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From the NYTimes: Bizarre Falsehoods About Hurricanes Helene and Milton Disrupt Recovery Efforts. Experts warn that weather-related disinformation can rapidly escalate into real-world risks and distract from aid. An excerpt:

“Online climate-related conspiracy theories can quickly cause damage offline, disrupting emergency communications and recovery efforts. Officials have said this week that the disinformation about Hurricanes Helene and Milton was making relief workers a target, and the American Red Cross warned that the outlandish claims could prevent survivors from seeking help.”

From the Congressional Research Service, this 15 page, newly updated report :

Disaster Relief Fund State of Play: In Brief. Updated October 9, 2024

From Politico:‘The worst I have ever seen’: Disinformation chaos hammers FEMA.

“Conspiracies and rumors are hurting recovery and relief efforts, warned FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.”

From the WashPost: Officials face antisemitic attacks over Hurricane Helene response, Report finds Elon Musk’s X is fueling conspiracy theories that risk undermining rescue efforts and preparations for Hurricane Milton.

Just when you think things cant get any worse, we nowhave this extra burden.

From HSNW: Hurricane Helene Could Cost $200 Billion. Nobody Knows Where the Money Will Come From.
“Even as the full scale of devastation in the mountainous regions of North Carolina and Tennessee remains unknown, it’s clear that Hurricane Helene is one of the deadliest and most destructive storms in recent U.S. history. Almost none of the storm’s devastation will be paid out by insurance.”

See this Opinion piece from the WashPost: Hurricane Helene barreled into uncharted territory. It won’t be the last. Storms veering inland — and rampant misinformation — are testing federal disaster response systems.

From the NY Times: How North Carolina Republicans Left Homes Vulnerable to Helene

Although the current focus is on federal response, it appears that the state legislature deserves some of the blame for the terrible aftermath of H. Helene in N.C.

From the WashPost: FEMA deploys to rough terrain after Helene as it faces criticism, fights misinformation

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency is facing logistical challenges and fighting false rumors as it responds to Helene, which made landfall as a major hurricane about a week ago.”

From the WashPost: Thousands of uninsured homes were in Helene’s path.
The United States’ crumbling flood insurance system faces a new test after Hurricane Helene.

“On average, just a tiny fraction of households in the inland counties hit hardest by Hurricane Helene and its remnants had flood insurance, according to a Washington Post analysis of recent data from the National Flood Insurance Program. Across seven affected states, only 0.8 percent of homes in inland counties affected by the storm had flood insurance. By contrast, 21 percent of homes in coastal counties in those areas had coverage.”