PSA: Federal Response to Hurricane Helene Facts – not purposeful misinformation…

It saddens me that good people are being misled for political gain and for advertising market share – power and money.

What many of you may not know about me is, I have a long former career as a FEMA Certified Emergency Management Trainer and Professional and was the Director of Homeland Security, Emergency Management, and Law Enforcement Training for Educational Institution Protection for the State of Texas before the state government defunded my division.

I worked on behalf of the State of Texas with the professionals at FEMA and can tell you, I’ve never met a more highly trained, devote, and dedicated group of individuals in my life. They deserved to be respected, not derided.

No system is perfect - because people aren't perfect.

In real life, natural and human caused disasters are dynamic, violent, and take time for even the most dedicated of operations to fully address. The further people choose to live away from towns and cities, the more difficult it will naturally be to respond to their needs.

So, with respect to these selfless professionals, and out of respect for this democracy that I feel is under attack from within… I offer some well vetted information – not false rumor that is created to spark outrage and divide us.

For the first time ever, FEMA is having to divert resources to offset malicious disinformation that is purposely being manufactured and repeated for political, financial, and personal gain. And sadly, people of good heart and good intention are being drawn into the storm of manufactured "outrage." It's pathetic, and, perhaps, there needs to be a civil penalty for the evolving threat to public safety and trust.

It's still a “free country” – for now. If you don’t want to read this – don’t.

If you read this -it's your choice.

In any case, I ask that you not comment either for or against anything I am posting –

this is my page, and I have the right to share information from credible sources – FEMA/State Government Sites/ and personal experience and training.

I am not asking for nor do I wish feedback.

This is a take it or leave it post.

My entire life has been one of service... my writing is humbly offered in this same spirit.

What FEMA Does and is Doing:

Working with state, local and tribal partners to assess damage from the storm as quickly as possible.

Coordinating a federal force of nearly 7,000 personnel, each contributing their expertise to this mission.

Continuing to deliver critical supplies to impacted areas including meals, water, generators, tarps and other supplies and equipment.

Do your part to the stop the spread of rumors by doing three easy things:

1. Find trusted sources of information.

2. Share information from trusted sources.

3. Discourage others from sharing information from unverified sources.

Rumor: FEMA only provides loans to disaster survivors.

Fact: This is False.

In most cases, FEMA grants do NOT have to be paid back.

There are some less common situations in which you may have to pay FEMA back if you receive duplicate benefits from insurance or a grant from another source. For example, if you have insurance that covers your temporary housing costs, but you ask FEMA to advance you some money to help you pay for those costs while your insurance is delayed, you will need to pay that money back to FEMA after you receive your insurance settlement.

If you are a homeowner or small business owner, low-interest disaster loans are also available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in a declared major disaster area. These loans may help with home repair or replacement, personal property, vehicles, mitigation, business losses, and working capital for small business and most private nonprofits. Learn more about SBA disaster loans.

October 6, 2024

Rumor: Applying multiple times for disaster assistance will speed up the process of being approved.

Fact: The is False.

People need to apply for assistance one time per household. Do not re-submit or create a new application during the disaster assistance process. Submitting more than one application per disaster will cause delays.

You can check the status of your application or read any FEMA correspondence by accessing your DisasterAssistance.gov account or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

October 6, 2024

Rumor: The FAA is restricting access to the airspace for Helene rescue and recovery operations.

Fact: This is False.

The FAA is not restricting access for recovery operations. The FAA is coordinating closely with state and local officials to make sure everyone is operating safely in very crowded and congested airspace.

• As of yesterday, the NC National Guard had conducted 146 rescue flights and rescued 538 people. Other agencies and private volunteer piolets are being coordinated via State Emergency Management Central Commands so that there is not conflict resulting in dangerous conditions and so rescue and aid effort are organized and prioritized with a big picture view. These processed are present in protocol across the nation, trained for constantly, and activated uniformly – no matter the political administration at the time of the event.

Learn More from the FAA

October 6, 2024

Rumor: FEMA distributes aid based on demographic characteristics.

Fact: This False.

FEMA provides assistance to survivors regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, economic status... or political affiliation.

October 4, 2024

• There is zero credible evidence that political affiliation is being used as a consideration – in fact, it has been debunked by each state government. The Governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia have all reported that they have "everything they need" and that the Federal Response has been quick and robust.

