3 months ago
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As the federal government responds to back-to-back hurricanes, officials are also battling misinformation and disinformation. "The disinformation that we have seen around Helene and now Milton is unlike anything I have ever witnessed," said Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Resilience and Response Caitlin Durkovich.The White House recently launched a Reddit account focused on spreading accurate information. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has a section on its website dedicated to dispelling false rumors. One widely circulated myth is that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is only providing $750 to storm survivors. FEMA says this is an initial payment called Serious Needs Assistance that can be used for immediate needs like food, water and medicine. It’s just one of several forms of assistance available to help people recover.It’s also false that FEMA may confiscate land if individuals apply for assistance, according to the agency. “When you apply for disaster assistance a FEMA inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for. If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional,” FEMA’s fact check continues. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he spoke directly to Elon Musk, the CEO of the social media site X, after Musk shared a post suggesting the federal government was restricting airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations. "He seemed to be under the impression that the FAA or FEMA were blocking flights, that was not the case, but when I made contact with him, it did become clear that there was an issue that was playing out at the local level. We worked together to get the right information to the right people," Buttigieg said.The Federal Aviation Administration added on its website, “At the request of local authorities or law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration can issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to ensure safety for aircraft conducting Hurricane rescue and recovery activities. These TFRs do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance.” As the storm response continues, officials urge Americans to verify facts with trusted sources to avoid spreading false information."It is making the response and the recovery process more difficult. It also does a disservice frankly to the people, the first responders," Durkovich said.
WASHINGTON —
As the federal government responds to back-to-back hurricanes, officials are also battling misinformation and disinformation.
"The disinformation that we have seen around Helene and now Milton is unlike anything I have ever witnessed," said Deputy Homeland Security Advisor for Resilience and Response Caitlin Durkovich.
The White House recently launched a Reddit account focused on spreading accurate information. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has a section on its website dedicated to dispelling false rumors.
One widely circulated myth is that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is only providing $750 to storm survivors. FEMA says this is an initial payment called Serious Needs Assistance that can be used for immediate needs like food, water and medicine. It’s just one of several forms of assistance available to help people recover.
It’s also false that FEMA may confiscate land if individuals apply for assistance, according to the agency.
“When you apply for disaster assistance a FEMA inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for. If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional,” FEMA’s fact check continues.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he spoke directly to Elon Musk, the CEO of the social media site X, after Musk shared a post suggesting the federal government was restricting airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.
"He seemed to be under the impression that the FAA or FEMA were blocking flights, that was not the case, but when I made contact with him, it did become clear that there was an issue that was playing out at the local level. We worked together to get the right information to the right people," Buttigieg said.
The Federal Aviation Administration added on its website, “At the request of local authorities or law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration can issue Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) to ensure safety for aircraft conducting Hurricane rescue and recovery activities. These TFRs do not ban aircraft, including drones, from providing disaster relief and recovery assistance.”
As the storm response continues, officials urge Americans to verify facts with trusted sources to avoid spreading false information.
"It is making the response and the recovery process more difficult. It also does a disservice frankly to the people, the first responders," Durkovich said.
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