No, FEMA and other emergency responders are not seizing or confiscating Hurricane Helene emergency supplies and donations - Poynter.

As FEMA responds to Hurricane Helene’s deadly effects and prepares for Hurricane Milton to strike Florida, some social media users spread unfounded rumours alleging FEMA of misappropriating emergency supplies. On Oct 2, Jeremy Herrell from Live From America TV shared an unscheduled Facebook Live broadcast in which he claimed FEMA is seizing donations and relief materials such as first aid kits, food and water in many affected regions. On Threads, one user reported hearing from their friend in Tennessee who told them FEMA and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were seizing supplies from community donation centers in their town. “I am sharing it because this is actually happening and will likely never get reported, therefore we must spread awareness!” the poster wrote Oct. 4. (That acronym stands for because). (Threads/Screenshot) These posts were flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed (Read more about our partnership with them – they own Facebook, Instagram and Threads!) FEMA does not confiscate emergency supplies and donations intended for Hurricane Helene survivors as previously claimed; FEMA officials as well as local leaders in Tennessee and North Carolina have denied these accusations, warning against hindering disaster relief efforts by making such accusations public. FEMA Press Secretary Daniel Llargues told PolitiFact that claims about FEMA seizing emergency supplies is false: instead, FEMA brings goods directly into states for distribution by them, “handing over commodities directly,” as Llargues described it. Llargues said FEMA delivered supplies to Raleigh, North Carolina before groups such as the North Carolina Air National Guard transported them west across the state. “FEMA seizing supplies… that is just another myth”, according to him. On Oct. 6, ABC News’ “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos noted the false information surrounding FEMA has led to online attacks against it – such as one social media post suggesting “militias should take on FEMA.” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told Stephanopoulos such attacks have been detrimental and demoralizing not only to FEMA staff but also first responders and local staff and volunteers. She noted how such events “had a tremendous impact on employee comfort levels to go out there”, she concluded. “Whenever there is dangerous rhetoric like you’ve described here, it causes fear among our employees and we must ensure assistance is delivered accordingly. FEMA also responded by creating its “Rumor Response” page.” “FEMA does not accept donations of food and/or supplies from survivors or voluntary organizations,” according to their written statements. Donations such as water are stored by volunteer agencies which specialize in sorting, cleaning and distributing donated items. At an Oct. 3 media briefing, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R), who is an outspoken critic of FEMA funding being denied to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency or Red Cross organizations was queried on reports suggesting this. To which Lee replied “that is completely inaccurate”. “Much misinformation has spread, with some believing and understanding it comes from foreign sources to create confusion on the ground about what’s occurring here. There has been no confiscation or seizures by FEMA or TEMA.” Knox County, Tennessee Mayor Glenn Jacobs (a Republican), acknowledged his frustrations with FEMA but encouraged people to help out without spreading misinformation or spreading misguided advice regarding an emergency. Jacobs said in an Oct. 4, 2016, post on Facebook X that there is no evidence FEMA or TEMA are confiscating supplies: “Please stop spreading those rumors as they’re counterproductive to response efforts and should stop.” Two things should be kept in mind regarding FEMA/TEMA confiscating supplies: 1) There has never been evidence FEMA/TEMA are confiscating supplies (this I can confirm as of today); and two, neither FEMA /TEMA nor anyone else is confiscating supplies.” Please stop spreading these falsehoods as they undermine response efforts and hinder response efforts.2) If everyone could put aside any personal dislike and join together as volunteers in helping, that would be fantastic! North Carolina’s Department of Public Safety also created “Hurricane Helene: Fact Vs. Fiction”, to educate North Carolinians. Rumor” website where they addressed claims that state officials were dissuading donations in response to Hurricane Helene and that physical donations are being confiscated by state and federal officials. North Carolina actively encourages financial donations and is currently working with various organizations in setting up logistical operations to coordinate collection and distribution of physical donations throughout its borders and country. The page stated this commitment extends both ways. “Donations are not being confiscated by state and federal officials,” it stated, while Justin Granny from North Carolina Emergency Management gave evidence on its video page as to how misinformation spreads rapidly through social media. “If something appears suspicious, take time to verify its source first and share only once you are sure.” He warned against spreading confusion during already stressful moments. This myth also surfaced after Hawaii’s devastating and lethal 2023 Maui wildfires; Facebook posts claimed FEMA was seizing supplies intended for Hurricane Helene survivors as soon as donations arrived at their warehouses. FEMA officials in Tennessee and North Carolina disagree with these assertions as being baseless; FEMA provides supplies and donations directly to states; these supplies are then distributed by states themselves through state-designated groups. We therefore rate these claims False. This fact check was originally published by PolitiFact (part of Poynter Institute) who published it with sources here.