The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched a “rumor control” page to combat “false” information surrounding the agency’s response to Hurricane Helene.
“Do your part to stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things,” the webpage reads, listing: “find trusted sources of information,” “share information from trusted sources,” and “discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.”
One of the rumors listed on the site includes: “FEMA does not have enough money to provide disaster assistance for Helene.” According to the agency, FEMA does have enough money for “immediate response and recovery needs.”
Despite this claim, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told reporters that FEMA is lacking funds for the rest of hurricane season. “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have,” he said. “We are expecting another hurricane hitting. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.”
Another rumor is that “Funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support international efforts or border related issues.”
The agency asserted that this is “false,” explaining, “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. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.”
Other rumors listed on the website involve donations and the agency’s recent $750 disaster assistance.
FEMA announced the rumor page on X, writing, “There has been a lot of rumors spreading about the #Helene response.”
“Rumors can create confusion & prevent people from getting assistance they need. Help us share accurate information,” they wrote, inserting the link for its “rumors” page.
Conservative political commentator Rogan O’Handley, who goes by DC Draino on social media, responded to FEMA by saying, “Rumor: “FEMA is completely failing the people of NC and TN.”
“Fact check: True.”
“Seems like you’re just tweeting to save face, not to serve the purpose of your existence,” another conservative user, Viva Frei, wrote.
