Washington — Rep. Chuck Edwards, a North Carolina Republican, despatched a letter to his constituents debunking the misinformation and conspiracy theories which have unfold within the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, telling them, “No person can management the climate.”
Edwards, who represents western North Carolina, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene, urged his constituents to not consider the whole lot they see on social media and famous there’s been a rise in “untrustworthy sources attempting to spark chaos by sharing hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and rumour about hurricane response efforts throughout our mountains.”
“Please be sure you are truth checking what you learn on-line with a good supply,” he wrote.
A number of the most weird conspiracy theories which have unfold on-line claimed politicians manipulated the climate to focus on Republicans areas within the battleground state and that the federal authorities was attempting to seize land within the city of Chimney Rock to mine lithium.
“Hurricane Helene was NOT geoengineered by the federal government to grab and entry lithium deposits in Chimney Rock,” Edwards mentioned, including that there isn’t a know-how that may geoengineer a hurricane and native officers confirmed the federal government isn’t taking management of the city.
He additionally denied that native officers have been abandoning search and rescue efforts to bulldoze the city, that the Federal Emergency Administration Company was blocking donations from reaching survivors and diverting catastrophe funding to the border and overseas support. The federal company couldn’t seize residents’ property and the Federal Aviation Administration isn’t proscribing entry to airspace for search and restoration operations, he mentioned.
Edwards additionally reassured his constituents that FEMA wouldn’t run out of funds to help the world with its restoration efforts. He mentioned residents could also be eligible for greater than the $750 of instant help that FEMA gives to survivors to assist cowl important objects whereas the company determines their eligibility for extra funds.
Former President Donald Trump is amongst those that have made deceptive claims about federal catastrophe aid, falsely alleging that the Biden administration distributed most of FEMA’s funds to undocumented migrants. He additionally falsely claimed that storm victims have been solely being provided $750 in support.
