**Top FEMA Official Denounces Misinformation About Hurricane Helene Response**

The head of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has condemned false claims and conspiracy theories surrounding the federal response to Hurricane Helene. Deanne Criswell, who leads FEMA, stated on Sunday that this misinformation is not only demoralizing aid workers but also instilling fear in individuals who are in desperate need of recovery assistance.

"It's frankly ridiculous, and just plain false. This kind of rhetoric is not helpful to people," Criswell emphasized. "It's really a shame that we're putting politics ahead of helping people, and that's what we're here to do. We have had the complete support of the state," she added, referring to efforts in North Carolina.

A wave of misinformation, largely perpetuated by former President Donald Trump and his allies, has spread through the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. The false claims include accusations that federal aid is being deliberately withheld from Republican areas. Trump has also alleged that FEMA's funds are being misused to support immigrants illegally present in the United States, while other critics argue that the government is overly focused on foreign aid to countries like Israel and Ukraine.

Keith Turi, acting director of FEMA's Office of Response and Recovery, reassured that the agency has sufficient funds for the Helene response efforts. "FEMA absolutely has enough money for Helene response right now," Turi stated, noting that Congress had recently allocated an additional $20 billion to FEMA, with around $8 billion earmarked for recovery efforts from previous storms and mitigation projects.

Among the more absurd theories circulating are claims by far-right extremist groups warning that authorities plan to bulldoze storm-damaged communities and seize the land. Additionally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has propagated a falsehood that weather control technology was used to direct Helene towards Republican voters to influence the presidential election in favor of Democrat Kamala Harris.

Criswell stressed that such baseless claims are eroding trust and creating fear among residents, further complicating recovery efforts. Speaking on ABC's "This Week," she explained that this dangerous narrative is making people hesitant to seek aid or register for help, despite the presence of thousands of FEMA employees and volunteers on the ground.

"We've had the local officials helping to push back on this dangerous -- truly dangerous narrative that is creating this fear of trying to reach out and help us or to register for help," she said. Criswell highlighted that FEMA is collaborating closely with state authorities to address their needs proactively before any further landfall.