As Hurricane Milton became the second major hurricane to make landfall in two weeks, government officials are fighting misinformation on everything from emergency assistance funds to airspace control over impacted areas.
The latest growing rumor is a conspiracy that the Democratic government is controlling the weather. Numerous posts on social media, including one from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., tout the idea, and some even go as far as claiming Democrats targeted red states with the hurricanes. (USA TODAY fact-checkers have debunked the claim that large-scale weather events can be controlled.)
As officials including President Joe Biden and a Republican North Carolina congressman rush to assure people that the weather can’t be controlled, Rolling Stone reported that this once-fringe belief has become so vitriolic that meteorologists are getting death threats.
Here is what to know about the most recent controversy:
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In remarks ahead of Milton making landfall Wednesday night, Biden addressed the “reckless and irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies about what’s going on,” saying it has undermined rescue efforts after Hurricane Helene.
He claimed prominent politicians have spread misinformation on the efforts and specifically mentioned Greene’s comments indicating the government could control the weather.
“Now the claims are getting even more bizarre,” he said. “It’s beyond ridiculous. It’s so stupid. It’s got to stop. “
Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., blamed climate change for the hurricanes, calling out the fossil fuel industry in a post on X.
Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing the Asheville area hit hard by Helene, also put out a statement attempting to debunk misinformation about the hurricane.
“Hurricane Helene was NOT geoengineered by the government to seize and access lithium deposits in Chimney Rock.” the press release states. “Nobody can control the weather.”
As part of its response to Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency launched a “Hurricane Rumor Response” page. Falsehoods about the agency have spread widely online and rolled into discussions about Milton.
Deanne Criswell, the agency’s administrator, said misinformation has harmed people affected by the storm and volunteers on the ground to help rebuild.
“It’s creating distrust in the federal government, but also the state government. And we have so many first responders that have been working day and night to go out and help these communities,” said Criswell, speaking with reporters Oct. 8. “It’s just really demoralizing to them. It hurts their morale when they’ve left their families to be able to come in here and help people.”
Among the other falsehoods is the rumor that disaster survivors will only get $750 in support. But FEMA says this is false, as $750 is the Serious Needs Assistance approved promptly for essential items, and other costs may be approved later on.
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have each made the response to the hurricane an issue on the campaign trail. Trump has amplified some of the false claims, including that FEMA doesn’t have hurricane relief money because it has all been spent on people living in the U.S. illegally. Harris described Trump’s baseless claims as “extraordinarily irresponsible,” The Associated Press reported.
Contributing: Nate Trela
