Politics

Elected leaders warn against 'spread of false information'

Anthony Trombini of Greenville, S.C. attaches a sign directing people in need of food, water an medicine to Stone Mountain Baptist Church, to another sign, voicing frustration with the Federal relief effort for Hurricane Helen on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in rural McDowell County. [ROBERT WILLETT/News&Observer]

By News&Observer and NC Tribune, Published: October 6, 2024

NOTE: As part of its support for news and information distribution in Western NC and areas affected by Hurricane Helene, the NC Local News Workshop invited local news organizations to both share and republish shared content. This story contains information from the Raleigh News&Observer and NC Tribune, a daily newsletter.

Emergency officials responding to the Hurricane Helene disaster in Western North Carolina say false rumors on social media are impeding their efforts to help tens of thousands of people in need. “False information is being widely shared on social media channels, including AI-generated content and images,” N.C. Department of Public Safety officials said in a statement. ”Nefarious actors and those with ill intent may be taking advantage of this situation by spreading false information.”

Things got to the point last week that state Sen. Kevin Corbin, R-Macon, took to Facebook to urge people to knock it off.

“Friends, can I ask a small favor? Will you all help stop this conspiracy theory junk that is floating all over Facebook and the internet about the floods in WNC,” he implored. “The state is working non-stop. DOT has deployed workers from all over the state. Duke Power has 10,000 workers on this. FEMA is here. The National Guard is here in large numbers.” (Actually, Duke says 18,000 workers are here.)

“Please don’t let these crazy stories consume you or have you continually contact your elected officials to see if they are true," Corbin said. "I just talked to one senator that has had 15 calls today about why we don’t stop … ‘fill in the blank.’ [There’s a] 98% chance it’s not true and if it is a problem, somebody is aware and on it and not waiting for a post to go through 10,000 people to be addressed.”

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, also urged people to avoid "political posturing, finger-pointing, or conspiracy theories."

"The destruction caused by Helene is incomprehensible and has left many communities in Western North Carolina absolutely devastated. The last thing that the victims of Helene need right now is political posturing, finger-pointing, or conspiracy theories that only hurt the response effort. The immediate focus needs to be supporting search and rescue operations and ensuring the safety of everyone in harm’s way."

Among the rumors were that the Red Cross or FEMA was seizing private property, that the Red Cross was blocking relief supplies, even that the government had created the hurricane.

“Misinformation can spread quickly after a disaster, causing confusion and distrust within communities struggling to recover,” the Red Cross said in a statement. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing this during our response to Hurricane Helene.”

Here are rumors being spread on social media and the facts offered in response by government agencies:

Rumor: There are “bodies everywhere” in Chimney Rock and the government has been seizing private property.

Facts: While the village of Chimney Rock was hit hard by the storm, Rutherford County government has confirmed just one storm-related death. It said there have been no seizures of private property or discussions about seizing property involving the federal, state or local government. There was no “special meeting” on Oct. 2 about the government seizing the village.

Rumor: Governments aren’t responding to the disaster.

Facts: The N.C. State Emergency Response Team includes local, state, federal and military units; power and cell phone companies and other businesses; and volunteer organizations. On Saturday, Mooresville Fire Chief Curt Deaton said his team alone has rescued 11 people and two animals in Ashe County and will remain there until it is safe for residents and their first responders.'

“This work is very strenuous,” Deaton said. “These men spend most of the time walking and climbing through dangerous debris piles, searching for any survivors or victims ... Some of our team, they’ve been there for 10 days straight now, working around the clock.”

Rumor: Donations, volunteers turned away at checkpoints.

Facts: Western N.C. roads are still dangerous and impassible in many places, and landslides remain a threat. Traffic is being rerouted on some roads so emergency vehicles, disaster relief efforts and local traffic can still access them.

Rumor: The government created the hurricane

Facts: Helene formed from an organized band of showers and thunderstorms in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported. Rumors that the government created the storm were fueled by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s tweet late Thursday that “Yes they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”

Rumor: “The Red Cross isn’t here.”

Facts: At least 1,300 Red Cross disaster responders are helping people in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia with safe shelter, food, hygiene items, medications and emotional support. Before Helene made landfall, the Red Cross positioned hundreds of disaster responders and thousands of relief supplies across the Southeast.

Rumor: Funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support international efforts or border-related issues.

Facts: This is false, FEMA said. 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. Commodity distribution, mass feeding and hydration operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina, FEMA said. Commodity shipments are also en route. “The agency is on track to meet requested delivery timelines for meals and water,” it said in a statement released Oct 5. “Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft.” In North Carolina alone, the Salvation Army has nine mobile feeding units and has served over 7,100 meals, 6,600 drinks, and 3,700 snacks, it said.