PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY/WOOD) — With Hurricane Florence trending on Twitter and Facebook, rumors about the storm have begun to go viral.
That’s why the Federal Emergency Management Agency created a Hurricane Florence Rumor Control webpage, dispelling false information circulating about the storm.
We have created a rumor control page for Hurricane #Florence that will be updated regularly. During disasters, it’s critical to avoid spreading false information. Always check with official sources before sharing. https://t.co/PAjGQZJ1Nt pic.twitter.com/z4L0r1YjAT— FEMA (@fema) September 12, 2018
As of 9 a.m. Thursday, the page listed several rumors that had been debunked or clarified, including shelters allowing service animals but not pets. According to FEMA, the only animals that hotels and shelters are required to accept are service animals because of the Americans with Disability Act.
The page also addressed a rumor about FEMA funding being diverted for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency said money came from its budget for travel, training, public engagement and information technology, and is less than 1 percent of FEMA’s total operating budget.
