Hurricane Helene Aftermath: Officials Combat Wildfire of Misinformation

Photo: AP

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a troubling new challenge has emerged for communities in North Carolina and Georgia: the rapid spread of misinformation about relief efforts. As residents grapple with the devastation caused by the storm, false claims and conspiracy theories have proliferated, creating confusion and concern among those working on recovery.

In Rutherford County, North Carolina, a meeting was held last Wednesday to address the extensive damage and coordinate search and rescue operations. Local community members attended to discuss the situation and gather information. However, soon after, conspiracy theories began circulating on social media, alleging that the meeting was a cover for plans to bulldoze and sell affected lands for profit or to benefit lithium mining operations.

Bryan King, the chairman of the county commission, was present at the meeting and was quick to refute these claims. “The only lithium for sale in Rutherford County is at the local Lowe's stores in a 9-volt battery,” he remarked, expressing his frustration over the misinformation. He described the spread of such conspiracy theories as “disheartening,” a sentiment echoed by many local officials.

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Experts in emergency management are alarmed by the volume of misinformation surrounding the disaster. Samantha Montano, an assistant professor at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, noted, “I have been doing disaster work for nearly 20 years, and I cannot think of another acute disaster where there has been this much misinformation.”

The damage from Hurricane Helene has been extensive across all affected regions, but Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee have experienced some of the worst devastation. Small mountain communities, such as Chimney Rock and Lake Lure in Rutherford County, remain isolated, lacking access to essential services like water, electricity, and cell service, with many roads rendered impassable.

As local officials strive to counter the misinformation, some prominent figures have inadvertently amplified its spread. Elon Musk, after acquiring the platform X (formerly Twitter), has been criticized for his approach to content moderation, allowing false claims to flourish. Additionally, former President Donald Trump has made unfounded assertions, claiming that relief funds meant for hurricane victims were being diverted to house undocumented immigrants, further fueling distrust among residents. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for Trump, doubled down on these baseless claims when asked for clarification.

In a recent interview with ABC, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell condemned the disinformation as “just plain false” and “truly dangerous.” She emphasized the real impact these false narratives have on emergency workers, stating, “It’s a shame that people are sitting home on their comfortable couches while we have thousands of people here on the ground that have left their own families to help those in need.” She highlighted the atmosphere of fear that misinformation has created, leading some residents to call for militias to confront FEMA workers.

Mayor Tim Futrelle of Boone, North Carolina, shared his frustrations, stating, “Folks who just want attention or wish to sow seeds of chaos are, I don’t know how else to say it — they are the worst of us right now.” Local officials have voiced their irritation over the diversion of resources to combat these falsehoods, detracting from their emergency response efforts.

Moreover, the communication blackouts caused by the storm have contributed to the rapid spread of misinformation. Residents unable to connect with family and friends or access reliable information have been more susceptible to believing the rumors.

Despite the overwhelming need for assistance, the persistence of false claims undermines the hard work of officials and volunteers. Sherry Friffith, a retired teacher, expressed her frustration after calming a worried friend who believed help was scarce when, in reality, there was ample support available.

As communities continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, the battle against misinformation remains a pressing issue that could hinder their efforts to rebuild and heal.

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