This story is part of State of Emergency, a Grist series exploring how climate disasters are impacting voting and politics.
The conspiracy theories began circulating as flood waters continued to rise during Hurricane Helene, the deadliest storm to hit the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. One theory suggested that the storm was engineered to target Trump voters in crucial swing states. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia claimed on X that weather manipulation is possible. Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist known for spreading misinformation about incidents like the Sandy Hook school shooting, released a video on X suggesting that the government directed Helene at North Carolina to mine the state’s lithium resources.
However, these claims are baseless. FEMA is not withholding critical supplies, as some conspiracy theorists suggest. Social media platforms have been flooded with false information about FEMA blocking volunteers and confiscating donations in the aftermath of the storm.
Disasters often give rise to conspiracy theories, and Hurricane Helene is no exception. The storm’s proximity to Election Day has led to a surge in conspiracies related to immigration, diversity, and other contentious issues. These false narratives feed into broader political debates and create a toxic environment of misinformation.
While some of the conspiracy theories contain elements of truth, such as a reference to the real government program Project Stormfury, others are entirely fabricated. FEMA plays a vital role in coordinating disaster relief efforts and distributing supplies, not directly providing aid on the ground. Local communities and organizations often step in to support those affected by disasters before federal assistance arrives.
As the recovery efforts continue in the wake of Hurricane Helene, it is crucial to rely on accurate information and support local communities as they rebuild. Misinformation and conspiracy theories only serve to undermine the response efforts and create unnecessary confusion during a time of crisis.
