Meteorologists tracking the advance of Hurricane Milton have been targeted by a deluge of conspiracy theories alleging they were controlling the weather, abuse, and even death threats, amid what they describe as an unprecedented surge in misinformation as two major hurricanes have hit the US.
A series of falsehoods and threats have emerged in the two weeks since Hurricane Helene tore through six states, causing several hundred deaths, followed by Milton crashing into Florida on Wednesday.
The extent of the misinformation, stoked by Donald Trump and his supporters, has hindered the ability to help hurricane-affected communities, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Katie Nickolaou, a Michigan-based meteorologist, shared her experience, stating that she and her colleagues are enduring numerous conspiracies, including claims that category 6 hurricanes exist (they don’t) and that meteorologists or the government create and direct hurricanes (they don’t). She has even received threats suggesting that scientists should be killed and radar equipment demolished.
“I’ve never seen a storm garner so much misinformation; we have just been putting out fires of wrong information everywhere,” Nickolaou said.
“People have called me a plethora of curse words, telling me to shut up and sit down, and some think it’s OK to attack Doppler radar because they believe it controls the weather,” she added. “It is consuming a lot of work and free time to deal with all of this. It’s very tiring.”
A wide range of misinformation has spread as Helene and Milton gathered strength in the Gulf of Mexico. This includes claims made by Trump that FEMA had run out of funds for hurricane survivors, which have been diverted to illegal immigrants. Violent threats against FEMA workers have proliferated across platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), with allegations that FEMA staff should be harmed or killed.
“Hurricane Helene was an ATTACK caused by Weather Manipulation,” claimed a video shared by Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser to Trump.
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right congresswoman, also tweeted, “Yes, they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.”
This steep rise in falsehoods has drawn sharp responses from President Joe Biden, who has criticized the misinformation, blaming Trump for an “onslaught of lies.”
“It’s beyond ridiculous,” Biden stated. “It’s so stupid. It’s got to stop.”
Though human activity can exacerbate hurricanes through climate change, scientists affirm that individuals cannot create, control, or steer storms. Furthermore, FEMA’s disaster relief funding for hurricane-affected communities is distinct from funds allocated to shelter migrants.
Chris Gloninger, a former TV meteorologist and climate scientist, voiced concerns about the trend of public reliance on extremist figures for information rather than experts. “The modern Republican party has an army of people who are on social media with huge followings who disseminate this misinformation,” he lamented. “I’m witnessing my former colleagues facing threats; it’s mind-blowing. I’ve never seen anything like this in any disaster.”
Gloninger warned that meteorologists may reach a breaking point due to the stress and threats they face while trying to fulfill their responsibilities during extreme weather events. “What other profession are people targeted for simply doing their job? All we are trying to do is protect life and property during extreme weather.”