Why Disasters Like Hurricanes Milton and Helene Unleash So Much Misinformation

image via New Scientist

October 11, 2024, 11:30 AM

• •Falsehoods spread when uncertainties—and emotions—are high after hurricanes.
• •Conspiracy theories about FEMA are about as old as the agency itself, which was founded in 1979.
• •Disasters are ripe for conspiracy theories because there is a lot of uncertainty as things are unfolding and a lot of fear.

Misinformation about FEMA is spreading after Hurricanes Milton and Helene, fueled by distrust in government and uncertainty about the storms. Conspiracy theories about the agency are as old as FEMA itself, and they play into concerns about government overreach. Debunking has limits, but one concept that has emerged is “prebunking,” which is like building up the mind’s immunity to misinformation.

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