Weather Experts Face Online Threats Amid Hurricane Misinformation

Meteorologists tracking Hurricane Milton have been flooded with conspiracy theories and even death threats, as false claims about weather control spread across social media. The chaos began after Hurricane Helene hit six states, causing hundreds of deaths. This misinformation, partly fueled by Donald Trump and his supporters, has made it harder for agencies like FEMA to help affected communities. Katie Nickolaou, a meteorologist from Michigan, has been targeted with messages claiming she and other scientists can control hurricanes, with some even suggesting that meteorologists should be killed. The falsehoods range from claims of "category 6" hurricanes to allegations that radar equipment is controlling the weather. One post threatened Nickolaou, saying, "Stop the breathing of those that made them and their affiliates. "The misinformation has become so widespread that it's diverting time and resources from crucial work. Social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) have seen posts calling for FEMA workers to be beaten or killed. Even some of Trump's allies have claimed that the government is manipulating hurricanes. Joe Biden has criticized these false claims, blaming Trump for the "onslaught of lies. " While climate change can intensify hurricanes, humans cannot individually create or control them. This situation reflects a growing trend where people rely more on extremist figures online than on experts for information.