Quote:People like Dull, as well as those still in their storm-damaged communities, are hungry for reliable information. When they turn to social media, they're finding mixed results. Some platforms don't have much news at all. Other platforms have enabled them to form groups that provide information and companionship.
And then there is X, formerly known as Twitter, where politically charged rumors flow freely. Emergency management researchers lament that the platform owned by Elon Musk, which was once considered a useful source of information in a disaster, is instead contributing to the chaos in Helene's wake.
[...]
The storm hit two swing states just a month before a close election, making criticisms about the response a tempting political line of attack.
On X, the top results for “Helene” have millions of views but are not always reliable.
"'$2.4 billion aid to Ukraine' vs 'No more aid for Hurricane Helene' - 3 days apart" pro-Trump account End Wokeness wrote alongside video clips of President Biden speaking on two occasions. The post received over 5 million views.
The text misrepresents one of the Biden videos.
[...]
Other videos on X made wilder claims.
"Don’t worry guys, weather modification isn’t real! It’s just a coincidence that Hurricane Helene is one of the most devastating 'inland damage storms' in history and that hundreds of pro-Trump counties are being massively impacted during the most important election of our lifetimes," influencer Matt Wallace posted alongside video footage of flooding.
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/03/nx-s1-513...cial-media
Meth is a helluva drug, kids.