Hurricane Helene: Fact vs. Rumor

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There are many false reports and instances of misinformation being shared on social media regarding the recovery response to Hurricane Helene. False reports of this nature can and do impede the efforts taking place to help thousands of people in need.

False information is being widely shared on social media channels, including AI-generated content and images. Nefarious actors and those with ill intent may be taking advantage of this situation by spreading false information. The public is encouraged to find trusted sources of information, share information from those trusted sources, and to discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.

The public should get information about storm response and impacts from trusted sources like the State Emergency Response Team, National Weather Service and other federal, state, county and local government sites. Be aware that artificial intelligence or AI-generated images are being circulated on social media that do not depict conditions on the ground.

Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things:

  • Find trusted sources of information.
  • Share information from trusted sources.
  • Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources and question where information is coming from.

Help Stop the Spread of Misinformation


https://youtu.be/FleMlesBKas

RUMOR: The state and federal government are doing nothing to respond to the ongoing disaster in Western North Carolina.

FACT: The N.C. State Emergency Response Team, which includes local, state, federal and military partners, along with power and cell phone agencies, private businesses and volunteer organizations, is working around the clock to save lives and provide humanitarian relief to Western North Carolina residents. This is a coordinated effort aimed at saving lives and to speed recovery for residents, businesses and municipalities in the impacted areas.

RUMOR: Checkpoints are being established and donations and volunteers are being turned away from Western North Carolina.

FACT: Roadways in Western North Carolina are still dangerous and impassible in many places. A recent landslide shows the potential for more serious incidents. In some areas, traffic is being rerouted to maintain availability of roadways for emergency response, coordinated disaster relief efforts and local traffic.

RUMOR: The state is discouraging donations in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Physical donations are being confiscated by state and federal officials.

FACT: The state is encouraging financial donations to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund at nc.gov/donate, or to a N.C. Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster. A list of these organizations can be found at ncvoad.org/members. The state is working with these organizations to stand up logistical operations to coordinate the collection and distribution of countless physical donations from across the state and country. Donations are not being confiscated by state and federal officials.

RUMOR: The state and federal government are discouraging volunteerism in Western North Carolina.

FACT: Coordinated volunteer disaster relief efforts are needed in Western North Carolina. We strongly encourage neighbors to continue helping neighbors in impacted areas. Those wishing to volunteer should register at nc.gov/volunteer in order to be connected with a N.C. Volunteer Organization Active in Helene response. Please do not self-deploy to Western North Carolina unless you are working with an organization already providing services on the ground.

RUMOR: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.

FACT: The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace. Learn more.

RUMOR: FEMA is operating and controlling airports in Western North Carolina.

FACT: FEMA is not controlling any airports in western North Carolina. Airport Managers and Airport Sponsors are the legal entities in charge of operating airports, even in Helene response. FEMA staff may be present at airports as they deploy supplies and stage for Helene response. Airports are critical for accessing impacted NC communities for response and recovery efforts for partners including FEMA.

Additional reliable information regarding Helene can be found at ncdps.gov/helene.

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