Eric Hovde, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin, has been circulating false claims about Hurricane Helene that federal officers are urging individuals to cease spreading.
“FEMA is out of cash and does not have cash to switch to these individuals affected by the hurricane,” Hovde stated in an Oct. 3 video on X. “They used the cash to help unlawful immigrants.”
As of Oct. 7, the publish was pinned to the highest of Hovde’s profile and had over 1 / 4 of one million views.
At former President Donald Trump’s Oct. 6 rally in Juneau, Wisconsin, Hovde claimed Vice President Kamala Harris and his opponent, Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, are “not even taking good care of our veterans or the folks that have been devastated by that hurricane.”
Trump, in the meantime, declared that the federal authorities “is doing nothing.” The top of the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) has known as misinformation unfold by Trump and others “ridiculous and simply plain false.”
The company launched a webpage to deal with rumors in regards to the hurricane, a typical response throughout pure disasters to get essential info to survivors. False info can confuse or forestall individuals from getting assist, FEMA says.
Right here’s what FEMA says about claims that Hovde and others have made about Hurricane Helene.
FEMA says it has sufficient cash for fast wants, may run out by finish of hurricane season
Hovde begins his video by claiming FEMA is “out of cash.” On the company’s rumor response web site, FEMA says it “has sufficient cash proper now for fast response and restoration wants.”
“Should you have been affected by Helene, don’t hesitate to use for catastrophe help as there may be quite a lot of assist out there for various wants,” the company says.
Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas advised reporters final week that FEMA can meet all of its present obligations, however will most definitely run out of funding earlier than the top of the hurricane season.
In an Oct. 7 press launch, FEMA stated federal help to Hurricane Helene survivors has surpassed $210 million. The company is getting ready for Hurricane Milton, which is projected to threaten areas nonetheless recovering from Helene.
“The company’s capability to handle a number of simultaneous disasters ensures that it could proceed to prioritize response and restoration efforts for Helene, whereas additionally being prepared to answer Milton,” the company stated.
Cash will not be being diverted for worldwide or border-related points
Hovde additionally claimed the company ran out of funding as a result of “they used the cash to help unlawful immigrants.”
FEMA says “no cash is being diverted from catastrophe response wants,” reminiscent of worldwide or border-related points. Catastrophe response efforts and particular person help is funded by a devoted Catastrophe Aid Fund.
FEMA does administer the Shelter and Providers Program, which helps nonfederal entities offering humanitarian companies to noncitizen migrants following their launch from the Division of Homeland Safety, in accordance with its web site.
This system has $650 million in funding this 12 months, however that cash is separate from catastrophe reduction funds, USA Immediately reported.
Hovde’s marketing campaign didn’t reply to a request for remark.
FEMA asks individuals to make use of and share official sources of knowledge
On the finish of his video that features false claims, Hovde urges individuals to “please share this with individuals you recognize. Get the phrase out.”
FEMA’s rumor webpage asks individuals to assist cease the unfold of rumors by discovering trusted info sources, sharing info from these trusted sources and discouraging different individuals from sharing info from unverified sources.
Survivors can apply for FEMA help by calling the helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visiting disasterassistance.gov or downloading FEMA’s app.
Extra info on catastrophe help may be discovered right here. Data on Hurricane Milton may be discovered right here.
Our ruling
In an X video, Hovde claimed FEMA is “out of cash” amid Hurricane Helene restoration and the company “used the cash to help unlawful immigrants.”
FEMA has debunked each claims, which Trump and different conservatives have unfold. FEMA says it has sufficient cash to satisfy its present wants, however may run out earlier than the top of the hurricane season.
Though FEMA administers a program that helps migrants, that funding is separate from catastrophe reduction. Cash from the Catastrophe Aid Fund will not be being diverted, the company says.
We price Hovde’s claims False.
