Disasters are confusing times. In the aftermath of major hurricanes, wildfires, terrorist attacks and other emergencies, Americans often look for guidance and support from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which former President Jimmy Carter established in 1979 and which has, since 2003, been part of the Department of Homeland Security.
As important as FEMA is for funding and facilitating both preparedness and recovery efforts, the agency has been a frequent subject of misinformation, including the false rumor that FEMA was using barges to transport survivors of the 2018 eruption of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano to internment camps. FEMA has also faced public criticism for claims that turned out to be true — among them, the allegation that an agency official told hurricane-response workers to skip homes with signs endorsing President Donald Trump in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
In no particular order, here are 10 rumors we've investigated about FEMA.
