing down rescue and recovery operations.
Fact: The FAA coordinates with local and federal agencies to ensure airspace is managed safely during disaster recovery. No blanket restrictions hindered operations after Hurricane Helene.
7. FEMA turning away volunteers and donations
Claim: There were rumors that FEMA was turning away volunteers and confiscating donations for hurricane survivors.
Fact: FEMA encourages people to donate to reputable charitable organizations but does not directly accept or manage donations. Volunteers are coordinated through local or national organizations, not directly by FEMA.
8. Multiple applications speed up assistance
Claim: Some misinformation claimed that submitting multiple applications for FEMA assistance after the hurricanes would speed up the approval process.
Fact: Submitting more than one application per household will not expedite the process. It may cause delays. Only one application per household should be submitted.
9. Helene and Milton were government-controlled storms
Claim: A conspiracy theory circulated that the government created or intensified Hurricanes Helene and Milton through weather modification techniques.the government can artificially create or control hurricanes
Fact: No scientific evidence supports the idea that the government can artificially create or control hurricanes. Hurricanes are natural weather events influenced by climate factors.
