WASHINGTON, D.C. – FEMA is battling a couple of different battles: recovering from Hurricane Helene, bracing for Hurricane Milton and fighting disinformation. The agency is trying to debunk some of the claims they said could impact relief efforts.
Many Florida residents are getting phone calls from local officials ahead of Hurricane Milton, warning them to take shelter. While officials are spreading information about hurricane preparedness and what to expect with the storm, they’re fighting disinformation conspiracies and rumors about relief efforts and disaster funding.
“We’re still seeing misinformation out there,” said FEMA Administrator, Deanne Criswell.
To combat this, FEMA set up their own Hurricane Rumor Response website trying to debunk some disinformation claims. They also address claims that the agency has run out of money. FEMA said they have enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. Republicans have sharply criticized the agency but Democrats said rumors hinder relief efforts.
“The money was there and asking the American people well no you’re gonna have to put more money in, put more money in, just look look you were given those dollars through the Congress, they were allotted to you, you chose not to spend them the right way,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R- PA). “These agencies are being mismanaged.”
“It [misinformation] is deliberately harming people and communities in most need of relief by leading them to believe incorrectly that they cannot access critical and available federal assistance,” Rep. Ed Case (D- HI) said in a press release.
Last month Congress approved a measure for the agency to tap 20-billion dollars for it’s Disaster Relief Fund. Some said funding for the Small Business Administration, which gives loans to businesses and homeowners to rebuild after disasters, needs more funding.
FEMA said disinformation about how the relief money being spent is also being spread.
“A billion dollars was stolen from FEMA to use it for illegal migrants many of whom are criminals coming into our country and FEMA’s now [inaudible] they don’t have any money,” said former President Donald Trump.
FEMA said no money is being diverted from disaster response needs.
“We’re not gonna let the misinformation be a distraction to the important work we need to do,” said Criswell.
