Hurricane Helene: Separating Facts from Fiction

As Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc across the country, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging everyone to be cautious about false information circulating online. The agency has set up a special page called "rumor response" to help people sort through what's true and what's not. One big rumor going around is that FEMA doesn't have enough money to help those in need. But FEMA says that's not true at all. Another false claim is that FEMA is asking for cash donations and turning away volunteers. FEMA wants you to know that this isn't true either. They encourage people who want to help to volunteer with or donate to trusted charities instead. The death toll from the hurricane has reached at least 215, making it one of the deadliest storms to hit the U. S. since Hurricane Katrina. The Biden administration is providing more aid, announcing another $45 million for survivors on Friday. Similar to FEMA, the American Red Cross also addressed some false rumors. They denied claims that they were throwing out donated items or taking over shelters and volunteer groups. The Red Cross pointed out that spreading misinformation makes it harder for them to help those in need and affects disaster workers.