The top disaster relief official in the US, Deanne Criswell, has criticized misinformation and conspiracy theories being spread about the federal response to Hurricane Helene. Claims that the government is withholding aid from Republican areas are noted as deeply demoralizing to aid workers and causing undue fear among those needing recovery assistance. Criswell emphasized, "It's really a shame that we're putting politics ahead of helping people." Approximately 230 lives have been lost due to the storm, prompting significant concern from FEMA officials and volunteers on the ground.
Donald Trump has accused FEMA of prioritizing funds for immigrants in the country illegally, and others allege that the government spends excessively on foreign nations like Israel and Ukraine. These assertions have been dismissed by officials, with acting FEMA director Keith Turi assuring that the agency has sufficient funds, bolstered by a recent $20 billion allocation from Congress. Meanwhile, unfounded theories, including suggestions that weather control technology was used to manipulate the storm's path, continue to spread.
President Biden reaffirmed federal support in disaster-stricken regions irrespective of political affiliations. FEMA also announced preparations for Hurricane Milton, now a Category 1 storm heading towards Florida. "We're working with the state there to understand what their requirements are going to be," stated Criswell, highlighting the agency's proactive stance in managing potential impacts. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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