As US hurricane-hit states struggle to recover, the damage from misinformation is further making it hard for both residents and emergency workers. According to The Guardian report, in North Carolina, responders dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene were forced to evacuate Rutherford County after threats from armed militias emerged, complicating an already dire situation. According to a warning from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), militia members were “out hunting FEMA” personnel due to which critical emergency operations were temporarily halted.
The county, home to mountain towns like Rutherfordton and Forest City, had already seen devastating flood damage, but the introduction of armed extremist groups added another layer of danger. “It’s terrible because a lot of these folks who need assistance are refusing it because they believe the stuff people are saying about Fema and the government,” said Riva Duncan, a former Forest Service official as per The Guardian report. “And it’s sad because they are probably the ones who need the help the most,” he further added.
The politicization of rescue operations following Hurricane Helene has attracted white nationalist groups, like Patriot Front, into devastated regions, positioning themselves as alternative saviors while adding to the conspiracy theories. These groups have been leveraging anti-government sentiment, an atmosphere stoked by far-right leaders, to fuel recruitment drives. A message from the Patriot Front on X read, “We in Patriot Front are here to help out the local communities.”
Fema, long the subject of conspiracy theories, has had to adjust its operations. In response to security concerns, it ceased door-to-door visits and operated from fixed locations. “For the safety of our dedicated staff and the disaster survivors we are helping, Fema has made some operational adjustments,” an official told The Washington Post.
Misinformation doesn’t stop with the far-right militias. Federal responders have faced online attacks and death threats, particularly meteorologists accused of manipulating weather patterns. Katie Nickolaou, a Michigan-based meteorologist, revealed to The Guardian that she has received violent messages, including threats to “stop the breathing of those that made [the hurricanes].” Nickolaou’s frustration was palpable: “Murdering meteorologists won’t stop hurricanes. I can’t believe I just had to type that.”
Despite these baseless claims, the federal response continues to grapple with the fallout. Misinformation and extremist narratives have undermined trust in government assistance, as aid efforts in Florida and the Carolinas struggle to reach those most in need. Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the issue, condemning the spread of disinformation that “makes it harder to get people lifesaving information.”
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