Storms Helene and Milton have triggered rise of misinformation stoked by Trump and fellow Republicans

Storms Helene and Milton have triggered rise of misinformation stoked by Trump and fellow Republicans

Meteorologists tracking the advance of Hurricane Milton have been targeted by a deluge of conspiracy theories that they were controlling the weather, abuse and even death threats, amid what they say is an unprecedented surge in misinformation as two major hurricanes have hit the US.

A series of falsehoods and threats have swirled 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, which has been stoked by Donald Trump and his followers, has been such that it has stymied the ability to help hurricane-hit communities, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema).

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  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    282·
    25 days ago

    Except worse, because I know some meteorologists from my time working in local TV. Doctors get into medicine much of the time because they want to help people. In my experience, meteorologists get into it because they think the weather is really fucking cool and they love telling people about it. That’s a much smaller incentive to keep doing what you do when your life could be in danger. At that point, and again I’m just speaking for me, meteorology would become a hobby.

    • macarthur_park@lemmy.world
      25·
      25 days ago

      This has already played out exactly as you’re predicting: The Weatherman Who Tried to Bring Climate Science to a Red State

      In 2021, Chris Gloninger, a television weatherman in Boston with a passion for climate science, was approached with an intriguing prospect. Would he consider a job as chief meteorologist at a television station in Des Moines?

      It was a smaller market, and talk of global warming would be challenging in a politically conservative state. But research from 2020 showed that most Iowans were interested in news about climate change, and the state was a leader in wind energy. Mr. Gloninger’s weather forecasts could be a breakthrough.

      He quit after death threats.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        222·
        25 days ago

        And that’s just threats. If/when one gets murdered, it won’t matter if it’s a red state or a blue state. They’ll all consider their lives at risk. In an occupation that, unless you’re a storm chaser, is not one where the person doing it thinks is going to be an issue.