FEMA chief issues dire warning on hurricane disinformation, sets up fact checking page

FEMA chief issues dire warning on hurricane disinformation "I anticipated some of this, but not to the extent that we're seeing this," FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said. Sara Fischer,Andrew Freedman Axios

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warned Tuesday that falsehoods related to hurricanes are significantly impeding their response efforts, and putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida and others pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene.

Why it matters: Amid one ongoing natural disaster, and with another on the horizon, the federal agency took time from preparation and response efforts to caution the public about rampant misinformation.

• On Tuesday, FEMA launched a fact-checking page regarding its storm response to Hurricane Helene. ...