GOP rep blasts 'Helene response myths' in letter: 'Nobody can control the weather'
US Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-North Carolina) on Tuesday issued a scathing rebuke of the misinformation and disinformation spreading across social media regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response to Hurricane Helene.
CBS News correspondent Scott McFarlane posted to X a screenshot of a letter the North Carolina congressman published to his website, debunking a list of myths repeated by Donald Trump and parroted by others online amid the hurricane's devastating impact on the Tar Heel State.
"Over the past 10 days, I have been proud of how our mountain communities have come together to help one another," the letter reads. "We have seen a level of support that is unmatched by most any other disaster nationwide; but amidst all of the support, we have also seen an uptick in untrustworthy sources trying to spark chaos by sharing hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and hearsay about hurricane response efforts across our mountains."
The Republican lawmaker continued, "While it is true, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to Hurricane Helene has had its shortfalls, I’m here to dispel the outrageous rumors that have been circulated online."
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CBS News notes, "Some of the most bizarre conspiracy theories that have spread online claimed politicians manipulated the weather to target Republican areas in the battleground state and that the federal government was trying to seize land in the town of Chimney Rock to mine lithium."
In his letter, Edwards debunked eight myths, including:
1. Hurricane Helene was NOT geoengineered by the government to seize and access lithium deposits in Chimney Rock."
Edwards also emphasized, "Nobody can control the weather," before debunking seven more myths, including:
2. Local officials are NOT abandoning search and rescue efforts to bulldoze over Chimney Rock.
3. FEMA is NOT stopping trucks or vehicles with donations, confiscating or seizing supplies, or otherwise turning away donations.
4. FEMA has NOT diverted disaster response funding to the border or foreign aid.
5. FEMA is NOT going to run out of money.
6. FEMA cannot seize your property or land.
7. The FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] is NOT restricting access to airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.
8. FEMA is NOT only providing $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery.
Edwards went on to explain, "The initial $750 provided to disaster survivors is an immediate type of assistance called Serious Needs Assistance that may be made to individuals in need as soon as they apply for FEMA assistance."
The North Carolina leader added, "The $750 is an upfront, flexible payment to help cover essential items like food, water, baby formula and medication while FEMA assesses the applicant’s eligibility for additional funds. This award is just the first step of a longer process to provide financial assistance to disaster survivors in need of federal support.