Rumors and misinformation tend to spread quickly after major weather disasters, preventing people from accessing the assistance they need.
Recently, Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast in a deadly Atlantic hurricane season that has already named 13 storms and claimed over 300 lives in 2024.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend coast on September 26, killing 224 people across six states as of October 22, including 96 in North Carolina. Hurricane Milton hit Florida’s west coast less than two weeks later on October 9, killing at least 24 and leaving millions without power.
Following these storms, many false reports and misleading information about federal relief efforts have circulated on social media, dissuading survivors from seeking help and hurting morale among responders. Fake images of disaster victims likely generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) have also sparked criticism of the disaster response under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Hurricane season happens every year from June to November. In order to keep yourself and your loved ones safe after a disaster, it is essential to find and share information from trusted sources like your State Emergency Response Team, the National Weather Service, and official government websites.
Here are some common misconceptions about disaster relief efforts circulating online.
Claim #1 — “The Biden-Harris administration isn’t doing anything to help hurricane victims.”
This claim is FALSE.
The federal government declared a major disaster in North Carolina on September 28, and President Biden has already approved nearly $2 billion in hurricane recovery funds across all affected states. This funding includes individual needs like food, water, baby formula, and emergency supplies, as well as state costs related to public infrastructure and debris removal.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has stated its commitment to reimbursing 100% of recovery expenses for six months. The Department of Transportation sent North Carolina $100 million for emergency road and bridge repairs resulting from flood damage.
The Department of Defense has also deployed up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of food, water, and other critical supplies to impacted communities.
These efforts have been well-received by state officials from all sides, including Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who said the federal assistance has “been superb” and that they are getting “everything we need.”
Claim #2 — “FEMA only provides $750 to disaster victims.”
This claim is FALSE.
Former President Donald Trump alleged at a Pennsylvania rally that storm victims were only being offered $750, and many people have circulated this claim online.
This number actually comes from a type of funding called the Serious Needs Assistance, which is the initial payment that FEMA issues to some individuals while they wait to be approved for additional funding. These funds are meant to provide immediate relief for essential supplies like food, water, baby formula, medication, and emergency supplies.
Claim #3 — “FEMA payments need to be paid back.”
This claim is MOSTLY FALSE.
FEMA Spokesperson Jaclyn Rothenberg dispelled the rumor that their relief payments are loans and that FEMA can seize people’s property if they fail to pay them back.
A majority of FEMA payments never need to be paid back. That’s only the case in less common situations, like when someone receives duplicate benefits from their insurance. FEMA also offers certain types of low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and small business owners, available through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Claim #4 — “Federal aid is being diverted to support illegal immigrants.”
This claim is FALSE.
Trump amplified a claim at a Michigan rally that Vice President Kamala Harris is diverting FEMA funds to provide housing for undocumented immigrants. FEMA has denied this claim, stating that no money has been diverted from disaster response.
Critics have called out FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, which gives grants to groups that provide shelter for migrants following their release from short-term holding facilities. But this is a different program from FEMA’s disaster relief, with a different source of funding.
Claim #5 — “Volunteers and donations are being turned away.”
This claim is MISLEADING.
Some people have mischaracterized public safety initiatives as efforts to turn them away. Many roads in North Carolina are still dangerous and impassable due to landslides, so local law enforcement has stressed that these roads should be used for essential travel only.
Elon Musk previously complained on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that FEMA wouldn’t let SpaceX engineers deliver supplies via helicopter. The Federal Aviation Administration pushed back, stating its goal is to ensure safety during recovery efforts, and that civilian relief efforts should coordinate with emergency responders.
FEMA also stated it isn’t confiscating donations or turning away volunteers, but has instead encouraged people to coordinate their efforts through specifically vetted organizations already working in the area.