After the deluge, the lies: Misinformation and hoaxes hinder Helene recovery

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

 

The facts emerging from Hurricane Helene's destruction are heartrending: Businesses and homes destroyed, whole communities nearly wiped out, hundreds of lives lost, hundreds of people missing.

 

Yet this devastation and despair are not enough for the extremist groups, disinformation agents, hucksters and politicians who are exploiting the disaster to spread false claims and conspiracy theories about it and the government's response.

 

 

Former President Trump falsely claims the federal government is intentionally withholding aid to Republican disaster victims. Far-right extremist groups falsely warn on social media that officials plan to bulldoze affected communities and seize the land. A tale straight from science fiction asserts that Washington used weather control technology to steer Helene toward Republican voters in order to tilt the presidential election.

 

(more)

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/after-the-deluge-the-lies-misinformation-and-hoaxes-hinder-helene-recovery/ar-AA1rKBjO?

 

[Danderman123]

Trump and his followers will lie about the Helene recovery just to score political points.

 

They don't care who their lies harm.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Trump makes false claims about federal response as he campaigns in area ravaged by Hurricane Helene

October 1, 2024

 

VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — Donald Trump repeatedly spread falsehoods Monday about the federal response to Hurricane Helene despite claiming not to be politicizing the disaster as he toured hard-hit areas in south Georgia.

 

The former president and Republican nominee claimed upon landing in Valdosta that President Joe Biden was “sleeping” and not responding to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who he said was “calling the president and hasn’t been able to get him.” He repeated the claim at an event with reporters after being told Kemp said he had spoken to Biden.

...

The White House previously announced that Biden spoke by phone Sunday night with Kemp and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, as well as Scott Matheson, mayor of Valdosta, Georgia, and Florida Emergency Management Director John Louk. Kemp confirmed Monday morning that he spoke to Biden the night before.

 

(more)

 

https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-donald-trump-hurricane-helene-3097f1706455929adf5a4eb67f9cdf0f

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

...

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Marjorie Taylor Greene Appears To Claim Democrats ‘Control The Weather’—After Hurricane Helene Strikes Southeast

Oct 4, 2024

 

In a series of social media posts, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., appeared to claim Democrats could “control the weather” after Hurricane Helene ripped through the Southeast, adding to other baseless conspiracy theories promoted by the lawmaker, including her earlier support of the QAnon movement and how space lasers caused forest fires.

 

...

There is “no sound physical hypothesis” supporting claims that humans can alter the strength of hurricanes, tornadoes or “damaging winds in general,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which said it previously researched methods to divert tropical cyclones in the 1960s.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2024/10/04/marjorie-taylor-greene-appears-to-claim-democrats-control-the-weather-after-hurricane-helene-strikes-southeast/

 

[Danderman123]

Unfortunately, the Trumpers believe Trump's lies.

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Trump Slammed Over Hurricane Helene 'Lies'

Oct 04, 2024

...

 

Geoff Duncan, the Republican former lieutenant governor of Georgia who has endorsed Harris in this year's election, said during a CNN broadcast on Friday night that Trump's false hurricane claims acted as solemn evidence pertaining to the state of his party.

 

"It's a sobering reminder of where the Republican Party is at right now, and how deep in the gutter we truly are," Duncan told CNN's Kaitlan Collins. "To think that we're going to use this platform to politicize ... one of the worst storms to hit this region ever."

 

"Donald Trump is down in Georgia today only because he cares about trying to win Georgia," he added. "Because he's realized that if he loses Georgia, he's probably going to end up going to jail."

 

(more)

 

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-slammed-over-hurricane-helene-lies-1964258

 

[Danderman123]

People in the impacted areas are suffering greatly. MAGA types are compounding their misery by spewing lies about FEMA and the recovery.

[jerrymahoney]

Hurricane Helene: Fact vs. Rumor| UPDATED OCTOBER 05, 2024 4:08 PM 

From NC Dept. Public Safety https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/hurricane-helene-fact-vs-rumor

 

 Emergency officials responding to the Hurricane Helene disaster in Western North Carolina say false rumors on social media are impeding their efforts to help tens of thousands of people in need. “False information is being widely shared on social media channels, including AI-generated content and images,” N.C. Department of Public Safety officials said in a statement. ”Nefarious actors and those with ill intent may be taking advantage of this situation by spreading false information.” False rumors even spread claiming the government had created the hurricane. 

The public should find and share information from trusted sources and discourage others from spreading information from unverified sources, NCDPS officials said.

 

On social media Friday, the American Red Cross said misinformation is hurting its Hurricane Helene relief efforts. “Misinformation can spread quickly after a disaster, causing confusion and distrust within communities struggling to recover,” the Red Cross said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing this during our response to Hurricane Helene.” Here are rumors being spread on social media and the facts offered in response by government agencies: 

 

RUMOR: GOVERNMENTS AREN’T RESPONDING TO THE DISASTER. Facts: The N.C. State Emergency Response Team is working 24/7 to save lives and provide Helene relief. The team includes local, state, federal and military units; power and cell phone companies and other businesses; and volunteer organizations. On Saturday, Mooresville Fire Chief Curt Deaton said his team alone has rescued 11 people and two animals in Ashe County and will remain there until it is safe for residents and their first responders. “This work is very strenuous,” Deaton said. “These men spend most of the time walking and climbing through dangerous debris piles, searching for any survivors or victims ... Some of our team, they’ve been there for 10 days straight now, working around the clock.” Soldiers assigned to the Connecticut, Maryland and North Carolina National Guard work to distribute food and water to local first responders in Avery County. NC National Guard 

