Hurricane season can be fraught with danger and uncertainty as storms morph quickly and wreak havoc across populated areas. Add conspiracy theories to the mix, and the situation can become even more chaotic. Recently, misinformation surrounding hurricane response efforts has gained traction, prompting strong pushback from federal officials and leaders as they scramble to combat false narratives about the government's ability to control the weather and other dramatic claims.
At the forefront of these discussions is Hurricane Milton, which recently hit Florida, leaving destruction and power outages for millions. President Joe Biden addressed the nation amid this crisis, condemning false claims perpetuated by some members of Congress, particularly Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). During remarks at the White House, he labeled her assertion—suggesting the government can control the weather—as “beyond ridiculous.” Looking visibly frustrated, he noted, “For the last few weeks, there’s been reckless, irresponsible and relentless promotion of disinformation and outright lies.” This misinformation, he emphasized, could be harmful to those relying on federal assistance during emergencies.
The drama surrounding Hurricane Milton is not isolated; it has roots tracing back to Hurricane Helene, which barreled through the Gulf just weeks prior. That storm became a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, leading some, including Greene, to falsely state, "Yes, they can control the weather." Greene's errant remarks on social media claimed the weather could be manufactured, stirring fear and confusion among those most vulnerable. Biden didn't hold back his condemnation: "It’s harmful to those who need help the most.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris also took aim at misinformation during her own media appearances. She charged former President Donald Trump with irresponsibility for his misinformation about disaster relief funds allegedly being diverted to aid migrants instead of hurricane victims. Harris characterized such rhetoric as “dangerous” and labeled attempts to mislead the public as “unconscionable.” She called out political gamesmanship as particularly harmful during times of crisis when people need clear guidance and support.
With both hurricanes, misinformation has proliferated across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, where sensational claims become viral. One particularly viral post claimed Hurricane Milton was "modified and manipulated," used as some kind of weapon against the public. Such statements not only undermine the real and immediate danger of the storms but complicate the public's perception of how they should respond.
Efforts to combat this misinformation came from various sources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which recently launched a dedicated “Hurricane Rumor Response” page. This initiative aims to debunk commonly shared myths about hurricanes and outline the agency’s response steps. The White House has also taken to social media, launching channels on platforms like Reddit to share facts and ease misinformation clouds online. Local officials have similarly utilized their platforms to deliver reliable information directly to their constituents, challenging false beliefs with factual updates instead.
Experts and meteorologists have weighed in on the potential of weather manipulation, highlighting its impracticality. While techniques like geoengineering and cloud seeding exist, they do not allow humans to exert control over large storm systems like hurricanes. Joshua Horton, a senior program fellow studying solar geoengineering, commented on the limits of these technologies, stating, “Even if it existed, geoengineering would be too imprecise to control weather events.” Existing research reminds us such grand claims of weather control are not just unfounded but completely against established scientific understandings of atmospheric phenomena.
Professor Charles Konrad, specializing in geography and environment at the University of North Carolina, echoed Horton’s sentiments, explaining past hurricane modification projects were abandoned due to ineffectiveness. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded attempts at hurricane modification up until the 1980s, concluding operations were too frail against natural forces. Similarly, Hugh Willoughby, research professor at Florida International University, defined the idea of weather control as “utter nonsense.”
If the current situation showcases anything, it’s the importance of focusing on credible information sources. The National Hurricane Center stands as a beacon during these chaotic times, hosting teams of specialized meteorologists equipped with extensive training. Their expertise offers valuable insights and verified facts, encouraging individuals to seek knowledge from reputable academic and governmental sources.
This hurricane season highlights the interplay between natural disasters and the ever-present threat of misinformation. With so many lives affected by the serious impacts of hurricanes like Helene and Milton, the need for clear and honest communication around government responses has never come at such urgency. Leaders have emerged to confront misinformation directly, fighting not only for accurate dissemination of information but also for public safety.
While misinformation continues to surface, efforts from lawmakers and scientists alike aim to remind the public of the reality behind hurricanes. They aren't manufactured or manipulated phenomena, but rather natural disasters requiring human intervention through emergency response and community cooperation. Only through reliance on informed data can we navigate the mud of misinformation and come together to help those devastated by these storms.
