"When Storms Collide: The Hidden Battle Against Misinformation and Threats at FEMA"
FEMA Faces Rising Threats Amid Hurricane Response: A Deep Dive into Disinformation and Swatting Incidents
As Florida braced for the impact of back-to-back hurricanes last October, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Deanne Criswell, found herself confronting an unprecedented crisis—not just the looming storms, but a wave of harassment and threats stemming from rampant online disinformation. This troubling situation was exacerbated by a dangerous prank known as "swatting," which saw police dispatched to Criswell’s rental property following a false report.
The Storms and the Swatting Incident
Hurricanes Helene and Milton, both of which wreaked havoc across Florida and North Carolina, ignited a torrent of conspiracy theories and misinformation online. Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Bloomberg News reveal that FEMA officials faced harassment, including death threats, as they worked to manage the disaster response. Criswell, who was preparing to brief the public on Hurricane Milton—one of the most powerful storms recorded in the Gulf of Mexico—described the unsettling moment when she learned about the swatting incident. “It was a very unsettling feeling,” she recounted, highlighting the dual pressures of ensuring public safety while worrying for her own renters.
The Impact of Misinformation
The documents reveal a disturbing trend: misinformation not only undermines public trust but also diverts critical resources away from emergency response efforts. In the wake of the hurricanes, false claims circulated that FEMA was mishandling disaster relief, including allegations that the agency had seized property from survivors and confiscated donations. Criswell noted that these unfounded accusations made her staff and the community anxious, as they struggled to discern truth from fiction.
The spread of disinformation was fueled by a historical mistrust of government in the affected areas, compounded by social media platforms reducing content moderation. High-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump, amplified these false narratives, further complicating FEMA’s efforts to communicate effectively with the public.
Doxxing and Threats to Personnel
The documents also detail alarming incidents of doxxing, where personal information of at least seven senior FEMA officials was published online, exposing them to harassment and threats. Jacyln Rothenberg, a FEMA spokesperson, was among those targeted, leading to heightened security measures, including the assignment of Customs and Border Protection agents to protect her home. “Because the doxxing was so severe and my safety was at risk, I had to stop tweeting,” Rothenberg said, emphasizing the chilling effect of such threats on public communication.
Offline Attacks and Increased Security Measures
As Hurricane Milton approached, the threats escalated from online harassment to real-world dangers. Following Criswell’s swatting incident, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas authorized additional security measures for FEMA personnel. The situation reached a critical point when reports emerged of an individual allegedly “hunting” FEMA staff in North Carolina’s disaster zone, prompting Criswell to order a temporary stand-down of all FEMA personnel involved in direct interactions with survivors.
In response to these escalating threats, FEMA established a Workplace Protection Task Force, integrating security, intelligence, and communications professionals to manage incoming threats. The agency also implemented specialized software to flag personnel previously targeted online, although limitations remained regarding government influence over social media content moderation.
The Broader Implications of Disinformation
The ongoing threat of misinformation poses significant challenges to FEMA’s operations, particularly in an environment where political figures have made substantial cuts to the agency’s staffing and funding. The profit-driven model of social media platforms, where sensational falsehoods often outperform factual updates, exacerbates the problem, putting lives at risk during emergencies.
Melissa Ryan, founder of Card Strategies, emphasized that the current political climate complicates efforts to combat disinformation. “So many of the new government appointees are Trump loyalists, and attempting to actually respond effectively to disinformation would make whoever made the attempt a target for MAGA and the administration,” she noted.
Conclusion
As FEMA continues to navigate the challenges posed by natural disasters and the accompanying wave of disinformation, the agency’s ability to respond effectively is increasingly jeopardized. The incidents surrounding Hurricanes Helene and Milton serve as a stark reminder of the intersection between emergency management and the digital landscape, where misinformation can have real-world consequences. As the agency works to protect both its personnel and the communities it serves, the need for accurate information and public trust has never been more critical.