Misinformation and rumors often circulate amid natural disasters, as information is scarce and tensions are high. But the scale and speed of falsehoods that have circulated during Helene and Milton have surprised officials, including Ms. Criswell, who said on Tuesday that she had “anticipated some of this, but not to the extent that we’re seeing.”

Rumors, misinformation and lies about the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene have run rampant since the storm made landfall, especially around FEMA funding.

Former President Trump and other Republicans have criticized FEMA for its response to Hurricane Helene, claiming that the agency is providing only $750 in aid to affected individuals. In response, FEMA has launched a new webpage to clarify the facts regarding hurricane recovery efforts.