Rumor: FEMA is in the process of confiscating Helene survivor property. If I apply for disaster assistance and my land is deemed unlivable, my property will be seized.

Fact: This is False.

FEMA cannot seize your property or land.

Applying for disaster assistance does not grant FEMA or the federal government authority or ownership of your property or land. When you apply for disaster assistance a FEMA inspector may be sent to verify the damage on your home. This is one of many factors reviewed to determine what kind of disaster assistance you may be eligible for. If the results of the inspection deem your home uninhabitable, that information is only used to determine the amount of FEMA assistance you may receive to make your home safe, sanitary and functional.

October 4, 2024

Rumor: FEMA is no longer accepting applications for housing assistance.

Fact: This is False.

FEMA is still accepting assistance applications throughout areas affected by Helene. For current application timelines, visit disasterassistance.gov. You can also see if applications are being accepted on FEMA’s state specific Helene disaster webpages; Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

October 4, 2024

Rumor: FEMA does not have enough money to provide disaster assistance for Helene.

Fact: This is False.

FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs.

October 3, 2024

Rumor: FEMA is asking for cash donations and turning away volunteers.

Fact: This is False:

FEMA does not ask for or generally accept any cash donations or volunteers for disaster response. We do encourage people who want to help to volunteer with or donate cash to reputable voluntary or charitable organizations. After a disaster, cash is often the best way to help as it provides the greatest flexibility for these reputable organizations working on the ground to purchase exactly what is needed.

If you encounter someone claiming to represent FEMA and asking for donations, be careful as that is likely a scam. Government employees will never solicit money.

October 3, 2024

Rumor: Funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support international efforts or border related issues.

Fact: This is False.

No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts.

October 3, 2024

• As a former FEMA trained Emergency Manager I can tell you that this is actually impossible. These funds are created by congress is sperate bills and are maintained in separate parts of DHS. The President has already warned congress that due to the increased frequency and intensity of storms and wildfires due to human induced climate change, they will need to appropriate additional funds to cover future and current threats. To date, the Speaker of the House has not agreed to do so.

Rumor: FEMA is confiscating donations for survivors.

Fact: Rumors about FEMA turning away donations, stopping trucks or vehicles with donations, confiscating and seizing supplies often spread after a disaster. These are all false.

FEMA does not take donations and/or food from survivors or voluntary organizations. Donations of food, water, or other goods are handled by voluntary agencies who specialize in storing, sorting, cleaning, and distributing donated items.

FEMA does not conduct vehicle stops or handle road closures with armed guards -- those are done by local law enforcement.

October 3, 2024

 Rumor: FEMA will only provide $750 to disaster survivors to support their recovery.

Fact: This is false.

This is a type of assistance that you may be approved for soon after you apply, called Serious Needs Assistance. It is an upfront, flexible payment to help cover essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication and other emergency supplies. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify for to receive, and Serious Needs Assistance is an initial payment you may receive while FEMA assesses your eligibility for additional funds. As your application continues to be reviewed, you may still receive additional forms of assistance for other needs such as support for temporary housing, personal property and home repair costs. If you have questions about your disaster assistance application and what you qualify for, contact us at 1-800-621-3362 to speak with a FEMA representative in your language.

October 3, 2024

Rumor: The President of the United States and Vice President as well as the Director of FEMA have been unavailable to the Republican governors of the affected states.

Fact: This is false. All governors – including Republican Governors have confirmed being contact by the president/vice-president/FEMA Director and told to “Just tell us what you need.” The Republican governor of South Carolina was quoted as saying the Federal Response has been “Superb.” The Republican governor of Georgia reported that FEMA was well established with State Emergency Management in advance of the storm and that they had a strong and positive working relationship. The Republican senator for western North Carolina reports requesting exact amounts of food and water to be delivered immediately, as well as portable cell towers and that they were delivered “the next day.”

One last thought... It saddens me that the same people who have made it a religion to deny human caused accelerated climate change and mass extinction - are chanting "drill by drill." We were warned in the 1970s by CREDABLE CLIMATE SCIENTIST that this was coming as would get progressively worst. (Almost half a century ago!) Well, we are almost at the point of no return. If like me you see anthropogenic climate change as an immediate existential threat to the planet - get involved!