As recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene continue across the southeastern U.S., federal and state officials have warned that misinformation and conspiracy theories are hindering efforts to provide aid and accurate information to victims. The American Red Cross has stated that misinformation is hurting relief efforts, while Deanne Criswell, who leads the Federal Emergency Management Agency, expressed that the false claims are “demoralizing” to aid workers. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina also pointed out that the claims distract from rescue work.
On Monday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called out “scam artists and bad faith actors and others who are putting politics over people are promoting misinformation about our efforts, including falsehoods about federal assistance.” Misinformation often surges following major weather disasters, but with Hurricane Helene hitting several battleground states just weeks before a tightly contested election, the spread of false claims has accelerated.
Former President Donald Trump doubled down on his misleading statements about federal disaster relief, falsely alleging that the Biden administration has allocated “almost all of the FEMA money to illegal migrants.” At a Pennsylvania rally, Trump suggested that storm victims were only being offered $750 in aid.
Here are four fact-checks on the main claims about Helene recovery efforts:
Claim: Federal aid is being diverted to support immigrants
A widely-circulated claim falsely asserts that FEMA has run out of money because it diverted disaster relief funds to support undocumented immigrants. Trump amplified this claim at a Michigan rally, saying, “Kamala spent all her FEMA money, billions of dollars, on housing for illegal migrants” and asserting that the Biden-Harris administration “stole the FEMA money” to give it to undocumented immigrants.
These claims are false
FEMA has said it has funds for “immediate response and recovery efforts” from Hurricane Helene but it may face a funding shortfall as more storms emerge this season. The agency has said that no money is being diverted from disaster response needs. Critics of the Biden-Harris administration have pointed to one FEMA initiative, the Shelter and Services Program, which gives grants to groups to provide shelter and other services to migrants. Its funding for the 2024 fiscal year, which was approved by Congress, was $650 million, a small fraction of FEMA’s budget.
FEMA receives funding from Congress for specific functions, including disaster relief. The shelter program and the disaster relief fund have two distinct sources of funding, both of which have been approved by Congress. As CBS previously reported, the last time funds allocated for disaster relief were used for immigration purposes was in 2019 during the Trump administration.
Claim: Storm victims will receive only $750
At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Trump suggested that those who lost their homes in the hurricane were only being offered $750 in federal aid, echoing a claim that has widely circulated on social media. The $750 referenced is part of FEMA’s “Serious Needs Assistance” program, which is designed to provide immediate relief for essential supplies like food, water, and medication. The program is one part of a larger package of aid available to those affected by the storm. FEMA has said federal assistance for survivors has surpassed $210 million.
FEMA also debunked online claims that the $750 was a loan and that failure to repay it would result in people’s property being seized. “This is not true. We do not ask for this money back,” said FEMA spokesperson Jaclyn Rothenberg.
Claim: Volunteers and donations are being blocked
Dozens of social media posts have suggested that state and federal officials are blocking volunteers from entering hard-hit areas, including western North Carolina, and confiscating donations intended for storm victims.
These claims are misleading
Officials say the claims mischaracterize efforts to coordinate disaster relief and keep people safe. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety urged volunteers to coordinate through official channels, as many roads remain dangerous due to landslides, and encouraged financial donations to vetted volunteer organizations. They said donations are not being confiscated.
FEMA also refuted claims that it was turning away donations and blocking roads, saying voluntary agencies handle all physical donations and local law enforcement oversees road closures. FEMA also said the FAA “is not restricting access for recovery operations.”
Claim: Government is withholding aid to Republican areas
Trump floated a claim early in the recovery efforts that aid was not reaching Republican areas in North Carolina. FEMA has strongly refuted this claim on its site, saying it “provides assistance to survivors regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.”
Western North Carolina has become a focus of misinformation, including claims that aid efforts are being blocked. The area is represented by a Republican in Congress, but Asheville is represented by a Democrat in the state Assembly. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper criticized those spreading “false information,” linking to several articles that quoted Trump’s statements about recovery efforts.
In conclusion, misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding Hurricane Helene recovery efforts are hindering aid and accurate information dissemination to victims. It is crucial for the public to fact-check claims and rely on official sources for accurate information during times of crisis. Federal and state officials are working to address and debunk false claims to ensure that relief efforts can proceed smoothly and effectively.
