Florida Braces for Hurricane Milton Amid Disinformation Crisis

AFP/APP

Washington: As Florida braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton, which intensified into a Category 1 storm on Sunday, concerns are mounting not only about the impending weather but also about a surge of misinformation regarding the state’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.

Milton is expected to gain strength and potentially make landfall along Florida’s west coast by Wednesday, prompting officials to issue mandatory evacuation orders for parts of Pasco County and Anna Maria Island.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 of the state’s 67 counties, predicting that the storm could cause “major, major impacts,” including storm surges of up to 20 feet.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor expressed the challenges facing the city, noting that residents are still recovering from the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene, which struck on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane.

Helene has been linked to over 225 fatalities across several states, marking it as one of the deadliest natural disasters in the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The recovery effort from Helene has been complicated by a wave of false claims and conspiracy theories, prompting FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to speak out against what she described as a “dangerous narrative.”

Among the misinformation is a claim made by former President Donald Trump, suggesting that relief funds intended for hurricane recovery have been misappropriated for migrant assistance. Criswell countered this assertion, clarifying that programs for migrants are funded separately from disaster relief.

The disinformation has reportedly led to increased threats against FEMA officials and other recovery personnel, with law enforcement now monitoring these developments.

Compounding the chaos, false claims about imminent dam failures and baseless assertions regarding the treatment of victims’ remains have further strained recovery efforts, causing unnecessary evacuations and anxiety.

FEMA is actively debunking these rumors, especially on social media platforms, while state officials in North Carolina have also stepped in to correct misinformation. The challenges of misinformation have been exacerbated by changes in social media governance, with platforms like X (formerly Twitter) becoming conduits for right-wing disinformation.

As the state prepares for Milton’s arrival, both officials and residents are urged to remain vigilant, not only about the storm’s impacts but also about the dangers posed by misinformation in times of crisis.