The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has dispelled a falsehood that has spread about assistance for victims of Hurricane Ida. The rumor claimed that the agency was providing hotel rooms for those who were displaced. Instead, the agency suggests those needing assistance visit their website.
Hurricane Ida demolished neighborhoods in various Louisiana and Mississippi cities and the aftermath will take weeks to deal with. Many residents lost their homes as the storm ripped through the state. Louisiana’s power grid was destroyed.
Unfortunately, a rumor hit social media claiming that FEMA would be providing hotels for those in need of shelter.
FEMA took to their Twitter page to announced that the claim is false and that they would be starting a rumor control page for Hurricane Ida.
There is a false rumor being shared on social media and text messages saying FEMA is paying for hotels in Louisiana due to the recent storm. This is false.
You may apply for FEMA assistance online at https://t.co/gryh5A6N9X or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
2/2 #Ida
— FEMA (@fema) August 30, 2021
While FEMA does allow victims of natural disasters to apply for assistance, that help is never guaranteed. The responses to their tweet were met with disappointment and expressed fear that the agency is repeating its mishandling of Hurricane Katrina.
There was a rumour going around that we were doing good things and being helpful. We want to assure everybody that that is not the case
— curtis (@curtain_flower) August 31, 2021
Only thing they paid for during Hurricane Laura for me was chainsaw and generator reimbursement. They’re not very helpful like they once was during Rita and Katrina.
— Anthony Irwin (@Andyi57) August 31, 2021
There are people right now from Grand Isle, Houma, and Mississippi that are displaced! The parish president and governor are telling people they can not come back!!! People cannot afford weeks at a hotel!!! APPROVE THE PAYMENT FOR ROOMS NOW!!!
— nicki nicki (@ECMRCO) August 31, 2021
There are people right now from Grand Isle, Houma, and Mississippi that are displaced! The parish president and governor are telling people they can not come back!!! People cannot afford weeks at a hotel!!! APPROVE THE PAYMENT FOR ROOMS NOW!!!
— nicki nicki (@ECMRCO) August 31, 2021
What FEMA calls “disaster fraud” is not uncommon and has been present after several natural disasters. Usually, they are ploys to get victims’ personal information such as social security numbers and bank account numbers.
However, it will be hard for people to reach FEMA’s website without power and the reimbursement programs the agency offers on its website are not feasible for those who don’t have the funds to pay the initial costs.
The agency has not publicly responded to the criticism.