 

RUMOR: DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS TURNED AWAY AT CHECKPOINTS. Facts: Western N.C. roads are still dangerous and impassible in many places, and landslides remain a threat. Traffic is being rerouted on some roads so emergency vehicles, disaster relief efforts and local traffic can still access them. Seven-year-old Zander Reed of Hot Springs, N.C. sorts through a massive amount of donations for Hurricane Helene victims in the gym of Hot Springs Elementary on Friday, October 4, 2024 in Hot Springs, N.C. Donation coordinators said they have plenty of diapers, but are in need of PPE equipment, and muck boots.

 

RUMOR: GOVERNMENTS ARE DISCOURAGING AND CONFISCATING DONATIONS. Facts: The state encourages financial donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund and to N.C. volunteer organizations responding to the disaster. The state is working with the organizations to collect and distribute physical donations coming in from across the state and country. Coordinated volunteer disaster relief efforts are needed in Western North Carolina, according to the NC Department of Public Safety. “We strongly encourage neighbors to continue helping neighbors in impacted areas,” department officials said. “Those wishing to volunteer should register at www.nc.gov/volunteer,” and not “self-deploy” to the region. 

 

RUMOR: THE GOVERNMENT CREATED THE HURRICANE Facts: Helene formed from an organized band of showers and thunderstorms in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported. Rumors that the government created the storm were fueled by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s tweet late Thursday that “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.” 

 

RUMOR: THE FAA IS RESTRICTING ACCESS TO THE AIRSPACE. Facts: The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. “The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace,” according to a statement by the N.C. Department of Public Safety. 

 

RUMOR: “THE RED CROSS ISN’T HERE.” Facts: At least 1,300 Red Cross disaster responders are helping people in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia with safe shelter, food, hygiene items, medications and emotional support. Before Helene made landfall, the Red Cross positioned hundreds of disaster responders and thousands of relief supplies across the Southeast. Soldiers assigned to the Connecticut, Maryland and North Carolina National Guard work to distribute food and water to local first responders in Avery County. 

RUMOR: THE RED CROSS IS CONFISCATING OR DISCARDING DONATED ITEMS. Facts: The Red Cross is not “confiscating, removing or discarding donated items,” Red Cross officials said in a statement Friday. The Red Cross focuses on providing shelter, food and relief after disasters. “While we don’t accept physical donations, as managing them takes time and resources away from our mission, we work with community partners who are better equipped with these resources to handle and distribute these items,” Red Cross officials said. Call 211 to find out where donated goods are available. 

 

RUMOR: THE RED CROSS IS TAKING OVER SHELTERS. Facts: The Red Cross does not take over shelters. Rather, it provides management support at the request of local partners.

 

 RUMOR: THE RED CROSS IS TAKING OVER VOLUNTEER GROUPS. Facts: While the Red Cross is working alongside other volunteer groups, the Red Cross is not taking over their efforts or services. 

 

RUMOR: FEMA DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO PROVIDE DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR HELENE. Facts: FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. In North Carolina alone, FEMA has provided more than $26 million in housing and other types of assistance to over 25,000 households, it said in an Oct. 5 release. More than 700 FEMA staff and over 1,200 urban search and rescue personnel are on the ground. Over 1,000 National Guard troops have also been deployed to the state. 

 

RUMOR: FEMA IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE. Facts: FEMA is still accepting assistance applications throughout areas affected by Helene, it said. Over 1,400 people who cannot return home are currently staying in safe and clean lodging through FEMA’s Transitional Shelter Assistance program. FEMA said residents in declared counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA while they work on their long-term housing plan. People do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance. Twenty-two shelters are housing just over 1,000 people, FEMA said. Mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors in hard-hit areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties. For current application timelines, visit disasterassistance.gov or FEMA’s state-specific Helene disaster site for North Carolina.

RUMOR: FUNDING FOR FEMA DISASTER RESPONSE WAS DIVERTED TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS OR BORDER-RELATED ISSUES. Facts: This is false, FEMA said. No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Commodity distribution, mass feeding and hydration operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina, FEMA said. Commodity shipments are also en route. “The agency is on track to meet requested delivery timelines for meals and water,” it said in a statement released Oct 5. “Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft.” In North Carolina alone, the Salvation Army has nine mobile feeding units and has served over 7,100 meals, 6,600 drinks, and 3,700 snacks, it said. Resources: Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/helene to get information and additional assistance. Residents should not travel to western North Carolina to keep the roadways clear for search and rescue teams and utility crews. Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.

 

 RUMOR: FEMA IS IN THE THE PROCESS OF CONFISCATING HELENE SURVIVOR PROPERTY. IF I APPLY FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE AND MY LAND IS DEEMED UNLIVABLE, MY PROPERTY WILL BE SEIZED. Facts: FEMA cannot seize your property or land. Applying for disaster assistance does not grant FEMA or the federal government authority or ownership of your property or land, FEMA said. When you apply for disaster assistance, FEMA said an inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. “This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for,” it said. If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is “only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional,” it said. If you were affected by Helene, apply for disaster assistance. The fastest way is through DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or other communication services, provide FEMA the specific number assigned for that service.