Several claims are making rounds on social media as East Tennessee, North Carolina and other states continue to recover from Helene.
COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. —
Hurricane Relief Efforts
Some political leaders have criticized FEMA and the Biden Administration’s response to Hurricane Helene. Accusations of insufficient assistance on the ground and inadequate or misused federal funding are prevalent online, including from people claiming to be from affected communities.
The Biden Administration and FEMA have rejected the accusations as misinformation. Hooks said it hurts the relief effort.
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FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and its migrant initiative are appropriated through separate funding streams. Replenishing the disaster fund requires an act of Congress.
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Starlink offers satellite internet to areas without wired internet. Its founder Elon Musk falsely implied FEMA blocked its delivery to Hurricane Helene victims.
A FEMA disaster relief program does offer victims $750, but it’s not FEMA’s only program. Hurricane Helene survivors can apply for many others.
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