Hurricane Helene caused significant loss of life and extensive damage, but the efforts to recover from it are being hindered by more than just the destruction of the storm.

Misinformation about FEMA has gone viral on the internet, continuing even as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida. Deanne Criswell, administrator of FEMA, stated that this false information has negatively impacted those affected by the storm and the volunteers assisting in the recovery.

“It’s eroding trust in both federal and state government. Our first responders, who are tirelessly working to assist these communities, feel demoralized. They have left their families to help others,” Criswell reported during a press briefing on October 8.

FEMA has been delivering food, water, generators, and other essential supplies to the Southeast as part of their recovery assistance. By October 8, federal support for those impacted by the storm had exceeded $286 million. However, this mission is complicated by false assertions regarding the agency’s funding capabilities and claims that it only provides $750 in assistance. FEMA has created a new webpage to address these widespread misconceptions.

“This misinformation is causing fear among individuals, making them hesitant to seek assistance, which in turn prevents me from delivering the necessary aid they require,” Criswell indicated.

With the presidential election approaching, both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are using the hurricane’s aftermath as a focal point in their campaigns. Trump has amplified false claims, such as alleging that FEMA lacks funding for hurricane relief because it has been utilized for undocumented immigrants. Harris has labeled Trump’s unfounded statements as “extremely irresponsible,” according to The Associated Press.

Below are several hurricane-related claims that YSL News has thoroughly investigated and debunked.

Claim: NEXRAD, Doppler radar, and HAARP were employed to manipulate the trajectory of Hurricane Helene

Our rating: False

Experts assert that weather cannot be controlled on a large scale. HAARP researches the ionosphere and lacks any mechanism to affect weather, and Doppler radars like NEXRAD also cannot manipulate storms.

Full fact check: NEXRAD, HAARP, and Doppler radar can’t manipulate hurricanes

Claim: The Biden administration allocated FEMA relief funds for ‘illegals’

Our rating: False

BOTH FEMA and a White House spokesperson confirmed that this assertion is incorrect. It confuses the disaster relief fund with a distinct program aimed at assisting homeless individuals. Funding from Congress for disaster relief must be utilized solely for this purpose, as any other usage is illegal.

Full fact check: No, Biden and Harris did not divert FEMA hurricane relief funds to immigrants

Claim: FEMA loans money to disaster victims and can take their property if it’s not repaid

Our rating: False

FEMA cannot confiscate land or property from individuals applying for federal disaster support. Typically, the agency’s assistance does not require repayment.

Full fact check: FEMA cannot confiscate land or property from those affected by disasters

Claim: Individuals impacted by Hurricane Helene only receive ‘$750’ in aid

Our rating: False

The initial $750 payments represent the starting support from a new FEMA initiative, not the entire financial aid available. There are several additional forms of financial assistance that applicants can pursue after the hurricane.

Full fact check: Payments of $750 represent just a portion of federal support following Hurricane Helene

Claim: Trump only committed to donating 3% of the funds raised from Hurricane Helene to victims

Our rating: False

The GoFundMe campaign promised to allocate all raised funds to hurricane victims, as per the platform’s regulations. About 3% of each donation is typically allocated to transaction fees charged by GoFundMe.

Full fact check: No, Trump did not restrict his GoFundMe proceeds to only 3% for Helene victims

Claim: An image depicts Trump navigating through floodwaters after Hurricane Helene

Our rating: Altered

Experts and AI detection technology confirm that the image is artificially generated. There’s no proof that Trump walked through floodwaters following Hurricane Helene.

Full fact check: The image of Donald Trump in floodwaters is AI-generated

Claim: Biden announced he won’t provide additional aid to Hurricane Helene victims

Our rating: False

The President indicated that the government had exhausted all available resources at that moment, not that further aid would not be forthcoming. He later stated that more assistance would be provided for those impacted by the hurricane.

Full fact check: No, Biden did not declare that he will stop sending aid to Hurricane Helene victims

Claim: Biden and Harris obstructed rescue efforts in North Carolina so they could inspect hurricane damage

Our rating: False

The Federal Aviation Administration clarified that temporary flight restrictions due to Biden and Harris’ visits do not interfere with hurricane recovery efforts or aircraft delivering assistance.

Full fact check: The flight restrictions for Biden and Harris did not impede rescue operations

Assertion: Hurricane Milton achieved ‘Category 6’ status

Evaluation: Incorrect

There is currently no classification known as “Category 6” on the five-tiered Saffir-Simpson scale for hurricanes. Although the possibility of a sixth category has been proposed in theory, it does not exist as an official measure of hurricane intensity in 2024.

Complete fact check: Hurricane Milton did not reach ‘Category 6.’ Such a category does not exist.

(This article has been revised to include additional details.)