Back-to-back hurricanes that wreaked havoc in parts of the South not only brought destruction and loss of life but also gave rise to a wave of false and misleading information. Some of these inaccuracies continue to circulate despite being thoroughly debunked. The timing of these storms coincided with the final weeks of a contentious presidential election, during which misinformation became a tool for political messaging, especially in pivotal states that suffered greatly from the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Former President Donald Trump actively propagated a variety of false narratives at campaign rallies and on social media, with many of his followers amplifying these claims.
Officials at federal, state, and local levels, including numerous Republicans, have denounced this misinformation, emphasizing that it hampers relief efforts for the hurricane victims. Below are some of the most widespread misconceptions that have emerged since the hurricanes struck.
**The Government Cannot Create or Control Hurricanes**
**CLAIM:** Allegations circulated that the government manipulated weather technology to generate Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with an intention to harm Republican constituencies.
**THE FACTS:** In reality, both hurricanes were natural events, and there is currently no human technology capable of controlling such extensive weather systems. Hurricanes have historically affected the same regions. According to Chris Landsea, chief of tropical analysis at the National Hurricane Center, fully developed hurricanes emit immense heat energy, comparable to the power of a 10-megaton nuclear bomb every 20 minutes. Kristen Corbosiero, a professor at the University at Albany, noted that if meteorologists had the capacity to halt hurricanes, they undoubtedly would do so to prevent the associated death and damage.
Past attempts to manipulate hurricanes have proven unsuccessful; for example, initiatives from the 1960s to the 1980s that aimed to increase storm size while diminishing intensity had inconclusive results. In 1947, General Electric and the U.S. military attempted to weaken a hurricane by releasing dry ice into its path, which also failed.
**False Claims of Federal Negligence Post-Hurricane Helene**
**CLAIM:** Misinformation suggested that the federal government failed to respond adequately to Hurricane Helene and intentionally neglected relief efforts for Republican-leaning areas.
**THE FACTS:** In actuality, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been proactive in supporting recovery initiatives. Biden authorized major disaster declarations for multiple states affected by Helene, facilitating access to funds for survivors to kickstart their recovery efforts. Communication between the President and state officials confirmed that the necessary resources were on the way, aiding recovery.
Harris made a visit to FEMA headquarters, expressing her devastation over the impacts of the hurricane and ensuring that the affected communities would receive necessary support for recovery efforts. Both leaders have visited regions impacted by the storm, actively engaging in post-disaster assistance.
**Unfounded Claims of Property Seizures in Affected Areas**
**CLAIM:** There were alarming rumors that the federal government planned to take over severely impacted neighborhoods, such as Chimney Rock, North Carolina, preventing residents from returning or rebuilding their homes.
**THE FACTS:** Local officials have debunked this assertion, clarifying that the government has no intentions to claim properties or use eminent domain in the aftermath of the hurricanes. Such claims were disseminated on social media suggesting various conspiracies around the government’s intentions, often linked to the proximity of valuable lithium mines. Officials from both parties overseeing recovery efforts confirmed that these rumors are baseless.
FEMA lacks the legal authority to arbitrarily seize private homes or entire communities, and there is no agenda to relocate towns or acquire resources from them. U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards from North Carolina urged constituents to fact-check information found on social media, emphasizing that not everything online is accurate.
**Clarifications on FEMA Assistance to Survivors**
**CLAIM:** Misinformation suggested that survivors of the hurricanes would only receive a $750 loan from FEMA, which would result in land seizure if unpaid.
**THE FACTS:** This is misleading. The figure cited by FEMA refers to immediate assistance for those in need, such as food and clothing. The agency clarified that this funding is part of its Serious Needs Assistance program, which aims to provide initial support while determining eligibility for additional aid. The amount of immediate aid available was subsequently increased to $770, and such assistance is in the form of a grant, meaning it does not have to be repaid. Although certain grants may require repayment under specific circumstances, the initial assistance provided is not one of those cases.
**FEMA Funding Not Diverted to Other Causes**
**CLAIM:** Another claim circulating suggested that FEMA lacks resources to help hurricane victims due to funds being allocated toward illegal immigration or international military aid, including support for Israel and Ukraine.
**THE FACTS:** FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has confirmed that sufficient funds are available for ongoing recovery work related to both Hurricane Helene and Milton. The agency’s Disaster Relief Fund, which is replenished annually by Congress, is dedicated exclusively to recovery from disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. Recently, Congress contributed $20 billion to this fund, similar to last year’s allocation, with a portion earmarked for recovering from prior storms and mitigation initiatives.
**Misconceptions Surrounding Helicopter Operations in North Carolina**
**CLAIM:** Reports emerged alleging that unmarked helicopters were intentionally causing destruction to hurricane relief supplies in western North Carolina.
**THE FACTS:** These assertions arose from a video showing a helicopter hovering above a distribution area, causing disruption. However, the North Carolina National Guard clarified that the helicopter was attempting to deliver a generator to a local organization supporting hurricane recovery efforts. The operation was aborted for safety reasons, and an investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.
In light of these widespread falsehoods, it is crucial for the public to rely on accurate information and verified sources to navigate the recovery process following the hurricanes.
